tow MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2015 (in English) User Guide

3–68
Before Driving
Towing
C
Unit:mm(in)
A
BCA:350—420 (13.8—16.5)
B:931.3 (36.67)
C:1046.9 (41.217) Trailer hitch installation area (Hatchback)
MAX 75 Kg (165 lb)
Hitch coupling point
Ty r e s
When towing a trailer, make sure all tyres are infl ated to the recommended cold-tyre
pressure, as indicated on the tyre pressure chart on the driver's door frame. Trailer tyre size,
load rating, and infl ation pressures should conform to tyre manufacturer specifi cations.
WARNING
Never use the temporary spare tyre when towing:
Using the temporary spare tyre on your vehicle when towing a trailer is dangerous as it
could result in tyre failure, loss of control, and injury to vehicle occupants.
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3–69
Before Driving
Towing
Safety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the trailer become
unintentionally unhitched. They should cross under the trailer tongue and attach to the hitch.
Leave enough slack to allow full turns. Consult literature published by your trailer or hitch
manufacturer for more details.
WARNING
Make sure the safety chain is securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle prior
to departure:
Towing a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and
the vehicle is dangerous. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, the trailer
could wander into another lane and cause a collision.
Trailer Lights
CAUTION
Do not connect a trailer lighting system directly to the lighting system of your Mazda.
This may damage your vehicle's electrical system and lighting systems. To connect the
lighting system, consult an Authorised Mazda Dealer.
Trailer Brakes
Check the Maximum trailer towing-load table in Weight Limits (page 3-61 ), and if your
trailer weight exceeds the value in the TOTAL TRAILER WEIGHT (Trailer without brake),
trailer brakes are required.
If your trailer has brakes, make sure they meet regulations.
WARNING
Do not connect a hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle's brake system:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system directly to the vehicle brake system is
dangerous and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury.
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3–70
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Towing Tips
Before driving
 




 Verify that your Mazda maintains a near-normal attitude when a loaded or unloaded trailer
is connected. Do not drive if it has an abnormal front-up or front-down position. Inspect
for incorrect nose weight, worn suspension parts, and trailer overloading. Have the vehicle
inspected by an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
 


 Make sure the trailer cargo is secure to prevent it from shifting.



 Make sure the mirrors meet all government regulations. Inspect them.



 Before starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and trailer lights and all vehicle-
to-trailer connections. Stop and re-inspect all lights and connections after driving a short
distance.
Driving
 




 Your Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing, and
stopping in a traffi c-free area.




 Take time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.



 Do not exceed 100 km/h (62 mph) with a trailer in tow. If the local legal maximum speed
with a trailer in tow is less than 100 km/h (62 mph), do not exceed the legal speed.
CAUTION
If the vehicle exceeds 100 km/h (62 mph) with a trailer in tow, the vehicle could be
damaged.
 


 When ascending a hill, shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or
overheating the engine, or both.
 


 When descending a hill, shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking
effect. Pay constant attention to speed and use the brakes only as needed. Holding the
brake pedal down for a prolonged period may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
power.
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3–71
Before Driving
Towing
Parking
Avoid parking on an incline with a trailer. If this must be done, follow these instructions.
Parking on an Incline
1. Set the parking brake and the brakes.
2. Have someone block the wheels of the vehicle and trailer while you apply the brakes.
3. After the wheels are blocked, release the parking brake and the brakes slowly, allowing
the blocks to bear the load.
4. Set the parking brake fi rmly.
5. If the vehicle has an automatic transaxle, put the selector lever in P. If it has a manual
transaxle, place the gear shift in 1 or R.
Starting on an Incline
1. Start the engine (page 4-5 ).
2. Release the parking brake and slowly pull away a short distance from the wheel blocks.
3. Stop on the nearest level ground, set the parking brake, and pick up the wheel blocks.
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4–21
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
WARNING
The vehicle roll prevention function is a supplementary function which operates for
a maximum of four seconds after releasing the brake pedal when starting the vehicle
after the vehicle is stopped with the i-stop function operating:
 
 Over reliance on the system may result in an unexpected accident if the vehicle were
to suddenly accelerate. Before starting to drive the vehicle, always confi rm the safety
of the surroundings and operate the selector lever, brake pedal, and accelerator
pedal appropriately.
  The vehicle could roll unexpectedly depending on the vehicle's load or if it is towing
something. Note that the vehicle may move suddenly after the vehicle roll prevention
function is released while the vehicle is under the following conditions:
 (The selector lever is in the N position.)  If the selector lever is shifted to the N position and the brake pedal is released while
the i-stop function is operating, the brake force is gradually released. To accelerate
the vehicle, release the brake pedal after the engine restarts and shift the selector
lever to a position other than the N position.
NOTE
  When the vehicle is stopped on a steep grade, the vehicle roll prevention function does
not operate because the idling stop does not operate.
  The brake pedal response may change, sound may occur from the brakes, or the
brake pedal could vibrate from the operation of the vehicle roll prevention function.
However, this does not indicate a malfunction.
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*Some models.4–56
When Driving
Transaxle
Using steering shift switch *
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
(
) toward you once with your
fi ngers.
UP switch (+/OFF)
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fi ngers on the steering
shift switches (6-speed transaxle
model):
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous. If
the driver's air bag were to deploy in a
collision, your hands could be impacted
causing injury.
NOTE
  When driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up.
  In manual shift mode, do not run the
engine with the tachometer needle
in the RED ZONE. When the engine
rpm is high, a gear may shift up
automatically to protect the engine.
NOTE
  When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
  The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever
is in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch (
)
is pulled rearward for a suffi cient
amount of time.
Manually shifting down
You can shift gears down by operating the
shift lever or the steering shift switches
* .
4-speed transaxle model : M4
: M3
:
M2
: M1
6-speed transaxle model : M6
: M5
:
M4
: M3
: M2
: M1
Using selector lever
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the
selector lever forward
once.
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*Some models.4–57
When Driving
Transaxle
Using steering shift switch *
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch
toward you once with your
fi ngers.
DOWN switch (-)
WARNING
Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while driving
at high speeds causes sudden engine
braking, which is dangerous. The
sudden change in tyre speed could
cause the tyres to skid. This could
lead to loss of vehicle control and an
accident.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fi ngers on the steering
shift switches: (6-speed transaxle
model)
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous. If
the driver's air bag were to deploy in a
collision, your hands could be impacted
causing injury.
NOTE
  When driving at high speeds, the
gear may not shift down.
  During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
  When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Second gear fi xed mode
When the selector lever is moved back
while the vehicle speed is about 10 km/h
(6.2 mph) or less, the transaxle is set in the
second gear fi xed mode. The gear is fi xed
in second while in this mode for easier
acceleration from a stop and driving on
slippery roads such as snow-covered
roads.
If the selector lever is moved back
or
forward
while in the second gear fi xed
mode, the mode will be cancelled.
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4–67
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Headlight High-Low Beam
The headlights switch between high and
low beams by moving the lever forward or
backward.
High beam
Low beam
When the headlight high-beams are on,
the headlight high-beam indicator light is
turned on.
Flashing the Headlights
T o fl ash the headlights, pull the lever fully
towards you (the headlight switch does not
need to be on).
OFF
Flashing
The headlight high-beam indicator light
in the instrument cluster illuminates
simultaneously. The lever will return to the
normal position when released.
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*Some models.4–73
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE

 If an indicator light stays on without
fl ashing or if it fl ashes abnormally,
one of the direction indicator bulbs
may be burned out.
  A personalised function is available
to change the turn indicator sound
volume. (page 9-16 )
Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever halfway toward the
direction of the lane change—until the
indicator fl ashes— and hold it there. It will
return to the off position when released.
Three-Flash Turn Signal *
After releasing the direction indicator
lever, the direction indicator fl ashes three
times. The operation can be cancelled by
moving the lever in the direction opposite
to which it was operated.
NOTE
The three-fl ash turn signal function can
be switched to operable/inoperable using
the personalisation function.
Refer to Personalisation Features on
page 9-16 .
Windscreen Wipers and
Washer
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the wipers.
WARNING
Use only windscreen washer fl uid or
plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fl uid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windscreen, it will dirty the windscreen,
affect your visibility, and could result in
an accident.
Only use windscreen washer fl uid
mixed with anti-freeze protection in
freezing weather conditions:
Using windscreen washer fl uid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing
weather conditions is dangerous as it
could freeze on the windscreen and
block your vision which could cause
an accident. In addition, make sure
the windscreen is suffi ciently warmed
using the defroster before spraying the
washer fl uid.
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*Some models.4–77
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Windscreen Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fl uid.
Washer OFF
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the or
intermittent position/
position, the
wipers will operate continuously until
the lever is released.
If the washer does not work, inspect the
fl uid level (page 6-34 ). If the fl uid level
is normal, consult an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
NOTE
(With headlight washers)
When the headlights are on, the
headlight washers operate automatically
once every fi fth time the windscreen
washer operates.
Refer to Headlight Washer on page 4-78 .
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
*
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the wiper.
Rear Window Wiper
Turn the wiper on by turning the rear
wiper/washer switch.
Switch Position
Wiper operation
No. Type A Type B
Intermittent
Normal
Rear Window Washer
To spray washer fl uid, turn the rear wiper/
washer switch to the
position. After the
switch is released, the washer will stop.
If the washer does not work, inspect the
fl uid level (page 6-34 ). If the fl uid level is
normal and the washer still does not work,
consult an expert repairer, we recommend
an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC