The BSM will not operate under the
following circumstances.
The vehicle speed falls below
about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) even
though the i-ACTIVSENSE warning
indication/warning light is turnedoff.
The shift lever (manual
transmission)/selector lever
(automatic transmission) is shifted
to reverse (R) and the vehicle is
reversing.
The turning radius is small (making
a sharp turn, turning at
intersections).
In the following cases, the
i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/
warning light turns on and operation
of the system is stopped. If the
i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/
warning light remains illuminated,
have the vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
Some problem with the system
including the BSM warning
indicator lights is detected.
A large deviation in the installation
position of a rear side radar sensor
on the vehicle has occurred.
There is a large accumulation of
snow or ice on the rear bumper
near a rear side radar sensor.
Remove any snow, ice or mud on
the rear bumper.
Driving on snow-covered roads for
long periods.
The temperature near the rear side
radar sensor becomes extremely
hot due to driving for long periods
on slopes during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.Under the following conditions, the
rear side radar sensor cannot detect
target objects or it may be difficult to
detect them.
The rear bumper around the rear
side radar sensor is deformed.
Radio wave interference from a
radar sensor equipped on a nearby
vehicle.
The approaching vehicle is any of
the following shapes.
a) The size of the vehicle body is extremely small.
b) The vehicle height is extremely low or high.
c) A special type of vehicle with a complex shape.
A vehicle is in the detection area at
the rear in an adjacent driving lane
but it does not approach. The BSM
determines the condition based on
radar detection data.
A vehicle is traveling alongside
your vehicle at nearly the same
speed for an extended period of
time.
Vehicles approaching in the
opposite direction.
A vehicle in an adjacent driving
lane is attempting to pass your
vehicle.
A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on
a road with extremely wide driving
lanes. The detection area of the
rear side radar sensor is set at the
road width of expressways.
In the following case, the flashing of
the BSM warning indicator light, and
the activation of the warning sound
and the warning screen indicator
display may not occur or they may be
delayed.
A vehicle makes a lane change
from a driving lane two lanes over
to an adjacent lane.
Driving on steep slopes.Crossing the summit of a hill or
mountain pass.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-108
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22
When there is a difference in the
height between your driving lane
and the adjacent lane.
Directly after the BSM system
becomes operable by changing the
setting.
If the road width is extremely
narrow, vehicles two lanes over may
be detected. The detection area of
the rear side radar sensor is set
according to the road width of
expressways.
The BSM warning indicator light may
turn on and the vehicle detection
screen may be displayed in the
display in reaction to stationary
objects (guardrails, tunnels,
sidewalls, and parked vehicles) on
the road or the roadside.
1. Objects such as guardrails andconcrete walls running alongside
the vehicle.
1. Places where the width between guardrails or walls on each side of
the vehicle narrows.
1. The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels, turnouts.
A BSM warning indicator light may
flash or the warning beep may be
activated several times when making
a turn at a city intersection.
Tu r n off the BSM while pulling a
trailer or while an accessory such as a
bicycle carrier is installed to the rear
of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radar’s
radio waves will be blocked causing
the system to not operate normally.
In the following cases, it may be
difficult to view the
illumination/
flashing of the BSM warning
indicator lights equipped on the
door mirrors.
Snow or ice is adhering to the door
mirrors.
The front door glass is fogged or
covered in snow, frost or dirt.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-109
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22
The rear side radar sensor of the BSM
may be regulated under the radio
wave related laws of the country
where the vehicle is driven. If this
system is used abroad, it may be
necessary to turn off the system.
Refer to Rear Side Radar Sensor on
page 4-220.
The system switches to the Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) function
when the shift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever
(automatic transmission) is shifted to
the reverse (R) position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) on page 4-127.
▼ Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Warning Indicator Lights/Display
Indicator/Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) Warning Beep
The BSM system notifies the driver of
the presence of vehicles in adjacent
lanes or at the rear of the vehicle using
the BSM warning indicator light, the
warning sound and the display
indicator while the systems are
operational.
BSM warning indicator lights
The BSM warning indicator lights are
equipped on the left and right door
mirrors. The warning indicator lights
turn on when a vehicle approaching
from the rear in an adjacent lane is
detected.
When the ignition is switched ON, the
warning indicator light turns on
momentarily and then turns off after a
few seconds.
Function for canceling illumination
dimmer
If the BSM warning indicator lights turn
on when the parking lights are turned
on, the brightness of the BSM warning
indicator lights is dimmed.
If the BSM warning indicator lights are
difficult to see due to glare from
surrounding brightness when traveling
on snow-covered roads or under foggy
conditions, press the dimmer
cancellation button to cancel the
dimmer and increase the brightness of
BSM warning indicator lights when
they turn on.
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on
page 4-24.
Display indicator
The detected approaching vehicle and
warning are displayed in the
multi-information display and active
driving display (vehicles with active
driving display).
Multi-information Display
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-110
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new
2021-7-27 16:02:22
Active Driving Display (vehicles with
active driving display)
The detected direction is displayed
with a detection indicator (white)
when an approaching vehicle is
detected. In addition, if the turn signal
lever is operated to signal a lane
change while the vehicle is detected,
the display changes the color (amber)
of the warning indicator.
BSM warning beep
The BSM warning beep is activated
simultaneously with the flashing of a
BSM warning indicator light.
▼ Canceling Operation of Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM)
The BSM system can be set to
inoperable.
(If only the BSM is turned off)
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
(If the BSM is turned
off by
operating the i-ACTIVSENSE OFF
switch)
Refer to i-ACTIVSENSE OFF Switch
on page 4-100.
NOTE
If the ignition is switched OFF while
you have canceled the system using the
i-ACTIVSENSE OFF switch, the system
is automatically enabled the next time
the ignition is switched ON. However,
if the system is canceled using the
personalization features, the system is
not automatically enabled.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-111
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22
An object that reflects the radio
waves of the radar such as a
parked vehicle, guardrail, or wall is
directly next to your vehicle.
Vehicles are stopped in the area
around your vehicle such as during
heavy traffic.
A vehicle approaching from the
front or side of your vehicle slows
down.
A vehicle approaching from the
front or left side of your vehicle
makes a right or left turn directly in
front of your vehicle.
A vehicle or pedestrian moves in
the parking lot or on the sidewalk
in the area surrounding your
vehicle.
After making a left or right turn, an
on-coming vehicle is present.
When passing an on-coming
vehicle.
A vehicle overtakes your vehicle
while it is stopped.
Your vehicle is in an area where
strong radio waves or electrical
noise may occur such as near a
television tower or power plant.
Under the following conditions, the
front side radar sensor cannot detect
approaching vehicles or it might bedifficult to detect them, and the
system may not operate normally.
The front side radar sensor
detection area is obstructed by a
nearby wall or vehicle.
Directly after the system becomes
operable.
Radio wave interference from a
radar sensor equipped on a nearby
vehicle.
The approaching vehicle has any of
the following shapes.
a) The size of the vehicle body is extremely small.
b) The vehicle height is extremelylow or high.
c) A special type of vehicle with a complex shape
A vehicle suddenly enters the
detection area from the front or
side of your vehicle.
A vehicle that has stopped
suddenly starts to move.
Multiple objects move at the same
time.
The vehicle is driven in bad
weather conditions such as heavy
rain, fog , snow, or sand storms.
The vehicle is driven on a sharp
curve or on bumpy roads.
An object that reflects the radio
waves of the radar such as a
parked vehicle, guardrail, or wall is
directly next to your vehicle.
A vehicle approaches while turning
(Such as roundabout)
The vehicle is driven at an
extremely slow speed.
In the following cases, the system
turns on the i-ACTIVSENSE warning
indication/warning light and
operation of the system is stopped. If
the i-ACTIVSENSE warning
indication/warning light remains on,
have the vehicle inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
Some problem with the system has
occurred.
The front side radar sensor
installation position is greatly
deviated.
There is a large accumulation of
snow or ice on the front bumper
near a front side radar sensor.
The temperature near the radar
sensors becomes extremely hot
due to driving for a long time on
slopes during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-126
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22
The front side radar sensor of the
FCTA may be regulated under the
radio wave related laws of the
country where the vehicle is driven.
If this system is used abroad, it may
be necessary to turn off the system.
Refer to Front Side Radar Sensor
on page 4-219.
▼Canceling Operation of Front
Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA)
The FCTA can be set to inoperable.
(If only the FCTA is turned
off)
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
(If the FCTA is turned off by
operating the i-ACTIVSENSE OFF
switch)
Refer to i-ACTIVSENSE OFF Switch
on page 4-100.
NOTE
If the ignition is switched OFF while
you have canceled the system using the
i-ACTIVSENSE OFF switch, the system
is automatically enabled the next time
the ignition is switched ON. However,
if the system is canceled using the
personalization features, the system is
not automatically enabled.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA)
*
▼Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The RCTA system is designed to assist
the driver in checking the area to the
rear left and right sides of your vehicle
while your vehicle is reversing by
alerting the driver to the presence of
vehicles approaching the rear of your
vehicle.
The RCTA system detects vehicles
approaching from the rear left and
right sides of your vehicle and the rear
of your vehicle while your vehicle is
being reversed out of a parking space,
and notifies the driver of possible
danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) warning indicator lights and the
warning buzzer.
1. Your vehicle
2. Detection areas
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.4-127
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new
2021-7-27 16:02:22
WARNING
Always check the surrounding area
visually before actually putting the
vehicle in reverse:
The system is only designed to assist
you in checking for vehicles at the rear
when putting the vehicle in reverse.
Due to certain limitations with the
operation of this system, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator
lights may not flash or it might be
delayed even though a vehicle is
behind your vehicle. Always make it
your responsibility as a driver to check
the rear.
RCTA operation
1. The RCTA system operates when the shift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever
(automatic transmission) is shifted
to the reverse (R) position.
2. If there is the possibility of a collision with an approaching
vehicle, the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) warning indicator lights
flashes and the warning beep is
activated simultaneously.
Rear view monitor (vehicles with
Rear view monitor)
The RCTA warning indication in the
rearview monitor also synchronizes
with the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) warning indicator light on
the door mirrors.
360°view monitor (vehicles with
360°view monitor)
The RCTA warning indication in the
360°view monitor also
synchronizes with the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning
indicator light on the door mirrors.
Function for canceling illumination
dimmer
If the BSM warning indicator lights turn
on when the parking lights are turned
on, the brightness of the BSM warning
indicator lights is dimmed.
If the BSM warning indicator lights are
difficult to see due to glare from
surrounding brightness when traveling
on snow-covered roads or under foggy
conditions, press the dimmer
cancellation button to cancel the
dimmer and increase the brightness of
BSM warning indicator lights when
they turn on.
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on
page 4-24.
NOTE
The system may operate under the
following conditions even if a vehicle
is not approaching.
An object that reflects the radio
waves of the radar such as a
parked vehicle, guardrail, or wall is
directly next to your vehicle.
A vehicle approaching from the
rear left and right side of your
vehicle slows down.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-128
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22
A vehicle approaching from the
rear left and right side of your
vehicle makes a right or left turn
directly in front of your vehicle.
A vehicle overtakes your vehicle
while it is stopped.
Your vehicle is in an area where
strong radio waves or electrical
noise may occur such as near a
television tower or power plant.
In the following cases, the
i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/
warning light turns on and operation
of the system is stopped. If the
i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/
warning light remains illuminated,
have the vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
Some problem with the system
including the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning
indicator lights has occurred.
A large deviation in the installation
position of a rear side radar sensor
on the vehicle has occurred.
There is a large accumulation of
snow or ice on the rear bumper
near a rear side radar sensor.
Driving on snow-covered roads for
long periods.
The temperature near the radar
sensors becomes extremely hot
due to driving for long periods on
slopes during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.Under the following conditions, the
rear side radar sensor cannot detect
approaching vehicles or it might be
difficult to detect them, and the
system may not operate normally.
The vehicle speed when reversing
is about 15 km/h (9 mph) or
faster.
The rear side radar sensor
detection area is obstructed by a
nearby wall or parked vehicle.
(Reverse the vehicle to a position
where the radar sensor detection
area is no longer obstructed.)
1. Your vehicle
A vehicle is approaching directly
from the rear of your vehicle.
1. Your vehicle
The vehicle is parked at an angle.
1. Your vehicle
Directly after the RCTA system
becomes operable using the
personalization feature.
Radio wave interference from a
radar sensor equipped on a nearby
parked vehicle.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-129
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22