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
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▼Warning Lights
These lights turn on or flash to notify the user of the system
operation status or a system
malfunction.
Signal Warning Page
Brake System Warning Light*1*27-25
ABS Warning Light*1
Electronic Brake
Force Distribu- tion SystemWa r n i n g 7-25
ABS warning 7-28
Charging System Warning Light*17-25
Engine Oil Warning Light*17-25
(Red) High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
*17-25
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light*17-25
Master Warning Light*17-28
*Electric Parking Brake (EPB) Warning Light*17-28
Check Engine Light*17-28
*Automatic Transaxle Warning Light*17-28
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light*17-28
*Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light*1
Flashing
7-28
Turns on 7-32
(Red) KEY Warning Light
*1
Turns on
7-28
Flashing 7-32
(Amber)
*High Beam Control System (HBC) Warning Light*17-28
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
4-24*Some models.
Mazda3_8GE4-EA-17F_Edition1 2017-4-7 11:59:21
CDs bearing the logo shown in the
illustration can be played. No other discs
can be played.
Use discs that have been legitimately
produced. If illegally-copied discs such
as pirated discs are used, the system
may not operate properly.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface
when handling the CDs. Pick up a CD
by grasping the outer edge or the edge
of the hole and the outer edge.
Do not stick paper or tape on the CD.
Avoid scratching the reverse side (the
side without a label). The disc may not
eject resulting in a malfunction.
Dust, finger smudges, and dirt can
decrease the amount of light reflected
from the signal surface, thus affecting
sound quality. If the CD should become
soiled, gently wipe it with a soft cloth
from the center of the CD to the edge.
Do not use record sprays, antistatic
agents, or household spray cleaners.
Volatile chemicals such as benzine and
thinner can also damage the surface of
the CD and must not be used. Anything
that can damage, warp, or fog plastic
should never be used to clean CDs.
The CD player ejects the CD if the CD
is inserted upside down. Also dirty
and/or defective CDs may be ejected.
Do not insert cleaning discs in the CD
player.
Do not insert any disc with a peel-off
seal affixed to it.
This unit may not be able to play certain
CD-R/CD-RWs made using a computer
or music CD recorder due to disc
characteristics, scratches, smudges, dirt,
etc., or due to dust or condensation on
the lens inside the unit.
Storing CDs in the vehicle exposed to
direct sunlight or high temperature may
damage the CD-R/CD-RWs, and make
them unplayable.
CD-R/CD-RW exceeding 700 MB
cannot be played.
This unit may not be able to play certain
discs made using a computer due to the
application (writing software) setting
used. (For details, consult the store
where the application was purchased.)
It is possible that cer tain text data, such
as titles, recorded on a CD-R/CD-RW
may not be displayed when musical data
(CD-DA) is playing.
The period from when a CD-RW is
inserted to when it begins playing is
longer than a normal CD or CD-R.
Interior Features
Audio System
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Scheduled Maintenance (U.S.A., Canada, and Puerto
Rico)
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
(severe driving conditions)apply.
Repeated short-distance driving
Driving in dusty conditions
Driving with extended use of brakes
Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are us ed
Driving on rough or muddy roads
Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humi d climates
Driving in extremely hot conditions
Driving in mountainous conditions continually
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2. (Canada residents follow Sc hedule 2.)
Vehicles using Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance
Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance is available for U.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents whose
vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditio ns apply:
Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation such as police car, taxi or driving
school car
Driving in dusty conditions
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 with engine oil fixed mainte nance.
Once engine oil flexible maintena nce is selected, the vehicle calculates the remaining oil life
based on engine operating conditions. The vehicle lets you know when an oil change is due
by illuminating the wrench indicator light in the instrument cl uster. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1,000 km (600 mile) or 15 days. Ref er page 6-16 for the details.
Mazda Genuine 0W-20 Oil and Castrol
® 0W-20 Oil are require d to achieve optimum
performance.
NOTE
Please ensure that the Flexible Oil Maintenance Setting is reset after each Oil and Filter
replacement.
For maintenance guidelines beyond the miles/months listed, follow the maintenance
intervals provided in the Scheduled Maintenance Tables.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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Scheduled Maintenance (Mexico)
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
(severe driving conditions) apply.
Repeated short-distance driving
Driving in dusty conditions
Driving with extended use of brakes
Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are us ed
Driving on rough or muddy roads
Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humi d climates
Driving in extremely hot conditions
Driving in mountainous conditions continually
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2.
NOTE
For maintenance guidelines beyond the kilome ters/months listed, follow the maintenance
intervals provided in the Scheduled Maintenance Tables.
▼ Schedule 1
Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers, whichever comes first
Months 6 1218243036424854606672
×1000 km 102030405060708090100110120
ENGINE
Drive belts II I
Engine oil & filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system II I
Engine coolant
*1Replace at first 200,000 km or 10 years; after that, every 100,000 km or 5 years
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter RRRRRR
Fuel lines and hoses I
*2I*2I
Hoses and tubes for emission I
*2I*2I
Fuel filter Replace every 60,000 km
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs IIIIIIIIIIII
Replace every 120,000 km
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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For maintenance service, Mazda
recommends Mazda Genuine Parts and
Castrol
® (Mexico only).
(ILSAC)
(Mexico)
Use SAE 5W-30 engine oil. If SAE 5W-30
engine oil is not available, use SAE 5W-20
engine oil.
The quality designation SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label.
80
60
40
20
0
–40 –20
30
100
40
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
▼ Vehicle Engine Control Unit Reset
Procedure
After replacing the engine oil, it is
recommended to have a repair shop such
as an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform
the initialization (engin
e oil data resetting)
of the recorded value. If the value
recorded by the computer is not initialized,
the wrench indicator light may not turn off
or it may turn on earlier than normal.
Refer to Maintenance Monitor on page
6-16.
▼ Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes for the oil to retur n to the oil pan.
4. Pull out the dipstic k, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
MAX
OK
MIN
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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5. Pull it out again and examine the level.The level is normal if it is between the
MIN and MAX marks.
If it is near or below MIN, add enough
oil to bring the level to MAX.
CAUTION
Do not overfill the engine oil. This may
cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
7. Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Engine Coolant
▼ Inspecting Coolant Level
WA R N I N G
Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the engine has
been running, parts of the engine
compartment can become very hot. You
could be burned. Carefully inspect the
engine coolant in the coolant reservoir, but
do not open it.
Pull over to a safe location, then switch
the ignition off and make sure the fan is not
running before attempting to work near
the cooling fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it is
running is dangerous. The fan could
continue running indefinitely even if the
engine has stopped and the engine
compartment temperature is high. You
could be hit by the fan and seriously
injured.
Do not remove either cooling
system cap when the engine and radiator
are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot out
under pressure and cause serious injury.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow
soap to dry on the finish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.
WA R N I N G
Dry off brakes that have become wet by
driving slowly, releasing the accelerator
pedal and lightly applying the brakes
several times until the brake performance
returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the vehicle
pulling to one side when braking could
result in a serious accident. Light braking
will indicate whether the brakes have been
affected.
When using an automatic car wash
Retract the door mirrors.
The automatic car wash brushes could
reduce the paint lustre or hasten paint
deterioration.
When using a high water pressure car
wash
High water temperature and high water
pressure car washers are available
depending on the type of car wash
machine. If the car washer nozzle is put
too close to the vehicle, the force of the
spray could damage or deform the
molding, affect the se alability of parts, and
allow water to penetrate the interior. Keep
a sufficient space (30 cm (12 in) or more)
between the nozzle and the vehicle. In
addition, do not spend too much time
spraying the same area of the vehicle, and
be very careful when spraying between
gaps in doors and around windows.
Wa x i n g
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to m aintain its luster.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives. Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take off
the wax. Rewax these areas even if the rest
of the vehicle does not need it.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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