4–77
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Traction Control System
(TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by controlling
engine torque and braking. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque and operates the brakes to
prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
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 the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving:The Traction Control System (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are covered
with ice and/or snow: Driving without proper traction devices
on snow and/or ice-covered roads
is dangerous. The Traction Control
System (TCS) alone cannot provide
adequate traction and you could still
have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-79).
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating properly.
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
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When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-76) and TCS
(page 4-77).
DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).
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 the Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe driving:The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
CAUTION
The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
Use tires of the correct size specified
for your Mazda on all four wheels.
Use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all four
wheels.
Do not mix worn tires.
The DSC may not operate correctly when
tire chains are used or a temporary spare
tire is installed because the tire diameter
changes.
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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When Driving
Power Steering
Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when
the engine is running. If the engine is
off or if the power steering system is
inoperable, you can still steer, but it
requires more physical effort.
If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving or the steering
vibrates, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The warning indication/warning
light notifies the driver of system
abnormalities and operation conditions.
In addition, the buzzer may also activate
depending on the system abnormality or
operation condition.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-33.
Refer to Power Steering Warning Buzzer
on page 7-39.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running. This
could damage the power steering
system.
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When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
i-ACTIVSENSE*
i-ACTIVSENSE is a collective term covering a series of advanced safety and driver support
systems which make use of a Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) and radar sen\
sors. These
systems consist of active safety and pre-crash safety systems.
These systems are designed to assist the driver in safer driving by redu\
cing the load on the
driver and helping to avert collisions or reduce their severity. However, because each system
has its limitations, always drive carefully and do not rely solely on th\
e systems.
Active Safety Technology
Active Safety Technology supports safer driving by helping the driver to recognize pote\
ntial
hazards and avert accidents.
Driver awareness support systems
Nighttime visibility
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) ........................................................................\
......4-90
High Beam Control System (HBC) ........................................................................\
............ 4-91
Rear side detection
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) ........................................................................\
.................... 4-94
Road sign recognition
Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR) ........................................................................\
... 4-100
Inter-vehicle distance recognition
Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) ................................................................ 4-107
Rear obstruction detection when leaving a parking space
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) ........................................................................\
.............. 4-111
Driver support systems
Inter-vehicle distance
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) ........................................................................\
..... 4-115
Lane departure
Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) ............... 4-125
Pre-Crash Safety Technology
Pre-crash safety technology is designed to assist the driver in averting\
collisions or reduce
their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided.
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i-ACTIVSENSE
Collision damage reduction in low vehicle speed range
Forward driving
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) ........................................................................\
...........4-138
Collision damage reduction in medium/high speed range
Smart Brake Support (SBS) ........................................................................\
...................... 4-143
Camera and Sensors
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) detects lane indications and recogniz\
es headlights,
taillights and city lights during nighttime driving. In addition, it als\
o detects the vehicle
ahead, pedestrians, or obstructions. The following systems also use the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC).
High Beam Control system (HBC) Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR) Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) Smart Brake Support (SBS)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed at the top of the windsh\
ield near the
rearview mirror.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) on page 4-146.
Radar sensor (front)
The radar sensor (front) functions by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle ahead
sent from the radar sensor. The following systems also use the radar sensor (front).
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) Smart Brake Support (SBS)
The radar sensor (front) is mounted behind the radiator grille.
Refer to Radar Sensor (Front) on page 4-150.
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle
approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensors.\
The following
systems also use the radar sensors (rear).
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right
sides.
Refer to Radar Sensors (Rear) on page 4-153.
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When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)*
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the hea\
dlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel af\
ter the headlights have
been turned on and the vehicle speed is about 2 km/h (2 mph) or higher\
.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-32.
NOTE
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/inopera\
ble
using the personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-10.
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When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
High Beam Control System (HBC)*
The High Beam Control System (HBC) determines the conditions in front of the vehicle
using the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) while driving in darkness to au\
tomatically switch
the headlights between high and low beams.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-32.
While driving the vehicle at a speed of about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more\
, the headlights are
switched to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or approaching i\
n the opposite
direction.
The system switches the headlights to low beams when one of the followin\
g occurs:
The system detects a vehicle or the headlights/lights of a vehicle appro\
aching in the
opposite direction.
The vehicle is driven on roads lined with streetlamps or on roads in wel\
l-lit cities and
towns.
The vehicle is driven at less than about 20 km/h (12 mph).
F orward Sensing
Camera (FSC)
The recognition distance of the
F
orward Sensing Camera (FSC)
v aries according to the
surrounding conditions.
The warning light turns on when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-33.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the vehicle height, modify the headlight units, or remove the camera,
otherwise the system will not operate normally.
Do not rely excessively on the High Beam Control System (HBC) and drive the vehicle while
paying sufficient attention to safety. Switch the headlights between the high beams and
low beams manually if necessary.
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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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