MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2011 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (200,1)
qDashboard Illumination
Rotate the knob to adjust the brightness of
the instrument cluster and other
illuminations in the dashboard.
NOTE
lThe brightness of dashboard illuminations
can be adjusted when the headlight switch
is in the
orposition.lWhen the dashboard illumination
brightness cannot be adjusted any more, a
beep sound will be heard.
l(Black-out meter)
The brightness of the instrument cluster
illumination can be adjusted when the
headlight switch is in any position.
Bright
Dim
Canceling the illumination dimmer
When the headlight switch is in the
orposition, the illumination of the
instrument cluster and the information
display dims.
When driving on snowy or foggy roads,
or in other situations when the instrument
cluster or information display's visibility
is reduced due to glare from surrounding
brightness, cancel the illumination
dimmer and increase the illumination
intensity. To cancel the illumination dimmer, press
the dashboard illumination knob.
NOTE
lThis symbol () indicates the knob to
adjust the brightness of the dashboard
illumination.
lIf the illumination dimmer is cancelled, the
instrument cluster and the information
display will not dim when the headlight
switch is turned to the
orposition
again. Press the dashboard illumination
knob to activate the illumination dimmer.
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page200
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F

Black plate (201,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-43
Charging System Warning Light5-45
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light5-45
Check Engine Light5-46
High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light (Red)5-46
ABS Warning Light5-44
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light5-47
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page201
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F

Black plate (202,1)
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-47
Check Fuel Cap Warning Light5-47
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep5-47
Door-Ajar Warning Light5-49
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light5-49
Automatic Transaxle Warning Light5-49
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light5-50
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green)5-52
Security Indicator Light5-53
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light5-54
Shift Position Indicator Light5-54
Low Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Light (Blue) 5-54
TCS/DSC Indicator Light5-54
DSC OFF Indicator Light5-55
AFS OFF Indicator Light5-55
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-55
5-42
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page202
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F

Black plate (203,1)
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Lights-On Indicator Light 5-56
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light5-56
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights5-56
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Brake system warningí
Illuminates when there is a malfunction in
the brake switch.
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 8-23).
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
5-43íSome models.
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page203
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F

Black plate (204,1)
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.
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.
q
Electronic 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.
5-44
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page204
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F

Black plate (205,1)
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.
If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off 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 8-20). 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-45
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page205
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F

Black plate (206,1)
qCheck 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 take appropriate
measures.
Refer to Overheating (page 7-15).
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle with the high
engine coolant temperature warning
light illuminated. Otherwise, it could
result in damage to the engine.
5-46
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page206
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F

Black plate (207,1)
qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system is working properly, the warning
light illuminates when the ignition is
switched ON or after the engine is
cranked. The warning light turns off after
a specified period of time.
A system malfunction is indicated if the
warning light constantly flashes,
constantly illuminates or does not
illuminate at all when the ignition is
switched ON. If any of these occur,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible. The system may not
work in an accident.
WARNING
Never tamper with the air bag/
pretensioner systems and always have
an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform
all servicing and repairs:Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled causing
serious injury or death.
qLow Fuel Warning Light
This warning light signals that the fuel
tank will soon be empty.
Refuel as soon as possible.
qCheck Fuel Cap Warning Light
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the check fuel cap warning light
illuminates while driving, the fuel-filler
cap may not be installed properly. Stop
the engine and reinstall the fuel-filler cap.
Refer to the fuel-filler cap on page 3-48.
qSeat Belt Warning Light/Beep
The seat belt warning light illuminates
and a beep sound will be heard if the
driver's seat belt is not fastened when the
ignition is switched ON.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-47
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page207
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F

Black plate (208,1)
Conditions of operation
ConditionResult
The driver's seat belt is not
fastened when the ignition is
switched ON. The warning light
illuminates for about 1
minute and a beep
sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened while the warning
light and the beep sound are
activated. The warning light
turns off and the beep
sound stops.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened before the ignition
is switched ON. The warning light will
not illuminate and the
beep sound will not be
heard.
Belt minder
NOTE
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
deactivate or restore the belt minder. Though
the belt minder can be deactivated, doing so
will defeat the purpose of the system to warn
the driver and the front passenger in the event
that their seat belts are not fastened. For the
safety of the driver and front passenger, Mazda
recommends not deactivating the belt minder.
Driver seated/Front passenger not
seated*1
The belt minder is a supplemental
warning to the seat belt warning function.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition is switched ON, the
warning light/beep operates to give you
further reminders according to the chart
below.
*1 The belt minder operates according to
the chart below even if the front
passenger is seated (Without Driver
and Front Passenger Occupant
Classification System).
Condition Vehicle speed
Between 0 ―20
km/h
(0 ― 12 mph) 20 km/h
(12 mph) or more
Seat belt
(Driver)
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened: Unfastened: Illuminated: Flashing: Beep
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period has passed.
5-48
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page208
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F

Black plate (209,1)
Driver seated/Front passenger seated
The seat belt warning function reminds
the front passenger to fasten the seat belt
according to the chart below.
ConditionVehicle speed
Between 0 ―20
km/h
(0 ― 12 mph) 20 km/h
(12 mph) or more
Seat belt
(Driver)
Seat belt
(Passenger)
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened: Unfastened: Illuminated: Flashing: Beep
Placing heavy items on the front
passenger seat may cause the front
passenger seat belt warning function to
operate depending on the weight of the
item.
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period has passed.
NOTE
lTo allow the front passenger seat weight
sensor to function properly, do not place
and sit on an additional seat cushion on the
front passenger seat. The sensor may not
function properly because the additional
seat cushion could cause sensor
interference.
lWhen a small child sits on the front
passenger seat, it is possible that neither
the warning light nor the warning beep
operate.
q Door-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when any
door, trunk, or liftgate is not securely
closed.
Close the door, trunk, or liftgate securely
before driving the vehicle.
qLow Washer Fluid Level
Warning Lightí
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page
8-26).
qAutomatic Transaxle Warning
Light (Automatic Transaxle)
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
The light illuminates when the transaxle
has a problem.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-49íSome models.
Mazda3_8BM6-EC-10F_Edition1 Page209
Monday, June 7 2010 2:33 PM
Form No.8BM6-EC-10F