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Brake System
▼Foot Brake
This vehicle has pow
er-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
WA R N I N G
Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off,
find a safe place to stop:
Coasting with the engi ne stalled or turned
off is dangerous. Braking will require more
effort, and the brake's power-assist could
be depleted if you pump the brake. This will
cause longer stopping distances or even an
accident.
Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills:
Driving with your foot continuously on the
brake pedal or steadily applying the brakes
for long distances is dangerous. This causes
overheated brakes, resulting in longer
stopping distances or even total brake
failure. This could cause loss of vehicle
control and a serious accident. Avoid
continuous application of the brakes.
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.
CAUTION
Do not drive with your foot held on the
brake pedal. Doing so could result in the
following:
The brake parts will wear out more
quickly.
The brakes can overheat and adversely
affect brake performance.
Always depress the brake pedal with the
right foot. Applying the brakes with the
unaccustomed left foot could slow your
reaction time to an emergency situation
resulting in insufficient braking
operation.
Wear shoes appropriate for driving in
order to avoid your shoe contacting the
brake pedal when depressing the
accelerator pedal.
When Driving
Brake
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▼Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
The EPB equipment applies the parking
brake using an electric motor. When the
parking brake is applied, the EPB switch
indicator light turns on.
Indicator light
WA R N I N G
Do not drive the vehicle with the parking
brake applied:
If the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake applied, the brake parts may
generate heat and the brake system may
not operate, leading to an accident.
Before driving, release the parking brake
and verify that the brake system warning
light is turned
off.
NOTE
The parking brake cannot be applied or
released while the vehicle battery is
dead.
If the EPB is repeatedly applied and
released it may stop operating to
prevent overheating of the motor. If this
occurs, wait approx. 1 minute before
operating the EPB switch again.
An operation sound occurs when
applying or releasing the parking brake,
however, this does not indicate a
malfunction.
If the EPB is not used for long periods,
an automatic inspection of the system is
performed while the vehicle is parked.
An operation sound can be heard,
however, this does not indicate a
problem.
When the parking brake is applied and
the ignition is switched OFF, an
operation sound can be heard, however,
this does not indicate a problem.
The brake pedal may move while the
parking brake is being applied or
released, however, this does not indicate
a problem.
If the EPB switch is continually pulled
while driving the vehicle, the parking
brake will be applied and the EPB
warning beep will be activated. When
the switch is released, the parking brake
is released and the beep stops.
If the parking brake is applied with the
ignition switched off or in ACC, the
brake system warning light in the
instrument cluster and the indicator
light in the switch may turn on for 15
seconds.
When running the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, it may be necessary
to switch the ignition off with the
parking brake released depending on
the type of auto matic car wash.
When applying the parking brake
The parking brake can be applied
regardless of the igni tion switch position.
Securely depress the brake pedal and pull
up the EPB switch.
When Driving
Brake
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The parking brake is applied and the brake
system warning light and the EPB switch
indicator light turn on.
Refer to If a Warning Light Turns On or
Flashes on page 7-28.
When releasing the parking brake
The parking brake can be released while
the ignition is switched ON or the engine
is running. When the parking brake is
released, the brake system warning light
and the EPB switch indicator light turn
off.
Parking brake manual release
Firmly depress the brake pedal and press
the EPB switch.
If the EPB switch is pressed without
depressing the brake pedal, the display in
the instrument cluster notifies the driver
that the brake is not depressed.
(Type A/B instrument cluster)
A message is displayed on the
multi-information display in the
instrument cluster.
Refer to Message Indicated in
Multi-information Disp lay on page 7-45.
(Type C instrument cluster)
The brake pedal operation demand
indicator light in the instrument cluster
turns on.
Parking brake automatic release
If the accelerator pedal is depressed with
the parking brake applied and all of the
following conditions met, the parking
brake is released automatically.
The engine is running.
The driver's door is closed.
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
Selector lever is in the D, M, or R
position
NOTE
If something such as the driver's foot
contacts the accelerator pedal with the
engine running and the parking brake
applied, the parking brake may be
released automatically. If you do not
intend to drive immediately, shift the
selector lever to the P or N position.
When Driving
Brake
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▼Warning Light
The warning light
turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-31.
▼ Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
WA R N I N G
Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is dangerous.
The brakes could fail and cause a serious
accident. As soon as you hear a screeching
noise consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
In high humidity weather conditions,
brake noises, such as brake squeak or
brake squeal can be heard. It does not
indicate a malfunction.
▼ Brake Assist
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the brake
pedal with greater force, the brake assist
system provides braking assistance, thus
enhancing braking performance.
When the brake pedal is depressed hard or
depressed more quickly, the brakes apply
more firmly.
NOTE
When the brake pedal is depressed hard
or depressed more quickly, the pedal
will feel softer but the brakes will apply
more firmly. This is a normal effect of
the brake assist operation and does not
indicate a malfunction.
When the brake pedal is depressed hard
or depressed more quickly, a motor/
pump operation noise may be heard.
This is a normal effect of the brake
assist and does not indicate a
malfunction.
The brake assist equipment does not
supersede the functionality of the
vehicle's main braking system.
When Driving
Brake
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Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
HLA is a function which assists the driver
in accelerating from a stop while on a
slope. When the driver releases the brake
pedal and depresses the accelerator pedal
while on a slope, the function prevents the
vehicle from rolling. The braking force is
maintained automatically after the brake
pedal is released on a steep grade.
HLA operates on a downward slope when
the selector lever is in the reverse (R)
position, and on an upward slope when the
selector lever is in a forward gear.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely completely on HLA :
HLA is an auxiliary device for accelerating
from a stop on a slope. The system only
operates for about 2 seconds and
therefore, relying only on the system, when
accelerating from a stop is dangerous
because the vehicle may move (roll)
unexpectedly and cause an accident.
The vehicle could roll depending on the
vehicle's load or if it is towing something.
Always confirm the safety around the
vehicle before starting to drive the vehicle.
NOTE
HLA does not operate on a gentle slope.
In addition, the gradient of the slope on
which the system will operate changes
depending on the vehicle's load.
HLA does not operate if the parking
brake is applied, or if the vehicle has not
stopped completely.
HLA is operating, the brake pedal may
feel stiff and vibrate, however, this does
not indicate a malfunction.
HLA does not operate while the
TCS/DSC indicator li ght is illuminated.
Refer to Contact Authorized and Have
Vehicle Inspected on page 7-31.
HLA does not turn off even if the TCS
OFF switch is pressed to turn off the
TCS.
When Driving
Brake
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Antilock Brake System(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed o f 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 brak e pedal without
pumping the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-31.
WA R N I N G
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 tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
NOTE
Braking 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 tires wi ll build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
The 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/Trailer Stability Control (TSC)
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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 Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-31.
WA R N I N G
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 tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
Use snow tires or tire 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 co uld still have an
accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the TCS OFF
switch (page 4-96).
▼ TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
If the TCS, DSC or the Trailer Stability
Control (TSC) is ope
rating, 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.
NOTE
In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating properly.
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer St ability Control (TSC)
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▼TCS OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light
stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
It also illuminates when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
Refer to TCS OFF Switch on page 4-96.
If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS is not switched off, take your vehicle
to an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The DSC
may have a malfunction.
▼ TCS OFF Switch
Press the TCS OFF sw
itch to turn off the
TCS. The TCS OFF indicator light in the
instrument cluster and TCS OFF switch
indicator light turn on.
Indicator light
Press the switch agai n to turn the TCS
back on. The TCS OFF indicator light and
TCS OFF switch indica tor light will turn
off.
NOTE
When TCS is on and you attempt to free
the vehicle when it is stuck, or drive it
out of freshly fallen snow, the TCS (part
of the DSC system) will activate.
Depressing the accelerator will not
increase engine power and freeing the
vehicle may be difficult. When this
happens, turn off the TCS.
If the TCS is off when the engine is
turned off, it aut omatically activates
when the ignition is switched ON.
Leaving the TCS on will provide the best
traction.
If the TCS OFF switch is pressed and
held for 10 seconds or longer, the TCS
can no longer be turned off even if the
TCS OFF switch is pressed.
In this case, the TCS OFF switch will
operate normally when the ignition is
switched ON again after being switched
OFF.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Control (TSC)
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