brake MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2021 Owner's Guide

▼Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, Mazda recommends these shift 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 tra ffic 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 ma intain safe speed and prolongs brake
life.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Driving Tips
▼Driving Tips
WARNING
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 diffi
cult to
control the vehicle which could result
in an accident.
Pa s s i n g
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 o ff,
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. Descend
slowly, using the brakes only
occasionally to prevent them from
overheating.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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Brake System
▼Foot Brake
This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through
normal use.

Should power-assist fail, you can stop
by applying greater force than normal
to the brake pedal. But the distance
required to stop will be greater than
usual.
WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stalled
or turned o
ff, fi nd a safe place to stop:
Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned o ff is dangerous. Braking will
require more e ffort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause longer
stopping distances or even an
accident.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep hills:
Driving with your foot continuously on
the brake pedal or steadily applying
the brakes for long distances is
dangerous. This causes overheated
brakes, resulting in longer stopping
distances or even total brake failure.
This could cause loss of vehicle control
and a serious accident. Avoid
continuous application of the brakes.
Dry o ff 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
a ff ected.
CAUTION
 Do not drive with your foot held on
the clutch pedal or brake pedal, or
hold the clutch pedal depressed
halfway unnecessarily. Doing so
could result in the following:
 The clutch and brake parts will
wear out more quickly.
 The brakes can overheat and
adversely
aff ect brake
performance.
 Always depress the brake pedal with
the right foot. Applying the brakes
with the unaccustomed left foot
could slow your reaction time to an
emergency situation resulting in
insu fficient braking operation.
 Wear shoes appropriate for driving in
order to avoid your shoe contacting
the brake pedal when depressing the
accelerator pedal.
When Driving
Brake
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▼Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
The EPB system applies the parking
brake using an electric motor. The
system can operate automatically and
manually.
The EPB switch indicator light turns on
when applying the parking brake and it
turns off
when releasing the parking
brake.
1. Indicator light
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the
parking brake applied:
If the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake applied, the brake parts may
generate heat and the brake system
may not operate, leading to an
accident.
Before driving the vehicle, release the
parking brake and make sure that the
EPB indicator light in the instrument
cluster turns off.
Apply the parking brake when leaving
the vehicle:
Not applying the parking brake when
parking the vehicle is dangerous as the
vehicle may move unexpectedly and
result in an accident. Before leaving the
vehicle, apply the parking brake and
make sure that the EPB indicator light
in the instrument cluster turns on.
NOTE
The parking brake cannot be applied
or released while the vehicle battery
is dead.
Refer to If a Jump-Starting on page
7-17.
When the charging system warning
light in the instrument cluster turns
on, the parking brake cannot be
applied after switching the ignition
OFF. Before switching the ignition
OFF, apply the parking brake
manually.
The sound of the parking brake being
applied or released can be heard,
however, this does not indicate a
problem.
If the EPB is not used for long
periods, an automatic inspection of
the system is performed while the
vehicle is parked. An operation
sound can be heard, however, this
does not indicate a problem.
When applying the parking brake
and switching OFF the ignition, an
operation sound can be heard,
however, this does not indicate a
problem.
The brake pedal may move while
applying or releasing the parking
brake, however, this does not
indicate a problem.
When Driving
Brake
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If there is a problem with the brake
system (foot brake) while driving the
vehicle, continually pulling up the
EPB switch will apply the brakes and
decelerate or stop the vehicle. The
parking brake on-reminder sound is
activated while the brake is applied.
In addition, when releasing the
switch, the brake is released and the
sound stops.
If the parking brake is applied with
the ignition switched OFF or in ACC,
the EPB indicator light in the
instrument cluster and the indicator
light in the switch may turn on for 15
seconds.
When using an automatic car wash
which moves the vehicle with the
front tires mounted, it is necessary to
cancel the parking brake auto
operation before the vehicle enters
the automatic car wash. For details,
refer to Canceling the parking brake
automatic operation.
Manual operation
Applying the parking brake manually
When the brake pedal is firmly
depressed and the EPB switch is pulled
up, the parking brake is applied
regardless of the ignition position.
When the parking brake is applied, the
EPB indicator light in the instrument
cluster and the EPB switch indicator
light turn on.
Releasing the parking brake manually
When the brake pedal is firmly
depressed and the EPB switch is
pressed while the ignition is switched
ON or the engine is running, the
parking brake is released. When the
parking brake is released, the EPB
indicator light in the instrument cluster
and the EPB switch indicator light turn
o ff.
If the EPB switch is pressed without
depressing the brake pedal, a message
is displayed on the multi-information
display to notify the driver to depress
the brake pedal.
Refer to Message Indicated on
Multi-information Display on page
7-39.
Auto operation
Applying the parking brake
automatically
When the ignition is switched from ON
to ACC or OFF, the parking brake will
be applied automatically. When the
parking brake is applied, the EPB
indicator light in the instrument cluster
and the EPB switch indicator light turn
on.
When Driving
Brake
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NOTE
To release the parking brake when the
ignition is switched OFF, it is necessary
to cancel the parking brake auto
operation. For details, refer to
Canceling the parking brake automatic
operation.
Releasing the parking brake
automatically
If the accelerator pedal is depressed
with the parking brake applied and all
of the following conditions met, the
parking brake is released automatically.
When the parking brake is released,
the EPB indicator light in the
instrument cluster and the EPB switch
indicator light turn off.
The engine is running.The driver's door is closed.The driver's seat belt is fastened.(Manual transmission vehicle)
The shift lever is in a position other
than neutral.
The clutch pedal is depressed
halfway.
(Automatic transmission vehicle)
The selector lever is in the D, M, or R
position.
NOTE
If something such as the driver's foot
contacts the accelerator pedal with the
engine running and the parking brake
applied, the parking brake might be
released automatically. If you do not
intend to start driving the vehicle
immediately, shift the shift lever to the
neutral position for a manual
transmission, or shift the selector lever
to the P or N position for an automatic
transmission.
Canceling the parking brake
automatic operation
The parking brake automatic operation
can be canceled by doing any of the
following after switching the ignition
from ON to OFF.
Auto operation cancel method 1
1. Switch the ignition ON.
2. Release the parking brake manually.
3. Turn o ff the AUTOHOLD.
4. Press the EPB switch continuously for 2 seconds or longer (until a
sound is activated).
5. Release the EPB switch and switch the ignition OFF within 5 seconds
after the sound was activated.
After the auto operation is
canceled, a sound is activated one
time, and the EPB switch indicator
light switches from illumination to
flashing, and then turns o ff after 3
seconds.
Auto operation cancel method 2
1. Switch the ignition ON.
2. Release the parking brake manually.
3. Turn off the AUTOHOLD.
4. Switch the ignition OFF with the EPB switch pressed while the brake
pedal is not depressed.
When the auto operation is
canceled, a sound is activated one
time, and the EPB switch indicator
light goes from normal flashing to
faster flashing , and then turns off
after 3 seconds.
When Driving
Brake
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NOTE
When canceling the parking brake
auto operation and parking the
vehicle, shift the shift lever to the 1st
gear or the R position for a manual
transmission, or shift the selector
lever to the P position for an
automatic transmission, and then
use wheel blocks.
The auto operation may not cancel if
the vehicle is parked on a steep
slope.
When the ignition is switched ON, the
parking brake auto operation is
restored.
▼ Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Brake System Warning
Indication/Warning Light on page
7-27.
▼Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become
worn, the built-in wear indicators
contact the disc plates. This causes a
screeching noise to warn that the pads
should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
In high humidity weather conditions,
brake noises, such as brake squeak or
brake squeal can be heard. It does not
indicate a malfunction.
▼Brake Assist
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the
brake pedal with greater force, the
brake assist system provides braking
assistance, thus
enhancing braking
performance.

When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, the
brakes apply more firmly.
NOTE
When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, the
pedal will feel softer but the brakes
will apply more firmly. This is a
normal eff ect of the brake assist
operation and does not indicate a
malfunction.
When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, a
motor/pump operation noise may
be heard. This is a normal e ffect of
the brake assist and does not
indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist equipment does not
supersede the functionality of the
vehicle's main braking system.
When Driving
Brake
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▼Brake Override System
The brake override system applies the
brake
first for safety if the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal are depressed at
the same time.
NOTE
Operation of the brake override system
can be turned on or off.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
When Driving
Brake
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AUTOHOLD
▼AUTOHOLD
The AUTOHOLD function automatically holds the vehicle stopped, even if you take
your foot
off the brake pedal. This function can be best used while stopped in
traffic
or at a traffic light. The brakes are released when you start driving the vehicle.
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the AUTOHOLD function:
The AUTOHOLD function is only designed to assist the brake operation while the
vehicle is stopped. Neglecting to operate the brakes and relying only on the
AUTOHOLD system is dangerous and could result in an unexpected accident if the
vehicle were to suddenly move. Operate the brakes appropriately in accordance
with the road and surrounding conditions.
Do not release your foot from the brake pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a
steep grade:
Because there is a possibility of the vehicl
e not being held in the stopped position by
the AUTOHOLD function, the vehicle may move unexpectedly and result in an
accident.
Do not use the AUTOHOLD function on slippery roads such as icy or
snow-covered roads, or unpaved roads:
Even if the vehicle is held in the stopped position by the AUTOHOLD function, the
vehicle may move unexpectedly and result in an accident. Operate the accelerator
pedal, brakes, or steering wheel appropriately as necessary.
Immediately depress the brake pedal in the following cases:
Because the AUTOHOLD function is canceled forcibly, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly and result in an accident.
 “Depress Brake Pedal. Brake Hold Disabled” is displayed in the multi-information
display and the warning sound is activated at the same time.
Always apply the parking brake when parking the vehicle:
Not applying the parking brake when parking the vehicle is dangerous as the vehicle
may move unexpectedly and result in an accident. When parking the vehicle, shift
the selector lever to the P position (automatic transmission vehicle) and apply the
parking brake.
When Driving
Brake
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CAUTION
If you stop operating the accelerator pedal before the vehicle starts moving, the
force holding the vehicle in the stopped position may weaken. Firmly depress the
brake pedal or depress the accelerato r pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
NOTE
Under the following conditions, a problem with the AUTOHOLD is occurring.
Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
A message is indicated on the multi-information display and a warning sound is
activated for about 5 seconds while the AUTOHOLD is operating or when you
press the AUTOHOLD switch.
If you switch the ignition OFF while the AUTOHOLD is operating, the parking
brake is applied automatically to assist you with parking the vehicle.
The AUTOHOLD is canceled when the selector lever/shift lever is shifted to R
position while the vehicle is on level ground , or facing up a hill or grade (as shown
below).
Vehicle posture and road surface gradient AUTOHOLD operation status
Ve h i c l e t i l t s f o r wa r d
Operates
Level ground
Does not operate, canceled
Ve h i c l e t i l t s rea r wa rd
Does not operate, canceled
: Reverse driving (selector lever/shift lever in the reverse (R) position)
When Driving
Brake
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