Steering Wheel
WA R N I N G
Never adjust the steering wheel while the
vehic le is moving:
Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous. Moving it
can very easily cause the driver to abruptly
turn to the left or right. This can lead to loss
of control or an accident.
▼Steering Wheel Adjustment
To change the angle or length of the
steering wheel:
1. Stop the vehicle, and then pull down
the lock release lever under the
steering column.
Lock release lever
2. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjustthe steering column length to the
desired positions, then push the lever
up to lock the column.
3. Attempt to push the steering wheel up and down to make sure it's locked
before driving.
▼Heated Steering Wheel*
The grips on the left and right of the
steering wheel can be warmed up.
Heating areaHeated steering
wheel switch
The ignition must be switched ON.
Press the switch to turn on the heated
steering wheel. The heated steering wheel
operates for about 30 minutes and then
turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates when the
heater is operating.
To turn off the heated steering wheel
before the 30 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
CAUTION
The following types of persons should be
careful not to touch the steering wheel.
Otherwise, it could cause a
low-temperature burn.
Infants, small children, elderly people,
and physically challenged people
People with delicate skin
People who are excessively fatigued
People who are intoxicated
Before Driving
Steering Wheel
3-30*Some models.
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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
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Manual Shift Mode
The manual shift mode gives you the feel
of driving a manual transaxle vehicle by
allowing you to operate the selector lever
manually. This allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the drive wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
Changing to manual shift mode while
driving will not damage the transaxle.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift the
lever from M to D.
NOTE
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator pedal
when driving in D range, 5th gear/6th
gear, the gear will shift to M4/M5.
▼Indicators
Manual shift mode indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indication
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Ty p e A
Manual shift mode indication
Gear position indication
Ty p e B
Gear position indication
Manual shift mode indication
Ty p e C
Manual shift mode indication Gear position indication
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
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NOTE
When driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up.
Do not drive the vehicle with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE
while in manual shift mode. In addition,
manual shift mode switches to automatic
shift mode while the accelerator pedal is
completely depressed.
This function is canceled while the DSC
is turned off. However, if the vehicle is
continuously driven at a high rpm, the
gears may automatically shift up to
protect the engine.
The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever is
in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch (
) is
pulled rearward for a sufficient amount
of time.
▼ Manually Shifting Down
You can shift gears down by operating the
selector lever or the steering shift
switches
*.
M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2→ M1
Using selector lever
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the
selector lever forward
once.
Using steering shift switch*
To shift down to a l ower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch
toward you once with your
fingers.
DOWN switch
WA R N I N G
Do not use engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet, snowy,
or frozen roads, or while driving at high
speeds causes sudden engine braking,
which 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.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel rim
when using fingers on the steering shift
switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of the
steering wheel when using the steering
shift switches is dangerous. If the driver's air
bag were to deploy in a collision, your
hands could be impacted causing injury.
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
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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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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
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Slopes with a steep gradient ( The vehicle ahea d may not be detected correctly, your vehicle
may slide while stopped by the stop hold cont rol, and it may accelerate suddenly after it
starts moving.)
For safety purposes, switch the MRCC system off when it is not being used.
CAUTION
If your vehicle is towed or you are towing something, switch the MRCC system off to prevent a
miss-operation.
NOTE
The MRCC system does not detect the following as physical objects.
Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction
Pedestrians
Stationary objects (stopped vehicles, obstructions)
If a vehicle ahead is traveling at an extremely low speed, the system may not detect it
correctly.
During headway control travel, do not set the system for detection of two-wheeled
vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles.
Do not use the MRCC system under conditions in which close proximity warnings are
frequently activated.
During headway control travel, the system accelerates and decelerates your vehicle in
conjunction with the speed of the vehicle ahead. However, if it is necessary to accelerate
for a lane change or if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly causing you to close in on the
vehicle rapidly, accelerate using the accelerator pedal or decelerate using the brake
pedal depending on the conditions.
While the MRCC system is in use, it does not cancel even if the selector lever (automatic
transaxle)/shift lever (manual transaxle) is operated and any intended engine braking will
not occur. If deceleration is required, lower the vehicle speed setting or depress the brake
pedal.
The sound of the automatic brakes operating may be heard, however, it does not indicate
a problem.
The brake lights turn on while the MRCC automatic braking is operating.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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Do not use the LAS&LDWS in the following cases:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions, resulting
in an accident.
Driving on roads with tight curves.
Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
Slippery roads such as ice or snow-bound roads.
Roads with heavy
traffic and
insufficient distance between vehicles.
Roads with no white (yellow) lane lines.
Narrow roads resulting from road construction or lane closures.
The vehicle is driven on a temporary lane or section with a closed lane resulting from road
construction where there may be multiple white (yellow) lane lines or they are interrupted.
Vehicle is driven on roads other than expressways and highways.
The tire pressures are not adjusted to the specified pressure.
Tires of a different specified size are used, such as an emergency spare tire.
CAUTION
Heed the following cautions so that the LAS&LDWS can operate normally.
Do not modify the suspensions.
Always use wheels of the
specified type and size for the front and rear wheels. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer for tire replacement.
NOTE
When the turn signal lever is operated for a lane change, the LAS&LDWS is
automatically disabled. The LAS&LDWS becomes operational again when the turn signal
lever is returned and the system detects white (yellow) lane lines while the vehicle is being
driven normally within its vehicle lane.
If the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brake pedal is operated abruptly and the
vehicle moves close to a white (yellow) line, the system determines that the driver is
making a lane change and the LAS&LDWS operation is temporarily canceled. The
LAS&LDWS becomes operational again when the system detects white (yellow) lane lines
while the vehicle is being driven normally within its vehicle lane.
If the vehicle deviates from its lane repe atedly within a short period of time, the
LAS&LDWS may not operate.
When white (yellow) lane lines are not detected, the LAS&LDWS does not operate.
Under the following conditions, the LAS&LDWS may not be able to detect white (yellow)
lane lines correctly and it may not operate normally.
If an object placed on the dashboard is reflected in the windshield and picked up by the
camera.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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