2022 MAZDA MODEL 3 SEDAN Owners Manual

Water Marks
Occurrence
Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can
contain harmful minerals such as salt
and lime. If moisture containing these
minerals settles on the vehicle and
evaporates, the minerals will
concentrate and harden to form white
rings. The rings can damage your
vehicle's finish.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according
to the instructions in this section.
These steps should be taken
immediately after you find water marks
on your vehicle's finish.
Pa i n t C h i p p i n g
Occurrence
Paint chipping occurs when gravel
thrown in the air by another vehicle's
tires hits your vehicle.
How to avoid paint chipping
Keeping a safe distance between you
and the vehicle ahead reduces the
chances of having your paint chipped
by flying gravel.
NOTE
The paint chipping zone varies with
the speed of the vehicle. For
example, when traveling at 90 km/h
(56 mph), the paint chipping zone is
50 m (164 ft).
In low temperatures a vehicle's finish
hardens. This increases the chance of
paint chipping.
Chipped paint can lead to rust
forming on your Mazda. Before this
happens, repair the damage by using
Mazda touch-up paint according to
the instructions in this section.
Failure to repair the affected area
could lead to serious rusting and
expensive repairs.

Follow all label and container
directions when using a chemical
cleaner or polish. Read all warnings
and cautions.
▼ Maintaining the Finish
Washing
CAUTION

Before lifting the windshield wiper
blades off the windshield, always
follow the procedure for moving the
windshield wiper blades. Otherwise,
a wiper blade, wiper arm, or the
hood could be damaged.
Refer to the Replacing Windshield
Wiper Blades (page 6-23) section for
the procedure on how to move the
windshield wiper blades to the
service position.
 When the ignition is switched ON
and the wiper lever is in the AUTO
position, the windshield wipers may
operate automatically in the
following cases:
 The area of the windshield above
the rain sensor is touched or wiped
with a cloth.
 The windshield or the rain sensor
area in the cabin is hit.
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When the ignition is switched ON
and the wiper lever is in the AUTO
position, do not touch the
windshield or the windshield wipers
Otherwise, the windshield wipers
will operate automatically which
could catch your fingers or damage
the windshield wipers.
When removing ice or snow, or
cleaning the windshield, always
make sure the wiper lever is in the
OFF position.
 Do not spray water in the engine
compartment. Otherwise, it could
result in engine-starting problems or
damage to electrical parts.
 When washing and waxing the
vehicle, be careful not to apply
excessive force to any single area of
the vehicle roof or the antenna.
Otherwise, you could dent the
vehicle or damage the antenna.
 Make sure that the fuel-filler lid is
closed and lock the doors.
Otherwise, the
fuel-filler lid may be
forcefully opened by water pressure
causing damage to the vehicle or
fuel-filler lid.
To help protect the finish from rust and
deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least
once a month, with lukewarm or cold
water.

If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here
are some examples of how scratching
could occur.

Scratches occur on the paint surface
when:
The vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign
matter.
The vehicle is washed with a rough,
dry, or dirty cloth.
The vehicle is washed at a car wash
that uses brushes that are dirty or too stiff.
Cleansers or wax containing
abrasives are used.
NOTE
Mazda is not responsible for
scratches caused by automatic car
washes or improper washing.
Scratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint finishes.
To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint finish:
Rinse off any dirt or other foreign
matter using lukewarm or cold water
before washing.
Use plenty of lukewarm or cold
water and a soft cloth when washing
the vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
Rub gently when washing or drying
the vehicle.
Take your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well
maintained.
Do not use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or
anodized aluminum parts. This may
damage the protective coating; also,
cleaners and detergents may discolor
or deteriorate the paint.
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material
from the underside of the fenders, and
make sure the drain holes in the lower
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edges of the doors and rocker panels
are clean.

Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits
can damage the finish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing
with plain water is ineffective, use a
mild soap made for use on vehicles.

Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow
soap to dry on the finish.

After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots
from forming.
WARNING
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.
When using an automatic car wash
Retract the door mirrors.The automatic car wash brushes
could reduce the paint luster or
hasten paint deterioration.
When using a high water pressure car
wash
High water temperature and high
water pressure car washers are
available depending on the type of car
wash machine. If the car washer nozzle
is put too close to the vehicle, the
force of the spray could damage or
deform the molding, affect the
sealability of parts, and allow water to
penetrate the interior. Keep a sufficient
space (30 cm (12 in) or more)
between the nozzle and the vehicle. In
addition, do not spend too much time
spraying the same area of the vehicle,
and be very careful when spraying
between gaps in doors and around
windows.
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle
body, wax the metal trim to maintain
its luster.

1. Use wax which contains no
abrasives.
Wax containing abrasives will
remove paints and could damage
bright metal parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas even if
the rest of the vehicle does not need it.
▼ Repairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to
major repairs.
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CAUTION
If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced, make
sure the body shop applies
anti-corrosion materials to all parts,
both repaired and new. This will
prevent them from rusting.
▼Bright-Metal Maintenance
Use tar remover to remove road tar
and insects. Never do this with a
knife or similar tool.
To prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high
luster.
During cold weather or in coastal
areas, cover bright-metal parts with a
coating of wax or preservative
heavier than usual.
It would also help
to coat them with noncorrosive
petroleum jelly or some other
protective compound.
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating and
cause discoloration or paint
deterioration.
▼ Underbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice
and snow removal and solvents used
for dust control may collect on the
underbody. If not removed, they will
speed up rusting and deterioration of
such underbody parts as fuel lines,
frame, floor pan, and exhaust system,
even though these parts may be coated
with anti-corrosive material.

Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try
also to do this every month.

Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt.
It will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without
removing it.

The lower edges of doors, rocker
panels, and frame members have drain
holes that should not be clogged.
Water trapped there will cause rusting.
WARNING
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.
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▼Aluminum Wheel Maintenance*
A protective coating is provided over
the aluminum wheels. Special care is
needed to protect this coating.
CAUTION
Do not use any detergent other than
mild detergent. Before using any
detergent, verify the ingredients.
Otherwise, the product could discolor
or stain the aluminum wheels.
NOTE
Do not use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminum
wheels. They may damage the
coating.
Always use a sponge or soft cloth to
clean the wheels.
Rinse the wheels thoroughly with
lukewarm or cold water. Also, be
sure to clean the wheels after driving
on dusty or salted roads to help
prevent corrosion.
Avoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses
high-speed or hard brushes.
▼ Plastic Part Maintenance
When cleaning the plastic lenses of
the lights, do not use gasoline,
kerosene, rectified spirit, paint,
thinner, highly acidic detergents, or
strongly alkaline detergents.
Otherwise, these chemical agents
can discolor or damage the surfaces
resulting in a significant loss in
functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, flush with water
immediately.
If plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fluids such as
gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or
battery fluid, it could cause
discoloration, staining, or paint
peeling. Wipe off any such chemical
agents or fluids using a soft cloth
immediately.
High water temperature and high
water pressure car washers are
available depending on the type of
high pressure car washer device. If
the car washer nozzle is put too
close to the vehicle or aimed at one
area for an extended period of time,
it could deform plastic parts or
damage the paint.
Do not use wax containing
compounds (polish). Otherwise, it
could result in paint damage.
In addition, do not use an electrical
or air tool to apply wax. Otherwise,
the frictional heat generated could
result in deformation of plastic parts
or paint damage.
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Interior Care
▼Interior Care
WARNING
Do not spray water into the vehicle
cabin:
Spraying water into the vehicle cabin is
dangerous as electrical devices such as
the audio and switches could get wet
resulting in a malfunction or vehicle
fire.
NOTE
Do not wipe the interior using
alcohol, chlorine bleach, or organic
solvents such as thinner, benzene,
and gasoline. Otherwise, it may
cause discoloration or stains.
Rubbing hard with a stiff brush or
cloth may cause damage.
If the vehicle interior becomes soiled
by any of the following, wipe it off
immediately using a soft cloth.
Leaving it uncleaned could cause
discoloration, stains, cracks, or peeling
of the coating , and it will make it hard
to wipe off later.
Beverage or fragranceGrease or oilSoiling
▼ Seat Belt Maintenance
1. Clean the soiled area by lightly
dabbing it with a soft cloth soaked
in a mild detergent (approx. 5%)
diluted with water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water
and wrung out well.
3. Before retracting seat belts whichhave been pulled out for cleaning,
dry them off thoroughly and make
sure there is no remaining moisture
on them.
WARNING
If a seat belt appears frayed or has
abrasions, have it replaced by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer:
If a seat belt is used under such a
condition, it cannot function at its full
capacity which could result in serious
injury or death.
Use a mild detergent to remove
soiling from a seat belt:
If organic solvents are used for cleaning
the seat belts or they become stained
or bleached, there is the possibility of
them becoming weakened and as a
result, they may not function at their
full capacity which could cause serious
injury or death.
NOTE
Clean seat belts diligently if they get
dirty. Leaving them uncleaned will
make it difficult to clean them later,
and it may affect the smooth retracting
of the seat belt.
▼ Vinyl Upholstery Maintenance
Remove dust and dirt from the vinyl
upholstery using a brush or vacuum.
Remove soiling from
vinyl upholstery
using a leather and vinyl upholstery
cleaner.
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▼Upholstery Maintenance
1. Clean the soiled area by lightly
dabbing it with a soft cloth soaked
in a mild detergent (approx. 5%)
diluted with water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water
and wrung out well.
▼Leather Upholstery Maintenance*
1. Remove dust and sand using a
vacuum cleaner.
2. Wipe off the soiled area with a soft cloth and a suitable, special cleaner
or a soft cloth soaked in a mild
detergent (about 5%) diluted with
water.
3. Wipe off the remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water
and wrung out well.
4. Remove moisture with a dry, soft cloth and allow the leather to
further dry in a well-ventilated,
shaded area. If the leather gets wet
such as from rain, remove the
moisture and dry it as soon as
possible.
NOTE
Because genuine leather is a natural
material, its surface is not uniform
and it may have natural scars,
scratches, and wrinkles.
To maintain the quality for as long as
possible, periodical maintenance,
about twice a year, is recommended.
If the leather upholstery comes into
contact with any of the following,
clean it immediately.
Leaving it uncleaned could cause
premature wear, mold, or stains.
Sand or dirtGrease or oil, such as hand creamAlcohol, such as in cosmetic or
hair dressing items
If the leather upholstery gets wet,
promptly remove moisture with a dry
cloth. Remaining moisture on the
surface may cause deterioration such
as hardening and shrinkage.
Exposure to direct sunlight for long
periods may cause deterioration and
shrinkage. When parking the car
under direct sunlight for long
periods, shade the interior using
sunshades.
Do not leave vinyl products on the
leather upholstery for long periods.
They may affect the leather quality
and coloring. If the cabin
temperature becomes hot, the vinyl
may deteriorate and adhere to the
genuine leather.
▼Plastic Part Maintenance
CAUTION
Do not use polishing agents.
Depending on the product ingredients,
they could cause discoloration, stains,
cracks or peeling of the coating.
▼Instrument Panel Top (Soft pad)
Maintenance
Extremely soft material is used for the
soft pad surface. If the soft pad surface
is rubbed harshly with a dry cloth, it
could result in the surface being
damaged and leaving white scratch
marks.
1. Wipe the soiled area with a soft
cloth soaked in a mild detergent
(approx. 5%) diluted with water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water
and wrung out well.
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▼Active Driving Display
Maintenance*
The dust-proof sheet has a coating.
When cleaning , do not use a hard or
rough-surface cloth, or cleaning
detergent. In addition, if a chemical
solvent gets on the active driving
display, wipe it off immediately. The
dust-proof sheet could be damaged
and the surface coating could be
scratched. Use a fine, soft cloth such as
those used for cleaning eyeglasses.
NOTE
Use of compressed air when cleaning
the dust-proof sheet is recommended.
▼Panel Maintenance
If a panel becomes soiled, wipe it off
with a soft cloth soaked in clean water
and thoroughly wrung out.
If some areas require further cleaning,
use the following procedure:
1. Wipe the soiled area with a soft
cloth soaked in a mild detergent
(approx. 5 %) diluted with water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water
and wrung out well.
NOTE
Be particularly careful when cleaning
shiny surface panels and metallic parts
such as plating as they can be
scratched easily.
▼Cleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with
an oily, greasy, or waxy film, clean
them with glass cleaner. Follow the
directions on the container.
CAUTION

Do not scrape or scratch the inside
of the window glass. It could
damage the thermal filaments and
the antenna lines.
 When washing the inside of the
window glass, use a soft cloth
dampened in lukewarm water, gently
wiping the thermal filaments and the
antenna lines.
Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the thermal filaments and
the antenna lines.
▼ Cleaning the Floor Mats
Rubber floor mats should be cleaned
with mild soap and water only.
WARNING
Do not use rubber cleaners, such as
tire cleaner or tire shine, when
cleaning rubber
floor mats:
Cleaning the rubber floor mats with
rubber cleaning products makes the
floor mats slippery.
This may cause an accident when
depressing the accelerator, brake, or
clutch (Manual transmission) pedal or
when getting in or out of the vehicle.
After removing the floor mats for
cleaning, always reinstall them securely
(page 3-48).
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