MAZDA MODEL 6 2021 Owners Manual

Parking brake automatic release
If the accelerator pedal is depressed with
the parking brake applied and all of the
following conditions met, the parking
brake is released automatically.
The engine is running.
The driver's door is closed.
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
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 may be
released automatically. If you do not
intend to drive immediately, shift the
selector lever to the P or N position.
▼ Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-28.
▼Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This caus
es 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.
WA R N I N G
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.
When Driving
Brake
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▼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 effect 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 effect 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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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 w hen 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 appr opriately 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 vehicle no t 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 posi tion 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.
 The brake pedal operation demand warning light (red) flashes and the warning sound is
activated at the same time.
(Red)
[Brake Hold Unavailable Depress Brake to Hold Position] is displayed in the
multi-information display and the warning sound is activated at the same time.
When Driving
Brake
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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 and apply the parking brake.
CAUTION
If you stop operating the accelerator pedal befo re the vehicle starts moving, the force holding
the vehicle in the stopped position may weaken. Firmly depress the brake pedal or depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
NOTE
Under the following conditions, a problem wi th the AUTOHOLD is occurring. Have your
vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
The brake pedal operation demand warning ligh t (red) in the instrument cluster flashes
and the warning sound is activated for about 5 seconds while the AUTOHOLD is
operating or when you press the AUTOHOLD switch.
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 your 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 is shifted to R position while the
vehicle is on level ground, or facing up a hill or grade (as shown below).
Level ground
: Driving in reverse (selector lever in R)
Vehicle tilts forward Vehicle tilts rearward
AUTOHOLD :
Operates AUTOHOLD :
Does not operate,
canceled
AUTOHOLD :
Does not operate,
canceled
When Driving
Brake
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▼To Turn On AUTOHOLD System
Press the AUTOHOLD
switch and when
the AUTOHOLD standby indicator light
turns on, the AUTOHOLD function turns
on.
AUTOHOLD standby
indicator light
NOTE
When all of the following conditions are
met, the AUTOHOLD standby indicator
light turns on when the AUTOHOLD
switch is pressed and the AUTOHOLD
function turns on.
The ignition is switched ON (engine is
running).
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
The driver's door is closed.
There is no problem with the
AUTOHOLD function.
To operate AUTOHOLD and hold the
brakes
1. Depress the brake pedal and bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. The AUTOHOLD active indicator
light in the instrume nt cluster turns on
and the brakes are held.
3. The vehicle is held in its stopped
position even with the brake pedal
released.
NOTE
When all of the following conditions are
met, the AUTOHOLD operates and the
brakes are held.
The ignition is swit ched ON (engine is
running).
The vehicle is stopped.
The brake pedal is being depressed.
The AUTOHOLD active indicator light
turns on.
The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
The driver's door is closed.
There is no problem with the
AUTOHOLD function.
The parking brake is released.
There is no problem with the Electric
Parking Brake (EPB) function.
The selector lever is in a position other
than R position or the vehicle tilts
forward with the selector lever in the R
position.
When Driving
Brake
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To release AUTOHOLD and start
driving the vehicle
If you try to resume driving the vehicle,
the brakes release automatically and the
AUTOHOLD active indicator light turns
off.
NOTE
If the Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
switch is pulled while the AUTOHOLD
is operating, the parking brake is
applied and the AUTOHOLD is
released. In addition, if the parking
brake is released under this condition,
the AUTOHOLD operates to hold the
brakes.
Under the following conditions, the
parking brake is automatically applied
and the AUTOHOLD is released. The
AUTOHOLD is re-enabled when the
conditions before the AUTOHOLD is
released are restored.
The driver’s seat belt is unfastened.
The driver’s door is opened.
When about 10 minutes or longer have
passed since the AUTOHOLD operation
started, the parking brake is
automatically applied. Because the
AUTOHOLD is restored when releasing
the parking brake, the hold on the
brakes by AUTOHOLD function
resumes.
▼ To Turn Off AUTOHOLD System
Depress the brake pedal and press the
AUTOHOLD switch. The AUTOHOLD is
turned off and the AUTOHOLD standby
indicator light turns off.
AUTOHOLD standby
indicator light
NOTE
When the brakes are not held such as
while driving the vehicle, the
AUTOHOLD can be turned off only by
pressing the AUTOHOLD switch.
When Driving
Brake
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(Type A/B instrument cluster)
If the AUTOHOLD switch is pressed
without depressing the brake pedal
while AUTOHOLD is operating
(AUTOHOLD active indicator light in
instrument cluster is turned on), the
message Brake Pedal Must Be
Depressed to Deactivate Auto Hold
System is indicated on the
multi-information display to notify the
driver to depress the brake pedal.
(Type C instrument cluster)
If the AUTOHOLD switch is pressed
without depressing the brake pedal
while the AUTOHOLD is operating
(AUTOHOLD active indicator light is
turned on), the brake pedal operation
demand indicator light (green) in the
instrument cluster turns on to notify the
driver that it is necessary to depress the
brake pedal.
(Green)
If any of the follow ing conditions occurs
while the AUTOHOLD function is
operating (AUTOHOLD active indicator
light is turned on), the parking brake is
applied automatically and the
AUTOHOLD function turns off. For the
Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
operation, refer to the Electric Parking
Brake (EPB) on page 4-101.
The ignition is switched OFF.
There is a problem with the
AUTOHOLD function.
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
HLA is a function which assists the driver
in accelerating from a stop while on a
slope. When the driver releases the brake
pedal and depresses the accelerator pedal
while on a slope, the function prevents the
vehicle from rolling. T he braking force is
maintained automatically after the brake
pedal is released on a steep grade.
HLA operates on a downward slope when
the selector lever is in the reverse (R)
position, and on an upward slope when the
selector lever is in a forward gear.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely completely on HLA :
HLA is an auxiliary device for accelerating
from a stop on a slope. The system only
operates for about 2 seconds and
therefore, relying only on the system, when
accelerating from a stop is dangerous
because the vehicle may move (roll)
unexpectedly and cause an accident.
The vehicle could roll depending on the
vehicle's load or if it is towing something.
Always confirm the safety around the
vehicle before starting to drive the vehicle.
NOTE
HLA does not operate on a gentle slope.
In addition, the gradient of the slope on
which the system will operate changes
depending on the vehicle's load.
HLA does not operate if the parking
brake is applied, or if the vehicle has not
stopped completely.
HLA is operating, the brake pedal may
feel stiff and vibrate, however, this does
not indicate a malfunction.
When Driving
Brake
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HLA does not operate while the
TCS/DSC indicator light is illuminated.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-28.
HLA does not turn off even if the DSC
OFF switch is pressed to turn off the
TCS/DSC.
When Driving
Brake
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Antilock Brake System(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.

The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue
to depress the brake pedal without
pumping the brakes.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-28.
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for safe
driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle too
closely), driving on ice and snow, and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
The sound of the ABS operating may be
heard when starting the engine or
immediately after starting the vehicle,
however, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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Traction Control System(TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by controlling
engine torque and braking. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque and operates the brakes to
prevent loss of traction.

This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts autom atically to provide
optimum power to th e drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin a nd loss of traction.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-28.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely on the Traction Control System
(TCS) as a substitute for safe driving:
The Traction Control System (TCS) cannot
compensate for unsafe and reckless
driving, excessive speed, tailgating
(following another vehicle too closely), and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are covered
with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction devices on
snow and/or ice-covered roads is
dangerous. The Traction Control System
(TCS) alone cannot provide adequate
traction and you could still have an
accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-114).
▼ TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light flashes.

If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC or the
brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating properly.
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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