Break-In Period
▼Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a
few precautions in the
first 1,000 km
(600 miles) may add to the
performance, economy, and life of the
vehicle.
Do not race the engine.Do not maintain one constant
speed, either slow or fast, for a long
period of time.
Do not drive constantly at
full-throttle or high engine rpm for
extended periods of time.
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.Avoid full-throttle starts.
Saving Fuel and
Protection of the Environment
▼ Saving Fuel and Protection of the
Environment
How you operate your Mazda
determines how far it will travel on a
tank of fuel. Use these suggestions to
help save fuel and reduce CO
2.
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the
engine runs smoothly, begin driving.
Avoid fast starts.Drive at lower speeds.Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking).
Follow the maintenance schedule
and have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer perform inspections and
servicing.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(U.S.A. and Puerto Rico) on page
6-4.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(Canada) on page 6-6.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(Mexico) on page 6-8.
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
Slow down on rough roads.Keep the tires properly inflated.Do not carry unnecessary weight.Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving.
Keep the wheels in correct
alignment.
Keep windows closed at high
speeds.
Slow down when driving in
crosswinds and headwinds.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-46
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new
2021-7-27 16:02:22
WARNING
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
WARNING
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 4-88.
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
3-47
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new
2021-7-27 16:02:22
Floor Mat
▼Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda
floor mats.
WARNING
Make sure the
floor mats are hooked
on the retention pins to prevent them
from bunching up under the foot
pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation,
which could result in an accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on
top of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top of
the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedals and could result in an
accident.
If using an all-weather mat for winter
use always remove the original floor
mat.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its grommets are
inserted over the pointed end of the
retention posts.
Rocking the Vehicle
▼ Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than
56 km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous. The
spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating , transmission failure, and
tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it
from snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move
the shift lever/selector lever from 1 (D)
to R position.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-48
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new
2021-7-27 16:02:22
Winter Driving
▼Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper,
flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
check the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page
6-19.
Inspect the battery and its cables.
Cold reduces battery capacity.
Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that
the vehicle will be driven in (page
6-16).
Inspect the ignition system for
damage and loose connections.
Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze ―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 6-21).
NOTE
Remove snow before driving. Snow
left on the windshield is dangerous
as it could obstruct vision.
Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice
or frozen snow on the mirror glass
and windshield.
Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows
and mirrors as it could result in the
glass cracking.
Drive slowly. Braking performance
can be adversely affected if snow or
ice adheres to the brake
components. If this situation occurs,
drive the vehicle slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the
brake performance returns to
normal.
▼ Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all 4 wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75
mph) while driving with snow tires.
Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2,
4.3 psi) more than recommended on
the tire pressure label (driver's door
frame), but never more than the
maximum cold-tire pressure shown on
the tires.
Mexico
The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends
that you replace the tires originally
equipped on your vehicle with snow
tires during the winter months.
Except Mexico
The vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used
all year around. In some extreme
climates you may find it necessary to
replace them with snow tires during
the winter months to further improve
traction on snow and ice covered
roads.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-49
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22
WARNING
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 4-230).
▼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
3-50
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22
Driving on Uneven Road
▼Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and
underbody can be damaged if driven
on rough/uneven roads or over speed
bumps at excessive speeds. Use care
and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed
bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's
underbody, bumpers or
muffler(s)
when driving under the following
conditions:
Ascending or descending a slope
with a sharp transition angle
Ascending or descending a driveway
or trailer ramp with a sharp transition
angle
This vehicle is equipped with low
profile tires allowing class-leading
performance and handling. As a result,
the sidewall of the tires are very thin
and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or
on rough/uneven roads at excessive
speeds. Use care and reduce speed
when traveling on rough/uneven roads
or through potholes.
Turbocharger Information (SKYACTIV-G 2.5T)
▼Turbocharger Information
(SKYACTIV-G
2.5T)
CAUTION
After driving at freeway speeds or up
a long hill, idle the engine at least 30
seconds before stopping it.
Otherwise, the turbocharger could
be damaged. However, when i-stop
operates, idling is unnecessary.
Racing or over-revving the engine,
particularly after it's just been
started, can damage the
turbocharger.
To protect the engine from damage,
the engine is designed so that it
cannot be raced just after starting it
in extremely cold weather.
The turbocharger greatly enhances
engine power. Its advanced design
provides improved operation and
requires minimum maintenance.
To get the most from it, observe the
following.
1. Change engine oil and filter according to Scheduled
Maintenance.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(U.S.A. and Puerto Rico) on page
6-4.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(Canada) on page 6-6.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(Mexico) on page 6-8.
2. Use only recommended engine oil (page 6-16). Extra additives are
NOT recommended.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-52
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22
Tra i l e r To w i n g
▼Tra i l e r To w i n g
Yo u r M a z d a i s n o t d e
signed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Recreational Towing
▼ Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer
to "Towing Description" (page 7-23)
and "Tiedown Hooks" (page 7-24)
and carefully follow the instructions.
Before Driving
Towing
3-53
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new
2021-7-27 16:02:22
The vehicle's interior temperature
and the set temperature for the air
conditioner are nearly the same.
The i-stop warning light (amber) is
not turned on/flashing.
The keyless entry & push button start
system functions are normal.
The brake vacuum is sufficiently high.The battery is in good condition.While vehicle is stopped
The selector lever is in the D or M
position (not in second gear fixed
mode).
The automatic transmission fluid
has warmed up sufficiently.
The automatic transmission fluid
temperature is not abnormally
high.
The steering wheel is almost in the
straight-ahead position (idling may
not stop even with the steering
wheel in the straight-ahead
position if force is applied to the
steering wheel. Release the force
applied to the steering wheel to
stop engine idling).
The vehicle is stopped by
depressing the brake pedal.
The vehicle is not on a steep slope.The vehicle is not stopped
suddenly.
While driving
The selector lever is in the D or M
position (not in second gear fixed
mode).
While drivingThe vehicle is driven at a vehicle
speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph)
or faster after engine idling stops
while driving.
The vehicle is not driven in sport
mode.
The automatic transmission fluid
has warmed up sufficiently.
The automatic transmission fluid
temperature is not abnormally
high.
The steering wheel is almost in the
straight-ahead position (idling may
not stop even with the steering
wheel in the straight-ahead
position if force is applied to the
steering wheel. Release the force
applied to the steering wheel to
stop engine idling).
The vehicle is stopped by
depressing the brake pedal.
The vehicle is not driven on a
slope.
The vehicle is not stopped
suddenly.
NOTE
Under the following conditions, a
period of time is required to stop
engine idling
The battery power is depleted for
some reason such as the vehicle has
not been driven for a long period.
The ambient temperature is high or
low.
After the battery terminals are
disconnected for some reason such
as for battery replacement.
Engine-stop period is short or time
until next engine idle stop is long
The ambient temperature is high or
low.
The battery power is depleted.Power consumption by the vehicle's
electrical parts is high.
Engine restarts automatically while
engine idling is stopped
Under the following conditions, the
engine restarts automatically.
The i-stop OFF switch is pressed until
the beep sounds.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-13
Mazda3_8KH1-EA-21K_Edition1_new 2021-7-27 16:02:22