run flat MAZDA MODEL 3 5-DOOR 2008 Owners Manual

Black plate (20,1)
Front Seats (Electrically
Operated Seats)
WARNING
Do not modify or replace the front
seats:Modifying or replacing the front seats
such as replacing the upholstery or
loosening any bolts is dangerous. The
front seats contain air bag
components essential to the
supplemental restraint system. Such
modifications could damage the
supplemental restraint system and
result in serious injury. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is
any need to remove or reinstall the
front seats.
Do not drive with damaged front seats: Driving with damaged front seats is
dangerous. A collision, even one not
strong enough to inflate the air bags,
could damage the front seats which
contain essential air bag
components. If there was a
subsequent collision, an air bag may
not deploy which could lead to
injuries. Always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer inspect the front seats,
front seat belt pretensioners and air
bags after a collision.
CAUTION
ØThe seat-bottom power
adjustment is operated by motors.
Avoid extended operation because
excessive use can damage the
motors.
Ø To prevent the battery from
running down, avoid using the
power adjustment when the
engine is stopped. The adjuster
uses a large amount of electrical
power.
Ø Don't use the switch to make more
than one adjustment at a time.
qSeat Slide (Driver's Seat)
To slide the seat, move the slide lifter
switch on the outside of the seat to the
front or back and hold it. Release the
switch at the desired position.
2-6
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page20
Tuesday, November 27 2007 9:0 AM
Form No.8Y64-EA-08A

Black plate (71,1)
lFrontal offset impact to the vehicle
may not provide the stopping force
necessary for air bag deployment.
lRear-ending or running under a truck's
tail gate may not provide the stopping
force necessary for air bag deployment.
Non-activation of front air bags
Front air bags will not normally inflate in
the following cases:
lCollision from the rear.
lImpact to the side, but it may deploy
the side and curtain air bags.
lVehicle roll-over, may deploy the side
and curtain air bags but not the front air
bags.
Side and curtain air bag activationí
The severity of impact above the designed
threshold level to one side of the vehicle
(driver or passenger side areas) will cause
the side and curtain air bags on that side
to inflate, but it will not normally deploy
the front air bags.
Limitations to side and curtain air bag
activationí
Depending on the severity of impact, the
side and curtain air bags may not inflate in
the following cases:
lFrontal offset impact may not provide
enough side impact to deploy the side
and curtain air bags.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-57íSome models.
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page71
Tuesday, November 27 2007 9:0 AM
Form No.8Y64-EA-08A

Black plate (115,1)
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 your Mazda.
lDon't race the engine.lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.lKeep the tires properly inflated.lDon't carry unnecessary weight.lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.lKeep windows closed at high speeds.lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page115
Tuesday, November 27 2007 9:0 AM
Form No.8Y64-EA-08A

Black plate (269,1)
To remove the spare tire
(4 Door)
1. Remove the trunk mat and trunk board.
2. Turn the tire hold-down boltcounterclockwise with the lug wrench.
(5 Door)
1. Remove the trunk mat, trunk board andcargo sub-compartment.
(Type A)(Type B)
2. Turn the tire hold-down boltcounterclockwise with the lug wrench.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-7
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page269
Tuesday, November 27 2007 9:1 AM
Form No.8Y64-EA-08A

Black plate (335,1)
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
Edge
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse orderof removal.
qReplacing Interior Light Bulbs
Overhead light/Map lights (Front)í
Due to the complexity and difficulty of
the procedure, the bulbs should be
replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Overhead light (Rear)
1. Wrap a small flathead screwdriver with
a soft cloth to prevent damage to the
lens, and then remove the lens by
carefully prying on the edge of the lens
with the flathead screwdriver.
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
Edge
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
Trunk light (4 Door)
1. Press both sides of the lens cap toremove it.
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
Luggage compartment light (5 Door)
1. Insert your finger as shown in thefigure and remove the unit.
2. Wrap a small flathead screwdriver witha soft cloth to prevent damage to the
lens, and then remove the lens by
carefully prying on the edge of the lens
with the flathead screwdriver.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-49íSome models.
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page335
Tuesday, November 27 2007 9:2 AM
Form No.8Y64-EA-08A

Black plate (384,1)
qSafety Practices
The way you drive has a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety. So cultivate
good driving habits for your own benefit.
lObserve posted speed limitslAvoid fast starts, stops and turnslAvoid potholes and objects on the roadlDo no run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking
CAUTION
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you suspect your
tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your speed. Drive with caution
until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tire for damage. If the tire
is under-inflated or damaged, deflate it, remove the tire and rim and replace it with
your spare tire. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
vehicle or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
9-34
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page384
Tuesday, November 27 2007 9:2 AM
Form No.8Y64-EA-08A

Black plate (407,1)
C
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-35
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-53
DefrosterMirror ......................................... 5-59
Rear window .............................. 5-58
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ......................................... 3-8
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7 Automatic transaxle ................... 5-18
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-9
Turbocharged vehicles ............... 4-12
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-24 DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-25
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-25
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-24
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-16Flooded engine ........................... 7-16
Jump-starting .............................. 7-17
Push-starting .............................. 7-20
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-21
Emission Control System .................... 4-4
E
Engine Coolant ....................................... 8-21
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-5
Hood release .............................. 3-21
Oil .............................................. 8-18
Overheating ................................ 7-14
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-17
Engine Coolant Overheating ................................ 7-14
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-34
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-60
F
Flasher Hazard warning .......................... 5-60
Headlights .................................. 5-50
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3 Changing ...................................... 7-8
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Flexible Floor Board ......................... 6-76
Fluids Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance ................... 8-15
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-54
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-5
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-6
Front Seats
(Manually Operated Seats) ................. 2-2
Fuel Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-20
Gauge ......................................... 5-35
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Index
11-3
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page407
Tuesday, November 27 2007 9:2 AM
Form No.8Y64-EA-08A

Black plate (410,1)
S
Speedometer ...................................... 5-33
SRS Air BagsHow the Air Bags Work ............. 2-50
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions ................................. 2-44
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-4
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-29 Horn ........................................... 5-59
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-74 Cargo securing loops .................. 6-75
Cargo sub-compartment ............. 6-75
Center console ............................ 6-75
Flexible Floor Board .................. 6-76
Glove box ................................... 6-74
Sunshade ........................................... 3-24
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-64
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-34
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-37
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-27
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-22
Tire Information ................................ 9-23
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-26
System error activation .............. 5-30
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-28
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-30
T
TiresFlat Tire ........................................ 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-35
Replacement ............................... 8-36
Rotation ...................................... 8-36
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-8
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-21
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing Description ................................. 7-21
Emergency towing ..................... 7-21
Recreational towing ................... 7-23
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-23 TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-23
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-33
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-14 Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-16
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-15
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-53
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-64
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
11-6
Index
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page410
Tuesday, November 27 2007 9:2 AM
Form No.8Y64-EA-08A