steering wheel MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR 2012 User Guide

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NOTE
For the manual day/night mirror, perform the
adjustment with the day/night lever in the day
position.
Reducing glare from headlights
Manual day/night mirror
Push the day/night lever forward for day
driving. Pull it back to reduce glare of
headlights from cars at the rear.
Night
Day Day/Night lever
Auto-dimming mirror
The auto-dimming mirror automatically
reduces glare of headlights from cars at
the rear when the ignition is switched ON. Press the ON/OFF button (
) to cancel
the automatic dimming function. The
indicator light will turn off.
To reactivate the automatic dimming
function, press the ON/OFF button (
).
The indicator light will illuminate.
ON/OFF button
Indicator light
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Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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NOTElDo not use glass cleaner or suspend objects
on or around the light sensor. Otherwise,
light sensor sensitivity will be affected and
may not operate normally.
Light sensor
Light sensor
lThe auto-dimmer function is canceled when
the ignition is switched ON and the shift
lever/selector lever is in reverse (R).
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
fluid leaks.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing is in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch fluid,
washer fluid, and other fluid levels should be
inspected. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?lIs the seat adjusted properly?lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs the steering wheel adjusted properly?lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?lCheck all gauges.lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition is switched ON.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
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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.
lDo not race the engine.lDo not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDo not 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.lDo not carry unnecessary weight.lDo not 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
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Ignition Switch
With advanced key
Refer to“Starting the engine (page 3-12) ”
for information on how to use the ignition
switch.
q Ignition Switch Positions
(Without Advanced Key)
The engraved mark on the actual vehicle
may read OFF or LOCK depending on the
type of ignition system.
OFF/LOCK
The power supply to electrical devices is
turned off. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
WARNING
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked (with steering lock
mechanism):
Removing the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. Removing the key allows
the steering wheel to lock. You will
lose steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the shift lever is
in P (automatic transaxle) or in 1st gear
or R (manual transaxle): Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition off, setting the
parking brake, and shifting the shift
lever to P (automatic transaxle) or to
1st gear or R (manual transaxle) is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur which could
result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to
leave the vehicle for even a short
period, it is important to switch the
ignition off, as leaving it in another
position will disable some of the
vehicle's security systems and run the
battery down.
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, move the steering
wheel left and right.
Leaving the key in any position but the OFF/
LOCK position also disables some of the
security features and may run the battery
down.
ACC (Accessory)
In this position, some electrical
accessories will operate.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power
steering system.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON, and turns off
when the engine is started. If the light remains illuminated after the
engine is started, or illuminates while
driving, turn off the engine after parking
in a safe place, and then start the engine
again.
If the light does not illuminate after
restarting the engine, this indicates that
the power steering is restored and normal
steering is possible.
If the light remains illuminated, the power
steering is still inoperable. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lThe power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical effort.
lRepeatedly jerking the steering wheel left
and right while the vehicle is stopped or
moving at slow speeds will cause the power
steering system to go into protective mode
which will make the steering feel heavy, but
this does not indicate a malfunction. If this
occurs, park the vehicle safely and wait a
few minutes for the system to return to
normal.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-21
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qBSM OFF Indicator Lightí
This indicator light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
The BSM OFF indicator light illuminates
when the BSM system is turned off by
pressing the BSM OFF switch.
The indicator light flashes if the BSM
system has a malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven on a road with less
traffic and few vehicles that the radar sensors
can detect, the system may pause (The BSM
OFF indicator light in the instrument panel
flashes). However, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
qLights-On Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
exterior lights and dashboard illumination
are on.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON, and turns off
when the engine is started.
If the light remains illuminated after the
engine is started, or illuminates while
driving, turn off the engine after parking
in a safe place, and then start the engine
again.
If the light does not illuminate after
restarting the engine, this indicates that
the power steering is restored and normal
steering is possible.
If the light remains illuminated, the power
steering is still inoperable. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lThe power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical effort.
lRepeatedly jerking the steering wheel left
and right while the vehicle is stopped or
moving at slow speeds will cause the power
steering system to go into protective mode
which will make the steering feel heavy, but
this does not indicate a malfunction. If this
occurs, park the vehicle safely and wait a
few minutes for the system to return to
normal.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-61íSome models.
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Manual type
The headlight leveling switch is used to
adjust the angle of the headlights
manually.
Select the proper headlight angle from the
following chart.
(SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.0, MZR 2.5)Front seat Rear
seat LoadSwitch
Position
Driver Passenger
× ――― 0
×× ――0
××× ―1
××××2
× ―― ×3
×: Yes
― :No
(MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo) Front seat Rear
seat LoadSwitch
Position
Driver Passenger
× ――― 0
×× ――0
××× ―1
××××1
× ―― ×2
×: Yes
― :No
q Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)í
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS)
automatically adjusts the headlight beams
to the left or right in conjunction with the
operation of the steering wheel after the
headlights have been turned on and the
vehicle speed is about 2 km/h (2 mph) or
higher.
AFS OFF indicator light
The AFS OFF indicator light illuminates
briefly when the ignition is switched ON,
and then turns off.
Pressing the AFS OFF switch cancels the
AFS function and illuminates the
indicator light.
The following conditions could indicate
that the system is malfunctioning. If one
of the following conditions occurs,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lThe AFS OFF indicator light does not
illuminate even though the ignition is
switched ON.
lThe AFS OFF indicator light flashes
continuously.
NOTE
Even if the AFS is not operating due to some
malfunction, the normal headlight function is
still operable.
AFS OFF switch
Pressing the AFS OFF switch turns off the
AFS.
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Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
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Manual Type Air-Conditioning
Indicator light
CAUTION
Do not use sharp instruments or
window cleaners with abrasives to
clean the inside of the rear window
surface. They may damage the
defroster grid inside the window.
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for melting snow.
If there is an accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the defroster.
q Mirror Defrosterí
To turn on the mirror defrosters, switch
the ignition ON and press the rear window
defroster switch (page 5-75).
Horn
To sound the horn, press themark on
the steering wheel.
5-76
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
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NOTE
When leaving your vehicle unattended, we
recommend that you remove the antenna and
store it inside the vehicle.Operating Tips for Audio
System
WARNING
Do not adjust the audio control
switches while driving the vehicle:Adjusting the audio while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could
distract your attention from the
vehicle operation which could lead to
a serious accident. Always adjust the
audio while the vehicle is stopped.
Even if the audio control switches are
equipped on the steering wheel, learn
to use the switches without looking
down at them so that you can keep
your maximum attention on the road
while driving the vehicle.
CAUTION
For the purposes of safe driving,
adjust the audio volume to a level
that allows you to hear sounds
outside of the vehicle including car
horns and particularly emergency
vehicle sirens.
NOTE
lTo prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the audio system
on for a long period of time when the
engine is not running.
lIf a cellular phone or CB radio is used in
or near the vehicle, it could cause noise to
occur from the audio system, however, this
does not indicate that the system has been
damaged.
Interior Comfort
Audio System
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