2018 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK light

Wear shoes appropriate for driving in
order to avoid your shoe contacting the
brake pedal when depressing the
accelerator pedal.
▼ Parking Brake
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on will
cause excessive wear of the brake parts.
NOTE
For parking in snow, refer to Winter
Driving (page 3-48) regarding parking
brake use.
Setting the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal and then firmly
pull the parking brake lever fully upwards
with sufficient force to hold the vehicle in
a stationary position.
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever upwards, then press
the release button. While holding the
button, lower the parking brake lever all
the way down to the released position.
▼Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
The EPB equipment applies the parking
brake using an elec
tric motor. When the
EPB is applied, the EPB switch indicator
light turns on.
Indicator light
When Driving
Brake
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WA R N I N G
Do not drive the vehicle with the EPB
applied:
If the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake applied, the brake parts may
generate heat and the brake system may
not operate, leading to an accident.
Before driving, release the EPB and verify
that the brake system warning light is
turned off.
NOTE
The EPB cannot be applied or released
while the vehicle battery is dead.
An operation sound occurs when
applying or releasing the EPB, however,
this does not indicate a malfunction.
If the EPB is not used for long periods,
an automatic inspection of the system is
performed while the vehicle is parked.
An operation sound can be heard,
however, this does not indicate a
problem.
When the EPB is applied and the
ignition is switched OFF, an operation
sound can be heard, however, this does
not indicate a problem.
The brake pedal may move while the
EPB is being applied or released,
however, this does not indicate a
problem.
If the EPB switch is continually pulled
while driving the vehicle, the EPB will
be applied and the EPB warning beep
will be activated. When the switch is
released, the EPB is released and the
beep stops.
If the EPB is applied with the ignition
switched off or in ACC, the brake system
warning light in the instrument cluster
and the indicator light in the switch may
turn on for 15 seconds.
When running the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, it may be necessary
to switch the ignition off with the
parking brake released depending on
the type of automatic car wash.
When applying the EPB
The EPB can be applied regardless of the
ignition switch position.
Securely depress the brake pedal and pull
up the EPB switch.
The EPB is applied and the brake system
warning light and the EPB switch
indicator light turn on.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-23.
When releasing the EPB
The EPB can be released while the
ignition is switched ON or the engine is
running. When the EPB is released, the
brake system warning light and the EPB
switch indicator light turn off.
When Driving
Brake
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EPB manual release
Firmly depress the brake pedal and press
the EPB switch.
If the EPB switch is pressed without
depressing the brake pedal, the indicator
light in the instrument cluster notifies the
driver that the brake is not depressed.
The brake pedal operation demand
indicator light in the instrument cluster
turns on.
EPB automatic release
If the accelerator pe dal is depressed with
the 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.
(Manual transaxle)
The change lever is in a position other
than neutral.
The clutch pedal is depressed halfway
(Automatic transaxle)
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 EPB applied, the
parking brake may be released
automatically. If you do not intend to drive
immediately, shift the change lever
(manual transaxle) to the neutral position,
or shift the selector lever (automatic
transaxle) to the P or N position.
▼ War ni ng L i gh t
The warning light
turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-24.
▼ Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This caus
es 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.
When Driving
Brake
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NOTE
HLA does not operate on a gentle slope.
In addition, the gradient of the slope on
which the system will operate changes
depending on the vehicle's load.
HLA does not operate if the parking
brake is applied, the vehicle has not
stopped completely, or the clutch pedal
is released.
While HLA is operating, the brake pedal
may feel stiff and vibrate, however, this
does not indicate a malfunction.
HLA does not operate while the
TCS/DSC indicator light is illuminated.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on
page 4-23.
HLA does not turn off even if the DSC
OFF switch is pressed to turn off the
TCS/DSC.
When Driving
Brake
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Antilock Brake System(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed o f 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 brak e pedal without
pumping the brakes.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-24.
WA R N I N G
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 wi ll 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.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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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 Lights on page 4-24.
WA R N I N G
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 4-69).
▼ 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.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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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 4-66) and TCS (page
4-67).

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 Lights on page 4-24.
WA R N I N G
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.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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▼DSC OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light
stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
It also illuminates when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off.
Refer to DSC OFF Switch on page 4-69.

If the light remains i lluminated and the
TCS/DSC is not switched off, take your
vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The DSC may have a malfunction.
▼ DSC OFF Switch
Press the DSC OFF sw
itch to turn off the
TCS/DSC. The DSC OFF indicator light
in the instrument cluster will illuminate.
Press the switch a gain to turn the
TCS/DSC back on. The DSC OFF
indicator light will turn off.
NOTE
When DSC 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 difficult. When this
happens, turn off the TCS/DSC.
If the TCS/DSC is off when the engine is
turned off, it automatically activates
when the ignition is switched ON.
Leaving the TCS/DSC on will provide
the best traction.
If the DSC OFF switch is pressed and
held for 10 seconds or more, the DSC
OFF switch malfunction detection
function operates and the DSC system
activates automatically. The DSC OFF
indicator light turn s off while the DSC
system is operative.
(Vehicles with Smart City Brake
Support (SCBS))
If the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
operates with the TCS/DSC turned off,
the TCS/DSC becomes operational
automatically.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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