4–68
When Driving
Brake
When applying the electric parking
brake (EPB)
The electric parking brake (EPB) can be
applied regardless of the ignition switch
position.
Securely depress the brake pedal and
pull up the electric parking brake (EPB)
switch.
The electric parking brake (EPB) is
applied and the brake system warning
light and the electric parking brake (EPB)
switch indicator light turn on.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-31 .
When releasing the electric parking
brake (EPB)
The electric parking brake (EPB) can be
released while the ignition is switched ON
or the engine is running. When the electric
parking brake (EPB) is released, the brake
system warning light and the electric
parking brake (EPB) switch indicator light
turn off.
electric parking brake (EPB) manual
release
Securely depress the brake pedal and press
down the electric parking brake (EPB)
switch.
Firmly depress the brake pedal and press
the electric parking brake (EPB) switch.
If the electric parking brake (EPB) switch
is pressed without depressing the brake
pedal, the display or indicator light in the
instrument cluster notifi es the driver that
the brake is not depressed.
(Type A instrument cluster)
A message is displayed on the multi-
information display in the instrument
cluster.
Refer to Message Indicated in Multi-
information Display on page 7-44 .
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4–69
When Driving
Brake
(Type B instrument cluster)
The brake pedal operation demand
indicator light in the instrument cluster
turns on.
electric parking brake (EPB) automatic
release
If the accelerator pedal is depressed with
the electric parking brake (EPB) applied
and all of the following conditions met, the
parking brake is released automatically.
The engine is running.
The driver's door is closed.
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
Selector lever is in the D, M, or R
position
NOTE
If something such as the driver's foot
contacts the accelerator pedal with the
engine running and the electric parking
brake (EPB) applied, the parking brake
may be released automatically. If you do
not intend to drive immediately, shift the
selector lever to the P or N position.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-32 .
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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4–72
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
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 4-32 .
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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4–73
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
*Some models.
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 4-32 .
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 TCS OFF
switch (page 4-74 ).
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
If the TCS, DSC or the Trailer Stability
Assist (TSA)
* is operating, the indicator
light fl ashes.
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
fl ashing, 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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4–74
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
TCS OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
It also illuminates when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
Refer to TCS OFF Switch on page 4-74 .
If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS is not switched off, take your vehicle
to an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The DSC
may have a malfunction.
TCS OFF Switch
Press the TCS OFF switch to turn off the
TCS. The TCS OFF indicator light in the
instrument cluster and TCS OFF switch
indicator light turn on.
Indicator light
Press the switch again to turn the TCS
back on. The TCS OFF indicator light and
TCS OFF switch indicator light will turn
off.
NOTE
When TCS is on and you attempt to free
the vehicle when it is stuck, or drive
it out of freshly fallen snow, the TCS
(part of the DSC system) will activate.
Depressing the accelerator will not
increase engine power and freeing
the vehicle may be diffi cult. When this
happens, turn off the TCS.
If the TCS is off when the engine is
turned off, it automatically activates
when the ignition is switched ON.
Leaving the TCS on will provide the
best traction.
If the TCS OFF switch is pressed and
held for 10 seconds or longer, the TCS
can no longer be turned off even if the
TCS OFF switch is pressed.
In this case, the TCS OFF switch will
operate normally when the ignition is
switched ON again after being switched
OFF.
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4–75
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
*Some models.
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 4-72 ) and TCS
(page 4-73 ).
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 4-32 .
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 specifi ed
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, DSC or the Trailer Stability
Assist (TSA)
* is operating, the indicator
light fl ashes.
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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4–76
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
Trailer Stability Assist
(TSA)
If the vehicle sways while being driven
and towing a trailer, the Trailer Stability
Assist (TSA) automatically controls
braking and engine torque to suppress the
swaying and enhance vehicle stability.
The Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is
operable at a vehicle speed of about 65
km/h (40 mph) or more.
When the Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
operates while driving the vehicle, the
TCS/DSC indicator light fl ashes.
Refer to TCS/DSC Indicator Light on page
4-75 .
WARNING
Do not rely solely on the Trailer Stability
Assist (TSA)
Assured vehicle stability is limited even
if the Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is
operating. Drive carefully to prevent
accidents.
In particular, if the TCS/DSC indicator
light is fl ashing, drive the vehicle
carefully as it is in a less stable
condition and could sway more easily.
Drive with caution and in accordance
with the road, vehicle and trailer
conditions.
CAUTION
The Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) may not
operate correctly unless the following
are observed:
Use tires of the correct size specifi ed
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 Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) may not
operate correctly when tire chains are
used or a temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
NOTE
The Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) uses
the TCS/DSC functions. The Trailer
Stability Assist (TSA) does not operate
if there is a malfunction in the TCS/DSC
(the TCS/DSC indicator light turns on).
When the Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
is operating, the brake lights may turn
on.
For information regarding trailer
towing, refer to Trailer Towing (U.S.A.
and Canada) on page 3-57 .
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4–79
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.
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
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