2020 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owners Manual (in English)

NOTE
The system may operate under the
following conditions even if a vehicle is
not approaching.
An object that reflects the radio waves
of the radar such as a parked vehicle,
guardrail, or wall is directly next to
your vehicle.
Vehicles are stopped in the area
around your vehicle such as during
heavy traffic.
A vehicle approaching from the front
or side of your vehicle slows down.
A vehicle approaching from the front
or left side of your vehicle makes a
right or left turn directly in front of
your vehicle.
A vehicle or pedestrian moves in the
parking lot or on the sidewalk in the
area surrounding your vehicle.
After making a left or right turn, an
on-coming vehicle is present.
When passing an on-coming vehicle.
A vehicle overtakes your vehicle while
it is stopped.
Your vehicle is in an area where
strong radio waves or electrical noise
may occur such as near a television
tower or power plant.
Under the following conditions, the front
side radar sensor cannot detect
approaching vehicles or it might be
difficult to detect them, and the system
may not operate normally.
The front side radar sensor detection
area is obstructed by a nearby wall or
vehicle.
Directly after the system becomes
operable.
Radio wave interference from a radar
sensor equipped on a nearby vehicle.
The approaching vehicle has any of
the following shapes.
a) The size of the vehicle body is extremely small.
b) The vehicle height is extremely low or high.
c) A special type of vehicle with a
complex shape
A vehicle suddenly enters the
detection area from the front or side of
your vehicle.
A vehicle that has stopped suddenly
starts to move.
Multiple objects move at the same
time.
The vehicle is driven in bad weather
conditions such as heavy rain, fog,
snow, or sand storms.
The vehicle is driven on a sharp curve
or on bumpy roads.
An object that reflects the radio waves
of the radar such as a parked vehicle,
guardrail, or wall is directly next to
your vehicle.
A vehicle approaches while turning
(Such as roundabout)
The vehicle is driven at an extremely
slow speed.
In the following cases, the system turns
on the i-ACTIVSENSE warning
indication/warning light and operation
of the system is stopped. If the
i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/
warning light remains on, have the
vehicle inspected by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Some problem with the system has
occurred.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-113
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03

The front side radar sensor
installation position is greatly
deviated.
There is a large accumulation of snow
or ice on the front bumper near a front
side radar sensor.
The temperature near the radar
sensors becomes extremely hot due to
driving for a long time on slopes
during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.
The front side radar sensor of the
FCTA may be regulated under the
radio wave related laws of the country
where the vehicle is driven. If this
system is used abroad, it may be
necessary to turn off the system.
Refer to Front Side Radar Sensor on
page 4-206.
▼ Canceling Operation of Front Cross
Traffic Alert (FCTA)
The FCTA can be set to inoperable.
(If only the FCTA is turned off)
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
(If the FCTA is turned off by
operating the i-ACT
IVSENSE switch)
Refer to i-ACTIVSENSE Switch on
page 4-87.
NOTE
If the ignition is switched OFF while you
have canceled the system using the
i-ACTIVSENSE swit ch, the system is
automatically enabled the next time the
ignition is switched ON. However, if the
system is canceled using the
personalization features, the system is not
automatically enabled.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA)
*
▼Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The RCTA system is des
igned to assist the
driver in checking the area to the rear left
and right sides of your vehicle while your
vehicle is reversing by alerting the driver
to the presence of vehicles approaching
the rear of your vehicle.
The RCTA system detects vehicles
approaching from the rear left and right
sides of your vehicle and the rear of your
vehicle while your vehicle is being
reversed out of a parking space, and
notifies the driver of possible danger using
the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
indicator lights and the warning buzzer.
1. Your vehicle
2. Detection areas
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-114*Some models.
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03

WA R N I N G
Always check the surrounding area visually
before actually putting the vehicle in
reverse:
The system is only designed to assist you in
checking for vehicles at the rear when
putting the vehicle in reverse. Due to
certain limitations with the operation of
this system, the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) warning indicator lights may not
flash or it might be delayed even though a
vehicle is behind your vehicle. Always make
it your responsibility as a driver to check
the rear.
RCTA operation
1. The RCTA system operates when the shift lever (manual transmission) or the
selector lever (automatic transmission)
is shifted to the reverse (R) position.
2. If there is the poss ibility of a collision
with an approaching vehicle, the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
indicator lights flashes and the warning
beep is activated simultaneously.
Rear view monitor (vehicles with
Rear view monitor)
The RCTA warning indication in the
rearview monitor also synchronizes
with the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
warning indicator light on the door
mirrors.
360°view monitor (vehicles with
360°view monitor)
The RCTA warning indication in the
360°view monitor also synchronizes
with the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
warning indicator light on the door
mirrors.
Function for cancelling illumination
dimmer
If the BSM warning i ndicator lights turn
on when the parking lights are turned on,
the brightness of the BSM warning
indicator lights is dimmed.
If the BSM warning i ndicator lights are
difficult to see due to glare from
surrounding brightness when traveling on
snow-covered roads or under foggy
conditions, press the dimmer cancellation
button to cancel the dimmer and increase
the brightness of BSM warning indicator
lights when they turn on.
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page
4-18.
NOTE
The system may operate under the
following conditions even if a vehicle is
not approaching.
An object that reflects the radio waves
of the radar such as a parked vehicle,
guardrail, or wall is directly next to
your vehicle.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-115
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03

A vehicle approaching from the rear
left and right side of your vehicle
slows down.
A vehicle approaching from the rear
left and right side of your vehicle
makes a right or left turn directly in
front of your vehicle.
A vehicle overtakes your vehicle while
it is stopped.
Your vehicle is in an area where
strong radio waves or electrical noise
may occur such as near a television
tower or power plant.
In the following cases, the
i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/
warning light turns on and operation of
the system is stopped. If the
i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/
warning light remains illuminated, have
the vehicle inspected at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Some problem with the system
including the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) warning indicator lights has
occurred.
A large deviation in the installation
position of a rear side radar sensor on
the vehicle has occurred.
There is a large accumulation of snow
or ice on the rear bumper near a rear
side radar sensor.
Driving on snow-covered roads for
long periods.
The temperature near the radar
sensors becomes extremely hot due to
driving for long periods on slopes
during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.
Under the following conditions, the rear
side radar sensor cannot detect
approaching vehicles or it might be
difficult to detect them, and the system
may not operate normally.
The vehicle speed when reversing is
about 15 km/h (9 mph) or faster.
The rear side radar sensor detection
area is obstructed by a nearby wall or
parked vehicle. (Reverse the vehicle to
a position where the radar sensor
detection area is no longer
obstructed.)
1. Your vehicle
A vehicle is approaching directly from
the rear of your vehicle.
1. Your vehicle
The vehicle is parked at an angle.
1. Your vehicle

When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-116
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03

Directly after the RCTA system
becomes operable using the
personalization feature.
Radio wave interference from a radar
sensor equipped on a nearby parked
vehicle.
In the following cases, it may be difficult
to view the illumination/flashing of the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
indicator lights equipped on the door
mirrors.
Snow or ice adheres to the door
mirrors.
The front door glass is fogged or
covered in snow, frost or dirt.
Turn off the RCTA system while pulling
a trailer or while an accessory such as a
bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of
the vehicle. Otherwise, the radio waves
emitted by the radar will be blocked
causing the system to not operate
normally.
The rear side radar sensor of the RCTA
may be regulated under the radio wave
related laws of the country where the
vehicle is driven. If this system is used
abroad, it may be necessary to turn off
the system.
Refer to Rear Side Radar Sensor on
page 4-208.
▼Canceling Operation of Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The RCTA can be set to inoperable.
(If only the RCT
A is turned off)
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
(If the RCTA is turned off by
operating the i-ACTIVSENSE switch)
Refer to i-ACTIV SENSE Switch on
page 4-87.
NOTE
If the ignition is switched OFF while you
have canceled the system using the
i-ACTIVSENSE switch, the system is
automatically enabled the next time the
ignition is switched ON. However, if the
system is canceled using the
personalization features, the system is not
automatically enabled.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-117
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03

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
4-118*Some models.
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03

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
4-119
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03

▼Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC) Display Indication
The MRCC setting status and operation
conditions are indicated on the
multi-information di
splay and the active
driving display.
Multi-information display (Basic
display)
1. Vehicle ahead display
2. MRCC set vehicle speed

Multi-information display
(i-ACTIVSENSE display)
1. Vehicle ahead display
2. MRCC set vehicle speed

Active drivin g display
1. Vehicle ahead display
2. MRCC set vehicle speed

If there is a probl em with the MRCC
system, a message is displayed on the
multi-information display. Check the
center display to ve rify the problem and
then have your vehicle inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Refer to If a Warning Light Turns On or
Flashes on page 7-27.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-120
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03