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4–40
When Driving
Manual Transaxle Operation
Gear Shift Indicator (GSI)
The Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) supports
you to obtain optimum fuel economy and
smooth driving. It displays the selected
gear position in the instrument cluster as
well as notifies the driver to change to the
most suitable gear position corresponding
to the actual driving condition.
Selected gear positionSuitable gear position
Indication Condition
Numeral The selected gear position is
displayed.
and numeral Shift up or down to the indicated
gear position is recommended.
CAUTION
Do not rely solely on the shift-up/
shift-down recommendations by
indications. The actual driving
situation might require shift operations
different from indication. To avoid the
risk of accidents, the road and traffic
conditions have to be judged correctly
by the driver before shifting.
NOTE
The Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) turns
off when the following operations are
performed.
The vehicle is stopped. The vehicle is put in neutral. The vehicle is driven in reverse. The clutch is not fully engaged when
accelerating from a stop.
The clutch pedal remains depressed for
2 seconds or longer while driving.
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4–61
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to the intermittent position
and choose the interval timing by rotating
the ring.
INT ringFast
Slo w
With auto-wiper control
Switch
Position Wiper operation
Operation while pulling up lever
Stop
Auto control
Low speed
High speed
Auto-wiper control
When the wiper lever is in the
position, the rain sensor senses the amount
of rainfall on the windshield and turns the
wipers on or off automatically (off—
intermittent—low speed—high speed).
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be
adjusted by turning the switch on the
wiper lever.
From the center position (normal), rotate
the switch upward for higher sensitivity
(faster response) or rotate it downward for
less sensitivity (slower response).
Higher sensiti vity
Less sensitivitySwitch
Center
position
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When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue to
depress the brake pedal without pumping
the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-33.
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving:The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow,
and hydroplaning (reduced tire friction
and road contact because of water on
the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
The sound of the ABS operating may
be heard when starting the engine
or immediately after starting the
vehicle, however, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
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When Driving
Drive Selection
*Some models.
Drive Selection*
Drive selection is a system to switch the vehicle's drive mode. When the sport mode
is selected, vehicle's response against accelerator operation is enhance\
d. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely make maneuvers such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION
Do not use the sport mode when driving on slippery roads such as wet or snow-covered
roads. It may cause tire slipping.
NOTE
When the sport mode is selected, driving at higher engine speeds increases and it may
increase fuel consumption. Mazda recommends that you cancel the sport mode on normal
driving.
Drive mode cannot be switched in the following conditions:
ABS/TCS/DSC is operating The Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system/cruise control is operating. Steering wheel is being operated abruptly
Drive Selection Switch
Press the drive selection switch forward
(“
”) to select the sport mode.
Pull the drive selection switch back
(“”) to cancel the sport mode.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched off, the
sport mode is canceled.
Depending on the driving conditions
when sport mode is selected, the vehicle
may perform shift-down or slightly
accelerate.
Select Mode Indication
When the sport mode is selected, the select
mode indication turns on in the instrument
cluster.
NOTE
If the drive selection cannot be switched
to sport mode, the select mode indication
flashes to notify the driver.
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When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)*
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is designed to assist the driver in checking the area to the
rear of the vehicle on both sides during lane changes by notifying the d\
river of the presence
of vehicles approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) detects vehicles approaching from the rear while
traveling in the forward direction at a speed of 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster and notifies
the driver by turning on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light and
displaying the vehicle detection screen (vehicles with multi-informatio\
n display and active
driving display).
If the turn signal lever is operated to signal a turn in the direction in which the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light is illuminated while the approaching vehicle is
detected, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) notifies the driver of possible danger by turning
on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light, and by activating the warning
sound and the warning screen indicator display (vehicles with multi-inf\
ormation display and
active driving display).
The detection area on this system covers the driving lanes on both sides\
of the vehicle and
from the rear part of the front doors to about 50 m (164 ft) behind th\
e vehicle.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
WARNING
Always check the surrounding area visually before making an actual lane change:The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at your rear when
making a lane change. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light, the warning sound and the warning
screen indicator display may not activate or they might be delayed even though a vehicle
is in an adjacent driving lane. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the
rear.
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When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Speed limit signs and do not enter signs
Stop sign
WARNING
Always check the traffic signs visually while driving.The Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR) helps prevent the driver from overlooking traffic
signs and provides support for safer driving. Depending on the weather conditions or
problems with traffic signs, a traffic sign may not be recognized or a traffic sign different
from the actual traffic sign may be displayed. Always make it your responsibility as a
driver to check the traffic signs. Otherwise, it could result in an unexpected accident.
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When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) operation
1. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operates when the shift lever (manual
transaxle) or the selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to the reverse (R) position.
2. If there is the possibility of a collision with an approaching vehicle, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights flashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) warning indication in the rearview monitor also
synchronizes with the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light on the door
mirrors.
WARNING
Always check the surrounding area visually before actually putting the vehicle in
reverse:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at the rear when putting
the vehicle in reverse. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights may not flash or it might be delayed
even though a vehicle is behind your vehicle. Always make it your responsibility as a
driver to check the rear.
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When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system:
The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system is only designed to reduce damage in the
event of a collision. Over reliance on the system leading to the accelerator pedal or
brake pedal being mistakenly operated could result in an accident.
The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) is a system which operates in response to a
vehicle ahead. The system may not be able to detect or react to 2-wheeled vehicles or
pedestrians.
CAUTION
When driving off-road in areas where there is dense grass, it is recommended that the
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system be turned off.
In the following cases, turn the system off to prevent a mis-operation:
The vehicle is being towed or when towing another vehicle. The vehicle is on a chassis roller. When driving on rough roads such as in areas of dense grass or off-road.
Refer to Stopping the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system Operation on page 4-142
on how to turn off the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system.
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