2018 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owners Manual (in English)

Modification and Add-OnEquipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the immobilizer
and the theft-deterrent systems' operation
if the system has been modified or if any
add-on equipment has been installed.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the vehicle, do not
modify the system or install any add-on
equipment to the immobilizer and the
theft-deterrent systems or the vehicle.
Immobilizer System
The immobilizer syste m allows the engine
to start only with a key the system
recognizes.

If someone attempts to start the engine
with an unrecognized key, the engine will
not start, thereby helping to prevent
vehicle theft.
If you have a problem with the
immobilizer system or the key, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
 Radio equipment like this is governed by
laws in the United States.
Changes or
modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
 To avoid damage to the key, do not:
 Drop the key.
 Get the key wet.
 Expose the key to any kind of magnetic
field.
 Expose the key to high temperatures
on places such as the dashboard or
hood, under direct sunlight.
 If the engine does not start with the
correct key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Before Driving
Security System
3-41
Mazda3_8GE4-EA-17F_Edition1 2017-4-7 11:59:21

NOTE
The keys carry a unique electronic code.
For this reason, and to assure your
safety, obtaining a replacement key
requires some waiting time. They are
only available through an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Always keep a spare key in case one is
lost. If a key is lost, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
If you lose a key, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer will reset the electronic codes of
your remaining keys and immobilizer
system. Bring all the remaining keys to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to reset.
Starting the vehicle with a key that has
not been reset is not possible.
▼Operation
NOTE
The engine may not start and security
indicator light may illuminate or flash if
the key is placed in an area where it is
difficult for the system to detect the
signal, such as on the dashboard or in
the glove compartment. Move the key to
a location within
the signal range,
switch the ignition off, and then restart
the engine.
Signals from a TV or radio station, or
from a transceiver or mobile telephone
could interfere with your immobilizer
system. If you are using the proper key
and the engine fails to start, check the
security indicator light.
Arming
The system is armed when the ignition is
switched from ON to off.
The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster fla shes every 2 seconds
until the system is disarmed.

Disarming
The system is disarmed when the ignition
is switched ON with the correct
programmed key. The security indicator
light illuminates for about 3 seconds and
then turns off. If the engine does not start
with the correct key, and the security
indicator light remains illuminated or
flashing, try the following:
Make sure the key is within the
operational range for signal transmission.
Switch the ignition off, and then restart the
engine. If the engine d oes not start after 3
or more tries, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the security indicator light flashes
continuously while you are driving, do
not shut off the engine. Go to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer and have it
checked. If the engine is shut off while
the indicator light is flashing, you will
not be able to restart it.
Because the electronic codes are reset
when the immobilizer system is repaired,
the keys are needed. Make sure to bring
all the keys to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer so that they can be programmed.
Before Driving
Security System
3-42
Mazda3_8GE4-EA-17F_Edition1 2017-4-7 11:59:21

Theft-Deterrent System*
If the theft-deterrent system detects an
inappropriate entry in to the vehicle, which
could result in the veh icle or its contents
being stolen, the alarm alerts the
surrounding area of an abnormality by
sounding the horn and flashing the hazard
warning lights.

The system will not function unless it's
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, follow the arming procedure
correctly.
▼ Operation
System triggering conditions
The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 30
seconds when the system is triggered by
any one of the following:
Unlocking a door with the auxiliary key,
door lock switch, or an inside door-lock
knob.
Forcing open a door, the hood or the
liftgate/trunk lid.
Opening the hood by operating the hood
release handle.
Switching the ignition ON without using
the push button start.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activat e until the driver's
door is unlocked wit h the transmitter.
(With the advanced keyless function)
The lights and horn can also be
deactivated by pressing the request switch
on a door.
NOTE
If the battery goes dead while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the horn
will activate and the hazard warning
lights will flash when the battery is
charged or replaced.
▼ How to Arm the System
1. Close the windows and the moonroof*
securely.
2. Switch the ignition OFF.
3. Make sure the hood, the doors, and the liftgate/trunk lid are closed.
4. Press the lock button on the transmitter or lock the driver's door from the
outside with the auxiliary key.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once.
The following method will also arm
the theft-deterrent system:
Press the door-lock switch “
” while
any door is open and then close all of
the doors.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Press a request switch.

The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes twice per
second for 20 seconds.
5. After 20 seconds, the system is fully
armed.
Before Driving
Security System
*Some models.3-43
Mazda3_8GE4-EA-17F_Edition1 2017-4-7 11:59:21

NOTE
The theft-deterrent system can also be
armed by activating the auto relock
function with all the doors, the liftgate/
trunk lid and the hood closed.
Refer to Transmitter on page 3-4.
The system will disarm if one of the
following operations takes place within
20 seconds after pressing the lock
button:
Unlocking any door.
Opening any door.
Opening the hood.
Switching the ignition ON.
To rearm the system, do the arming
procedure again.
When the doors are locked by pressing
the lock button on the transmitter or
using the auxiliary key while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the
hazard warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.
▼ To Turn Off an Armed System
An armed system can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter.
Starting the engine w
ith the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Pressing a request switch on the
doors.
The hazard warning ligh ts will flash twice.
NOTE
When the doors are unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the transmitter while
the theft-deterrent system is turned off, the
hazard warning lights will flash twice to
indicate that the system is turned off.
▼ To Stop the Alarm
A triggered alarm can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter.
Starting the engine w
ith the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Pressing a request switch on the
doors.
Pressing the electric liftgate/trunk lid
opener while the key is being carried.
The hazard warning ligh ts will flash twice.
Before Driving
Security System
3-44
Mazda3_8GE4-EA-17F_Edition1 2017-4-7 11:59:21

Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of the vehicle.
Do not race the engine.
Do not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
Do not drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods of
time.
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
Avoid full-throttle starts.
Saving Fuel and Protection of the Environment
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save fuel and
reduce CO
2.
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
Avoid fast starts.
Drive at lower speeds.
Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking).
Follow the maintenance schedule (page
6-4) and have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer perform inspections and
servicing.
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
Slow down on rough roads.
Keep the tires properly inflated.
Do not carry unnecessary weight.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Keep windows closed at high speeds.
Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WA R N I N G
Never stop the engine when going down a
hill:
Stopping the engine when going down a
hill is dangerous. This causes the loss of
power steering and power brake control,
and may cause damage to the drivetrain.
Any loss of steering or braking control
could cause an accident.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-45
Mazda3_8GE4-EA-17F_Edition1 2017-4-7 11:59:21

Hazardous Driving
WA R N I N G
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while driving
on slippery surfaces is dangerous. The
sudden change in tire speed could cause
the tires to skid. This could lead to loss of
vehicle control and an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.
Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-66.
If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
For more traction in starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow, use
sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting, or
other nonslip material under the front
wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front wheels.
Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda floor mats.
WA R N I N G
Make sure the floor mats are secured with
the grommets or the retainers to prevent
them from bunching up under the foot
pedals (Driver's side):
Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation
(driver's side), which could result in an
accident.
Only use a floor mat which conforms to the
shape of the floor on the driver's side and
make sure it is oriented correctly.
Secure the floor mat using the grommets or
retainers.
There are various ways to secure floor mats
depending on the type used, therefore
secure the mat according to the type.
After installing the floor mat, make sure
that it does not slide from side to side or
back and forth, and that there is sufficient
clearance with the accelerator and brake
pedals on the driver's side.
After removing the floor mat for cleaning
or some other reason, always securely
reinstall it while paying attention to the
precautions just mentioned.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-46
Mazda3_8GE4-EA-17F_Edition1 2017-4-7 11:59:21

Do not install two floor mats, one on top of
the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top of the
other, on the driver's side is dangerous as
the retention pins can only keep one floor
mat from sliding forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with the
foot pedals and could result in an accident.
If using an all-weather mat for winter use
always remove the original floor mat.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its grommets or retainers
are inserted over the pointed end of the
retention posts.
Rocking the Vehicle
WA R N I N G
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow anyone
to stand behind a wheel when pushing the
vehic le:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous. The
spinning tire could overheat and explode.
This could cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever/
selector lever from 1 (D) to R.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-47
Mazda3_8GE4-EA-17F_Edition12017-4-7 11:59:21

Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-25.
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-23).
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (page
6-27).
NOTE
(Without electric parking brake (EPB))
Do not use the parking brake in freezing
weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift
to P with an automatic transaxle and to
1 or R with a manual transaxle. Block
the rear wheels.
Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
Drive slowly. Braking performance can
be adversely affected if snow or ice
adheres to the brake components. If this
situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
▼ Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with sno
w tires. Inflate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never more
than the maximum c old-tire pressure
shown on the tires.

Except Mexico (18–inch wheel vehicle)
The vehicle is originally equipped with all
season radials designed to be used all year
around. In some extreme climates you
may find it necessary t o replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.
Mexico (18–inch wheel vehicle)
The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-48
Mazda3_8GE4-EA-17F_Edition1 2017-4-7 11:59:21