MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2020 Owners Manual (in English)

▼Indications
1. Manual shift mode indication
2. Gear position indication
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.

NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the gear
position indication will flash twice to
signal that the gears cannot be shifted
down (to protect the transmission).
If the automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) temperature becomes too high,
there is the possibility that the
transmission will switch to automatic
shift mode, canceling manual shift mode
and turning off the gear position
indication illuminati
on. This is a normal
function to protect the AT. After the ATF
temperature has decreased, the gear
position indication illumination turns
back on and driving in manual shift
mode is restored.
▼ Manually Shifting Up
You can shift gears up by operating the
selector lever or
the steering shift
switches
*.
M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 → M5 → M6
Using selector lever
To shift up to a hig her gear, tap the
selector lever back + once.

Using steering shift switch*
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
(+/OFF) towa rd you once with your
fingers.

1. UP switch (+/OFF)
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
*Some models.4-37
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WA R N I N G
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.
Do not drive the vehicle with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE
while in manual shift mode. In addition,
manual shift mode switches to automatic
shift mode while the accelerator pedal is
completely depressed.
This function is canceled while the DSC
is turned off. However, if the vehicle is
continuously driven at a high rpm, the
gears may automatically shift up to
protect the engine.
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 (+/OFF) is
pulled rearward for a sufficient amount
of time.
▼ Manually Shifting Down
You can shift gears down by operating the
selector lever or the steering shift
switches
*.
M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2→ M1
Using selector lever
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the
selector lever forward – once.

Using steering shift switch*
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch (–) to ward you once with your
fingers.

1. DOWN switch (–)
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-38*Some models.
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WA R N I N G
Do not use engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet, snowy,
or frozen roads, or while driving at high
speeds causes sudden engine braking,
which 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.
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 at high speeds, the gear
may not shift down.
During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed.
When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transmission will shift to a lower
gear, depending on vehicle speed.
However, the gears do not kickdown
while the DSC is turned off.
▼ Second Gear Fixed Mode
When the selector lever is moved back +
while the vehicle speed is about 10 km/h
(6.2 mph) or less, the t
ransmission is set in
the second gear fixed mode. The gear is
fixed in second while in this mode for
easier acceleration from a stop and driving
on slippery roads such as snow-covered
roads.
If the selector lever is moved back + or
forward – while in the second gear fixed
mode, the mode will be canceled.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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▼Shift Gear (Shifting) Speed Limit
For each gear position
while in the manual mode, the speed limi t is set as follows: When the
selector lever is operated within the range of the speed limit, the gear is shifted.

1. 1st
2. 2nd
3. 3rd
4. 4th
5. 5th
6. 6th
Shift up
The gear does not shift up while the vehicle speed is lower than the speed limit.
Shift down
The gear does not shift down wh ile the vehicle speed exceeds th e speed limit.
If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit and the gear does not shift down, the gear
position indication flashes 2 tim es to notify the driver that the gear cannot be shifted.
Kickdown
When the accelerator pedal is depressed fully while driving, th e gear shifts down.
However, the gears do not kickdown while the DSC is turned off.
NOTE
The gear also shifts down using kickdown while in the second gear fixed mode.
Auto-shift down
The gear shifts down automatically depending on the vehicle spe ed during deceleration.
NOTE
If the vehicle comes to a stop while in the second gear fixed mode, the gear remains in
second.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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▼Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, Mazda recommends these sh
ift points:
(U.S.A. and Canada)
Gear Vehicle speed*1
M1 to M224 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 81 km/h (50 mph)
*1 Always observe local speed limit regulations.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift before the
engine starts to overwork. This gives better acceleration when you need more speed.

On a steep downgrade, downshifting helps maintain safe speed an d prolongs brake life.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Direct Mode*
▼Direct Mode
Direct mode can be u
sed for temporarily
switching gears by operating the steering
shift switch while the vehicle is being
driven with the selector lever in the D
position.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indication illuminate a nd the gear position
in use is illuminated.
1. Direct mode indication
2. Gear position indication

Direct mode is canceled (released) under
the following conditions.
The UP switch (+/OFF) is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of time or
longer.
The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating).
The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.

NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct mode
may not be possible depending on the
vehicle speed. In addition, because direct
mode is canceled (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 ve hicle in a particular
gear for long periods.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-42*Some models.
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Driving Tips
▼Driving Tips
WA R N I N G
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
difficult 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 transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
NOTE
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.
While the selector lever is in the M
position and the DSC is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch to
automatic shift mode even if the
accelerator pedal is completely
depressed. Operate the selector lever.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight and
grade steepness. Desce nd slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Lighting Control
▼Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to tur
n the headlights and other exterior lights on or off.
When the taillights, parking lights, licen se plate lights, and the side-marker lights are turned
on, the lights-on indicator light in the instrument cluster tur ns on.

NOTE
If the light switch is left on, the lights will automatically switch off approximately 30
seconds after switching the ignition off.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
To prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while th e engine is off unless
safety requires them.
Without auto-light control
Switch Position OFF
Headlights OffOff
On*1
Daytime running lights On*2On*2Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off
On
*3On*1
*1 When the ignition is switched from ON to ACC or OFF, the headl ights turn off if the auto headlight off
function has been canceled. If the auto headlight off function is enabled, the lights turn on for the set period
using the auto headlight off function, and then they turn off.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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*2 When the light switch is switched to a different position from the OFF, position while the vehicle is
stopped, the daytime running light s turn off. When starting to drive the vehicle, the daytime running lights turn
on again.
*3 When the ignition is switched fr om ON to ACC or OFF, the headlights remain on if the auto headlight off
function has been canceled. If the auto headlight off function is enabled, the lights turn on for the set period
using the auto headlight off function, and then they turn off.
With auto-light control
Switch Position OFF*1
AUTO
Surround‐
ings are
bright
*2
Surround‐ ings are
dark
*3
Surround‐ ings are
bright
*2
Surround‐ ings are
dark
*3
Headlights Off Off On Off
On*4*5On*6
Daytime running lightsOff
On*7OffOn*8Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off Off On
On
*9On*9On*6
*1 When the light switch is switched to OFF while the vehicle is stopped, the lights turn off. The light switch
returns automatically to the AUTO position and the headlights c hange to AUTO operation when you start
driving the vehicle.
*2 The level of brightness around the vehicle is of a sufficient level.*3 The level of brightness around the vehicle is of an insufficie nt level.*4 The daytime running lights can be disabled using the personali zation features (page 4-49). If the daytime
running lights are disabled, the headlights turn off directly a fter starting the engine. The headlights turn on
when you begin driving the vehicle.
*5 When the light switch is sw itched from the OFF, AUTO, or position to the position while the
vehicle is stopped, the headlight s turn off. When starting to drive the vehicle, the headlights turn on again.
*6 When the ignition is switched fr om ON to ACC or OFF, the headlights turn off if the auto headlight off
function has been canceled. If the auto headlight off function is enabled, the lights turn on for the set period
using the auto headlight off function, and then they turn off.
*7 When the light switch is switche d to a different position from the AUTO position while the vehicle is stopped,
the daytime running lights turn off. When starting to drive the vehicle, the daytime running lights turn on
again.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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*8 If one of the following operations is done from the position while the vehicle is stopped, the daytime
running lights turn off.
Switch the light switch to the OFF position.
Switch the light switch to the AUTO position, and then to the position again.
Switch the light switch to the position.
When starting to drive the vehic le, the daytime running lights turn on again.
*9 When the ignition is switched from ON to ACC or OFF, the headl ights remain on if the auto headlight off
function has been canceled. If the auto headlight off function is enabled, the lights turn on for the set period
using the auto headlight off function, and then they turn off.
Auto-light control
When the headlight switch is in the AUTO position and the ignit ion is switched ON, the
light sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and a utomatically turns the
headlights and other exterior lights on or off.
CAUTION
 Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a st icker or a label on the windshield. 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 windshield when the wiper lever is in the AUTO position and the
ignition is switched ON as fingers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades could be
damaged when the wipers activate automaticall y. If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off completely when it is partic
ularly tempting to leave the
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE
The headlights and other exterior lights may not turn off immediately even if the
surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor determines that it is night time
if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several minutes such as inside long
tunnels, traffic jams inside tunnels, or in indoor parking lots.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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