NOTE
The keys carry a unique electronic code.
For this reason, and to assure your
safety, obtaining a replacement key
requires some waiting time. They are
only available through an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Always keep a spare key in case one is
lost. If a key is lost, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
If you lose a key, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer will reset the electronic codes of
your remaining keys and immobilizer
system. Bring all the remaining keys to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to reset.
Starting the vehicle with a key that has
not been reset is not possible.
▼ Operation
NOTE
The engine may not start and security
indicator light may illuminate or flash if
the key is placed in an area where it is
difficult for the system to detect the
signal, such as on the dashboard or in
the glove compartment. Move the key to
a location within the signal range,
switch the ignition off, and then restart
the engine.
Signals from a TV or radio station, or
from a transceiver or mobile telephone
could interfere with your immobilizer
system. If you are using the proper key
and the engine fails to start, check the
security indicator light.
Arming
The system is armed when the ignition is
switched from ON to off.
The security indica
tor light in the
instrument cluster flashes every 2 seconds
until the system is disarmed.
Disarming
The system is disarmed when the ignition
is switched ON with the correct
programmed key. The security indicator
light illuminates for about 3 seconds and
then turns off.
If the engine does not start with the correct
key, and the security indicator light
remains illuminated o r flashing, try the
following:
Make sure the key is within the
operational range for signal transmission.
Switch the ignition off, and then restart the
engine. If the engine does not start after 3
or more tries, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Before Driving
Security System
3-41
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03
NOTE
The theft-deterrent system can also be
armed by activating the auto relock
function with all the doors, the liftgate/
trunk lid and the hood closed.
Refer to Transmitter on page 3-5.
The system will disarm if one of the
following operations takes place within
20 seconds after pressing the lock
button:
Unlocking any door.
Opening any door.
Opening the hood.
Switching the ignition ON.
To rearm the system, do the arming
procedure again.
When the doors are locked by pressing
the lock button on the transmitter while
the theft-deterrent system is armed, the
hazard warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.
▼ To Turn Off an Armed System
An armed system can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter.
Starting the engine with the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Touching the sensing area of the door
release touch sensor.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
NOTE
When the doors are unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the transmitter while
the theft-deterrent system is turned off, the
hazard warning lights will flash twice to
indicate that the system is turned off.
▼ To S t o p t h e A l a r m
A triggered alarm can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button or the trunk
button (4–door) on the transmitter.
Starting the engine with the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Touching the sensing area of the door
release touch sensor.
Pressing the electric liftgate/trunk lid
opener while the key is being carried.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
Before Driving
Security System
3-43
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03
Break-In Period
▼Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to
the performance,
economy, and life of the vehicle.
Do not race the engine.
Do not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
Do not drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for e xtended periods of
time.
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
Avoid full-throttle starts.
Saving Fuel and Protection of the Environment
▼Saving Fuel and Protection of the
Environment
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel
on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save fuel and
reduce CO
2.
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
Avoid fast starts.
Drive at lower speeds.
Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking).
Follow the maintenance schedule and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(U.S.A. and Puerto Rico) on page 6-4.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(Canada) on page 6-6.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(Mexico) on page 6-8.
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
Slow down on rough roads.
Keep the tires properly inflated.
Do not carry unnecessary weight.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Keep windows closed at high speeds.
Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-44
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03
WA R N I N G
Never stop the engine when going down a
hill:
Stopping the engine when going down a
hill is dangerous. This causes the loss of
power steering and power brake control,
and may cause damage to the drivetrain.
Any loss of steering or braking control
could cause an accident.
Hazardous Driving
▼Hazardous Driving
WA R N I N G
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while driving
on slippery surfaces is dangerous. The
sudden change in tire speed could cause
the tires to skid. This could lead to loss of
vehicle control and an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.
Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-75.
If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
For more traction in
starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow, use
sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting, or
other nonslip material under the front
wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front wheels.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-45
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03
Floor Mat
▼Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda floor mats.
WA R N I N G
Make sure the
floor mats are hooked on the
retention pins to prevent them from
bunching up under the foot pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation,
which could result in an accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on top of
the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top of the
other, on the driver's side is dangerous as
the retention pins can only keep one floor
mat from sliding forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with the
foot pedals and could result in an accident.
If using an all-weather mat for winter use
always remove the original floor mat.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its grommets are inserted
over the pointed end of the retention posts.
Rocking the Vehicle
▼Rocking the Vehicle
WA R N I N G
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow anyone
to stand behind a wheel when pushing the
vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous. The
spinning tire could
overheat and explode.
This could cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly mo ve the shift lever/
selector lever from 1 (D) to R position.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-46
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03
Winter Driving
▼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 6-17.
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 6-15).
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
6-19).
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 4 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.
Mexico
The vehicle is origin ally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
Except Mexico
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.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-47
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03
Driving In Flooded Area
▼Driving In Flooded Area
WA R N I N G
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 the vehicle on flooded roads
as it could cause short circuiting of
electrical/electronic parts, or engine
damage or stalling from water absorption.
If the vehicle has been immersed in water,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Overloading
▼Overloading
WA R N I N G
Be careful not to overload your vehicle:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and
the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of
the vehicle are on the Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard Label on the driver's door frame.
Exceeding these ratings can cause an
accident or vehicle damage. You can
estimate the weight of the load by
weighing the items (or people) before
putting them in the vehicle.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-49
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old
2019-5-17 13:49:03
4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine.............................. 4-4 Ignition Switch........ ..................... 4-4
Starting the Engine....................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off...............4-10
Cylinder Deactivation
*............... 4-11
Instrument Cluster and Display ............
........................................................... 4-12 Instrument Cluster and
Display........................................4-12
Instrument Cluster...................... 4-12
Active Driving Display
*............. 4-29
Manual Transmission
Operation......................................... 4-31 Manual Transmission Shift
Pattern......................................... 4-31
Automatic Transmission................. 4-33 Automatic Transmission
Controls...................................... 4-33
Shift-Lock System...................... 4-34
Transmission Ranges.................. 4-35
Manual Shift Mode..................... 4-36
Direct Mode
*.............................. 4-42
Driving Tips................................4-43
Switches and Controls..................... 4-44 Lighting Control......................... 4-44
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals........................................ 4-50
Windshield Wipers and
Washer........................................ 4-51
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
*.....
.................................................... 4-55
Rear Window Defogg er.............. 4-56
Horn............................................ 4-57
Hazard Warning Flasher............. 4-58
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
*.......................................4-58
Brake................................................ 4-63 Brake System.............................. 4-63
AUTOHOLD.............................. 4-69
Hill Launch Assist (HLA).......... 4-73
ABS/TCS/DSC................................. 4-75 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)..........................................4-75
Traction Control System
(TCS).......................................... 4-76
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)..........................................4-77
Drive Selection................................. 4-79 Drive Selection
*..........................4-79
i-ACTIV AWD................................. 4-81 i-ACTIV AWD Operation
*.........4-81
*Some models.4-1
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03