2023 MAZDA MAZDA Owners Manual

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
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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
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Dynamic Stability Control(DSC)
▼Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and
engine torque in conjunction with
systems such as ABS and TCS to help
control side slip when driving on
slippery surfaces, or during sudden or
evasive maneuvering, enhancing
vehicle safety.

Refer to ABS (page 4-88) and TCS
(page 4-89).

DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).

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 Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe
driving:
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
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.
CAUTION

The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
 Use tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all 4
wheels.
 Use tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all 4 wheels.
 Do not mix worn tires.
 The DSC may not operate correctly
when tire chains are used or a
temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
NOTE
If there is a problem with the DSC, the
Hill Launch Assi st (HLA) may not
operate.
Refer to Hill Launch Assist (HLA) on
page 4-87.
▼ 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.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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▼DSC OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
It also illuminates when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off.
Refer to DSC OFF Switch on page
4-91.

If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS/DSC is not switched off, take your
vehicle to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer. The DSC may have a
malfunction.
▼DSC OFF Switch
Press the DSC OFF switch to turn off
the TCS/DSC. The DSC OFF indicator
light in the instrument cluster will
illuminate.

Press the switch again to turn the
TCS/DSC back on. The DSC OFF
indicator light will turn
off.
NOTE
When the TCS/DSC is on and you
attempt to free the vehicle from
being stuck, the TCS/DSC will
activate. Depressing the accelerator
will not increase engine power and
freeing the vehicle from being stuck
might be difficult. When this
happens, turn off the TCS/DSC.
If the TCS/DSC is off when the
engine is turned off, it automatically
activates when the ignition is
switched ON.
Leaving the TCS/DSC on will provide
the best traction.
If the DSC OFF switch is pressed and
held for 10 seconds or more, the
DSC OFF switch malfunction
detection function operates and the
TCS/DSC system activates
automatically. The DSC OFF
indicator light turns off while the
TCS/DSC system is operative.
(Vehicles with Smart Brake Support
(SBS))
If the Smart Brake Support (SBS)
operates with the TCS/DSC turned
off, the TCS/DSC becomes
operational automatically.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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Drive Selection*
▼Drive Selection
Drive selection is a system to switch
the vehicle's drive mode. When the
sport mode is selected, vehicle's
response against accelerator operation
is enhanced. This provides additional
quick acceleration which may be
needed to safely make maneuvers such
as lane changes, merging onto
freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION
Do not use the sport mode when
driving on slippery roads such as wet
or snow-covered roads. It may cause
tire slipping.
NOTE
When the sport mode is selected,
driving at higher engine speeds
increases and it may increase fuel
consumption. Mazda recommends
that you cancel the sport mode on
normal driving.
Drive mode cannot be switched in
the following conditions:
ABS/TCS/DSC is operatingCruise control* is operating.The Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC) system* is operating.The Mazda Radar Cruise Control
with Stop & Go function (MRCC
with Stop & Go function) System
*
is operating.Tra ffi c
Jam Assist (TJA) is operating.Steering wheel is being operated
abruptly
▼Drive Selection Switch
Press the drive selection switch forward
(SPORT) to select the sport mode.
Pull the drive selection switch back
(OFF) to cancel the sport mode.

NOTE
In the following cases, the drive
selection is canceled.
The ignition is switched OFF.Mazda Radar Cruise Control with
Stop & Go function (MRCC with
Stop & Go function) System/cruise
control is set.
Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) is set.Depending on the driving conditions
when sport mode is selected, the
vehicle may perform shift-down or
slightly accelerate.
When Driving
Drive Selection
4-92*Some models.
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▼Select Mode Indicator Light
When the sport mode is selected, the
select mode indicator light turns on in
the instrument cluster.
1. Select mode indicator light
NOTE
If the drive selection cannot be
switched to sport mode, the select
mode indicator light
flashes to notify
the driver.
When Driving
Drive Selection
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i-ACTIV AWD Operation*
▼i-ACTIV AWD Operation
AWD provides excellent drivability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads,
sand and mud, as well as on steep
slopes and other slippery surfaces.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to AWD Warning Indication/
Warning Light on page 7-32.
WARNING
Never spin a wheel that is
off the
ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the ground
as a result of the vehicle being stuck or
in a ditch is dangerous. The drive
assembly could be seriously damaged
which could lead to an accident or
could even lead to overheating, oil
leakage, and a fire.
▼AWD Driving
This vehicle has not been designed for
the purpose of off-road driving or
rallies. Do not attempt to drive over
uneven or rocky surfaces, or across
rivers.
Although this vehicl
e is equipped with
AWD, acceleration, steering and
braking operations should be
conducted in the same manner as with
a non-AWD vehicle, with the emphasis
placed on safe driving.
▼ Tires and Tire Chains
The condition of the tires plays a large
role in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to
the drive assembly, please note the
following:
Tires
When replacing tires, always replace
all front and rear tires at the same
time.
All tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread
pattern. Pay particular attention
when equipping snow or other types
of winter tires.
Do not mix tread-worn tires with
normal tires.
Inspect tire
inflation pressures at the
specified periods adjust to the
specified pressures, and initialize the
tire pressure monitoring system.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring
System Initialization on page 4-228.
NOTE
Check the tire inflation pressure label
attached to driver's door frame for the
correct tire inflation pressure.
Make sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine tires of the specified size, on
all wheels. With AWD, the system is
calibrated for all 4 wheels being of
the same dimensions.
Tire chains
Install tire chains to the front tires.Do not use tire chains on the rear
wheels.
Do not drive the vehicle faster than
30 km/h (19 mph) with the tire
chains installed.
Do not drive the vehicle with tire
chains on road conditions other than
snow or ice.
▼ To w i n g
If the vehicle requires towing, have it
towed with all 4 wheels completely
off
the ground.
Refer to Towing De scription on page
7-23.
When Driving
i-ACTIV AWD
4-94*Some models.
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Power Steering
▼Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when
the engine is running. If the engine is
off
or if the power steering system is
inoperable, you can still steer, but it
requires more physical effort.
If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving or the steering
vibrates, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
The malfunction indication notifies
the driver of system abnormalities
and operation conditions.
Refer to Power Steering Malfunction
Indication/Indicator Light on page
7-29.
When Driving
Power Steering
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