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
clutch pedal or brake pedal, or hold the
clutch pedal depressed halfway
unnecessarily. Doing so could result in
the following:
The clutch and 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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If there is a problem with the brake
system (foot brake) while driving the
vehicle, continually pulling up the EPB
switch will apply the brakes and
decelerate or stop the vehicle. The
parking brake on-reminder sound is
activated while the brake is applied. In
addition, when releasing the switch, the
brake is released and the sound stops.
If the parking brake is applied with the
ignition switched OFF or in ACC, the
EPB indicator light in the instrument
cluster and the indicator light in the
switch may turn on for 15 seconds.
When using an automatic car wash
which moves the vehicle with the front
tires mounted, it is necessary to cancel
the parking brake auto operation before
the vehicle enters the automatic car
wash. For details, refer to Canceling the
parking brake automatic operation.
Manual operation
Applying the parki ng brake manually
When the brake pedal is firmly depressed
and the EPB switch is pulled up, the
parking brake is applied regardless of the
ignition position. When the parking brake
is applied, the EPB indicator light in the
instrument cluster a nd the EPB switch
indicator light turn on.
Releasing the parking brake manually
When the brake pedal is firmly depressed
and the EPB switch is pressed while the
ignition is switched ON or the engine is
running, the parking brake is released.
When the parking brake is released, the
EPB indicator light in the instrument
cluster and the EPB sw itch indicator light
turn off.
If the EPB switch is pressed without
depressing the brake pedal, a message is
displayed on the multi-information display
to notify the driver to depress the brake
pedal.
Refer to Message Indicated on
Multi-information Disp lay on page 7-38.
Auto operation
Applying the parking brake
automatically
When the ignition is switched from ON to
ACC or OFF, the par king brake will be
applied automatically. When the parking
brake is applied, the EPB indicator light in
the instrument cluster and the EPB switch
indicator light turn on.
When Driving
Brake
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NOTE
To release the parking brake when the
ignition is switched OFF, it is necessary to
cancel the parking brake auto operation.
For details, refer to Canceling the parking
brake automatic operation.
Releasing the parking brake
automatically
If the accelerator pedal is depressed with
the parking brake ap plied and all of the
following conditions met, the parking
brake is released automatically. When the
parking brake is released, the EPB
indicator light in the instrument cluster
and the EPB switch indicator light turn
off.
The engine is running.
The driver's door is closed.
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
(Manual transmission vehicle)
The shift lever is i n a position other
than neutral.
The clutch pedal is depressed halfway.
(Automatic trans mission vehicle)
The 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 might be
released automatically. If you do not
intend to start driving the vehicle
immediately, shift the shift lever to the
neutral position for a manual
transmission, or shift the selector lever to
the P or N position for an automatic
transmission.
Canceling the parking brake automatic
operation
The parking brake automatic operation can
be canceled by doing any of the following
after switching the ignition from ON to
OFF.
Auto operation cancel method 1
1. Switch the ignition ON.
2. Turn off the AUTOHOLD.
3. Press the EPB switch continuously for 2 seconds or longer (until a sound is
activated).
4. Release the EPB switch and switch the ignition OFF within 5 seconds after the
sound was activated.
After the auto opera tion is canceled, a
sound is activated one time, and the
EPB switch indicato r light switches
from illumination t o flashing, and then
turns off afte r 3 seconds.
Auto operation cancel method 2
1. Switch the ignition ON.
2. Turn off the AUTOHOLD.
3. Switch the ignition OFF with the EPB switch pressed.
When the auto operation is canceled, a
sound is activated one time, and the
EPB switch indicator light from
normal flashing to faster flashing, and
then turns off after 3 seconds.
NOTE
When canceling the parking brake auto
operation and parking the vehicle, shift
the shift lever to the 1st gear or the R
position for a manual transmission, or
shift the selector l ever to the P position
for an automatic transmission, and then
use wheel blocks.
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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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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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 maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4
-75) and TCS (page
4-76).
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 7-32.
WA R N I N G
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 tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
CAUTION
The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
Use tires of the correct size
specified for
your Mazda on all 4 wheels.
Use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all 4
wheels.
Do not mix worn tires.
The DSC may not operate correctly when
tire chains are used or a temporary spare
tire is installed because the tire 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
4-73.
▼ 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.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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▼DSC OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light
stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
It also illuminates when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off.
Refer to DSC OFF Switch on page 4-78.
If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS/DSC is not switched off, take your
vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The DSC may have a malfunction.
▼ DSC OFF Switch
Press the DSC OFF switch to turn off the
TCS/DSC. The DSC OFF indicator light
in the instrument cluster and the DSC OFF
switch indicator lig
ht will illuminate.
1. DSC OFF switch indicator light
Press the switch again to turn the
TCS/DSC back on. The DSC OFF
indicator light and the DSC OFF switch
indicator light will turn off.
NOTE
When DSC 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/DSC.
If the TCS/DSC is off when the engine is
turned off, it aut omatically activates
when the ignition is switched ON.
Leaving the TCS/DSC on will provide
the best traction.
If the DSC OFF switch is pressed and
held for 10 seconds or more, the DSC
OFF switch malfunction detection
function operates and the DSC system
activates automatically. The DSC OFF
indicator light turns off while the DSC
system is operative.
(Vehicles with Smart Brake Support
(SBS))
If the Smart Brake Support (SBS)
operates with the TCS/DSC turned off,
the TCS/DSC becomes operational
automatically.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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