2021 MAZDA MODEL CX-3 Owners Manual

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 difficult to
control the vehicle which could result in an
accident.
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
NOTE
(Some models)
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 TCS is turned off,
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 Transaxle
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Lighting Control
▼Headlights

Turn the headlight switch to
turn the headlights, other exterior lights on or off.
When the lights are turned on, the lights-on indi cator light in the instrument cluster turns on.

NOTE
If the light switch is left on, the lights will automatically switch off approximately 30
seconds after switching the ignition off.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
To prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while th e engine is off unless
safety requires them.
Without auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition Position ONACC or
OFF ONACC or
OFF ONACC or
OFF
Headlights Off Off Off Off On
On
*2
Daytime running lights
On*1OffOn*1Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off Off On
On
*2OnOn*2
*1 The lights are turned on while the vehicle is driven.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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*2 The lights are turned on for the specified period by the auto headlight off function.
With auto-light control
(Except Canada)
Switch Position
Ignition PositionON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF
Headlights Off Off
Auto
*2Auto*4Off Off On On*4
Daytime running lights
On*1OffOn*3OffOn*1Off Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off Off
Auto
*2Auto*4OnOn*4OnOn*4
*1 The lights are turned on while the vehicle is driven.*2 The lights are turned on by the auto light function.*3 The lights are turned on while the vehicle is driven, a nd turned off when the headlights are turned on by the
auto light function.
*4 The lights are turned on for the specified period by the auto headlight off function.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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(Canada)
Ignition PositionACC or OFF ON
Switch Position OFF
*1AUTOOFF*1AUTO
Headlights Off Off Off Off
Auto
*2*4Auto*3*4
On
Daytime running
lights Off Off Off Off
Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off
On
*5OnOn*5On
*1 The light switch returns to the AUTO position automatically.*2 During the daytime, the daytime running lights turn on automatically. During the nighttime, the headlights,
parking lights, taillights, and the license plate lights turn on automatically.
*3 During the daytime, the daytime running lights, parking lights, taillights, and the license plate lights turn on
automatically. During the nighttime, the headlights, park ing lights, taillights, and the license plate lights turn
on automatically.
*4 When the light switch is switched to the OFF position while the vehicle is stopped, all of the lights that are
turned on turn off. When the light switc h is switched from a position other than
to the position
while the vehicle is stopped, the daytime running lights or the headlights turn off. When starting to drive the
vehicle, the lights that are turned off turn on again.
*5 The lights are turned on continuously if the ignition is switched from ON to any other position with the lights
turned on. The lights are turned off when the driver's door is opened or 30 seconds have elapsed since the
lights turned on.
Auto-light control*
(Except Canada)
When the headlight switch is in the AUTO po sition and the ignition is switched ON, the
light sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the
headlights, other exterior lights on or off (see chart above).
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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(Canada)
When the headlight switch is in a position other than
and the ignition is switched ON, the
light sensor senses the surr ounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the
headlights and other exteri or lights on or off.
CAUTION
Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a st icker 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
position and the ignition
is switched ON as fingers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades could be
damaged when the wipers activa te automatically. If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off completely when it is partic
ularly tempting to leave the
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE
The headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination may not turn off
immediately even if th e surrounding area becomes we ll-lit because the light sensor
determines that it is night time if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several
minutes such as inside long tunnels, traffic ja ms inside tunnels, or in indoor parking lots.
In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the
position.
(Without auto headlight off function)
When the headlight switch is in the
position and the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard
illumination will turn off.
The dashboard illumination can be adjusted by rotating the knob in the instrument cluster.
Also, the day/night mode can be changed by rotating the knob until a beep sound is heard.
To adjust the brightness of the dashboard illumination:
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-14.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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The sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be changed by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
▼Headlight High-Low Beam
The headlights switch between high and
low beams by moving the lever forward or
backward.

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

▼ Flashing the Headlights
Can be used when the ignition is switched
ON.
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
towards you (the headlight switch does not
need to be on).

OFF
Headlight
flashing
The headlight high-beam indicator light in
the instrument cluster illuminates
simultaneously. The le ver will return to
the normal position when released.

▼ 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 pu
lled with the ignition
switched to ACC or OFF, the low beam
headlights turn on.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed after all of the
doors are closed.
NOTE
The time until the headlights turn off
after all of the doors are closed can be
changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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If no operations are done for 3 minutes
after the lever is pulled, the headlights
turn off.
The headlights turn off 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 off after a certain
period of time has elapsed (30 seconds).
Ignition switch: off
Headlight switch: AUTO, , or
Unlock
button Lock button
NOTE
Operation of the leaving home light can
be turned on or off.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9.
When the transmitter lock button is
pressed and the vehicle receives the
transmitter signal, the headlights turn
off.
When the headlight switch is turned to
the OFF position, the headlights turn
off.
▼ Headlight Leveling*
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.

The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
▼Daytime Running Lights
Some countries require moving vehicles to
have their lights on (daytime running
lights) during the daytime.

Except Canada
The daytime running lights turn on
automatically when the vehicle starts
moving.
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated or the shift lever is shifted to the
P position (automatic transaxle vehicle).
NOTE
The daytime running lights can be
deactivated.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-9.
Canada
The daytime running
lights continuously
turn on when the ign ition is switched ON.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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When the light switch is switched to the
OFF or
position while the vehicle is
stopped, the daytime running lights turns
off. When you start driving the vehicle,
they turn on again.
NOTE
When the light switch is switched to the
position, the daytime running lights turn
off. If you want to drive the vehicle with
the daytime running lights turned on,
switch the light switch to a position other
than
.
Fog Lights*
The fog lights can be used when the
ignition is switched ON.
Use this switch to tu rn on the fog lights.
The fog lights will improve visibility at
night and during foggy conditions.
The fog lights turn on when the fog light
switch is turned to the
position and turn
off when the switch is turned to the OFF
position.
The fog lights turn on when the headlights
are turned on. They will not turn on if the
headlight switch is in the
position or
OFF position.
Fo g light switch
NOTE
The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beams.
(With auto-light control)
If the fog light switch is in the
position and the headlight switch is in
the AUTO position, the fog lights will
turn on when the headlights, the exterior
lights turn on.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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