Page 129 of 612
3–53
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Towing
Your Mazda is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer
to "Towing Description" (page
7-22)
and "Tiedown Hooks" (page
7-23) and
carefully follow the instructions.
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 532016/08/10 17:35:39
Page 130 of 612
3–54
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 542016/08/10 17:35:39
MEMO
Page 131 of 612

4–1
*Some models.
4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine ................................4-4
Ignition Switch ...............................4-4
Starting the Engine .........................4-5
Turning the Engine Off ................4-10
Instrument Cluster and Display ......4-12
Meters and Gauges .......................4-12
Active Driving Display* ...............4-21
Warning/Indicator Lights .............4-23
Manual Transaxle Operation ...........4-29
Manual Transaxle Shift Pattern ....4-29
Automatic Transaxle .........................4-32
Automatic Transaxle Controls .....4-32
Shift-Lock System .......................4-33
Transaxle Ranges .........................4-34
Manual Shift Mode ......................4-35
Direct Mode* ................................4-41
Driving Tips .................................4-42
Switches and Controls ......................4-43
Lighting Control ...........................4-43
Fog Lights* ...................................4-48
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ....4-49
Windshield Wipers and Washer ...4-50
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer*.........................................4-53
Rear Window Defogger ...............4-54
Horn .............................................4-56
Hazard Warning Flasher ...............4-56
HomeLink Wireless Control
System* .........................................4-57
Brake ..................................................4-61
Brake System ...............................4-61
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) ............4-67
ABS/TCS/DSC ...................................4-68
Antilock Brake System (ABS) .....4-68
Traction Control System (TCS) ...4-69
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
...........................................4-70
i-ELOOP ............................................4-72
i-ELOOP* .....................................4-72
Fuel Economy Monitor .....................4-75
Fuel Economy Monitor* ...............4-75
Drive Selection ...................................4-78
Drive Selection* ...........................4-78
Power Steering ...................................4-80
Power Steering .............................4-80
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 12016/08/10 17:35:40
Page 132 of 612

4–2*Some models.
i-ACTIVSENSE.................................4-81
i-ACTIVSENSE ...........................4-81
Adaptive Front Lighting
System (AFS)* ..............................4-84
High Beam Control System
(HBC)*..........................................4-85
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)* ....4-88
Traffic Sign Recognition System
(TSR)* ..........................................4-94
Distance Recognition Support
System (DRSS)* .........................4-101
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA)* .....................................4-103
Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC)* ....................................4-107
Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) &
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
* ....................................4-117
Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS)* ......................................4-128
Smart Brake Support (SBS)* ......4-133
Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)
..........................................4-136
Radar Sensor (Front) ..................4-141
Radar Sensors (Rear) .................4-144
Cruise Control .................................4-146
Cruise Control* ...........................4-146
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...4-151
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System* .......................................4-151
Rear View Monitor ..........................4-155
Rear View Monitor* ...................4-155
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 22016/08/10 17:35:40
Page 133 of 612
4–3
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 32016/08/10 17:35:40
MEMO
Page 134 of 612

4–4
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
Ignition Switch
Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
Indicator light
Push button start
NOTE
The engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the clutch
pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake
pedal (automatic transaxle). To switch
the ignition position, press the push
button start without depressing the
pedal.
Do not leave the ignition switched ON
while the engine is not running. Doing
so could result in the battery going
dead. If the ignition is left in ACC (For
automatic transaxle, the selector lever
is in the P position, and the ignition
is in ACC), the ignition switches off
automatically after about 25 minutes. Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start indicator
light (amber) also turns off.
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector lever
is in P (automatic transaxle) or in 1st
gear or R (manual transaxle):
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition off, setting the
parking brake, and shifting the selector
lever to P (automatic transaxle) or
to 1st gear or R (manual transaxle)
is dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur which could
result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to leave
the vehicle for even a short period, it
is important to switch the ignition off,
as leaving it in another position will
disable some of the vehicle's security
systems and run the battery down.
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 42016/08/10 17:35:41
Page 135 of 612

4–5
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been
pressed to ACC, and the doors will not
lock/unlock even if they have been locked
manually.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The indicator light
(amber) turns off. (The indicator light
(amber) illuminates when the ignition
is switched ON and the engine is not
running.)
Some indicator lights/warning lights
should be inspected before the engine is
started (page
4-23).
NOTE
When the push button start is pressed to
ON, the sound of the fuel pump motor
operating near the fuel tank can be heard.
This does not indicate an abnormality.
Starting the Engine
WARNING
Radio waves from the key may affect
medical devices such as pacemakers:
Before using the key near people who use
medical devices, ask the medical device
manufacturer or your physician if radio
waves from the key will affect the device.
NOTE
The key must be carried because the key
carries an immobilizer chip that must
communicate with the engine controls at
short range.
The engine can be started when the push
button start is pressed from off, ACC, or ON.
The push button start system functions
(function which can start the engine by
only carrying the key) can be deactivated
to prevent any possible adverse effect
on a user wearing a pacemaker or
other medical device. If the system is
deactivated, you will be unable to start
the engine by carrying the key. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.
If the push button start system functions
have been deactivated, you can start
the engine by following the procedure
indicated when the key battery goes dead.
Refer to Engine Start Function When
Key Battery is Dead on page 4-8. After starting a cold engine, the engine
speed increases and a whining sound from
the engine compartment can be heard.
This is for improved exhaust gas purification
and does not indicate any parts defect.
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Standard
requirements regulating the impulse
electrical field strength of radio noise.
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 52016/08/10 17:35:41
Page 136 of 612

4–6
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
1. Make sure you are carrying the key.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Continue to press the brake pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
5. (Manual transaxle)
Continue to press the clutch pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
(Automatic transaxle)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the clutch
pedal is not depressed sufficiently.
(Automatic transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the selector
lever is not in P or N and the brake pedal
is not depressed sufficiently.
6. Verify that the KEY indicator light
(green) in the instrument cluster and the
push button start indicator light (green)
illuminate.
Indicator light
Push button start
KEY indicator light
(green)/ KEY
warning light (red)
NOTE
If the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes, make sure that the key is
being carried.
If the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes with the key being
carried, touch the key to the push
button start and start the engine. Refer
to Engine Start Function When Key
Battery is Dead on page
4-8.
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 62016/08/10 17:35:42