2018 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK seats

Do not attach objects on or around the area where a side air bag deploys:
Attaching objects to the front seat in such a way as to cover the outboard side of the seat in
any way is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the side air bag, which
inflates from the outboard side of the front seat s, impeding the added protection of the side
air bag system or redirecting the air bag in a way that is dangerous. Furthermore, the bag
could be cut open releasing the gas.
Do not hang net bags, map pouches or backpacks with side straps on the front seats. Never
use seat covers on the front seats. Always keep the side air bag modules in your front seats free
to deploy in the event of a side collision.
Do not attach objects on or around the area where a curtain air bag deploys:
Attaching objects to the areas where the curtai n air bag activates such as on the windshield
glass, side door glass, front and rear window pi llars and along the roof edge and assist grips is
dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the curtain air bag, which
inflates
from the front and rear window pillars an d along the roof edge, impeding the added
protection of the curtain air bag system or redi recting the air bag in a way that is dangerous.
Furthermore, the bag could be cut open releasing the gas.
Do not place hangers or any other objects on the assist grips. When hanging clothes, hang
them on the coat hook directly. Always keep th e curtain air bag modules free to deploy in the
event of a side collision or roll-over accident.
Do not touch the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags have
inflated:
Touching the components of the supplemental restraint system after the air bags have
inflated is dangerous. Immediat ely after inflation, they are very hot. You could get burned.
Never install any front- end equipment to your vehicle:
Installation of front-end equipment, such as frontal protection bar (kangaroo bar, bull bar,
push bar, or other similar devices), snowplow, or winches, is dangerous. The air bag crash
sensor system could be affected. This could cause air bags to
inflate unexpectedly, or it could
prevent the air bags from inflating during an accident. Front occupants could be seriously
injured.
Do not modify the suspension:
Modifying the vehicle suspension is dangerous. If the vehicle's height or the suspension is
modified, the vehicle will be unable to accura tely detect a collision or roll-over accident
resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag depl oyment and the possibility of serious injuries.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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To prevent false detection by the air bag sensor system, heed the following:
Do not use tires or wheels other than those specified for your Mazda:
Use of any tire or wheel other than those specified for your Mazda (page 9-10) is
dangerous. Use of such wheels will prevent th e vehicle's accident detections system from
accurately detecting a collision or roll-over accident resulting in incorrect or unexpected air
bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries.
 Do not overload your vehicle:
Overloading your vehicle is dangerous as it could prevent the air bag crash sensor system
from accurately detecting a collision or roll-over accident resulting in incorrect or
unexpected air bag deployment and the possibili ty of serious injuries. The gross axle weight
rating (GAWR) and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle are on the Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard Label on the driver's door frame. Do not exceed these ratings.
 Do not drive the vehicle off-road:
Driving your Mazda off-road is dangerous beca use the vehicle has not been designed to do
so. Driving the vehicle off-road could prev ent the air bag crash sensor system from
accurately detecting a collision or roll-over accident resulting in incorrect or unexpected air
bag deployment and the possibility of serious injuries.
Do not modify a front door or leave any damage unrepaired. Always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer inspect a damaged front door:
Modifying a front door or leaving any damage un repaired is dangerous. Each front door has a
side crash sensor as a component of the suppleme ntal restraint system. If holes are drilled in a
front door, a door speaker is left removed, or a damaged door is left unrepaired, the sensor
could be adversely affected causing it to not detect the pressure of an impact correctly during
a side collision. If a sensor does not detect a side impact correctly, the side and curtain air
bags and the front seat belt pretensioner ma y not operate normally which could result in
serious injury to occupants.
Do not modify the supplemental restraint system:
Modifying the components or wiring of the supplemental restraint system is dangerous. You
could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable. Do not make any modifications to the
supplemental restraint system. This includes inst alling trim, badges, or anything else over the
air bag modules. It also includes installing extra electrical equipment on or near system
components or wiring. An Authorized Mazda Dealer can provide the special care needed in
the removal and installation of front seats. It is important to protect the air bag wiring and
connections to assure that the bags do not accidentally deploy, and that the front passenger
occupant classification system and the seats retain an undamaged air bag connection.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Do not place luggage or other objects under the front seats:
Placing luggage or other objects under the front seats is dangerous. The components
essential to the supplemental restraint system could be damaged, and in the event of a side
collision, the appropriate air bags may not de ploy, which could result in death or serious
injury. To prevent damage to the components es sential to the supplemental restraint system,
do not place luggage or other objects under the front seats.
Do not operate a vehicle with damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner system components:
Expended or damaged air bag/seat belt pret ensioner system components must be replaced
after any collision which caused them to depl oy or damage them. Only a trained Authorized
Mazda Dealer can fully evaluate these systems to see that they will work in any subsequent
accident. Driving with an expended or damaged air bag or pretensioner unit will not afford
you the necessary protection in the event of any subsequent accident which could result in
serious injury or death.
Do not remove interior air bag parts:
Removing any components such as the front seats, front dashboard, the steering wheel or
parts on the front and rear window pillars and along the roof edge, containing air bag parts
or sensors is dangerous. These parts contain essential air bag components. The air bag could
accidentally activate and cause serious injuri es. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
remove these parts.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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The front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will deactivate
if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on.
CAUTION
To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensor in
the front seat cushion:
 Do not place sharp objects on the front seat cushion or leave heavy luggage on them.
 Do not spill any liquids on the front seats or under the front seats.
 To allow the sensors to function pr operly, always perform the following:
 Adjust the front seats as far back as possibl e and always sit upright against the seatbacks
with seat belts worn properly.
 If you place your child on the front passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system
properly and slide the fron t passenger seat as far back as possible (page 2-33).
NOTE
The system requires about 10 seconds to alte rnate between turning the front passenger
front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system on or off.
The front passenger air bag deactivation indicato r light may turn on repeatedly if luggage
or other items are put on the front passenger seat, or if the temperature of the vehicle's
interior changes suddenly.
The front passenger air bag deactivation indicato r light may turn on for 10 seconds if the
electrostatic capacity on the front passenger seat changes.
The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light might turn on if the front
passenger seat receives a severe impact.
If the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not turn on after installing
a child-restraint system on the front passenger seat, first, re-install your child-restraint
system according to the procedure in this owner's manual. Then, if the front passenger air
bag deactivation indicator light still does not tu rn on, install the child-restraint system on
the rear seat and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
If the front passenger air bag deactivation i ndicator light turns on when an occupant is
seated directly in the front passenger seat, have the passenger re-adjust their posture by
sitting with their feet on the floor, and th en re-fastening the seat belt. If the front
passenger air bag deactivation i ndicator light remains turned on, move the passenger to
the rear seat. If sitting in the rear seat is no t possible, slide the front passenger seat as far
back as possible. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Inside Trunk ReleaseLever (4-Door)
*
Your vehicle is equipped with an inside
trunk release lever that provides a means
of escape for children and adults in the
event they become locked inside the trunk.

No matter how careful adults might be
with keys and locki ng their cars, parents
should be aware that children may be
tempted to play around vehicles and use
the trunk as a hiding place.

Adults are advised to familiarize
themselves with the operation and location
of the inside trunk release lever so that all
children can be told about it in an
appropriate way, keeping in mind that
most vehicles do not have such levers.
WA R N I N G
Close the trunk lid, be sure the seat backs
are latched and do not allow children to
play inside the vehicle:
Leaving the trunk lid open or leaving
children in the vehicle with the keys is
dangerous. Children could open the trunk
lid and climb inside resulting in possible
injury or death from heat exposure.
Always keep the car from being a tempting
place to play by latching the rear seats,
doors and the trunk, and keeping the keys
where children can not play with them:
Leaving children or animals unattended in
a parked vehicle is dangerous. Babies left
sleeping and children who lock themselves
in cars or trunks can die very quickly from
heat prostration. Do not leave your
children or pets alone in a car at any time.
Do not leave the car, the rear folding seats
or the trunk unlocked.
▼ Opening the Trunk Lid from the
Inside
Slide the inside trunk release lever in the
direction of the arrow. The lever is made
of material that will
glow for hours in the
darkness of the trunk following a brief
exposure to ambient light.

The inside trunk release lever is located on
the inside of the trunk lid.
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
3-24*Some models.
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Moonroof*
The moonroof can be opened or closed
when operating the overhead tilt/slide
switch at the front seats.
WA R N I N G
Do not let passengers stand up or extend
part of the body through the open
moonroof while the vehicle is moving:
Extending the head, arms, or other parts of
the body through the moonroof is
dangerous. The head or arms could hit
something while the vehicle is moving. This
could cause serious injury or death.
Never allow children to play with the tilt/
slide switch:
The tilt/slide switch would allow children to
operate the moonroof unintentionally,
which could result in serious injury if a
child's hands, head or neck becomes
caught by the moonroof.
Make sure the opening is clear before
closing the moonroof:
A closing moonroof is dangerous. The
hands, head, or even neck of a person,
especially a child, could be caught in it as it
closes, causing serious injury or even death.
CAUTION
Do not sit on or put heavy items on the
area where the moonroof opens and
closes. Otherwise, the moonroof could be
damaged.
Do not open or close the moonroof
forcefully during freezing temperatures
or snowfall. Otherwise, the moonroof
could be damaged.
 The sunshade does not tilt. To avoid
damaging the sunshade, do not push it
up.
 Do not close the su nshade while the
moonroof is opening. Trying to force the
sunshade closed could damage it.
▼ Tilt/Slide Operation
The moonroof can be opened or closed
electrically only when the ignition is
switched ON.
Before leaving the vehicle or washing
your Mazda, make sure the moonroof is
completely closed so that water does not
get inside the cabin area.
After washing your Mazda or after it
rains, wipe the water off the moonroof
before operating it to avoid water
penetration which could cause rust and
water damage to your headliner.
Tilt/Slide switch
Before Driving
Windows
3-38*Some models.
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NOTE
The timing in which the system switches the headlights changes under the following
conditions. If the system does not switch the headlights appropriately, manually switch
between high and low beams according to the visibility as well as road and traffic
conditions.
When there are sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated signboards,
and traffic signals.
When there are reflective objects in the surrounding area such as reflective plates and
signs.
When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions.
When driving on roads with sharp turn or hilly terrain.
When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles in front of you or in the opposite lane are dim
or not illuminated.
When there is sufficient darkness such as at dawn or dusk.
When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger seats
are occupied.
When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle in front of you spraying water from its tires
onto your windshield.
▼ To Operate the System
The HBC operates to sw
itch the headlights
automatically between high and low
beams after the ignition is switched ON
and the headlight switch is in the AUTO
and high beam position.
The HBC determines t hat it is dark based
on the brightness of the surrounding area.
At the same time, th e HBC indicator light
(green) in the instrument cluster
illuminates.

The HBC determines t hat it is dark based
on the brightness of the surrounding area.
NOTE
When the vehicle speed is about 30 km/h
(19 mph) or more, the headlights
automatically switch to high beams
when there are no vehicles ahead or
approaching in the opposite direction.
When the vehicle speed is less than
about 20 km/h (12 mph), the HBC
switches the headlights to low beams.
The low beams may not switch to high
beams when cornering.
Operation of the HBC function can be
disabled. Refer to Personalization
Features on page 9-12.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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Do not use the front bumper to push other vehicles or obstructions such as when pulling
out of a parking space. Otherwise, the radar sensor (front) could be hit and its position
deviated.
 Do not remove, disassemble, or modify the radar sensor (front).
 For repairs, replacement or paint work around the radar sensor (front), consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
 Do not modify the suspension. If the suspension are modified, the vehicle's posture could
change and the radar sensor (front) may not be able to correctly detect a vehicle ahead or
an obstruction.
NOTE
Under the following conditions, the radar sensor (front) may not be able to detect vehicles
ahead or obstructions correctly and each system may not operate normally.
The rear surface of a vehicle ahead does not reflect radio waves effectively, such as an
unloaded trailer or an automobile with a loading platform covered by a soft top,
vehicles with a hard plastic tailgate, and round-shaped vehicles.
Vehicles ahead with low vehicle height and thus less area for reflecting radio waves.
Visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead casting off water, snow, or sand from its tires
and onto your windshield.
The trunk/luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger
seats are occupied.
Ice, snow, or soiling is on the front surface of the front emblem.
During inclement weather such as rain, snow, or sand storms.
When driving near facilities or objects emitting strong radio waves.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensor (front) may not be able to detect vehicles
ahead or obstructions.
The beginning and end of a curve.
Roads with continuous curves.
Narrow lane roads due to road construction or lane closures.
The vehicle ahead enters the radar sensor's blind spot.
The vehicle ahead is running abnormally due to accident or vehicle damage.
Roads with repeated up and down slopes
Driving on poor roads or unpaved roads.
The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is extremely short.
A vehicle suddenly comes close such as by cutting into the lane.
To prevent incorrect operation of the system, use tires of the same specified size,
manufacturer, brand, and tread pattern on all four wheels. In addition, do not use tires
with significantly different wear patterns or tire pressures on the same vehicle (Including
the temporary spare tire).
If the battery power is weak, the system may not operate correctly.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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