Mazda 3 (2018 year). Manual

Modification and Add-On

Equipment

Mazda cannot guarantee the immobilizer
and the theft-deterrent systems' operation
if the system has been modified or if any
add-on equipment has been installed.

CAUTION

To avoid damage to the vehicle, do not
modify the system or install any add-on
equipment to the immobilizer and the
theft-deterrent systems or the vehicle.

Immobilizer System

The immobilizer system allows the engine
to start only with a key the system
recognizes.

If someone attempts to start the engine
with an unrecognized key, the engine will
not start, thereby helping to prevent
vehicle theft.
If you have a problem with the
immobilizer system or the key, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

CAUTION

Radio equipment like this is governed by

laws in the United States.
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.

To avoid damage to the key, do not:

Drop the key.
Get the key wet.
Expose the key to any kind of magnetic

field.

Expose the key to high temperatures

on places such as the dashboard or
hood, under direct sunlight.

If the engine does not start with the

correct key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Before Driving

Security System

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NOTE



The keys carry a unique electronic code.
For this reason, and to assure your
safety, obtaining a replacement key
requires some waiting time. They are
only available through an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.



Always keep a spare key in case one is
lost. If a key is lost, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.



If you lose a key, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer will reset the electronic codes of
your remaining keys and immobilizer
system. Bring all the remaining keys to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to reset.
Starting the vehicle with a key that has
not been reset is not possible.

▼ Operation

NOTE



The engine may not start and security
indicator light may illuminate or flash if
the key is placed in an area where it is
difficult for the system to detect the
signal, such as on the dashboard or in
the glove compartment. Move the key to
a location within the signal range,
switch the ignition off, and then restart
the engine.



Signals from a TV or radio station, or
from a transceiver or mobile telephone
could interfere with your immobilizer
system. If you are using the proper key
and the engine fails to start, check the
security indicator light.

Arming

The system is armed when the ignition is
switched from ON to off.
The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes every 2 seconds
until the system is disarmed.

Disarming

The system is disarmed when the ignition
is switched ON with the correct
programmed key. The security indicator
light illuminates for about 3 seconds and
then turns off. If the engine does not start
with the correct key, and the security
indicator light remains illuminated or
flashing, try the following:
Make sure the key is within the
operational range for signal transmission.
Switch the ignition off, and then restart the
engine. If the engine does not start after 3
or more tries, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.

NOTE



If the security indicator light flashes
continuously while you are driving, do
not shut off the engine. Go to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer and have it
checked. If the engine is shut off while
the indicator light is flashing, you will
not be able to restart it.



Because the electronic codes are reset
when the immobilizer system is repaired,
the keys are needed. Make sure to bring
all the keys to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer so that they can be programmed.

Before Driving

Security System

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Theft-Deterrent System

If the theft-deterrent system detects an
inappropriate entry into the vehicle, which
could result in the vehicle or its contents
being stolen, the alarm alerts the
surrounding area of an abnormality by
sounding the horn and flashing the hazard
warning lights.

The system will not function unless it's
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, follow the arming procedure
correctly.

▼ Operation

System triggering conditions

The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 30
seconds when the system is triggered by
any one of the following:



Unlocking a door with the auxiliary key,
door lock switch, or an inside door-lock
knob.



Forcing open a door, the hood or the
liftgate/trunk lid.



Opening the hood by operating the hood
release handle.



Switching the ignition ON without using
the push button start.

If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until the driver's
door is unlocked with the transmitter.
(With the advanced keyless function)
The lights and horn can also be
deactivated by pressing the request switch
on a door.

NOTE



If the battery goes dead while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the horn
will activate and the hazard warning
lights will flash when the battery is
charged or replaced.

▼ How to Arm the System

1. Close the windows and the moonroof

securely.

2. Switch the ignition OFF.
3. Make sure the hood, the doors, and the

liftgate/trunk lid are closed.

4. Press the lock button on the transmitter

or lock the driver's door from the
outside with the auxiliary key.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once.
The following method will also arm
the theft-deterrent system:
Press the door-lock switch “ ” while
any door is open and then close all of
the doors.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Press a request switch.

The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes twice per
second for 20 seconds.

5. After 20 seconds, the system is fully

armed.

Before Driving

Security System

*Some models.

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NOTE



The theft-deterrent system can also be
armed by activating the auto relock
function with all the doors, the liftgate/
trunk lid and the hood closed.
Refer to Transmitter on page 3-4.



The system will disarm if one of the
following operations takes place within
20 seconds after pressing the lock
button:



Unlocking any door.



Opening any door.



Opening the hood.



Switching the ignition ON.

To rearm the system, do the arming
procedure again.



When the doors are locked by pressing
the lock button on the transmitter or
using the auxiliary key while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the
hazard warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.

▼ To Turn Off an Armed System

An armed system can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:



Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter.



Starting the engine with the push button
start.



(With the advanced keyless function)



Pressing a request switch on the
doors.

The hazard warning lights will flash twice.

NOTE
When the doors are unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the transmitter while
the theft-deterrent system is turned off, the
hazard warning lights will flash twice to
indicate that the system is turned off.

▼ To Stop the Alarm

A triggered alarm can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:



Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter.



Starting the engine with the push button
start.



(With the advanced keyless function)



Pressing a request switch on the
doors.



Pressing the electric liftgate/trunk lid
opener while the key is being carried.

The hazard warning lights will flash twice.

Before Driving

Security System

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Break-In Period

No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of the vehicle.



Do not race the engine.



Do not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.



Do not drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods of
time.



Avoid unnecessary hard stops.



Avoid full-throttle starts.

Saving Fuel and Protection

of the Environment

How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save fuel and
reduce CO



Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.



Avoid fast starts.



Drive at lower speeds.



Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking).



Follow the maintenance schedule (page
6-4) and have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer perform inspections and
servicing.



Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.



Slow down on rough roads.



Keep the tires properly inflated.



Do not carry unnecessary weight.



Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.



Keep the wheels in correct alignment.



Keep windows closed at high speeds.



Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.

WARNING

Never stop the engine when going down a
hill:
Stopping the engine when going down a
hill is dangerous. This causes the loss of
power steering and power brake control,
and may cause damage to the drivetrain.
Any loss of steering or braking control
could cause an accident.

Before Driving

Driving Tips

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Hazardous Driving

WARNING

Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while driving
on slippery surfaces 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.

When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:



Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.



Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.



Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-66.



If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.



For more traction in starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow, use
sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting, or
other nonslip material under the front
wheels.

NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front wheels.

Floor Mat

We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda floor mats.

WARNING

Make sure the floor mats are secured with
the grommets or the retainers to prevent
them from bunching up under the foot
pedals (Driver's side):
Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation
(driver's side), which could result in an
accident.
Only use a floor mat which conforms to the
shape of the floor on the driver's side and
make sure it is oriented correctly.
Secure the floor mat using the grommets or
retainers.
There are various ways to secure floor mats
depending on the type used, therefore
secure the mat according to the type.
After installing the floor mat, make sure
that it does not slide from side to side or
back and forth, and that there is sufficient
clearance with the accelerator and brake
pedals on the driver's side.
After removing the floor mat for cleaning
or some other reason, always securely
reinstall it while paying attention to the
precautions just mentioned.

Before Driving

Driving Tips

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Do not install two floor mats, one on top of
the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top of the
other, on the driver's side is dangerous as
the retention pins can only keep one floor
mat from sliding forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with the
foot pedals and could result in an accident.
If using an all-weather mat for winter use
always remove the original floor mat.

When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its grommets or retainers
are inserted over the pointed end of the
retention posts.

Rocking the Vehicle

WARNING

Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow anyone
to stand behind a wheel when pushing the
vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous. The
spinning tire could overheat and explode.
This could cause serious injuries.

CAUTION

Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.

If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever/
selector lever from 1 (D) to R.

Before Driving

Driving Tips

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Winter Driving

Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:



Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-25.



Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.



Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-23).



Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.



Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (page
6-27).

NOTE



(Without electric parking brake (EPB))
Do not use the parking brake in freezing
weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift
to P with an automatic transaxle and to
1 or R with a manual transaxle. Block
the rear wheels.



Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.



Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.



Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.



Drive slowly. Braking performance can
be adversely affected if snow or ice
adheres to the brake components. If this
situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.

▼ Snow Tires

Use snow tires on all four wheels

Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm

, 4.3 psi) more

than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never more
than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.

Except Mexico (18–inch wheel vehicle)

The vehicle is originally equipped with all
season radials designed to be used all year
around. In some extreme climates you
may find it necessary to replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.

Mexico (18–inch wheel vehicle)

The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.

Before Driving

Driving Tips

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WARNING

Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could
be greatly affected and result in an
accident.

CAUTION

Check local regulations before using
studded tires.

▼ Tire Chains

Check local regulations before using tire
chains.

CAUTION

Chains may affect handling.
Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph)

or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.

Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,

and sharp turns.

Avoid locked-wheel braking.
Do not use chains on a temporary spare

tire; it may result in damage to the
vehicle and to the tire.

Do not use chains on roads that are free

of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.

Chains may scratch or chip aluminum

wheels.

NOTE



If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tire chains.

Install the chains on the front tires only.
Do not use chains on the rear tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.

Installing the chains

1. If your vehicle is equipped with wheel

covers remove them, otherwise the
chain bands will scratch them.

2. Secure the chains on the front tires as

tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions.

3. Retighten the chains after driving

1/2―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).

Before Driving

Driving Tips

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Driving In Flooded Area

WARNING

Dry off 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
affected.

CAUTION

Do not drive the vehicle on flooded roads
as it could cause short circuiting of
electrical/electronic parts, or engine
damage or stalling from water absorption.
If the vehicle has been immersed in water,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Overloading

WARNING

Be careful not to overload your vehicle:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and
the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of
the vehicle are on the Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard Label on the driver's door frame.
Exceeding these ratings can cause an
accident or vehicle damage. You can
estimate the weight of the load by
weighing the items (or people) before
putting them in the vehicle.

Before Driving

Driving Tips

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Driving on Uneven Road

Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.

Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:



Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle



Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle

This vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use care
and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.

Before Driving

Driving Tips

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Trailer Towing

Your Mazda is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.

Recreational Towing

An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
"Towing Description" (page 7-22) and
"Tiedown Hooks" (page 7-23) and
carefully follow the instructions.

Before Driving

Towing

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When Driving

Information concerning safe driving and stopping.

Start/Stop Engine.............................. 4-4

Ignition Switch............................. 4-4
Starting the Engine....................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off...............4-10

Instrument Cluster and Display............
...........................................................4-12

Meters and Gauges..................... 4-12
Active Driving Display

.............4-20

Warning/Indicator Lights............4-23

Manual Transaxle Operation......... 4-29

Manual Transaxle Shift
Pattern.........................................4-29

Automatic Transaxle....................... 4-32

Automatic Transaxle
Controls...................................... 4-32
Shift-Lock System...................... 4-33
Transaxle Ranges........................4-33
Manual Shift Mode.....................4-35
Direct Mode

.............................. 4-41

Driving Tips................................4-42

Switches and Controls.....................4-43

Lighting Control......................... 4-43
Fog Lights

................................. 4-48

Turn and Lane-Change
Signals........................................ 4-48
Windshield Wipers and
Washer........................................ 4-49
Rear Window Wiper and Washer

.....

.................................................... 4-53
Rear Window Defogger..............4-53
Horn............................................4-55
Hazard Warning Flasher............. 4-56
HomeLink Wireless Control
System

.......................................4-56

Brake................................................ 4-60

Brake System..............................4-60
Hill Launch Assist (HLA).......... 4-64

ABS/TCS/DSC................................. 4-66

Antilock Brake System
(ABS)..........................................4-66
Traction Control System
(TCS).......................................... 4-67
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)..........................................4-68

i-ELOOP.......................................... 4-70

i-ELOOP

................................... 4-70

Fuel Economy Monitor................... 4-72

Fuel Economy Monitor

.............4-72

*Some models.

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Drive Selection................................. 4-74

Drive Selection

..........................4-74

Power Steering.................................4-76

Power Steering............................4-76

i-ACTIVSENSE...............................4-77

i-ACTIVSENSE......................... 4-77
Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)

........................................ 4-80

High Beam Control System
(HBC)

........................................4-81

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)

.........

.................................................... 4-84
Traffic Sign Recognition System
(TSR)

........................................ 4-90

Distance Recognition Support
System (DRSS)

......................... 4-96

Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)

.....

.................................................... 4-98
Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC)

.................................. 4-102

Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) &
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)

...................................4-113

Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS)

.................................... 4-124

Smart Brake Support (SBS)

....4-128

Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)........................................ 4-131
Radar Sensor (Front)................4-136
Radar Sensors (Rear)............... 4-139

Cruise Control............................... 4-141

Cruise Control

.........................4-141

Tire Pressure Monitoring
System.............................................4-146

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

.....

.................................................. 4-146

Rear View Monitor....................... 4-150

Rear View Monitor

................. 4-150

4-2

*Some models.

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Mazda 3 (2018 year). Manual - part 8