2023 MAZDA MAZDA brakes

Antilock Brake System(ABS)
▼Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing
and reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a
chattering noise from the brake system.
This is normal ABS system operation.
Continue to depress the brake pedal
without pumping the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to ABS Warning Indication/
Warning Light on page 7-30.
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow,
and hydroplaning (reduced tire friction
and road contact because of water on
the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these
conditions because the tires will
build up a wedge of surface layer
when the wheels skid.
The sound of the ABS operating may
be heard when starting the engine or
immediately after starting the
vehicle, however, it does not indicate
a malfunction.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
4-88
Mazda3_8LC2-EA-22G_Edition1_new
2022-5-20 11:26:10

Traction Control System(TCS)
▼Traction Control System (TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque and braking.
When the TCS detects driving wheel
slippage, it lowers engine torque and
operates the brakes to prevent loss of
traction.

This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to TCS/DSC Indication/
Indicator Light (Turns on) on page
7-33.
WARNING
Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving:
The Traction Control System (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive
at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction devices
on snow and/or ice-covered roads is
dangerous. The Traction Control
System (TCS) alone cannot provide
adequate traction and you could still
have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-91).
▼
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light
flashes.

If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC or
the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating
properly.
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
4-89
Mazda3_8LC2-EA-22G_Edition1_new 2022-5-20 11:26:10

Mazda Radar Cruise
Control (MRCC) (Manual
Tra n s m i s s i o n )
*
▼Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC)
The MRCC system is designed to
maintain headway control*1 with a
vehicle ahead according to your
vehicle's speed using a front radar
sensor to detect the distance to the
vehicle ahead and a preset vehicle
speed without you having to use the
accelerator or brake pedals.
*1 Headway Control: Control of the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle ahead detected by the
MRCC system.
Additionally, if your vehicle starts
closing in on the vehicle ahead such as
if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, a
warning sound and a warning
indication in the display are activated
simultaneously to alert you to maintain
a sufficient distance between the
vehicles.
Also refer to the fo llowing before using
the MRCC.
Front radar sensor (page 4-215)
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the MRCC:
The MRCC system has detection
limitations depending on the type of
vehicle ahead and its conditions, the
weather conditions, and the road
conditions. Additionally, the system
may be unable to decelerate
sufficiently to avoid hitting the vehicle
ahead if the vehicle ahead applies the
brakes suddenly or another vehicle
cuts into the driving lane, which could
result in an accident.
Always drive carefully and verify the
surrounding conditions and depress
the brake pedal or accelerator pedal
while keeping a safe distance from
vehicles ahead or on-coming vehicles.
Do not use the MRCC system in the
following locations. Using the MRCC
system at the following locations may
result in an unexpected accident:
 General roads other than highways
(Driving under these conditions
using the MRCC system is not
possible.)
 Roads with sharp curves and where
vehicle traffic is heavy with
insufficient space between vehicles,
or roads where frequent and
repetitive acceleration and
deceleration occur (Driving under
these conditions using the MRCC is
not possible.)
 When entering and exiting
interchanges, service areas, and
parking areas of highways (If you exit
a highway while headway control is
in use, the vehicle ahead will no
longer be tracked and your vehicle
may accelerate to the set speed.)
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-130*Some models.
Mazda3_8LC2-EA-22G_Edition1_new 2022-5-20 11:26:10

Slippery roads such as ice or
snow-bound roads (Tires could spin
causing you to lose vehicle control,
or the stop hold control may not
operate.)
 Long, descending slopes (to
maintain distance between vehicles,
the system automatically and
continuously applies the brakes
which could result in the loss of
brake power.)
 Slopes with a steep gradient (The
vehicle ahead may not be detected
correctly.)
 Two-wheeled vehicles such as
motorcycles or bicycles are ahead.
For safety purposes, switch the MRCC
system off when it is not being used.
Leaving the MRCC system turned on
when it is not in use is dangerous as it
could operate unexpectedly, resulting
in an accident.
CAUTION
 Turn the system
off when the vehicle
is running on a chassis roller.
 If your vehicle is towed or you are
towing something , switch the MRCC
system off to prevent an unexpected
operation.
NOTE
The MRCC system does not detect
the following as physical objects.
Vehicles approaching in the
opposite direction
Pe d e s t r i a n sStationary objects (stopped
vehicles, obstructions)
If a vehicle ahead is traveling at an
extremely low speed, the system
may not detect it correctly.
If there is a structure on the road or
an object (such as a monorail) at a
low height off the ground in front of
the vehicle, the system may operate.
Therefore, do not use the MRCC.
Do not use the MRCC system under
conditions in which close proximity
warnings are frequently activated.
During headway control travel, the
system accelerates and decelerates
your vehicle in conjunction with the
speed of the vehicle ahead.
However, if it is necessary to
accelerate for a lane change or if the
vehicle ahead brakes suddenly
causing you to close in on the vehicle
rapidly, accelerate using the
accelerator pedal or decelerate using
the brake pedal depending on the
conditions.
While the MRCC system is in use, it
does not cancel even if the shift lever
is operated and any intended engine
braking will not occur. If deceleration
is required, lower the vehicle speed
setting or depress the brake pedal.
While braking by the MRCC control
is operating, you might hear an
operation sound, however, this does
not indicate a problem.
The brake lights turn on while
braking by the MRCC control is
operating , however, they may not
turn on while the vehicle is on a
down slope at the set vehicle speed
or traveling at a constant speed and
following a vehicle ahead.
Stop the headway control function to
switch the system to the cruise
control function.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-131
Mazda3_8LC2-EA-22G_Edition1_new 2022-5-20 11:26:10

▼Close Proximity Warning
If your vehicle rapidly closes in on the
vehicle ahead because the vehicle
ahead applies the brakes suddenly
while you are traveling in headway
control, the warning sound activates
and the brake warning is indicated in
the display. Always verify the safety of
the surrounding area and depress the
brake pedal while keeping a safe
distance from the vehicle ahead.
Additionally, keep a safe distance from
the vehicles behind you.
1. “Depress Brake Pedal” message is
displayed
NOTE
In the following cases, the warnings
and brakes may not operate even if
your vehicle starts closing in on the
vehicle ahead.
You are driving your vehicle at the
same speed as the vehicle ahead.
Directly after the MRCC system has
been set.
Directly after the accelerator pedal is
released.
Another vehicle cuts into the driving
lane in front of you.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-133
Mazda3_8LC2-EA-22G_Edition1_new 2022-5-20 11:26:10

▼Shift-up/Shift-down Request
Display
The shift-up or shift-down request
display might be displayed while the
MRCC is operating. When this occurs,
shift gears because the gear position is
not appropriate.
Request Indication on display
Shift up Shift Up to a Higher Gear
Shift down Shift Down to a Lower Gear
NOTE
If the gears are not shifted up even
though the shift-up request
indication is displayed, load will be
applied to the engine and the MRCC
might be automatically canceled or
engine damage could occur.
If the gears are not shifted down
even though the shift-down request
indication is displayed, the MRCC
might be automatically canceled or
engine stalling could occur.
Mazda Radar Cruise
Control with Stop & Go function (MRCC with
Stop & Go function) (Automatic
Transmission)
*
▼ Mazda Radar Cruise Control with
Stop & Go function (MRCC with
Stop & Go function)
The MRCC with Stop & Go function
system is designed to maintain
headway control
*1 with a vehicle
ahead according to your vehicle's
speed using a front radar sensor to
detect the distance to the vehicle
ahead and a preset vehicle speed
without you having to use the
accelerator or brake pedals.
*1 Headway Control: Control of the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle ahead detected by the
Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC) system.
Additionally, if your vehicle starts
closing in on the vehicle ahead such as
if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, a
warning sound and a warning
indication in the display are activated
simultaneously to alert you to maintain
a sufficient distance between the
vehicles.
If the vehicle ahead stops while you are
following behind it, your vehicle will
stop and be held stopped
automatically (stop hold control), and
headway control will resume when you
resume driving the vehicle such as by
pressing the RES switch.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.4-139
Mazda3_8LC2-EA-22G_Edition1_new 2022-5-20 11:26:10

Also refer to the following before using
the MRCC with Stop & Go function.
AUTOHOLD (page 4-82)Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) (page
4-211)
Front radar sensor (page 4-215)
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the MRCC
with Stop & Go function:
The MRCC with Stop & Go function
system has detection limitations
depending on the type of vehicle
ahead and its conditions, the weather
conditions, and the road conditions.
Additionally, the system may be unable
to decelerate sufficiently to avoid
hitting the vehicle ahead if the vehicle
ahead applies the brakes suddenly or
another vehicle cuts into the driving
lane in front of you, which could result
in an accident.
Always drive carefully and verify the
surrounding conditions and depress
the brake pedal or accelerator pedal
while keeping a safe distance from
vehicles ahead or on-coming vehicles.
Do not use the MRCC with Stop & Go
function system in the following
locations. Using the MRCC with Stop
& Go function system at the following
locations may result in an unexpected
accident:
 General roads other than highways
(Driving under these conditions
using the MRCC with Stop & Go
function system is not possible.)
Roads with sharp curves and where
vehicle traffic is heavy with
insufficient space between vehicles,
or roads where frequent and
repetitive acceleration and
deceleration occur (Driving under
these conditions using the MRCC
with Stop & Go function is not
possible.)
 When entering and exiting
interchanges, service areas, and
parking areas of highways (If you exit
a highway while headway control is
in use, the vehicle ahead will no
longer be tracked and your vehicle
may accelerate to the set speed.)
 Slippery roads such as ice or
snow-bound roads (Tires could spin
causing you to lose vehicle control,
or the stop hold control may not
operate.)
 Long, descending slopes (to
maintain distance between vehicles,
the system automatically and
continuously applies the brakes
which could result in the loss of
brake power.)
 Slopes with a steep gradient (The
vehicle ahead may not be detected
correctly, your vehicle may slide
while stopped by the stop hold
control, and it may accelerate
suddenly after it starts moving.)
 Two-wheeled vehicles such as
motorcycles or bicycles are ahead.
For safety purposes, switch the MRCC
with Stop & Go function system off
when it is not being used.
Leaving the MRCC with Stop & Go
function system turned on when it is
not in use is dangerous as it could
operate unexpectedly, resulting in an
accident.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-140
Mazda3_8LC2-EA-22G_Edition1_new 2022-5-20 11:26:10

Do not get out of the vehicle while
the stop hold control is operating:
Getting out of the vehicle while the
stop hold control is operating is
dangerous as the vehicle may move
unexpectedly and result in an accident.
Before getting out of the vehicle,
switch the MRCC with Stop & Go
function system off, shift the selector
lever to the P position, and apply the
parking brake.
CAUTION
If your vehicle is towed or you are
towing something , switch the MRCC
with Stop & Go function system off
to prevent an unexpected operation.
 Turn the system
off when the vehicle
is running on a chassis roller.
NOTE
The MRCC with Stop & Go function
system does not detect the following
as physical objects.
Vehicles approaching in the
opposite direction
Pe d e s t r i a n sStationary objects (stopped
vehicles, obstructions)
If a vehicle ahead is traveling at an
extremely low speed, the system may
not detect it correctly.
If there is a structure on the road or
an object (such as a monorail) at a
low height off the ground in front of
the vehicle, the system may operate.
Therefore, do not use the MRCC
with Stop & Go function.
Do not use the MRCC with Stop &
Go function system under conditions
in which close proximity warnings
are frequently activated.
During headway control travel, the
system accelerates and decelerates
your vehicle in conjunction with the
speed of the vehicle ahead.
However, if it is necessary to
accelerate for a lane change or if the
vehicle ahead brakes suddenly
causing you to close in on the vehicle
rapidly, accelerate using the
accelerator pedal or decelerate using
the brake pedal depending on the
conditions.
While the MRCC with Stop & Go
function system is in use, it does not
cancel even if the selector lever is
operated and any intended engine
braking does not occur. If
deceleration is required, lower the
set speed or depress the brake
pedal.
While braking by the MRCC with
Stop & Go function control is
operating , you might hear an
operation sound, however, this does
not indicate a problem.
The brake lights turn on while
braking by the MRCC with Stop &
Go function control is operating,
however, they may not turn on while
the vehicle is on a down slope at the
set vehicle speed or traveling at a
constant speed and following a
vehicle ahead.
Stop the headway control function to
switch the system to the cruise
control function.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-141
Mazda3_8LC2-EA-22G_Edition1_new 2022-5-20 11:26:10