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
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
WA R N I N G
Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all 4 wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could
be greatly affected and result in an
accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tires
with steel wire reinforcement in the
sidewalls (page 4-217).
▼ Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
Chains may
affect handling.
Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph)
or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns.
Avoid locked-wheel braking.
Do not use chains on a temporary spare
tire; it may result in damage to the
vehicle and to the tire.
Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the front tires only.
Do not use chains on the rear tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. If your vehicle is equipped with wheel covers remove them, otherwise the
chain bands will scratch them.
2. Secure the chains on the front tires as tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions.
3. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-48
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
Ignition Switch
▼Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches
in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
1. Indicator light
2. Push button start
NOTE
The engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the clutch
pedal (manual transmission) or the
brake pedal (automatic transmission).
To switch the ignition position, press the
push button start without depressing the
pedal.
Do not leave the ignition switched ON
while the engine is not running. Doing
so could result in the battery going
dead. If the ignition is left in ACC (For
automatic transmission, the selector
lever is in the P position, and the
ignition is in ACC), the ignition switches
off automatically af ter about 25 minutes.
Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the indicator light (amber)
also turns off.
WA R N I N G
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector lever is in
P (automatic transmission) position or in
1st gear or R (manual transmission):
Leaving the driver's seat without switching
the ignition off, setting the parking brake,
and shifting the selector lever to P
(automatic transmission) position or to 1st
gear or R (manual transmission) is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle movement
could occur which could result in an
accident.
In addition, if your intention is to leave the
vehicle for even a short period, it is
important to switch the ignition off, as
leaving it in another position will disable
some of the vehicle's security systems and
run the battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been
pressed to ACC, and the doors will not
lock/unlock even if they have been locked
manually.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-4
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03
Automatic TransmissionControls
▼Automatic Transmission Controls
1. Lock-release button
2. Selector lever
Indication Various Lockouts
Indicates that you must depress the
brake pedal and hold in the lock-re‐
lease button to shift (The ignition
must be switched ON).
Indicates the selector lever can be
shifted freely into any position.
Indicates that you must hold in the
lock-release button to shift.
NOTE
The Sport AT has an option that is not
included in the traditional automatic
transmission that gives the driver the
option of selecting each gear instead of
leaving it to the transmission to shift
gears. Even if you intend to use the
automatic transmission functions as a
traditional automatic, you should also be
aware that you can inadvertently shift into
manual shift mode and an inappropriate
gear may be retained as the vehicle speed
increases. If you notice the engine speed
going higher or hear the engine racing,
confirm you have not accidentally slipped
into manual shift mode (page 4-36).
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-33
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03
Shift-Lock System
▼Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system p
revents shifting out
of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P position.
The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P position.
▼ Shift-Lock Override
If the selector lever will not move from P
position using the proper shift procedure,
continue to hold down the brake pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped flat head
screwdriver.
2. Insert a flat screwdriver and push it down.
1. Cover
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer to have the system checked.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-34
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03
Transmission Ranges
▼Transmission Ranges
The shift position indication in the
instrument clust
er illuminates.
Refer to Shift Position Indication on
page 4-36.
Shift the selector lever to the P or N
position to start the engine.
P (Park)
P locks the transmission and prevents the
front wheels from rotating.
WA R N I N G
Always set the selector lever to P position
and set the parking brake:
Only setting the selector lever to the P
position without using the parking brake to
hold the vehicle is dangerous. If P fails to
hold, the vehicle could move and cause an
accident.
CAUTION
Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is
moving can damage your transmission.
Shifting into a driving gear or reverse
when the engine is running faster than
idle can damage the transmission.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except under
rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 3-46).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
WA R N I N G
If the engine is running faster than idle, do
not shift from N or P into a driving gear:
It's dangerous to shift from N or P into a
driving gear when the engine is running
faster than idle. If this is done, the vehicle
could move suddenly, causing an accident
or serious injury.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle:
Shifting into N while driving is dangerous.
Engine braking cannot be applied when
decelerating which could lead to an
accident or serious injury.
CAUTION
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause transmission
damage.
NOTE
Apply the parking brake or depress the
brake pedal before moving the selector
lever from N position to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 6-gear sequence.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-35
Mazda3_8HZ1-EA-19G_Edition1_old 2019-5-17 13:49:03