2020 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK brakes

The auto operation may not cancel if the
vehicle is parked on a steep slope.
When the ignition is switched ON, the
parking brake auto operation is restored.
▼ Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Brake System Warning
Indication/Warning Li
ght on page 7-27.
▼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.
▼ Brake Override System
The brake override system applies the
brake first for safety if the brake pedal and
accelerator pedal are depressed at the same
time.
When Driving
Brake
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AUTOHOLD
▼AUTOHOLD
The AUTOHOLD function automatically holds the vehicle stopped,
even if you take your
foot off the brake pedal. This function can be best used while stopped in traffic or at a traffic
light. The brakes are released w hen you start driving the vehicle.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely completely on the AUTOHOLD function:
The AUTOHOLD function is only designed to assist the brake operation while the vehicle is
stopped. Neglecting to operate the brakes and relying only on the AUTOHOLD system is
dangerous and could result in an unexpected accident if the vehicle were to suddenly move.
Operate the brakes appr opriately in accordance with the road and surrounding conditions.
Do not release your foot from the brake pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a steep grade:
Because there is a possibility of the vehicle no t being held in the stopped position by the
AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may move unexpectedly and result in an accident.
Do not use the AUTOHOLD function on slippery roads such as icy or snow-covered roads, or
unpaved roads:
Even if the vehicle is held in the stopped posi tion by the AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may
move unexpectedly and result in an accident. Operate the accelerator pedal, brakes, or
steering wheel appropriately as necessary.
Immediately depress the brake pedal in the following cases:
Because the AUTOHOLD function is canceled forcibly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly
and result in an accident.
 “Depress Brake Pedal. Brake Hold Disabled” is displayed in the multi-information display
and the warning sound is activated at the same time.
Always apply the parking brake when parking the vehicle:
Not applying the parking brake when parking the vehicle is dangerous as the vehicle may
move unexpectedly and result in an accident . When parking the vehicle, shift the selector
lever to the P position (automatic transmi ssion vehicle) and apply the parking brake.
When Driving
Brake
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▼AUTOHOLD System is Turned On
Press the AUTOHOLD
switch and when
the AUTOHOLD standby indicator light
turns on, the AUTOHOLD function turns
on.
1. AUTOHOLD standby indicator light
NOTE
When all of the following conditions are
met, the AUTOHOLD standby indicator
light turns on when the AUTOHOLD
switch is pressed and the AUTOHOLD
function turns on.
The ignition is switched ON (engine is
running).
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
The driver's door is closed.
There is no problem with the
AUTOHOLD function.
To operate AUTOHOLD and hold the
brakes
1. Depress the brake pedal and bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. The AUTOHOLD active indicator light in the instrument cluster turns on
and the brakes are held.
3. The vehicle is held in its stopped
position even with the brake pedal
released.
NOTE
When all of the following conditions are
met, the AUTOHOLD operates and the
brakes are held.
The ignition is swit ched ON (engine is
running).
The vehicle is stopped.
The brake pedal is being depressed.
The AUTOHOLD active indicator light
turns on.
The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
The driver's door is closed.
There is no problem with the
AUTOHOLD function.
The parking brake is released.
There is no problem with the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB) function.
(Automatic transmission vehicle)
The selector lever is in a position other
than R position or the vehicle tilts
forward with the selector lever in the R
position.
To release AUTOHOLD and start
driving the vehicle
If you do any of the following actions to
resume driving the vehicle, the brakes will
be released automatically and the
AUTOHOLD active indi cator light turns
off.
(Manual transmission vehicle)
You start to release the clutch pedal with
the shift lever shifted to a position other
than the neutral position
(Automatic transmission vehicle)
The accelerator pedal is depressed.
When Driving
Brake
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The vehicle tilts rearward or the
selector lever is shifted to the R
position on level ground.
NOTE
If the Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
switch is pulled while the AUTOHOLD
is operating, the parking brake is
applied and the AUTOHOLD is
released. In addition, if the parking
brake is released under this condition,
the AUTOHOLD operates to hold the
brakes.
Under the following conditions, the
parking brake is automatically applied
and the AUTOHOLD is released. The
AUTOHOLD is re-enabled when the
conditions before the AUTOHOLD is
released are restored.
The driver’s seat belt is unfastened.
The driver’s door is opened.
When about 10 minutes or longer have
passed since the AUTOHOLD operation
started, the parking brake is
automatically applied. Because the
AUTOHOLD is restored when releasing
the parking brake, the hold on the
brakes by AUTOHOLD function
resumes.
(Manual transmission vehicle)
When starting to drive the vehicle
forward or in reverse on a down slope,
depress the clutch pedal and shift the
shift lever to the appropriate position for
driving in the desired direction, and then
depress the accelerator pedal to release
the AUTOHOLD.
The AUTOHOLD can be canceled
forcibly by fully depressing the
accelerator pedal for 1 second or longer
while the AUTOHOLD is operating.
Forcibly cancel the AUTOHOLD only
when the AUTOHOLD cannot be
canceled due to a system malfunction or
it is necessary to cancel the
AUTOHOLD in an emergency.
▼AUTOHOLD System is Turned Off
Depress the brake pedal and press the
AUTOHOLD switch. The AUTOHOLD is
turned off and the AUTOHOLD standby
indicator light turns off.
1. AUTOHOLD standby indicator light
NOTE
When the brakes are not held such as
while driving the vehicle, the
AUTOHOLD can be turned off only by
pressing the AUTOHOLD switch.
When Driving
Brake
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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 7-30.
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 will 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
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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 autom
atically to provide
optimum power to th e drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin a nd loss of traction.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to TCS/DSC I ndication/Indicator
Light (Turns on) on page 7-32.
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 could still have an
accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-78).
▼ 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
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
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Mazda Radar Cruise
Control (MRCC) (Manual
Transmission)
*
▼Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC)
The MRCC system is designed to maintain
headway control
*1 with a vehicle ahead
according to your vehicle's speed using a
front radar sensor to detect the distance to
the vehicle ahead and a preset vehicle
speed without you having to use the
accelerator or brake pedals.
*1 Headway Control: Control of the distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead detected by the MRCC
system.
Additionally, if your vehicle starts closing
in on the vehicle ahead such as if the
vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, a warning
sound and a warning indication in the
display are activated simultaneously to
alert you to maintain a sufficient distance
between the vehicles.
Also refer to the following before using
the MRCC.
Front radar sensor (page 4-204)
WA R N I N G
Do not rely completely on the MRCC:
The MRCC system has detection limitations
depending on the type of vehicle ahead
and its conditions, the weather conditions,
and the road conditions. Additionally, the
system may be unable to decelerate
sufficiently to avoid hitting the vehicle
ahead if the vehicle ahead applies the
brakes suddenly or another vehicle cuts
into the driving lane, which could result in
an accident.
Always drive carefully and verify the
surrounding conditions and depress the
brake pedal or accelerator pedal while
keeping a safe distance from vehicles
ahead or on-coming vehicles.
Do not use the MRCC system in the
following locations. Using the MRCC
system at the following locations may
result in an unexpected accident:
 General roads other than highways
(Driving under these conditions using the
MRCC system is not possible.)
 Roads with sharp curves and where
vehicle traffic is heavy with insufficient
space between vehicles, or roads where
frequent and repetitive acceleration and
deceleration occur (Driving under these
conditions using the MRCC is not
possible).
 When entering and exiting interchanges,
service areas, and parking areas of
highways (If you exit a highway while
headway control is in use, the vehicle
ahead will no longer be tracked and your
vehicle may accelerate to the set speed).
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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Slippery roads such as ice or snow-bound
roads (Tires could spin causing you to
lose vehicle control, or the stop hold
control may not operate.)
 Long, descending slopes (to maintain
distance between vehicles, the system
automatically and continuously applies
the brakes which could result in the loss
of brake power.)
 Slopes with a steep gradient (The vehicle
ahead may not be detected correctly.)
 Two-wheeled vehicles such as
motorcycles or bicycles are ahead.
For safety purposes, switch the MRCC
system off when it is not being used.
Leaving the MRCC system turned on when
it is not in use is dangerous as it could
operate unexpectedly, resulting in an
accident.
CAUTION
 Turn the system
off when the vehicle is
running on a chassis roller.
 If your vehicle is towed or you are towing
something, switch the MRCC system off
to prevent an unexpected operation.
NOTE
The MRCC system does not detect the
following as physical objects.
Vehicles approaching in the opposite
direction
Pedestrians
Stationary objects (stopped vehicles,
obstructions)
If a vehicle ahead is traveling at an
extremely low speed, the system may
not detect it correctly.
If there is a structure on the road or an
object (such as a monorail) at a low
height off the ground in front of the
vehicle, the system may operate.
Therefore, do not use the MRCC.
Do not use the MRCC system under
conditions in which close proximity
warnings are frequently activated.
During headway control travel, the
system accelerates and decelerates your
vehicle in conjunction with the speed of
the vehicle ahead. However, if it is
necessary to accelerate for a lane
change or if the vehicle ahead brakes
suddenly causing you to close in on the
vehicle rapidly, accelerate using the
accelerator pedal or decelerate using
the brake pedal depending on the
conditions.
While the MRCC system is in use, it
does not cancel even if the shift lever is
operated and any intended engine
braking will not occur. If deceleration is
required, lower the vehicle speed setting
or depress the brake pedal.
While braking by the MRCC control is
operating, you might hear an operation
sound, however, this does not indicate a
problem.
The brake lights turn on while braking
by the MRCC control is operating,
however, they may not turn on while the
vehicle is on a down slope at the set
vehicle speed or traveling at a constant
speed and following a vehicle ahead.
Stop the headway control function to
switch the system to the cruise control
function.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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