NOTE
If the drive selection cannot be switched to
sport mode, the select mode indicator light
flashes to noti fy the driver.
When Driving
Drive Selection
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i-ACTIV AWD Operation*
▼i-ACTIV AWD Operation
AWD provides excellent drivability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and AWD Warning Indication/
Warning Light on page 7-30.
WA R N I N G
Never spin a wheel that is
off the ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the ground as a
result of the vehicle being stuck or in a
ditch is dangerous. The drive assembly
could be seriously damaged which could
lead to an accident or could even lead to
overheating, oil leakage, and a fire.
▼ AWD Driving
This vehicle has not been designed for the
purpose of off-road driving or rallies. Do
not attempt to drive over uneven or rocky
surfaces, or across rivers.
Although this vehicle is equipped with
AWD, acceleration, steering and braking
operations should be conducted in the
same manner as with a non-AWD vehicle,
with the emphasis placed on safe driving.
▼Tires and Tire Chains
The condition of the tires plays a large role
in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to the
drive assembly, please note the following:
Tires
When replacing tires, always replace all
front and rear tires
at the same time.
All tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern.
Pay particular attention when equipping
snow or other types of winter tires.
Do not mix tread-worn tires with normal
tires.
Inspect tire inflation pressures at the
specified periods adjust to the specified
pressures.
NOTE
Check the tire inflation pressure label
attached to driver's door frame for the
correct tire inflation pressure.
Make sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine wheels of the specified size, on
all wheels. With AWD, the system is
calibrated for all 4 wheels being of the
same dimensions.
Tire chains
Install tire chains to the front tires.
Do not use tire chains on the rear
wheels.
Do not drive the veh icle faster than 30
km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains
installed.
Do not drive the vehicle with tire chains
on road conditions other than snow or
ice.
▼ To w i n g
If the vehicle requires towing, have it
towed with all 4 wheels completely off the
ground.
Refer to Towing Description on page
7-22.
When Driving
i-ACTIV AWD
4-80*Some models.
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Power Steering
▼Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when
the engine is running. If the engine is off
or if the power steering system is
inoperable, you can still steer, but it
requires more physical effort.
If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving or the steering
vibrates, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The warning indication notifies the
driver of system abnormalities and
operation conditions.
Refer to Power Steering Malfunction
Indication/Indicator Light on page
7-28.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running. This
could damage the power steering system.
When Driving
Power Steering
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i-ACTIVSENSE*
▼i-ACTIVSENSE
i-ACTIVSENSE is a collective term
covering a series of advanced safety and
driver support systems which make use of
cameras and sensors. The systems consist
of active safety and pre-crash safety
systems.
These systems are designed to assist the
driver in safer drivi
ng by reducing the load
on the driver and helping to avert
collisions or reduce their severity.
However, because each system has its
limitations, always drive carefully and do
not rely solely on the systems.
▼ Active Safety Technology
Active Safety Technology supports safer
driving by helping the driver to recognize
potential hazards and avert accidents.
Driver awareness support systems
Nighttime visibility
Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)...........................................page 4-87
High Beam Control System (HBC) ............
.....................................................page 4-88
Left/right side and rear side detection
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS).......................................page 4-90
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) ....................
.....................................................page 4-93
Road sign recognition
Traffic Sign Recognition System
(TSR)...........................................page 4-98
Inter-vehicle distance recognition
Distance & Speed Alert (DSA)...................
...................................................page 4-104
Front obstruction detection when
passing cross
Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA) ...............
...................................................page 4-109
Rear obstruction detection when leaving
a parking space
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)................
...................................................page 4-112
Full-surround recognition
360°View Monitor.................... page 4-164
Driver fatigue detection
Driver Attention Alert (DAA) ....................
...................................................page 4-105
Driver Monitoring (
DM).......... page 4-107
Driver support systems
Inter-vehicle distance
Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC).................................... page 4-116
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop &
Go function (MRCC with Stop & Go
function)....................................page 4-124
Lane departure
Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) .................
...................................................page 4-150
Inter-vehicle distance and lane keeping
Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS) ..............
...................................................page 4-135
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-82*Some models.
Mazda3_8HE9-EA-18K_Edition1 2018-10-17 19:05:10
▼Pre-Crash Safety Technology
Pre-crash safety technology is designed to
assist the driver in averting collisions or
reducing their severity in situations where
they cannot be avoided.
Collision damage reduction
Forward driving
Smart Brake Support
(SBS)...... page 4-153
Reverse driving
Smart Brake Support [Rear]
(SBS-R).................................... page 4-156
Smart Brake Support [Rear Crossing]
(SBS-RC).................................. page 4-160
▼ 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. I
n addition, it also
detects the vehicle ahead, pedestrians, or
obstructions. The following systems use
the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
High Beam Control system (HBC)
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
Traffic Sign Recogn ition System (TSR)
Distance & Speed Alert (DSA)
Driver Attention Alert (DAA)
Driver Monitoring (DM)
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop
& Go function (MRCC with Stop & Go
function)
Lane-keep Assist System (LAS)
Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS)
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 4-198.
Front radar sensor
The front radar sensor detects radio waves
reflected off a vehicle ahead sent from the
radar sensor. The following systems use
the front radar sensor.
Distance & Speed Alert (DSA)
Mazda Radar Crui se Control (MRCC)
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop
& Go function (MRCC with Stop & Go
function)
Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS)
Smart Brake Support (SBS)
The front radar sensor is mounted behind
the radiator grille.
Refer to Front Radar Sensor on page
4-202.
Front side radar sensor
The front side radar sensors detects radio
waves reflected off a vehicle ahead sent
from the radar sensor. The following
systems use the front side radar sensor.
Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA)
The front side radar sensors are installed
inside the front bumper, one on the left
side and one on the right side.
Refer to Front Side Radar Sensor on page
4-204.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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NOTE
You can select systems you want to cancel
using the personalization features.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda
Connect Owner's Manual.
When the i-ACTIVSENSE switch is
pressed and held
When pressing and holding the
i-ACTIVSENSE switch, the following
systems are canceled in addition to the
systems which are canceled by pressing
and immediately releas ing the switch. The
i-ACTIVSENSE status symbol (warning/
risk avoidance support system) turns off
and the SBS OFF indicator light turn on.
Smart Brake Support (SBS)
Smart Brake Support [Rear] (SBS-R)
Smart Brake Support [Rear Crossing]
(SBS-RC)
If the i-ACTIVSENSE switch is pressed
again, the systems return to their original
status, the SBS OFF indicator light turns
off and the i-ACTIVSENSE status symbol
(warning/risk avoidance support system)
turns on.
Adaptive Front Lighting
System (AFS)
*
▼Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS)
automatically adjusts the headlight beams
to the left or right in conjunction with the
operation of the steering wheel after the
headlights have been turned on and the
vehicle speed is about 2 km/h (2 mph) or
higher.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Exterior Light Warning
Indication/Warning Light on page 7-33.
NOTE
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
can be switched to operable/inoperable
using the personalization function.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda
Connect Owner's Manual.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.4-87
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High Beam ControlSystem (HBC)
*
▼ High Beam Control System (HBC)
The HBC determines the conditions in
front of the vehicle using the Forward
Sensing Camera (FSC) while driving in
darkness to automatically switch the
headlights between high and low beams.
Refer to Forward Sen
sing Camera (FSC)
on page 4-198.
While driving the vehicle at a speed of
about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the
headlights are switched to high beams
when there are no vehicles ahead or
approaching in the opposite direction.
The system switches the headlights to low
beams when one of th e following occurs:
The system detects a vehicle or the
headlights/lights of a vehicle
approaching in the opposite direction.
The vehicle is driven on roads lined with
streetlamps or on roads in well-lit cities
and towns.
The vehicle is driven at less than about
20 km/h (12 mph).
The headlight high-beam indicator light
turns on while the high beams are on.
1. Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)*1
*1 The recognition distance of the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) varies according to the
surrounding conditions.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to High Be am Control System
(HBC) Warning Indication/Warning Light
(Amber) on page 7-33.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the vehicle height, modify
the headlight units, or remove the
camera, otherwise the system will not
operate normally.
Do not rely excessively on the HBC and
drive the vehicle while paying sufficient
attention to safety. Switch the headlights
between the high beams and low beams
manually if necessary.
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 Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-88*Some models.
Mazda3_8HE9-EA-18K_Edition1 2018-10-17 19:05:10
When the headlights/rear lamps of
vehicles in front of you or in the
opposite lane are dim or not
illuminated.
When there is insufficient 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 s
witch the headlights
automatically between high and low
beams after the igni tion is switched ON
and the headlight sw itch is in the AUTO
and low beam position.
The HBC determines that it is dark based
on the brightness of the surrounding area.
At the same time, the HBC indicator light
(green) in the instrument cluster
illuminates.
NOTE
Operation of the HBC function can be
disabled.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda
Connect Owner's Manual.
▼ Manual Switching
Switching to low beams
Switch the headlight switch to the
position, or press the high beam control
switch.
The HBC indicator ligh
t (green) turns off.
1. High beam control switch
If the HBC is turned off using the high
beam control switch, press the high beam
control switch again to turn the HBC back
on.
Switching to high beams
Shift the lever to the high beam position.
The HBC indicator ligh t (green) turns off
and the headlight high-beam indicator
light is illuminated.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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