Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
▼Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing
and reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a
chattering noise from the brake system.
This is normal ABS system operation.
Continue to depress the brake pedal
without pumping the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to ABS Warning Indication/
Warning Light on page 7-52.
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow,
and hydroplaning (reduced tyre friction
and road contact because of water on
the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
xBraking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these
conditions because the tyres will
build up a wedge of surface layer
when the wheels skid.
xThe sound of the ABS operating may
be heard when starting the engine or
immediately after starting the
vehicle, however, it does not indicate
a malfunction.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Off-Road Traction Assist
4-80
Traction Control System
(TCS)
▼Traction Control System (TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque and braking.
When the TCS detects driving wheel
slippage, it lowers engine torque and
operates the brakes to prevent loss of
traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to TCS/DSC Indication/
Indicator Light (Turns on) on page
7-55.
WARNING
Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving:
The Traction Control System (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving , excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tyre friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
Use snow tyres or tyre chains and
drive at reduced speeds when roads
are covered with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction devices
on snow and/or ice-covered roads is
dangerous. The Traction Control
System (TCS) alone cannot provide
adequate traction and you could still
have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the TCS OFF
switch (page 4-82).
▼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
expert repairer (we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer).
NOTE
xIn addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight labouring sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating
properly.
xOn slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Off-Road Traction Assist
4-81
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
▼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 manoeuvring, enhancing
vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-80) and TCS
(page 4-81).
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 TCS/DSC Indication/
Indicator Light (Turns on) on page
7-55.
WARNING
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 tyre friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
CAUTION
¾The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
¾Use tyres of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all 4
wheels.
¾Use tyres of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all 4 wheels.
¾Do not mix worn tyres.
¾The DSC may not operate correctly
when tyre chains are used or a
temporary spare tyre is installed
because the tyre diameter changes.
NOTE
If there is a problem with the DSC, the
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) may not
operate.
Refer to Hill Launch Assist (HLA) on
page 4-79.
▼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
expert repairer (we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer).
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Off-Road Traction Assist
4-83
Off-Road Traction Assist*
▼Off-Road Traction Assist
When the vehicle tyres become
embedded in mud, sand, or deep
snow, the
Off-Road Traction Assist
functions to prevent drive-wheel
spinning and to assist in freeing tyres
that are stuck.
This is not a function made for
off-road
driving. Do not drive over rough rocky
roads and river beds.
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the
Off-Road Traction Assist.
The
Off-Road Traction Assist has
limitations. Always drive the vehicle
safely according to the road
conditions. Do not drive the vehicle
recklessly, otherwise it may result in an
accident. In addition, do not drive the
vehicle under the following conditions
while the
Off-Road Traction Assist is
operating. Otherwise, it could
negatively affect the drivetrain parts
which could result in an accident.
¾Vehicle is driven on paved roads.
¾Temporary spare tyre of a different
specified size is used.
¾Tyre chains are used.
Do not drive the vehicle
off road.
The Off-Road Traction Assist is a
function to assist in freeing tyres that
are stuck. Also, avoid continuous use
of this function on muddy, sandy,
deep-snowy, or uneven roads.
If this function is used continuously,
the AWD warning light may
flash.
Refer to If a Warning Light Turns On or
Flashes on page 7-49.
NOTE
The vehicle may vibrate or you might
hear an operation sound while the
Off-Road Traction Assist is operating or
is operational, however, this does not
indicate a problem.
▼Off-Road Traction Assist Indicator
Light
xWhen the ignition is switched ON,
the indicator light turns on and then
turns off after a few seconds.
xWhen pressing the Off-Road Traction
Assist switch to operate the Off-Road
Traction Assist, the indicator light
turns on.
xA problem in the system might be
indicated under the following
conditions. Have your vehicle
inspected by an expert repairer (we
recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer).
xThe indicator light does not turn on
when the ignition is switched ON
or it remains on.
xThe indicator light turns on even
though the Off-Road Traction
Assist was not operated.
▼Off-Road Traction Assist Switch
When the switch is pressed after
stopping the vehicle, the
Off-Road
Traction Assist becomes operational.
The Off-Road Traction Assist indicator
light in the instrument cluster and the
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Off-Road Traction Assist
4-84*Some models.