Mazda CX-3 (2019 year). Manual

▼ Recommendations for Shifting

Upshifting

For normal acceleration and cruising, Mazda recommends these shift points:

Gear

Vehicle speed

M1 to M2

24 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 and prolongs brake life.

When Driving

Automatic Transaxle

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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.
Direct mode is canceled (released) under
the following conditions.

•

The UP switch (

) 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.

Type A

Gear position indication

Direct mode indication

Type B

Gear position indication

Direct mode indication

Type C

Direct mode indication

Gear position indication

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 Transaxle

*Some models.

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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 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 transaxle 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 TCS 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. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.

When Driving

Automatic Transaxle

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Lighting Control

▼ Headlights

Turn the headlight switch to turn the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard
illumination on or off.
When the 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 off approximately 30
seconds after switching the ignition off.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.

•

To prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while the engine is off unless
safety requires them.

Without auto-light control

Switch Position

Ignition Position

ACC or

OFF

ACC or

OFF

ACC or

OFF

Headlights

Off

Daytime running lights

Off

Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights

Off

1 The lights are turned on while the vehicle is driven.

2 The lights are turned on for the specified period by the auto headlight off function.

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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With auto-light control

Switch Position

Ignition Position

OFF

Headlights

Off

Auto

Off

Daytime running lights

Off

Taillights
Parking lights
License plate lights
Side-marker lights

Off

Auto

1 The lights are turned on while the vehicle is driven.

2 The headlight and other light settings switch automatically depending on the surrounding brightness detected

by the sensor.

3 The lights are turned on while the vehicle is driven, and turned off when the headlights are turned on by the

auto light function.

4 The lights are turned on for the specified period by the auto headlight off function.

Auto-light control

When the headlight switch is in the

position and the ignition is switched ON, the light

sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the headlights,
other exterior lights and dashboard illumination on or off (see chart above).

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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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

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 off completely when it is particularly tempting to leave the
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.

NOTE

•

The headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination 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.
In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the

position.

•

(Without auto headlight off function)
When the headlight switch is in the

position and the ignition is switched to ACC or

the ignition is switched off, the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard
illumination will turn off.

•

The dashboard illumination can be adjusted by rotating the knob in the instrument cluster.
Also, the day/night mode can be changed by rotating the knob until a beep sound is heard.
To adjust the brightness of the dashboard illumination:
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-17.

•

The sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be changed by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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▼ Headlight High-Low Beam

The headlights switch between high and
low beams by moving the lever forward or
backward.

High beam

Low beam

When the headlight high-beams are on, the
headlight high-beam indicator light is
turned on.

▼ Flashing the Headlights

Can be used when the ignition is switched
ON.
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
towards you (the headlight switch does not
need to be on).

OFF

Headlight
flashing

The headlight high-beam indicator light in
the instrument cluster illuminates
simultaneously. The lever will return to
the normal position when released.

▼ Coming Home Light

The coming home light turns on the
headlights (low beams) when the lever is
operated.

To turn on the lights

When the lever is pulled with the ignition
switched to ACC or OFF, the low beam
headlights turn on.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed after the doors
are closed.

NOTE

•

The time until the headlights turn off
after all of the doors are closed can be
changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9.

•

If no operations are done for 3 minutes
after the lever is pulled, the headlights
turn off.

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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•

The headlights turn off if the lever is
pulled again while the headlights are
illuminated.

▼ Leaving Home Light

The leaving home light turns on the lights
when the transmitter unlock button is
pressed while away from the vehicle.
The following lights turn on when the
leaving home light is operated.
Low beams, Parking lights, Taillights,
License plate lights.

To turn on the lights

When the ignition switch and the headlight
switch are in the following conditions, the
headlights will illuminate when the
transmitter unlock button is pressed and
the vehicle receives the transmitter signal.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed (30 seconds).

•

Ignition switch: off

•

Headlight switch:

, or

Unlock button

Lock button

NOTE

•

Operation of the leaving home light can
be turned on or off.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9.

•

When the transmitter lock button is
pressed and the vehicle receives the
transmitter signal, the headlights turn
off.

•

When the headlight switch is turned to
the

position, the headlights turn off.

▼ Headlight Leveling

The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.

The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.

▼ Daytime Running Lights

Some countries require moving vehicles to
have their lights on (daytime running
lights) during the daytime.

The daytime running lights turn on
automatically when the vehicle starts
moving.
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated or the shift lever is shifted to the
P position (automatic transaxle vehicle).

NOTE
(Except Canada)
The daytime running lights can be
deactivated.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-9.

When Driving

Switches and Controls

*Some models.

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Fog Lights

The fog lights can be used when the
ignition is switched ON.
Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
The fog lights will improve visibility at
night and during foggy conditions.
The fog lights turn on when the fog light
switch is turned to the position and turn
off when the switch is turned to the
position.
The fog lights turn on when the headlights
are turned on. They will not turn on if the
headlight switch is in the

position or

position.

Fog light switch

NOTE

•

The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beams.

•

(With auto-light control)
If the fog light switch is in the
position and the headlight switch is in
the

position, the fog lights will turn

on when the headlights, the exterior
lights turn on.

Turn and Lane-Change

Signals

The ignition must be switched ON to use
the turn and lane-change signals.

▼ Turn Signals

Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.

If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to its
original position.

Right turn

Left turn

Right lane change

Left lane change

OFF

The turn signal indicators in the
instrument cluster flash according to the
operation of the turn signal lever to show
which signal is working.

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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NOTE

•

If an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, one
of the turn signal bulbs may be burned
out.

•

A personalized function is available to
change the turn indicator sound volume.
(page 9-9)

▼ Lane-Change Signals

Move the lever halfway toward the
direction of the lane change―until the
indicator flashes― and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released.

▼ Three-Flash Turn Signal

After releasing the turn signal lever, the
turn signal indicator flashes three times.
The operation can be cancelled by moving
the lever in the direction opposite to which
it was operated.

NOTE
The three-flash turn signal function can be
switched to operable/inoperable using the
personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-9.

Windshield Wipers and

Washer

The ignition must be switched ON to use
the wipers.

WARNING

Use only windshield washer fluid or plain
water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer fluid is
dangerous. If sprayed on the windshield, it
will dirty the windshield, affect your
visibility, and could result in an accident.

Only use windshield washer fluid mixed
with anti-freeze protection in freezing
weather conditions:
Using windshield washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing weather
conditions is dangerous as it could freeze
on the windshield and block your vision
which could cause an accident. In addition,
make sure the windshield is sufficiently
warmed using the defroster before
spraying the washer fluid.

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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NOTE
If the windshield wipers are operated
under cold weather conditions or during
snowfall, they could stop due to
accumulated snow on the windshield. If
the windshield wipers stop due to
accumulated snow on the windshield, park
the vehicle in a safe place, turn the wiper
switch off, and then remove the
accumulated snow. If the wiper switch is
turned to another position other than OFF,
the wipers will operate. If the wipers do
not operate even though the wiper switch
is turned to a position other than OFF,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.

▼ Windshield Wipers

Turn the wipers on by pressing the lever
up or down.
With intermittent wiper

Switch Posi-

tion

Wiper operation

Operation while pulling up lever
Stop
Intermittent
Low speed
High speed

Variable-speed intermittent wipers

Set the lever to the intermittent position
and choose the interval timing by rotating
the ring.

INT ring

Fast

Slow

With auto-wiper control

Switch Posi-

tion

Wiper operation

Operation while pulling up lever
Stop
Auto control
Low speed
High speed

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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Auto-wiper control

When the wiper lever is in the
position, the rain sensor senses the amount
of rainfall on the windshield and turns the
wipers on or off automatically
(off―intermittent―low speed―high
speed).

The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be
adjusted by turning the switch on the
wiper lever.
From the center position (normal), rotate
the switch upward for higher sensitivity
(faster response) or rotate it downward for
less sensitivity (slower response).

Higher sensitivity

Less sensitivity

Switch

Center
position

CAUTION

Do not shade the rain sensor by adhering

a sticker or a label on the windshield.
Otherwise the rain sensor will not
operate correctly.

When the wiper lever is in the

position and the ignition is switched ON,
the wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:

If the windshield above the rain sensor

is touched or wiped with a cloth.

If the windshield is struck with a hand

or other object from either outside or
inside the vehicle.

Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windshield when the wiper lever is in the

position and the ignition is

switched ON as fingers could be pinched
or the wipers and wiper blades damaged
when the wipers activate automatically.
If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off
completely (when it is most likely that the
engine is left running) this is particularly
important when clearing ice and snow.

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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NOTE

•

Switching the auto-wiper lever from the

to the

position while driving

activates the windshield wipers once,
after which they operate according to
the rainfall amount.

•

The auto-wiper control may not operate
when the rain sensor temperature is
about

－

10 °C (14 °F) or lower, or

about 85 °C (185 °F) or higher.

•

If the windshield is coated with water
repellent, the rain sensor may not be
able to sense the amount of rainfall
correctly and the auto-wiper control
may not operate properly.

•

If dirt or foreign matter (such as ice or
matter containing salt water) adheres to
the windshield above the rain sensor, or
if the windshield is iced, it could cause
the wipers to move automatically.
However, if the wipers cannot remove
this ice, dirt or foreign matter, the
auto-wiper control will stop operation.
In this case, set the wiper lever to the
low speed position or high speed
position for manual operation, or
remove the ice, dirt or foreign matter by
hand to restore the auto-wiper
operation.

•

If the auto-wiper lever is left in the
position, the wipers could operate
automatically from the effect of strong
light sources, electromagnetic waves, or
infrared light because the rain sensor
uses an optical sensor. It is
recommended that the auto-wiper lever
be switched to the

position other

than when driving the vehicle under
rainy conditions.

•

If the headlight switch and the
windshield wiper switch are in

and the wipers are operated at low or
high speed by the auto wiper control for
several seconds, bad weather conditions
are determined and the headlights may
be turned on.

•

The auto-wiper control functions can be
turned off. Refer to Personalization
Features on page 9-9.

▼ Windshield Washer

Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.

Washer

OFF

NOTE
If the windshield washer is turned on when
the windshield wipers are not operating,
the windshield wipers operate a few times.

If the washer does not work, inspect the
fluid level (page 6-27). If the fluid level
is normal, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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Rear Window Wiper and

Washer

The ignition must be switched ON to use
the wiper.

▼ Rear Window Wiper

Turn the wiper on by turning the rear
wiper/washer switch.

Switch Posi-

tion

Wiper operation

Stop
Intermittent
Normal

▼ Rear Window Washer

To spray washer fluid, turn the rear wiper/
washer switch to either of the position.
After the switch is released, the washer
will stop.
If the washer does not work, inspect the
fluid level (page 6-27). If the fluid level
is normal and the washer still does not
work, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.

Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger clears fog from
the rear window.

The ignition must be switched ON to use
the defogger.

Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defogger. The rear window
defogger operates for about 15 minutes
and then turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates when the
defogger is operating.

To turn off the rear window defogger
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Manual Climate Control

Indicator light

Fully Automatic Climate Control

Indicator light

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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CAUTION

Do not use sharp instruments or window

cleaners with abrasives to clean the
inside of the rear window surface. They
may damage the defogger grid inside the
window.

NOTE

•

This defogger is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the
defogger.

•

The rear window defogger setting can
be changed. After changing the setting,
the rear window defogger stops
automatically after 15 minutes have
elapsed and when the ambient
temperature is high. When the ambient
temperature is low, it continues to
operate until the switch is pressed
again.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9.

▼ Mirror Defogger

The mirror defoggers defrost the outside
mirrors.

The mirror defoggers operate in
conjunction with the rear window
defogger.
To turn on the mirror defoggers, switch the
ignition ON and press the rear window
defogger switch (page 4-53).
Manual Climate Control

Indicator light

Fully Automatic Climate Control

Indicator light

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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Horn

To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.

Hazard Warning Flasher

The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.

The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.

Depress the hazard warning flasher and all
the turn signals will flash. The hazard
warning indicator lights in the instrument
cluster flash simultaneously.

NOTE

•

The turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning lights are on.

•

Check local regulations about the use of
hazard warning lights while the vehicle
is being towed to verify that it is not in
violation of the law.

When Driving

Switches and Controls

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Mazda CX-3 (2019 year). Manual - part 11