2021 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owners Manual

▼Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, Mazda recommends these shift points:
(U.S.A. and Canada)
Gear
Vehicle speed*1
M1 to M224 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 81 km/h (50 mph)
*1 Always observe local speed limit regulations.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy tra ffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift before
the engine starts to overwork. This gives better acceleration when you need more
speed.

On a steep downgrade, downshifting helps ma intain safe speed and prolongs brake
life.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Direct Mode*
▼Direct Mode
Direct mode can be used for
temporarily switching gears by
operating the steering shift switch
while the vehicle is being driven with
the selector lever in the D position.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indication illuminate and the gear
position in use is illuminated.
1. Direct mode indication
2. Gear position indication

Direct mode is canceled (released)
under the following conditions.
The UP switch (+/OFF) is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of
time or longer.
The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time
di ffers depending on the driving
conditions while operating).
The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.

NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct
mode may not be possible depending
on the vehicle speed. In addition,
because direct mode is canceled
(released) depending on the rate of
acceleration or if the accelerator is fully
depressed, use of the manual shift
mode is recommended if you need to
drive the vehicle in a particular gear for
long periods.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Driving Tips
▼Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not let the vehicle move in a
direction opposite to the direction
selected by the selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward
with the selector lever in a forward
position, or do not let the vehicle
move forward with the selector lever in
the reverse position. Otherwise, the
engine may stop, causing the loss of
the power brake and power steering
functions, and make it diffi
cult to
control the vehicle which could result
in an accident.
Pa s s i n g
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades,
depress the accelerator fully. The
transmission will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
NOTE
The accelerator pedal may initially
feel heavy as it is being depressed,
then feel lighter as it is depressed
further. This change in pedal force
aids the engine control system in
determining how much the
accelerator pedal has been
depressed for performing kickdown,
and functions to control whether or
not kickdown should be performed.
While the selector lever is in the M
position and the DSC is turned o ff,
manual shift mode does not switch
to automatic shift mode even if the
accelerator pedal is completely
depressed. Operate the selector
lever.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while
gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift
to lower gears, depending on load
weight and grade steepness. Descend
slowly, using the brakes only
occasionally to prevent them from
overheating.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Lighting Control
▼Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to turn the head
lights and other exterior lights on or off.
When the taillights, parking lights, license plate lights, and the side-marker lights are
turned on, the lights-on indicator light in the instrument cluster turns on.

NOTE
If the light switch is left on, the lights will automatically switch o ff approximately
30 seconds after switching the ignition o ff.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
To prevent discharging the battery, do no t leave the lights on while the engine is
o ff unless safety requires them.
Without auto-light control
Switch Position OFF
Headlights Off Off
On*1
Daytime running lights On*2On*2Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off
On
*3On*1
*1 When the ignition is switched from ON to ACC or OFF, the headlights turn o ff if the auto headlight
o ff function has been canceled. If the auto headlight
off function is enabled, the lights turn on for the
set period using the auto headlight off function, and then they turn
off.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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*2 When the light switch is switched to a different position from the OFF, position while the
vehicle is stopped, the daytime running lights turn o ff. When starting to drive the vehicle, the daytime
running lights turn on again.
*3 When the ignition is switched from ON to ACC or OFF, the headlights remain on if the auto headlight off function has been canceled. If the auto headlight
off function is enabled, the lights turn on for the
set period using the auto headlight o ff function, and then they turn o ff.
With auto-light control
Switch Position
OFF*1
AUTO
Surround-
ings are
bright
*2
Surround- ings are
dark
*3
Surround- ings are
bright
*2
Surround- ings are
dark
*3
Headlights Off Off On Off
On*4*5On*6
Daytime running lights O ff
On*7Off On*8Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off
OffOn
On
*9On*9On*6
*1 When the light switch is switched to OFF while the vehicle is stopped, the lights turn o ff. The light
switch returns automatically to the AUTO position and the headlights change to AUTO operation
when you start driving the vehicle.
*2 The level of brightness around the vehicle is of a su fficient level.*3 The level of brightness around the vehicle is of an insu fficient level.*4 The daytime running lights can be disabled usin g the personalization features (page 4-51). If the
daytime running lights are disabled, the headlights turn o ff directly after starting the engine. The
headlights turn on when you begin driving the vehicle.
*5 When the light switch is switched from the OFF, AUTO, or position to the position while
the vehicle is stopped, the headlights turn o ff. When starting to drive the vehicle, the headlights turn
on again.
*6 When the ignition is switched from ON to ACC or OFF, the headlights turn o ff if the auto headlight
o ff function has been canceled. If the auto headlight o ff function is enabled, the lights turn on for the
set period using the auto headlight o ff function, and then they turn o ff.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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*7 When the light switch is switched to a different position from the AUTO position while the vehicle is
stopped, the daytime running lights turn o ff. When starting to drive the vehicle, the daytime running
lights turn on again.
*8 If one of the following operations is done from the position while the vehicle is stopped, the
daytime running lights turn off.
Switch the light switch to the OFF position.
Switch the light switch to the AUTO position, and then to the position again.
Switch the light switch to the position.
When starting to drive the vehicle, the daytime running lights turn on again.
*9 When the ignition is switched from ON to ACC or OFF, the headlights remain on if the auto headlight off function has been canceled. If the auto headlight o ff function is enabled, the lights turn on for the
set period using the auto headlight o ff function, and then they turn o ff.
Auto-light control
When the headlight switch is in the AUTO position and the ignition is switched ON,
the light sensor senses the surrounding li ghtness or darkness and automatically turns
the headlights and other exterior lights on or off.
CAUTION
 Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windshield.
Otherwise the light sensor will not operate correctly.
 The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands
and scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the AUTO position
and the ignition is switched ON as fingers could be pinched or the wipers and
wiper blades could be damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are
going to clean the windshield, be sure the wipers are turned o ff completely when
it is particularly tempting to leave the en gine running. This is particularly important
when clearing ice and snow.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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NOTE
The headlights and other exterior lights may not turn off immediately even if the
surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor determines that it is
night time if the surrounding area is cont inuously dark for several minutes such as
inside long tunnels, tra ffic jams inside tunnels, or in indoor parking lots.
If the headlight switch and the windshield wiper switch are in AUTO, and the
wipers are operated at low or high speed by the auto wiper control for several
seconds, bad weather conditions are determined and the headlights may be
turned on.
The sensitivity of the auto-light control may be changed.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
▼ Headlight High-Low Beam
The headlights switch between high
and low beams by moving the lever
forward or backward.

1. High beam
2. Low beam

When the headlight high-beams are
on, the headlight high-beam indicator
light is turned on.

▼Flashing the Headlights
The headlights can be
flashed with the
ignition switched to ON.
When the power switch is switched
ON, and regardless of the headlight
position, the headlights switch to high
beams while the lever is being pulled.

1. OFF
2. Headlight flashing

The headlight high-beam indicator
light in the instrument cluster
illuminates simultaneously. The lever
will return to the normal position when
released.

When Driving
Switches and Controls
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▼Coming Home Light
The coming home light turns on the
headlights (low beams) when the lever
is operated.
To turn on the lights
When the lever is pulled with the
ignition switched to ACC or OFF, the
low beam headlights turn on.
The headlights turn o
ff after a certain
period of time has elapsed after all of
the doors are closed.
NOTE
The time until the headlights turn o ff
after all of the doors are closed can
be changed.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
If no operations are done for 3
minutes after the lever is pulled, the
headlights turn o ff.
The headlights turn o ff if the lever is
pulled again while the headlights are
illuminated.
▼ Leaving Home Light
The leaving home light turns on the
lights when the transmitter unlock
button is pressed while away from the
vehicle.
The following lights turn on when the
leaving home light is operated.
Low beams, Parking lights, Taillights,
License plate lights.
To turn on the lights
When the ignition switch and the
headlight switch are in the following
conditions, the headlights will
illuminate when the transmitter unlock
button is pressed and the vehicle
receives the transmitter signal. The
headlights turn o
ff after a certain
period of time has elapsed (30
seconds).
Ignition switch: o ff
Headlight switch: AUTO, , or
1. Lock button
2. Unlock button
NOTE
Operation of the leaving home light
can be turned on or
off.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
When the transmitter lock button is
pressed and the vehicle receives the
transmitter signal, the headlights turn o ff.
When the headlight switch is turned
to the OFF position, the headlights
turn
off.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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