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
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NOTE
(For vehicles with type C instrument
cluster
*1)
If the engine speed is about to exceed
the permissible engine speed, the buzzer
sounds.
Refer to Over Rev. Buzzer on page 7-
41.
*1 To determine which instrument cluster is equipped on your Mazda,
Refer to Meters and Gauges on page
4-12.
If shifting to R is difficult, shift back into
neutral, release the clutch pedal, and try
again.
▼Gear Shift Indicator (GSI)*
The GSI supports you to obtain optimum
fuel economy and smooth driving. It
displays the selected gear position in the
instrument cluster as well as notifies the
driver to change to the most suitable gear
position corresponding to the actual
driving condition.
Selected gear position Suitable gear position
Indication
Condition
Numeral The selected gear
position is dis-
played.
and numeral Shift up or down to the indicated
gear position is
recommended.
CAUTION
Do not rely solely on the shift-up/
shift-down recommendations by
indications. The actual driving situation
might require shift operations different
from indication. To avoid the risk of
accidents, the road and traffic conditions
have to be judged correctly by the driver
before shifting.
NOTE
The GSI turns off wh en the following
operations are performed.
The vehicle is stopped.
The vehicle is put in neutral.
The vehicle is driven in reverse.
The clutch is not fully engaged when
accelerating from a stop.
The clutch pedal remains depressed for
2 seconds or longer while driving.
When Driving
Manual Transaxle Operation
4-30*Some models.
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Auto-wiper control
When the wiper lever is in the
position, the rain sensor senses the amount
of rainfall on the windshield and turns the
wipers on or off automatically
(off―intermittent―low speed―high
speed).
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be
adjusted by turning the switch on the
wiper lever.
From the center position (normal), rotate
the switch upward for higher sensitivity
(faster response) or rotate it downward for
less sensitivity (slower response).
Higher sensitivity
Less sensitivitySwitch
Center
position
CAUTION
Do not shade the rain sensor by adhering
a sticker or a label on the windshield.
Otherwise the rain sensor will not
operate correctly.
When the wiper lever is in the
position and the igniti on is switched ON,
the wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:
If the windshield above the rain sensor
is touched or wiped with a cloth.
If the windshield is struck with a hand
or other object from either outside or
inside the vehicle.
Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windshield when the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition is
switched ON as fingers could be pinched
or the wipers and wiper blades damaged
when the wipers activate automatically.
If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off
completely (when it is most likely that the
engine is left running) this is particularly
important when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE
Switching the auto-wiper lever from the
to the position while driving
activates the windshield wipers once,
after which they operate according to
the rainfall amount.
The auto-wiper control may not operate
when the rain sensor temperature is
about
-10 °C (14 °F) or lower, or
about 85 °C (185 °F) or higher.
If the windshield is coated with water
repellent, the rain sensor may not be
able to sense the amount of rainfall
correctly and the auto-wiper control
may not operate properly.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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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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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 e nhanced. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely mak e maneuvers such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION
Do not use the sport mode when driving on sli ppery 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
▼ Drive Selection Switch
Press the drive sele
ction switch forward
(“
”) to select the sport mode.
Pull the drive selection switch back
(“
”) to cancel the sport mode.
With Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
Without Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
NOTE
When the ignition is switched off, the
sport mode is canceled.
Depending on the driving conditions
when sport mode is selected, the vehicle
may perform shift-down or slightly
accelerate.
When Driving
Drive Selection
4-74*Some models.
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Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)*
The BSM is designed to assist the driver in checking the area to the rear of the vehicle on
both sides during lane changes b y notifying the driver of the presence of vehicles
approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane.
The 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 notifie s the driver by turning on the
BSM warning indicator light and displaying the vehicle detectio n screen (vehicles with
active driving display).
If the turn signal lever is operated to signal a turn in the di rection in which the BSM
warning indicator light is illuminated while the approaching ve hicle is detected, the BSM
notifies the driver of possible danger by turning on the BSM wa rning indicator light, and by
activating the warning sound and the warning screen indicator d isplay (vehicles with active
driving display).
The detection area on this system covers the driving lanes on b oth sides of the vehicle and
from the rear part of the front doors to about 50 m (164 ft) behind the vehicle.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
WA R N I N G
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 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.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-84*Some models.
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Stop sign
WA R N I N G
Always check the traffic signs visually while driving.
The TSR helps prevent the driver from overlooking traffic signs and provides support for safer
driving. Depending on the weather conditions or problems with traffic signs, a traffic sign may
not be recognized or a traffic sign different from the actual traffic sign may be displayed.
Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the actual traffic signs. Otherwise, it
could result in an accident.
NOTE
The TSR does not operate if there is a malf unction in the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
Under the following conditions, the TSR may not operate normally.
An object placed on the dashboard is reflected in the windshield and picked up by the
camera.
Heavy luggage is loaded in the luggage compartment or on the rear seat and the
vehicle is tilted.
The tire pressures are not adjusted to the specified pressure.
Tires other than standard tires are equipped.
The vehicle is driven on the ramp and surrounding area to or from a rest area or a
tollgate on a highway.
When surrounding brightness suddenly changes such as when entering or exiting a
tunnel.
The illumination of the headlights is weakened because of dirt or the optical axis is
deviated.
The windshield is dirty or foggy.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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(With rear view monitor)
The RCTA warning indication in the rearview monitor also synchronizes with the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light on the door mirro rs.
WA R N I N G
Always check the surrounding area visually before actually putting the vehicle in reverse:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at the rear when putting the
vehicle in reverse. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights may not flash or it might be delayed even though a
vehicle is behind your vehicle. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the rear.
NOTE
In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF Indicator Light turns on
and operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF Indicator
Light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
indicator lights has occurred.
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred.
There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear).
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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