wheel MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR 2016 User Guide

3–44
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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 the vehicle.
 Do not race the engine. Do not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
 Do not drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods of
time.
 Avoid unnecessary hard stops. Avoid full-throttle starts.
Saving Fuel and
Protection of the
Environment
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save fuel and
reduce CO2.
 Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving. Avoid fast starts. Drive at lower speeds. Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking). Follow the maintenance schedule
(page 6-4) and have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer perform inspections and
servicing.
 Use the air conditioner only when
necessary. Slow down on rough roads. Keep the tires properly inflated. Do not carry unnecessary weight. Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. Keep the wheels in correct alignment. Keep windows closed at high speeds. Slow 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.
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3–45
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:Downshifting into lower gear
while driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
 Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking. Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering. Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-62. If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
 For more traction in starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow,
use sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting, or
other nonslip material under the front
wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front wheels.
Floor Mat
WARNING
Make sure the floor mats are hooked on
the retention pins to prevent them from
bunching up under the foot pedals: Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation,
which could result in an accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side: Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
If using a heavy duty floor mat for
winter use always remove the original
floor mat.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
When setting a floor mat, position the floor
mat so that its grommets are inserted over
the pointed end of the retention posts.
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3–46
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than
56 km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle:When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever
from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
 Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page
6-30.
 Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity. Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-27).
 Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections. Use washer fluid made with antifreeze—
but do not use engine coolant antifreeze
for washer fluid (page 6-32).
NOTE
 Do not use the parking brake in fr eezing
weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift
to P with an automatic transaxle and to
1 or R with a manual transaxle. Block
the rear wheels.
 Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
 Do not apply excessive for ce to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
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3–47
Before Driving
Driving Tips
 Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
 Drive slowly. Braking performance
can be adversely affected if snow or
ice adheres to the brake components. If
this situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
Except Mexico
The vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates you
may find it necessary to replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.
Mexico
The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels: Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
 Chains may a ffect handling. Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
 Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns. Avoid locked-wheel braking. Do not use chains on a temporary spare
tire; it may result in damage to the
vehicle and to the tire.
 Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
 Chains may scr atch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tire
chains.
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3–48
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Install the chains on the front tires only.
Do not use chains on the rear tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. If your vehicle is equipped with wheel
covers remove them, otherwise the
chain bands will scratch them.
2. Secure the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions.
3. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile).
Driving In Flooded Area
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 the vehicle on flooded
roads as it could cause short circuiting
of electrical/electronic parts, or
engine damage or stalling from
water absorption. If the vehicle has
been immersed in water, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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3–51
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Towing
Your Mazda is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer
to "Towing Description" (page 7-21)
and "Tiedown Hooks" (page 7-22) and
carefully follow the instructions.
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4–4
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
Ignition Switch
Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
Indicator light
NOTE
 The engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the clutch
pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake
pedal (automatic transaxle). To switch
the ignition position, press the push
button start without depressing the
pedal.
 Do not leave the ignition switched ON
while the engine is not running. Doing
so could result in the battery going
dead. If the ignition is left in ACC (For
automatic transaxle, the selector lever
is in the P position, and the ignition
is in ACC), the ignition switches off
automatically after about 25 minutes. Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start indicator
light (amber) also turns off.
In this position the steering wheel is
locked.
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector 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 selector
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.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been
pressed to ACC, and the doors will not
lock/unlock even if they have been locked
manually.
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4–30
When Driving
Transaxle
Shift Position Indication
The selector position is indicated when the
ignition is switched ON.
Gear position indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear is displayed.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-21.
Transaxle Ranges
 The shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates. Refer to
Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-20.
 The selector lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the front
wheels from rotating.
WARNING
Always set the selector lever to P and set
the parking brake: Only setting the selector lever to the
P position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle is dangerous.
If P fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident.
CAUTION
 Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is
moving can damage your transaxle. Shifting into a driving gear or reverse
when the engine is running faster than
idle can damage the transaxle.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete
stop before shifting to or from R, except
under rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 3-46).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
WARNING
If the engine is running faster than idle,
do not shift from N or P into a driving
gear: It's dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine
is running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move suddenly,
causing an accident or serious injury.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle: Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot
be applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury.
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4–32
When Driving
Transaxle
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer to have the system checked.
Manual Shift Mode
The manual shift mode gives you the feel
of driving a manual transaxle vehicle by
allowing you to operate the selector lever
manually. This allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the drive wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
 (For vehicles with type C instrument
cluster*1)
If the engine speed is about to exceed
the permissible engine speed, the buzzer
sounds.
Refer to Over Rev. Buzzer on page
7-39.
*1 To determine which instrument
cluster is equipped on your Mazda,
Refer to Meters and Gauges on page
4-11.
 Changing to manual shift mode while
driving will not damage the transaxle.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift the
lever from M to D.
NOTE
 If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
 If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator
pedal when driving in D range, 5th
gear/6th gear, the gear will shift to M4/
M5.
Indicators
Manual shift mode indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indication
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Type A
Manual shift mode indication
Gear position indication
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4–34
When Driving
Transaxle
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
(
) toward you once with your
fingers.
UP switch
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers on the steering
shift switches: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.
 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 sufficient amount
of time.
Manually Shifting down
(M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2 → M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, move the
selector lever forward
once.
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