2021 MAZDA MODEL CX-3 Owners Manual

Brake System
▼Foot Brake
This vehicle has power-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.
WARNING
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
brake pedal. Doing so could result in the
following:
 The 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.
▼ Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
The EPB equipment applies the parking
brake using an electric motor. When the
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parking brake is applied, the EPB switch
indicator light turns on.
Indicator light
WA R N I N G
Do not drive the vehicle with the parking
brake applied:
If the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake applied, the brake parts may
generate heat and the brake system may
not operate, leading to an accident.
Before driving, release the parking brake
and verify that the brake system warning
light is turned off.
NOTE
The parking brake cannot be applied or
released while the vehicle battery is
dead.
If the EPB is repeatedly applied and
released it may stop operating to
prevent overheating of the motor. If this
occurs, wait approx. 1 minute before
operating the EPB switch again.
An operation sound occurs when
applying or releasing the parking brake,
however, this does not indicate a
malfunction.
If the EPB is not used for long periods,
an automatic inspection of the system is
performed while the vehicle is parked.
An operation sound can be heard,
however, this does not indicate a
problem.
When the parking brake is applied and
the ignition is switched OFF, an
operation sound can be heard, however,
this does not indicate a problem.
The brake pedal may move while the
parking brake is being applied or
released, however, this does not indicate
a problem.
If the EPB switch is continually pulled
while driving the vehicle, the parking
brake will be applied and the EPB
warning beep will be activated. When
the switch is released, the parking brake
is released and the beep stops.
If the parking brake is applied with the
ignition switched off or in ACC, the
brake system warning light in the
instrument cluster and the indicator
light in the switch may turn on for 15
seconds.
When running the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, it may be necessary
to switch the ignition off with the
parking brake released depending on
the type of auto matic car wash.
When applying the parking brake
The parking brake can be applied
regardless of the ignition switch position.
Securely depress the brake pedal and pull
up the EPB switch.
The parking brake is applied and the brake
system warning light and the EPB switch
indicator light turn on.
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Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-21.
When releasing the parking brake
The parking brake can be released while
the ignition is switched ON or the engine
is running. When the parking brake is
released, the brake system warning light
and the EPB switch indicator light turn
off.
Parking brake manual release
Firmly depress the brake pedal and press
the EPB switch.
If the EPB switch is pressed without
depressing the brake pedal, the indicator
light in the instrument cluster notifies the
driver that the brake is not depressed.
The brake pedal operation demand
indicator light (green) in the instrument
cluster turns on.
(Green)
Parking brake automatic release
If the accelerator pedal is depressed with
the parking brake applied and all of the
following conditions met, the parking
brake is released automatically.
The engine is running.
The driver's door is closed.
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
(Manual transaxle)
The change lever is in a position other
than neutral.
The clutch pedal is depressed halfway
(Automatic transaxle)
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 may be
released automatically. If you do not
intend to drive immediately, shift the
change lever (manual transaxle) to the
neutral position, or shift the selector lever
(automatic transaxle) to the P or N
position.
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▼Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-29.
▼Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear i
ndicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
WA R N I N G
Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is dangerous.
The brakes could fail and cause a serious
accident. As soon as you hear a screeching
noise consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
In high humidity weather conditions,
brake noises, such as brake squeak or
brake squeal can be heard. It does not
indicate a malfunction.
▼ Brake Assist
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the brake
pedal with greater force, the brake assist
system provides braking assistance, thus
enhancing braking performance.

When the brake pedal is depressed hard or
depressed more quickly, the brakes apply
more firmly.
NOTE
When the brake pedal is depressed hard
or depressed more quickly, the pedal
will feel softer but the brakes will apply
more firmly. This is a normal effect of
the brake assist operation and does not
indicate a malfunction.
When the brake pedal is depressed hard
or depressed more quickly, a motor/
pump operation noise may be heard.
This is a normal effect of the brake
assist and does not indicate a
malfunction.
The brake assist equipment does not
supersede the functionality of the
vehicle's main braking system.
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AUTOHOLD
The AUTOHOLD function automatically holds the vehicle stopped, even if you take your
foot off the brake pedal. This function can be best used while stopped in traffic or at a traffic
light. The brakes are released when you start driving the vehicle.
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the AUTOHOLD function:
The AUTOHOLD function is only designed to assist the brake operation while the vehicle is
stopped. Neglecting to operate the brakes and relying only on the AUTOHOLD system is
dangerous and could result in an unexpected accident if the vehicle were to suddenly move.
Operate the brakes appr opriately in accordance with the road and surrounding conditions.
Do not release your foot from the brake pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a steep grade:
Because there is a possibility of the vehicle no t being held in the stopped position by the
AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may move unexpectedly and result in an accident.
Do not use the AUTOHOLD function on slippery roads such as icy or snow-covered roads, or
unpaved roads:
Even if the vehicle is held in the stopped posi tion by the AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may
move unexpectedly and result in an accident. Operate the accelerator pedal, brakes, or
steering wheel appropriately as necessary.
Immediately depress the brake pedal in the following cases:
Because the AUTOHOLD function is canceled forcibly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly
and result in an accident.
 The brake pedal operation demand warning light (red) flashes and the warning sound is
activated at the same time.
(Red)
Always apply the parking brake when parking the vehicle:
Not applying the parking brake when parking the vehicle is dangerous as the vehicle may
move unexpectedly and result in an accident . When parking the vehicle, shift the selector
lever to the P position (automatic transa xle vehicle) and apply the parking brake.
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CAUTION
If you stop operating the accelerator pedal before the vehicle starts moving, the force holding
the vehicle in the stopped position may weaken. Firmly depress the brake pedal or depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
NOTE
Under the following conditions, a problem wi th the AUTOHOLD is occurring. Have your
vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
The brake pedal operation demand warning ligh t (red) in the instrument cluster flashes
and the warning sound is activated for about 5 seconds while the AUTOHOLD is
operating or when you press the AUTOHOLD switch.
If you switch the ignition OFF while the AUTOHOLD is operating, the parking brake is
applied automatically to assist you with parking the vehicle.
The AUTOHOLD is canceled when the selector lever/shift lever is shifted to R position
while the vehicle is on level ground, or facing up a hill or grade (as shown below).
Level ground
: Driving in reverse (selector lever/shift lever in R)
Vehicle tilts forward Vehicle tilts rearward
AUTOHOLD :
Operates AUTOHOLD :
Does not operate,
canceled
AUTOHOLD :
Does not operate,
canceled
▼ AUTOHOLD System is Turned On
Press the AUTOHOLD switch and when
the AUTOHOLD standby indicator light
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turns on, the AUTOHOLD function turns
on.
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 instrume nt 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 transaxle 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 try to resume driving the vehicle,
the brakes release automatically and the
AUTOHOLD active indicator light turns
off.
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NOTE
If the Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
switch is pulled while the AUTOHOLD
is operating, the parking brake is
applied and the AUTOHOLD is
released. In addition, if the parking
brake is released under this condition,
the AUTOHOLD operates to hold the
brakes.
Under the following conditions, the
parking brake is automatically applied
and the AUTOHOLD is released. The
AUTOHOLD is re-enabled when the
conditions before the AUTOHOLD is
released are restored.
The driver’s seat belt is unfastened.
The driver’s door is opened.
When about 10 minutes or longer have
passed since the AUTOHOLD operation
started, the parking brake is
automatically applied. Because the
AUTOHOLD is restored when releasing
the parking brake, the hold on the
brakes by AUTOHOLD function
resumes.
(Manual transaxle vehicle)
When starting to drive the vehicle
forward or in reverse on a down slope,
depress the clutch pedal and shift the
shift lever to the appropriate position for
driving in the desired direction, and then
depress the accelerator pedal to release
the AUTOHOLD.
▼AUTOHOLD System is Turned Off
Depress the brake pedal and press the
AUTOHOLD switch. The AUTOHOLD is
turned off and the AUTOHOLD standby
indicator light turns off.
AUTOHOLD standby
indicator light
NOTE
When the brakes are not held such as
while driving the vehicle, the
AUTOHOLD can be turned off only by
pressing the AUTOHOLD switch.
If the AUTOHOLD switch is pressed
without depressing the brake pedal
while the AUTOHOLD is operating
(AUTOHOLD active indicator light is
turned on), the brake pedal operation
demand indicator light (green) in the
instrument cluster turns on to notify the
driver that it is necessary to depress the
brake pedal.
(Green)
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