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 Maz da Dealer to check
the following:
•Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-27.
•Inspect the ba ttery 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 6-25).
•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
6-29).
NOTE
•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 snow 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 cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
The vehicle is origina lly equipped with all
season radials designed to be used all year
around. In some extreme climates you
may find it necessary to replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.
WA R N I N G
Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could
be greatly affected and result in an
accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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▼Trailer Lights
Trailer lights must comply with
all federal, state, and local regulations. Equip your trailer as
required before towing it day or night.
CAUTION
Do not connect a trailer lighting system directl y to the lighting system of your Mazda. This
may damage your vehicle's electrical system an d lighting systems. Have a recreational vehicle
dealer or trailer rental agency connect the system, and inspect the brake lights and turn
signals yourself before each trip.
▼ Trailer Brakes
If the total trailer weight ex
ceeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If your trailer
has brakes, make sure they comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.
WA R N I N G
Do not connect a hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle's brake system:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system directly to the vehicle brake system is dangerous
and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury.
▼ Trailer Towing Tips
•Verify that your Mazda maintains a near-normal attitude when a
loaded or unloaded trailer
is connected. Do not drive if it h as an abnormal front-up or front-down position. Inspect
for incorrect tongue load, worn suspension parts, and trailer o verloading.
•Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secur e to prevent it from shifting.
•Make sure the mirrors conform to all government regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.
The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver e rror, excessive speed, and
improper trailer loading.
Before driving
•Have your cooling and braking sy stem checked by an Authorized M azda Dealer.
•Before starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and t railer lights and all
vehicle-to-trailer connections. Stop and re-inspect all lights and connections after driving
a short distance.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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NOTE
•This defogger is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the
defogger.
▼Mirror Defogger*
The mirror defoggers defrost the outside
mirrors.
The mirror defoggers operate in
conjunction with the rear window
defogger.
To turn on the mirror defoggers, switch the
ignition ON and press the rear window
defogger switch (page 4-59).
Indicator light
▼
Windshield Wiper De-icer*
The thermal filaments at the following
positions heat up and facilitate the removal
of snow accumulated on the windshield.
The windshield
wiper de-icer operates in
conjunction with the rear window
defogger.
To turn on the windshield wiper de-icer,
switch the ignition ON and press the rear
window defogger switch (page 4-59).
Indicator light
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-60*Some models.
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HomeLink WirelessControl System
*
NOTE
HomeLink and HomeLink house icon are
registered trademarks of Gentex
Corporation.
The HomeLink system replaces up to 3
hand-held transmitters with a single
built-in component in the auto-dimming
mirror. Pressing the HomeLink button on
the auto-dimmi ng mirror activates garage
doors, gates and other devices surrounding
your home.
HomeLink b utton
Indicator light
WA R N I N G
Do not use the HomeLink system with any
garage door opener that lacks the safety
stop and reverse feature:
Using the HomeLink system with any
garage door opener that lacks the safety
stop and reverse feature as required by
federal safety standards is dangerous. (This
includes garage doors manufactured
before April 1, 1982.)
Using these garage door openers can
increase the risk of serious injury or death.
For further information, contact HomeLink
at 1-800-355-3515 or www.homelink.com
or an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Always check the areas surrounding
garage doors and gates for people or
obstructions before programming or
during operation of the HomeLink system:
Programming or operating the HomeLink
system without verifying the safety of areas
surrounding garage doors and gates is
dangerous and could result in an
unexpected accident and serious injury if
someone were to be hit.
NOTE
The programming will not be erased even
if the battery is disconnected.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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▼Gate operator/Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit)
after several seconds of transmission ―
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during
programming. Simila
r to this Canadian
law, some U.S. gate ope rators are designed
to “time-out” in the same manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having
difficulties progra mming a gate operator
by using the “Programming” procedures
(regardless of where you live), replace
“Programming HomeLink” step 3 with
the following:
NOTE
If programming a garage door opener or
gate operator, it is advised to unplug the
device during the “cycling” process to
prevent possible overheating.
Continue to press and hold the HomeLink
button while you press and release ―
every two seconds (“cycle”) your
hand-held transmitter until the frequency
signal has successfully been accepted by
HomeLink. (The indicator light will flash
slowly and then rapidly.)
Proceed with “Programming” step 4 to
complete.
▼ Operating the HomeLink System
Press the programmed HomeLink button
to operate a programmed device. The code
will continue being transmitted for a
maximum of 20 seconds.
▼Reprogramming the HomeLink
system
To program a device to HomeLink using a
HomeLink button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink
button. DO NOT release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds. Without releasing the
HomeLink button, proceed with
“Programming” - step 1.
▼Erasing Programmed HomeLink
Buttons
To erase the existing programming from
all three operating
channels, press and
hold the two outside buttons (
, ) on
the auto-dimming mirror until the
HomeLink indicator light begins to flash
after approximately 10 seconds.
Verify that the programming has been
erased when you re sell the vehicle.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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▼Pre-Crash Safety Technology
Pre-crash safety technology is de
signed to assist the driver in averting collisions or reduce
their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided.
Collision damage reduction in low vehicle speed range
Forward driving
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)................................ .......................................... page 4-138
Advanced Smart City Brake Support (Advanced SCBS).............. .......................... page 4-134
Collision damage reduction in medium/high speed range
Smart Brake Support (SBS)...................................... ............................................... page 4-142
▼Camera and Sensors
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) detects lane indications and recognizes headlights,
taillights and city lights during
nighttime driving. In addition, it also detects the vehicle
ahead, pedestrians, or obstructi ons. The following systems also use the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC).
•High Beam Control system (HBC)
•Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System ( LDWS)
•Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR)
•Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go function (MRCC with S top & Go function)
•Advanced Smart City Brake Support (Advanced SCBS)
•Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
•Smart Brake Support (SBS)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed at the top of the windshield near the
rearview mirror.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) on page 4-145.
Radar sensor (front)
The radar sensor (front) functions by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle ahead
sent from the radar sensor. The following systems also use the radar sensor (front).
•Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go function (MRCC with S top & Go function)
•Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS)
•Smart Brake Support (SBS)
The radar sensor (front) is mount ed behind the radiator grille.
Refer to Radar Sensor (Front) on page 4-150.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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•When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent
lane.
•Directly after the BSM system becomes operable by changing the setting.
•If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of
expressways.
•The BSM warning indicator light may turn on and the vehicle detection screen may be
displayed in the display in reaction to stationary objects (guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls,
and parked vehicles) on the road or the roadside.
Objects such as guardrails and concrete walls
running alongside the vehicle. Places where the width between guardrails or
walls on each side of the vehicle narrows.
The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels,
turnouts.
•A BSM warning indicator light may flash or the warning beep may be activated several
times when making a turn at a city intersection.
•Turn off the BSM while pulling a trailer or wh
ile an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is
installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radar’s radio waves will be blocked
causing the system to not operate normally.
•In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the BSM
warning indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors.
•Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors.
•The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
•The radar sensors (rear) of the BSM may be regulated under the radio wave related laws
of the country where the vehicle is driven. The sensors in this system are approved for use
in the U.S.A. (including territories), Canada, and Mexico. If a vehicle with a BSM is
driven in a country other than the U.S.A., Canada, or Mexico, the system has to be turned
off by changing the setting on the center display.
•The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) function when the selector
lever is shifted to the reverse (R) position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on page 4-107.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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▼Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warni
ng Indicator Light/Display Indicator/Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Beep
The BSM or Rear Cross Traffic Al ert (RCTA) system notifies the driver of the presence of
vehicles in adjacent lanes or at the rear of the vehicle using the BSM warning indicator
light, the warning sound and the display indicator (vehicles wi th multi-information display
and active driving display) (BSM) while the systems are operati onal.
BSM warning in dicator lights
The BSM warning indicator lights are equipped on the left and r ight door mirrors. The
warning indicator lights turn on when a vehicle approaching from the rear in an adjacent
lane is detected.
When the ignition is switched ON, the warning indicator light t urns on momentarily and
then turns off after a few seconds.
Forward driving (BSM operation)
The BSM detects vehicles approaching from the rear and turns on the BSM warning
indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors according to the conditions. Additionally,
while a BSM warning i ndicator light is illuminated, if the turn signal lever is operated to
signal a turn in the direction in which the BSM warning indicat or light is illuminated, the
BSM warning indicator light flashes.
Reverse driving (Rear Cross Traf fic Alert (RCTA) system operation)
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles app roaching from the left and
right of your vehicle and flashes the BSM warning indicator lig hts.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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