MAZDA MODEL 3 SEDAN 2021 Owners Manual

▼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 o ff the gear
position indication illumination. 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 higher 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) toward you once with
your fingers.

1. UP switch (+/OFF)
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
*Some models.4-39
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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.
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 o ff. 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 su fficient
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 (–) toward you once with your
fingers.

1. DOWN switch (–)
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-40*Some models.
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WARNING
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
o ff.
▼ 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
transmission 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 limit 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 vehi cle speed is lower than the speed limit.
Shift down
The gear does not shift down while th e vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit.
If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limi t and the gear does not shift down, the
gear position indication flashes 2 times to notify the driver that the gear cannot be
shifted.
Kickdown
When the accelerator pedal is depressed fu lly while driving, the gear shifts down.
However, the gears do not kickdown while the DSC is turned o ff.
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 speed 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 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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Direct Mode*
▼Direct Mode
Direct mode can be used 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 and 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
di ffers 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 vehicle in a particular gear for
long periods.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-44*Some models.
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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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Lighting Control
▼Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to turn the head
lights and other exterior lights on or off.
When the taillights, parking lights, license plate lights, and the side-marker lights are
turned on, the lights-on indicator light in the instrument cluster turns on.

NOTE
If the light switch is left on, the lights will automatically switch o ff approximately
30 seconds after switching the ignition o ff.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
To prevent discharging the battery, do no t leave the lights on while the engine is
o ff unless safety requires them.
Without auto-light control
Switch Position OFF
Headlights Off Off
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 headlights turn o ff if the auto headlight
o ff 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 lights turn o ff. When starting to drive the vehicle, the daytime
running lights turn on again.
*3 When the ignition is switched from 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 o ff function, and then they turn o ff.
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 lights O ff
On*7Off On*8Off Off
Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights Off
OffOn
On
*9On*9On*6
*1 When the light switch is switched to OFF while the vehicle is stopped, the lights turn o ff. The light
switch returns automatically to the AUTO position and the headlights change to AUTO operation
when you start driving the vehicle.
*2 The level of brightness around the vehicle is of a su fficient level.*3 The level of brightness around the vehicle is of an insu fficient level.*4 The daytime running lights can be disabled usin g the personalization features (page 4-51). If the
daytime running lights are disabled, the headlights turn o ff directly after starting the engine. The
headlights turn on when you begin driving the vehicle.
*5 When the light switch is switched from the OFF, AUTO, or position to the position while
the vehicle is stopped, the headlights turn o ff. When starting to drive the vehicle, the headlights turn
on again.
*6 When the ignition is switched from ON to ACC or OFF, the headlights turn o ff if the auto headlight
o ff function has been canceled. If the auto headlight o ff function is enabled, the lights turn on for the
set period using the auto headlight o ff function, and then they turn o ff.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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*7 When the light switch is switched to a different position from the AUTO position while the vehicle is
stopped, the daytime running lights turn o ff. When starting to drive the vehicle, the daytime running
lights turn on again.
*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 vehicle, the daytime running lights turn on again.
*9 When the ignition is switched from ON to ACC or OFF, the headlights remain on if the auto headlight off function has been canceled. If the auto headlight o ff function is enabled, the lights turn on for the
set period using the auto headlight o ff function, and then they turn o ff.
Auto-light control
When the headlight switch is in the AUTO position and the ignition is switched ON,
the light sensor senses the surrounding li ghtness or darkness and automatically turns
the headlights and other exterior lights on or off.
CAUTION
 Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker 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 automatically. If you are
going to clean the windshield, be sure the wipers are turned o ff completely when
it is particularly tempting to leave the en gine running. This is particularly important
when clearing ice and snow.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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