width MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2014 Owners Manual (in English)

2–12
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and all passengers always wear seat belts.
(U.S.A. and Canada)
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way when
not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the front passenger's seat and all rear lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in
two modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking
mode. While we recommend you put all children in the rear seats, if you must use the front
passenger seat for a child, slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible and make
sure any child-restraint system is secured properly.
(Mexico)
The front seats and rear outboard seats have lap/shoulder belts. These belts have retractors
with inertia locks that keep them out of the way when not in use. The locks allow the belts
to remain comfortable on users, but they will lock in position during a collision.
The rear center seat has a lap belt with manual adjustment.
WARNING
Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not
wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out of
the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision, occupants
wearing seat belts would be much safer.

Do not wear twisted seat belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt is not available to
absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could cause
serious injury or death. So, if your seat belt is twisted, you must straighten the seat belt to
remove any twists and to allow the full width of the belt to be used.

Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could
be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.

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4–110
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
NOTE
 


y The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) does not operate when the vehicle speed is lower than
about 10 km/h (6.2 mph).
 


y The detection area of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) has been determined based on
the lane width of general freeways. Therefore on a road with a narrower lane width, the
system may detect vehicles on a lane next to the adjacent lane and operate the warning
light/beep. On a road with wider lane width, the system may not detect vehicles on the
adjacent lane and may not operate the warning light/beep.
 


y Under the following conditions, the system may be unable to detect vehicles, or detection
may be delayed.
 


y The vehicle accelerates from a standing-start with a vehicle alongside.



y A vehicle moves from a lane two lanes over to the adjacent lane.



y The difference in vehicle speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is larger
when passing or being passed, and the vehicle passes the detection area within a short
period of time.
 


y On a steep incline, or when there is a difference in height between lanes.



y Immediately after the system has been activated by pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) OFF switch again after it has been turned off (Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
OFF indicator light in instrument cluster illuminates) by pressing the switch.
 


y(Automatic transaxle vehicles)
 The shift lever is shifted to the R position, or directly after being shifted from the R
position.
 


y The system may not operate normally when towing a trailer. Turn off the system by
operating the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch when towing a trailer.
 


y The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffi c Alert function when the shift lever (Manual
transaxle) or the selector lever (Automatic transaxle) is shifted to the R position.
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4–121
When Driving
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
 


y Under the following conditions, the LDWS may not be able to detect white or yellow lines
correctly and the LDWS may not operate correctly.
 


y If an object placed on the dashboard is refl ected in the windshield and picked up by the
camera.
 


y Heavy luggage is loaded in the luggage compartment or on the rear seat and the
vehicle is inclined.
 


y The tire pressures are not adjusted to the specifi ed pressure.



y When the vehicle is driven on the entry and exit to or from the rest area or tollgate of a
highway.
 


y The white or yellow lines are less visible because of dirt or paint fl aking.



y The vehicle in front of your vehicle is running near a white or yellow line and the line
is less visible.
 


y A white or yellow line is less visible because of bad weather (rain, fog, or snow).



y The vehicle is driven on a temporary lane or section with a closed lane due to
construction.
 


y A misleading line is picked up on the road such as a temporary line for construction,
or because of shade, lingering snow, or grooves fi lled with water.
 


y The surrounding brightness suddenly changes such as when entering or exiting a
tunnel.
 


y The illumination of the headlights is weakened because of dirt or the optical axis is
deviated.
 


y The windshield is dirty or foggy.



y Back-light is refl ecting from the road surface.



y The road surface is wet and shiny after rain, or there are puddles on the road.



y The shade of a guardrail parallel to a white or yellow line is on the road.



y The width of a lane is excessively narrow or wide.



y The road is excessively uneven.



y The vehicle is shaken after hitting a road bump.



y There are two or more adjacent white or yellow lines.



y There are various road markings or lane markings of various shapes near an
intersection.
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4–128
When Driving
Rear View Monitor
Viewing the Display
Guide lines which indicate the width of the vehicle (yellow) are displayed on the screen as a
reference to the approximate width of the vehicle in comparison to the width of the parking
space you are about to back into.
Use this display view for parking your vehicle in a parking space or garage.
b
a
a) Vehicle width guide lines (yellow)
These guide lines serve as a reference to the approximate width of the vehicle.
b) Distance guide lines.
These guide lines indicate the approximate distance to a point measured from the
vehicle's rear (from the end of the bumper).
 



 The red and yellow lines indicate the points about 50 cm (19 in) for the red line and 100
cm (39.3 in) for the yellow lines from the rear bumper (at the center point of each of the
lines).
CAUTION
The guide lines on the screen are fi xed lines. They are not synced to the driver's turning
of the steering wheel. Always be careful and check the area to the vehicle's rear and the
surrounding area directly with your eyes while backing up.
Rear View Monitor Operation
The operation of the rear view monitor when reversing the vehicle varies depending on
the traffi c, road, and vehicle conditions. The amount of steering and the timing also varies
depending on conditions, so confi rm the surrounding conditions directly with your eyes and
steer the vehicle in accordance with the conditions.
Be well aware of the above cautions prior to using the rear view monitor.
NOTE
Images displayed on the monitor from the rear view parking camera are reversed images
(mirror images).
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4–129
When Driving
Rear View Monitor
1. Shift the shift lever to R to switch the display to the rear view monitor display.
2. Confi rming the surrounding conditions, reverse the vehicle.
(Display condition) (Vehicle condition)
3. After your vehicle begins entering the parking space, continue backing up slowly so that
the distance between the vehicle width lines and the sides of the parking space on the left
and right are roughly equal.
4. Continue to adjust the steering wheel until the vehicle width guide lines are parallel to
the left and right sides of the parking space.
5. Once they are parallel, straighten the wheels and back your vehicle slowly into the
parking space. Continue checking the vehicle's surroundings and then stop the vehicle
in the best possible position. (If the parking space has division lines, check whether the
vehicle width guide lines are parallel to them.)
(Display condition) (Vehicle condition)
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4–130
When Driving
Rear View Monitor
6. When the shift lever is shifted from R to another shift lever position, the screen returns to
the previous display.
NOTE
Because there may be a difference between the displayed image, such as indicated below,
and the actual conditions when parking, always verify the safety at the rear of the vehicle
and the surrounding area directly with your eyes.
 


y In the image of the parking space (or garage) displayed below, even though the back end
and distance guide lines appear parallel in the monitor, they may not actually be parallel
on the ground.
 


y When parking in a space with a division line on only one side of the parking space, the
division line and the vehicle width guide line may appear parallel on the monitor, but
they may not actually be parallel on the ground.
 
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*Some models.6–44
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
CAUTION
 


¾ Do not use your temporary spare tire
rim with a snow tire or a conventional
tire. Neither will properly fi t and could
damage both tire and rim.
 


¾ The temporary spare tire has a tread life
of less than 5,000 km (3,000 miles). The
tread life may be shorter depending on
driving conditions.
 


¾ The temporary spare tire is for limited
use, however, if the tread wear solid-
band indicator appears, replace the tire
with the same type of temporary spare
(page 6-44 ).
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used on the road. It
is recommended that tires generally be
replaced when they are 6 years or older.
Heat caused by hot climates or frequent
high loading conditions can accelerate
the aging process. You should replace the
spare tire when you replace the other road
tires due to the aging of the spare tire. The
period in which the tire was manufactured
(both week and year) is indicated by a
4-digit number.
Refer to Tire Labeling on page 8-23 .
Replacing a Wheel
WARNING
Always use wheels of the correct size on
your vehicle:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be aff ected, leading to loss of
control and an accident.
CAUTION
A wrong-sized wheel may adversely
aff ect:




¾ Tire fi t



¾ Wheel and bearing life



¾ Ground clearance



¾ Snow-chain clearance



¾ Speedometer calibration



¾ Headlight aim



¾ Bumper height



¾ Tire Pressure Monitoring System *
When replacing a wheel, make sure the
new one is the same as the original factory
wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset
(inset/outset).
Proper tire balancing provides the best
riding comfort and helps reduce tread
wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
vibration and uneven wear, such as
cupping and fl at spots.
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8–22
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
WARNING
Keep your vehicle's tires properly infl ated and not overloaded:
Driving with improperly infl ated or overloaded tires is dangerous. Excessive speed,
underinfl ation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. The temperature grade for this tire is established for a
tire that is properly infl ated and not overloaded.
These grades will be added to the sidewalls of passenger vehicle tires over the next several
years according to a schedule established by the NHTSA and the tire manufacturers.
The grade of tires available as standard or optional equipment on Mazda vehicles may vary
with respect to grade.
ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO THESE GRADES AND TO
ALL OTHER FEDERAL TIRE-SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
TREADWEAR 200 TRACTION AA TEMPERATURE A
UTQGS MARK (example)
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8–23
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Tire Labeling
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of
all tires. This information identifi es and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire
and also provides a tire identifi cation number for safety standard certifi cation and in case of
a recall.
Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires
Please refer to the sample below.
1. TIN: U.S. DOT tire identifi cation number
2. Passenger car tire
3. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
4. Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
5. Radial
6. Run-fl at tire
7. Rim diameter code
8. Load index & speed symbol
9. Severe snow conditions
10. Tire ply composition and materials used
11. Max. load rating
12. Tread wear, traction and temperature grades
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8–24
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
13. Max. permissible infl ation pressure
14. SAFETY WARNING
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an explanation
of the various components of that tire size and load index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
P
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
NOTE
If your tire size does not begin with a letter this may mean it is designated by either ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire Manufacturing
Association).
215
“215” is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the
width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
6 5
“65” is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
R
“R” is the tire construction symbol. R indicates “Radial ply construction”.
1 5
“15” is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
9 5
“95” is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each tire
can support.
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