2017 MAZDA MODEL CX-3 steering

4–39
When Driving
Transaxle
*Some models.
Direct Mode *
Direct mode can be used for temporarily
switching gears by operating the steering
shift switch while the vehicle is being
driven with the selector lever in the D
range.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indication illuminate and the gear position
in use is illuminated.
Direct mode is canceled (released) under
the following conditions.
 


y The UP switch ( ) is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of time or
longer.
 


y The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating).
 


y The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.


Ty p e A


Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
Ty p e B


Gear position indication
Direct mode indication

Ty p e C


Direct mode indication
Gear position indication

N O T E
Shifting up and down while in direct mode
may not be possible depending on the
vehicle speed. In addition, because direct
mode is canceled (released) depending
on the rate of acceleration or if the
accelerator is fully depressed, use of the
manual shift mode is recommended if you
need to drive the vehicle in a particular
gear for long periods.

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4–40
When Driving
Transaxle
Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not let the vehicle move in a
direction opposite to the direction
selected by the selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward
with the selector lever in a forward
position, or do not let the vehicle
move forward with the selector lever
in the reverse position. Otherwise, the
engine may stop, causing the loss of
the power brake and power steering
functions, and make it diffi cult to
control the vehicle which could result
in an accident.

Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
N O T E
(Some models)
The accelerator pedal may initially feel
heavy as it is being depressed, then feel
lighter as it is depressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how much
the accelerator pedal has been depressed
for performing kickdown, and functions to
control whether or not kickdown should be
performed.

Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:

1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually
accelerating.

Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight and
grade steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
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4–53
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Horn
To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
Hazard Warning Flasher
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.



The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traf¿ c hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.



Depress the hazard warning À asher and
all the turn signals will À ash. The hazard
warning indicator lights in the instrument
cluster À ash simultaneously.
N O T E




y The turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning lights are on.
 


y Check local regulations about the use of
hazard warning lights while the vehicle
is being towed to verify that it is not in
violation of the law.

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4–64
When Driving
Drive Selection
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 enhanced. 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.

N O T E
 


y 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.
 


y Drive mode cannot be switched in the following conditions: 



y ABS/TCS/DSC is operating



y The Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system/cruise control is operating.



y 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.



N O T E
 


y When the ignition is switched off, the
sport mode is canceled.
 


y Depending on the driving conditions
when sport mode is selected, the vehicle
may perform shift-down or slightly
accelerate.

Select Mode Indicator Light
When the sport mode is selected, the
select mode indicator light turns on in the
instrument cluster.


N O T E
If the mode cannot be switched to drive
mode, the select mode indicator light
À ashes to notify the driver.

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4–65
When Driving
i-ACTIV AWD
i-ACTIV AWD Operation
AWD provides excellent drivability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-25 .
WARNING
Never spin a wheel that is off the
ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the ground
as a result of the vehicle being stuck
or in a ditch is dangerous. The drive
assembly could be seriously damaged
which could lead to an accident or
could even lead to overheating, oil
leakage, and a fi re.

AWD Driving
This vehicle has not been designed for the
purpose of off-road driving or rallies. Do
not attempt to drive over uneven or rocky
surfaces, or across rivers.
Although this vehicle is equipped with
AWD, acceleration, steering and braking
operations should be conducted in the
same manner as with a non-AWD vehicle,
with the emphasis placed on safe driving.
Tires and Tire Chains
The condition of the tires plays a large
role in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to the
drive assembly, please note the following:
T i r e s
 




y When replacing tires, always replace all
front and rear tires at the same time.
 


y All tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern.
Pay particular attention when equipping
snow or other types of winter tires.
 


y Do not mix tread-worn tires with normal
tires.
 


y Inspect tire inÀ ation pressures at the
speci¿ ed periods adjust to the speci¿ ed
pressures, and initialize the tire pressure
monitoring system.
  Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring
System Initialization on page 4-129 .

N O T E
Check the tire inÀ ation pressure label
attached to driver's door frame for the
correct tire inÀ ation pressure.




y Make sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine wheels of the speci¿ ed size, on
all wheels. With AWD, the system is
calibrated for all four wheels being of
the same dimensions.

Tire chains
 




y Install tire chains to the front tires.



y Do not use tire chains on the rear
wheels.
 


y Do not drive the vehicle faster than
30 km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains
installed.
 


y Do not drive the vehicle with tire chains
on road conditions other than snow or
ice.

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4–67
When Driving
Power Steering
Power Steering
 












y 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.
 


y The warning light noti¿ es 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 Lights on page
4-25 .
  Refer to Power Steering Warning Buzzer
on page 7-42 .

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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4–70
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) *
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the headlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel after 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 4-24 .
N O T E
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/inoperable
using the personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-10 .

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4–74
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) *
The LDWS system noti¿ es the driver that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane.
The system detects the white or yellow lines on the traf¿ c lane using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) and if it determines that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane, it noti¿ es
the driver using the active driving display (vehicles with active driving display), and by
À ashing the LDWS warning light and activating the LDWS warning beep.
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow lines.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-111 .


Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
LDWS warning light

The warning light illuminates when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-25 .
WARNING
Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions,
resulting in an accident.
 


¾ Driving on roads with tight curves.



¾ Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).

The functions of the LDWS have limitations:
Always stay on course using the steering wheel and drive with care. The system is not
designed to compensate for a driver’s lack of caution and if you rely too much on the
LDWS it could lead to an accident. The driver is responsible for assuring lane changes and
other maneuvers. Always pay attention to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling
and the vehicle’s surroundings.

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