headlights MAZDA MODEL 3 5-DOOR 2004 Owners Manual
Page 10 of 372
1-4
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Exterior Overview (4 Door)
Doors and keys
Outside mirrors
Side turn signal lights
Headlights
Fuel-filler lid
Child safety locks Tires
Reverse light
Windshield wiper blades
Hood
Front turn signal lights/Side-marker lights
Fog lights* Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights Power windows*
Rear window defroster
Trunk lid
High-mount brake light
License plate light
Antenna
Moonroof*
(page 8-37) (page 6-10)
(page 3-13)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-24)
(page 3-20)
(page 8-37) (page 5-52)
(page 3-16)
(page 8-31)
(page 3-18)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 3-21)
(page 3-9)
(page 3-2)
(page 3-29)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
*Some models.
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Page 11 of 372
1-5
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Exterior Overview (5 Door)
Doors and keys
Outside mirrors
Side turn signal lights
Headlights
Fuel-filler lid
Child safety lock Tires
Reverse light
Windshield wiper blades
Hood
Front turn signal lights/Side-marker lights
Fog lights*  Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights
Power windows*
Rear window defroster
Liftgate High-mount brake light
License plate light Antenna
Moonroof* 
(page 3-10) (page 6-10)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-24)
(page 3-20)
(page 8-37) (page 5-52)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-31)
(page 3-18)
(page 8-37)
(page 3-21)
(page 3-9)
(page 3-2)
(page 3-29)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37) (page 3-16)
*Some models.
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Page 99 of 372
3-31
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Rearview Mirror (With Day/
Night Function)
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror 
to center on the scene through the rear 
window.
Do this with the day/night lever in the day 
position.
Push the lever forward for day driving. 
Pull it back to reduce glare from 
headlights.
Blocked View:
Cargo stacked higher than the 
seatbacks is dangerous. It can block 
your view in the rearview mirror, 
which might cause you to hit another 
car when changing lanes. Don
’t stack 
things higher than the seatbacks.
Day/Night lever
Day Night
WARNING
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Page 154 of 372
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Security Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 2 
seconds when the ignition switch is turned 
from the ON to the ACC position and the 
immobilizer system is armed.
The light stops flashing when the ignition 
switch is turned to the ON position with 
the correct ignition key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is 
disarmed and the light illuminates for 
about 3 seconds and then goes out.
If the engine doesn
’t start with the correct 
ignition key, and the security indicator 
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the 
system may have a malfunction. Consult 
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
 Headlight High-Beam Indicator 
Light
This light indicates one of two things:
• The high-beam headlights are on.
• The turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position.
Shift Position Indicator Light 
(Automatic Transaxle)
This indicates the selected shift position 
when the ignition switch is in the ON 
position.
Gear position indicator
When the shift lever is in the D or M 
position, the numeral for the selected gear 
illuminates.
Gear position indicator
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5-44
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Switches and Controls
Headlights
Type A (Without AUTO position)
Turn the headlight switch to turn the 
headlights and other exterior lights on or 
off. Type B (With AUTO position, 
CANADA)*
Turn the headlight switch to turn the 
headlights and other exterior lights on or 
off.
AUTO (Auto-light control)
 
When the headlight switch is in the 
AUTO position and the ignition switch is 
in the ON position, the light sensor senses 
the surrounding lightness or darkness and 
automatically turns on or off the 
headlights and other exterior lights (see 
chart above).
Lighting Control
Switch Position OFF
Headlights Off Off On
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights Off On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery, 
don
’t leave the lights on while the 
engine is off.
OFF
Switch position OFF AUTO
Headlights Off Off On
Auto
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights Off On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery, 
don’
t leave the lights on while the 
engine is off.
OFF AUTO
*Some models.
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5-45
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Xenon fusion headlight bulbs*
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights 
have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a 
bright white beam over a wide area.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed 
from the ignition switch, a beep sound 
will be heard when the driver
’s door is 
opened.
•
Do not shade the light sensor by 
adhering a sticker or a label on the 
windshield. Otherwise the light 
sensor will not operate correctly.
• The light sensor also works as a rain 
sensor for the auto-wiper control. 
When the wiper lever is in the 
AUTO position and the ignition 
switch is in the ON position, the 
wipers may move automatically. Be 
careful not to pinch hands or fingers 
as it may cause injury, or damage 
the wipers (page 5-49).NOTE
•When the headlight switch is in the 
AUTO position and the ignition 
switch is turned to the ACC or 
LOCK position, the headlights and 
other exterior lights will turn off.
• The timing for turning on the 
headlights and other exterior lights 
can be delayed by adjusting the 
sensitivity of the light sensor. 
Consult an Authorized Mazda 
Dealer regarding sensor adjustment.
CAUTION
Light sensor
Xenon Fusion Bulb Replacement:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs by 
yourself is dangerous. Because the 
xenon fusion bulbs require high 
voltage, you could receive an electric 
shock if the bulbs are handled 
incorrectly. Do not replace the xenon 
fusion bulbs by yourself. Consult an 
Authorized Mazda Dealer when the 
replacement is necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flash, or the 
brightness weakens, the bulb-life may 
be depleted and a replacement is 
necessary. Consult an Authorized 
Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
*Some models.
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5-46
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Headlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beam.
Pull it back for low.
Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully 
toward you. The headlight switch need 
not be on, and the lever will return to the 
normal position when released.
Headlight Leveling*
The number of riders and weight of cargo 
in the luggage compartment change the 
angle of the headlights.
The headlight leveling switch adjusts this 
angle.
Select the proper setting from the 
following chart.
×
: Yes  —: No
High beam
Low beam
Front seat Rear 
seat Load
Switch 
Position
Driver Passenger
×— —— 0
×× —— 0
×× ×— 1
×× ×× 2
×— —× 3
*Some models.
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5-47
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Daytime Running Lights 
(Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with 
the headlights on during daytime 
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights 
automatically turn on when the ignition 
switch is turned to the ON position.
 Tu r n  S i g n a l
Move the signal lever down (for a left 
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop 
position. The signal will self-cancel after 
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash 
after a turn, manually return the lever to 
its original position.
Green indicators on the dashboard show 
which signal is working.
Lane-change signals
Move the lever slightly toward the 
direction of the change 
—until the 
indicator flashes — and hold it there. It 
will return to the off position when 
released.
NOTE
The Daytime Running Lights turn off 
when the parking brake is applied.
Turn and Lane-Change 
Signals
NOTE
If an indicator light stays on without 
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, the 
turn signal bulb may be burned out.
Right turn
Left turn OFF
Right lane 
change
Left lane 
change
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5-48
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The fog lights help you to see as well as to 
be seen.
The headlights must be turned on to turn 
on the front fog lights.
To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the 
fog light switch to the   position.
To turn the front fog lights off, rotate the 
fog light switch to the OFF position or 
turn the headlights off.The ignition switch must be in the ON 
position.
Fog Lights*
NOTE
•
(With auto-light control)
 
If the headlight switch is in the 
AUTO position, the front fog lights 
can be turned on when the 
headlights and the exterior lights are 
on.
• The fog lights will turn off when the 
headlights are set at high beam.
OFFOFF
Fog light switch
Windshield Wipers and 
Washer
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid 
without anti-freeze protection in 
freezing temperatures is dangerous. 
The washer fluid could freeze on the 
windshield and block your vision. You 
could have an accident. Don
’t use the 
washer without first warming the 
windshield and never use plain tap 
water.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam 
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is 
protected from motor breakdown, 
overheating and possible fire by a 
circuit breaker. This mechanism will 
automatically stop operation of the 
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper 
switch and park off the right-of-way, 
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and 
the blades should operate normally. If 
they don ’t resume functioning, consult 
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon 
as possible.
WARNING
*Some models.
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8-36
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Light Bulbs
Side turn signal lightsFront turn signal lights/
Side-marker lights
Rear turn signal lightsLicense plate light
Overhead light/Map lights (Front)*
Headlights (Low beam)
Headlights 
(High beam)
Fog lights* Brake lights/Taillights
Reverse light
High-mount brake light
Trunk light
4 Door
5 Door Overhead light (Rear)
Overhead light/Map lights (Front)*
Headlights (Low beam)
Headlights 
(High beam)
Side turn signal lights Fog lights*
License plate light
High-mount brake light
Luggage compartment 
lightOverhead light (Rear)
Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights
Reverse light
Front turn signal lights/
Side-marker lights
*Some models.
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