engine MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2015 (in English) Manual PDF

4–60
When Driving
Transaxle
Type C
Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct
mode may not be possible depending on
the vehicle speed. In addition, because
direct mode is cancelled (released)
depending on the rate of acceleration
or if the accelerator is fully depressed,
use of the manual shift mode is
recommended if you need to drive the
vehicle in a particular gear for long
periods.
Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not let the vehicle move in a
direction opposite to the direction
selected by the selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward
with the selector lever in a forward
position, or do not let the vehicle move
forward with the selector lever in the
reverse position. Otherwise, the engine
may stop, causing the loss of the power
brake and power steering functions,
and make it diffi cult to control the
vehicle which could result in an
accident.
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
NOTE
(Some models)
The accelerator pedal may initially feel
heavy as it is being depressed, then feel
lighter as it is depressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how
much the accelerator pedal has been
depressed for performing kickdown,
and functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
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*Some models.4–62
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Lighting Control
Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to turn the headlights, other exterior lights and instrument panel
illumination on or off.
When the lights are turned on, the lights-on indicator light in the instrument cluster turns on.
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while the engine is off unless
safety requires them.
Without auto-light control
Without coming home light system
Switch Position
Ignition Position ON ACC or
OFF ON ACC or
OFF ON ACC or
OFF
Headlights — — — — × ×
Running lights
* × — — — — —
Tail lights
Position lights
Number plate lights
Instrument panel illumination — — × × × ×
×: On
—: Off
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4–65
When Driving
Switches and Controls
*1 The headlight and other light settings switch automatically depending on the surrounding brightness detected by
the sensor.
*2 It turns on while driving the vehicle.
*3 While the lights are turned on, they will remain on even if the ignition is switched to a position other than ON.
If the driver's door is opened or 30 s have elapsed with the lights turned on, the lights turn off.
*4 When the ignition is switched to a position other than ON, the lights will not turn on even if the light switch is
switched to
.
*5 If the driver's door is opened or 30 s have elapsed with the lights turned on, the lights turn off.
Auto-light control
When the headlight switch is in the
position and the ignition is switched ON, the light
sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the headlights,
other exterior lights and instrument panel illumination on or off (see chart above).
CAUTION
  Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windscreen.
Otherwise the light sensor will not operate correctly.

  The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands and
scrapers clear of the windscreen when the wiper lever is in the
position and the
ignition is switched ON as fi ngers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades
damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are going to clean the
windscreen, be sure the wipers are turned off completely — this is particularly
important when clearing ice and snow — when it is particularly tempting to leave the
engine running.
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4–76
When Driving
Switches and Controls
CAUTION
 

 When the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition is switched
ON, the wipers may move
automatically in the following cases:
 


 If the windscreen above the rain
sensor is touched or wiped with a
cloth.
 


 If the windscreen is struck with a
hand or other object from either
outside or inside the vehicle.
  Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windscreen when the wiper lever is
in the
position and the ignition
is switched ON as fi ngers could be
pinched or the wipers and wiper
blades damaged when the wipers
activate automatically.
 If you are going to clean the
windscreen, be sure the wipers are
turned off completely (when it is
most likely that the engine is left
running) this is particularly important
when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE
  Switching the auto-wiper lever from
the
to the position while
driving activates the windscreen
wipers once, after which they operate
according to the rainfall amount.
  The auto-wiper control may not
operate when the rain sensor
temperature is about –10 °C (14 °F)
or lower, or about 85 °C (185 °F) or
higher.
NOTE
  If the windscreen is coated with
water repellent, the rain sensor may
not be able to sense the amount of
rainfall correctly and auto-wiper
control may not operate properly.
  If dirt or foreign matter (Such as
ice or matter containing salt water)
adheres to the windscreen above
the rain sensor or if the windscreen
is iced, it could cause the wipers to
move automatically. However, if the
wipers cannot remove this ice, dirt
or foreign matter, the auto-wiper
control will stop operation. In this
case, set the wiper lever to the low
speed position or high speed position
for manual operation, or remove the
ice, dirt or foreign matter by hand to
restore the auto-wiper operation.
  If the auto-wiper lever is left in the
position, the wipers could
operate automatically from the effect
of strong light sources,
electromagnetic waves, or infrared
light because the rain sensor uses an
optical sensor. It is recommended
that the auto-wiper lever be switched
to the
position other than when
driving the vehicle under rainy
conditions.
  The auto-wiper control functions can
be turned off.
 Refer to Personalisation Features on
page 9-16 .
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*Some models.4–78
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Headlight Washer *
The engine must be started and the
headlights must be turned on.
The headlight washers operate
automatically once every fi fth time the
windscreen washer operates.
If you want to operate headlight washers,
double fl ick the wiper lever.
Washer OFF
NOTE
If air enters the headlight washer fl uid
pipe under conditions such as when
the vehicle is brand-new or after an
empty washer tank is replenished with
washer fl uid, washer fl uid will not spray
even when the wiper lever is operated.
If this occurs, perform the following
procedure:
1. Start the engine.
2. Turn on the headlights.
3. Double fl ick the wiper lever several
times until the washer fl uid sprays.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger clears fog from
the rear window.
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the defogger.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defogger. The rear window
defogger operates for about 15 minutes
and then turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates when the
defogger is operating.
To turn off the rear window defogger
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Manual Air-Conditioning
Indicator light
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4–82
When Driving
Brake
Brake System
Foot Brake
This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off, fi nd a safe place to stop:
Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more effort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause longer
stopping distances or even an accident.
Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills:
Driving with your foot continuously on
the brake pedal or steadily applying the
brakes for long distances is dangerous.
This causes overheated brakes,
resulting in longer stopping distances
or even total brake failure. This could
cause loss of vehicle control and a
serious accident. Avoid continuous
application of the brakes.
WARNING
Dry off brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
CAUTION
  Do not drive with your foot held
on the clutch pedal or brake pedal,
or hold the clutch pedal depressed
halfway unnecessarily. Doing so
could result in the following:
 


 The clutch and brake parts will
wear out more quickly.
 


 The brakes can overheat
and adversely affect brake
performance.
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4–87
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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 Warning Lights on page 4-41 .
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 tyre 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 tyres 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.
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*Some models.4–88
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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 Warning Lights on page 4-41 .
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
tyre friction and road contact because
of water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
Use snow tyres or tyre 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 4-90 ).
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 fl ashes.
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 expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
NOTE
  In addition to the indicator light
fl ashing, a slight labouring 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.
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*Some models.4–89
When Driving
ABS/TCS/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 manoeuvring,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-87 ) and TCS (page
4-88 ).
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 Warning Lights on page 4-41 .
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
tyre 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 tyres of the correct size
specifi ed for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
 


 Use tyres of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
 


 Do not mix worn tyres. 

 The DSC may not operate correctly
when tyre chains are used or a
temporary spare tyre is installed
because the tyre diameter changes.
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 fl ashes.
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 expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
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4–90
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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 4-90 .
If the light remains illuminated and
the TCS/DSC is not switched off, take
your vehicle to an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer. 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 DSC is on and you attempt to
free the vehicle when it is stuck, or
drive it out of freshly fallen snow, the
TCS (part of the DSC system) will
activate. Depressing the accelerator
will not increase engine power and
freeing the vehicle may be diffi cult.
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
DSC system activates automatically.
The DSC OFF indicator light
turns off while the DSC system is
operative.
  If the Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS) operates with the TCS/DSC
turned off, the TCS/DCS becomes
operational automatically.
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