stop start MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR 2012 Owner's Manual

Black plate (185,1)
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
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page185
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:17 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (196,1)
CAUTION
ØEach tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it
is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Ø Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Ø To avoid false readings, the system samples for a little while before indicating a
problem. As a result it will not instantaneously register a rapid tire deflation or
blow out.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page196
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:17 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (213,1)
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-60
BSM OFF Indicator Light 5-61
Lights-On Indicator Light5-61
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light5-61
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights5-62
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light illuminates when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switched
to START or ON. It turns off when the
parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. You may notice that the pedal is harder to
depress or that it may go closer to the
floor. In either case, it will take longer to
stop the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, open the
hood and check the brake fluid level
immediately, and then add fluid if
required (page 8-24).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light turns off, have your
brake system inspected as soon as
possible by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes an
indicator of leakage. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible even if the
brake light is no longer illuminated.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-49
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page213
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:17 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (214,1)
WARNING
Do not drive with the brake system
warning light illuminated. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible:Driving with the brake system
warning light illuminated is
dangerous. It indicates that your
brakes may not work at all or that
they could completely fail at any
time. If this light remains
illuminated, after checking that the
parking brake is fully released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
qMalfunction Warning Light
When the ignition is switched ON, the
malfunction warning light illuminates and
then turns off after a few seconds.
The light illuminates continuously if any
one of the following occurs. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer:
lThe brake switch has a malfunction.l(SKYACTIV-G 2.0)
There is a problem with the battery
system.
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the
malfunction warning light illuminated.
Driving the vehicle with the light
illuminated is dangerous as it could
result in the loss of brake power and
cause an accident. In addition, loss of
brake power could occur when
stopping the vehicle. Have your
vehicle inspected by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
qABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
lWhen the engine is jump-started to charge
the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs,
it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
l(With DSC vehicles)
The brake assist system does not operate
while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
5-50
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page214
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:17 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (215,1)
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may illuminate the brake
system warning light and the ABS
warning light on simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
qCharging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated because the engine could
stop unexpectedly.
qEngine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-51
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page215
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:17 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (216,1)
If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and parkoff the right-of-way on level ground.
2. Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
3. Inspect the engine oil level (page 8-21). If it's low, add the appropriate amount
of engine oil while being careful not to
overfill.
4. Start the engine and check the warning light.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add oil, stop the engine immediately
and have your vehicle towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil
pressure is low. It could result in
extensive engine damage.
q Check Engine Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
If this light illuminates while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light illuminated and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The check engine light may illuminate in
the following cases:
lThe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
lThe engine's electrical system has a
problem.
lThe emission control system has a
problem.
lThe fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on or
flashes continuously, do not drive at high
speeds and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
qHigh Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light (Red)
When the ignition is switched ON, the
light illuminates momentarily and then
turns off.
The light flashes when the engine coolant
temperature is extremely high, and
illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature increases further.
Handling Procedure
Flashing light
Drive slowly to reduce engine load.
Illuminated light
This indicates the possibility of
overheating. Park the vehicle in a safe
place immediately and stop the engine.
Refer to Overheating (page 7-16).
5-52
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page216
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:17 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (222,1)
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) will flash
continuously when the push button
start has not been pressed off to notify
the driver that the advanced key has
been removed. The KEY warning light
(red) will stop flashing when the
advanced key is back inside the
vehicle:
lThe push button start has not been
pressed off, the driver's door is
open, and the advanced key is
removed from the vehicle.
lThe push button start has not been
pressed off and all the doors are
closed after removing the advanced
key from the vehicle.
NOTE
Because the advanced key utilizes low-intensity
radio waves, the Advanced Key Removed From
Vehicle Warning may activate if the advanced
key is carried together with a metal object or it
is placed in a poor signal reception area.
KEY Indicator Light (Green)
When illuminated
When the brake pedal is depressed with
an automatic transaxle or the clutch pedal
is depressed with a manual transaxle, the
system confirms that the correct advanced
key is inside the vehicle, the KEY
indicator light (green) illuminates, and the
push button start can be pressed to ACC
(page 3-12).
When flashing
When the push button start is pressed off
from ON, the KEY indicator light (green)
flashes for approximately 30 seconds
indicating that the remaining battery
power is low. Replace with a new battery
before the advanced key becomes
unusable. Refer to Service on page 3-7.
NOTE
The advanced key can be set so that the KEY
indicator light (green) does not flash even if
the battery power is low.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
10-12.
q
Security Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 2
seconds when the ignition is switched
from ON to ACC and the immobilizer
system is armed.
The light stops flashing when the ignition
is switched ON with the correct ignition
key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is
disarmed and the light illuminates for
about 3 seconds and then turns off.
If the engine does not 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.
5-58
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page222
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:17 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (225,1)
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.
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page225
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:17 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (288,1)
qOperating the Compact Disc (CD) Player
Track down/Reverse button
Track up/Fast-
forward button
CD eject button
CD slot
CD play button
Display button Folder
down button
Folder up
button
Random button Repeat button
Text button
Load buttonScan button
Play/Pause button
Type
Playable data
Music/MP3/WMA CD
player
lMusic data (CD-DA)lMP3/WMA file
NOTE
If a disc has both music data (CD-DA) and
MP3/WMA files, playback of the two or three
file types differs depending on how the disc
was recorded.
Inserting the CD
Insert the CD into the slot, label-side up.
The auto-loading mechanism will set the
CD and begin play.
NOTE
There will be a short lapse before play begins
while the player reads the digital signals on
the CD.
Ejecting the CD
Press the CD eject button (
) to eject the
CD.
Playback
Press the CD play button (
) to start
play when a CD is in the unit.
If a CD is not in the unit when the CD
play button (
) is pressed, “NO DISC ”
will flash on and off.
NOTE
When the load button () is pressed, the
CD will load and play even if the CD eject
button (
) had been previously pressed.
Pause
To stop playback, press the Play/Pause
button (
).
Press the button again to resume
playback.
6-46
Interior Comfort
Audio System
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page288
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:18 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (294,1)
Pause
To stop playback, press the Play/Pause
button (
).
Press the button again to resume
playback.
Fast-forward/Reverse
Press and hold the fast-forward button
(
) to advance through a track at high
speed.
Press and hold the reverse button (
)to
reverse through a track at high speed.
Track search
Press the track up button (
) or turn the
file dial clockwise once to skip forward to
the beginning of the next track.
Press the track down button (
) or turn
the file dial counterclockwise once to skip
back to the beginning of the current track.
Disc search
To change the disc, press the DISC button
(
or) during playback.
Folder search (during MP3/WMA CD
playback)
To change to the previous folder, press the
folder down button (
), or press the
folder up button (
) to advance to the
next folder.
Music scan
During music CD playback
This function scans the titles on a CD and
plays 10 seconds of each song to aid you
in finding a song you want to listen to.
During MP3/WMA CD playback
This function scans the titles in a folder
currently being played and plays 10
seconds of each song to aid you in finding
a song you want to listen to. Press the scan button (
) during
playback to start the scan play operation
(the track number will flash).
Press the scan button (
) again to
cancel scan playback.
NOTE
If the unit is left in scan, normal playback will
resume where scan was selected.
Repeat playback
During music CD playback
1. Press the repeat button (
) during
playback to play the current track
repeatedly. “RPT ”is displayed.
2. Press the button again to cancel the repeat playback.
During MP3/WMA CD playback
(Track repeat)
1. Press the repeat button (
) during
playback to play the current track
repeatedly. “TRACK RPT ”is
displayed.
2. To cancel the repeat playback, press the button again after 3 seconds.
(Folder repeat)
1. Press the repeat button (
) during
playback, and then press the button
again within 3 seconds to play the
tracks in the current folder repeatedly.
“ FOLDER RPT ”is displayed.
2. Press the button again to cancel the repeat playback.
Random playback
Tracks are randomly selected and played.
6-52
Interior Comfort
Audio System
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page294
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:18 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F