2010-2013 Mazda 3 4 Door Before Driving Your Mazda User Manual
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Before Driving Your Mazda for Your Mazda 3 4 Door Second Generation (2010-2013)

Before Driving Your Mazda  
4
Important information about driving your Mazda.  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ........................................ 4-2  
Fuel Requirements .................................................................... 4-2  
Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-4  
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-5  
Before Starting the Engine ........................................................... 4-6  
Before Getting In ...................................................................... 4-6  
After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-6  
Driving Tips................................................................................... 4-7  
Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-7  
Money-Saving Suggestions ...................................................... 4-7  
Hazardous Driving .................................................................... 4-8  
Floor Mat .................................................................................. 4-8  
Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-9  
Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-9  
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-11  
Overloading ............................................................................ 4-12  
Driving on Uneven Road ........................................................ 4-13  
Turbocharger Informationí .................................................... 4-14  
Towing ......................................................................................... 4-15  
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-15  
íSome models.  
4-1  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions  
Fuel Requirements  
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,  
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.  
2.3-liter turbocharged engine  
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.  
Fuel  
Octane Rating* (Anti-knock index)  
Premium unleaded fuel  
91 [ (R M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)  
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.  
This vehicle is designed for and requires use of premium unleaded fuel. If 91 octane fuel [  
(R M)/2 method] (96RON) is not available, gasoline as low as 87 octane [ (R M)/2  
method] (91RON) can be used temporarily for emergency purposes. Use of gasoline lower  
than 91 octane [ (R M)/2 method] (96RON) can decrease performance during its use.  
Refueling the vehicle with the correct octane fuel a couple of times will restore vehicle  
performance.  
2.0-liter and 2.5-liter engine  
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.  
Fuel  
Octane Rating* (Anti-knock index)  
Regular unleaded fuel  
87 [ (R M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)  
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.  
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system  
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.  
CAUTION  
Ø USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.  
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead  
to deterioration of the emission control system and or failures.  
Ø Your vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol  
by volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this  
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of  
any kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.  
Ø Never add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those  
specified by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system.  
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.  
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally  
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your  
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10 %. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as  
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name “Gasohol”.  
4-2  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions  
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not  
be covered by the Mazda warranty.  
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Gasohol containing more than 10 % ethanol.  
Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.  
Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.  
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4-3  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions  
Emission Control System  
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of  
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions  
requirements.  
WARNING  
Never park over or near anything flammable:  
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with  
the engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and  
could ignite anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.  
CAUTION  
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst  
inside the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will  
damage the converter and cause poor performance.  
Ø USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.  
Ø Do not drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.  
Ø Do not coast with the ignition switched off.  
Ø Do not descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switched off.  
Ø Do not operate the engine at high idle for more than 5 minutes.  
Ø Do not tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments  
must be made by a qualified technician.  
Ø Do not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.  
NOTE  
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control system before  
the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some states, such modification  
made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.  
NOTE  
While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be heard at the rear of the right  
side of the vehicle, however this does not indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-checking  
device and it operates while the engine is off.  
4-4  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions  
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)  
WARNING  
Do not drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle:  
Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is  
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness  
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open  
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.  
Do not run the engine when inside an enclosed area:  
Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust  
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss  
of consciousness or even death could occur.  
Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw fresh air when  
idling the engine:  
Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed  
and the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which  
contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or  
even death could occur.  
Clear snow from underneath and around your vehicle, particularly the tail pipe,  
before starting the engine:  
Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The  
exhaust pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin.  
Because exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, it could cause loss of  
consciousness or even death to occupants in the cabin.  
4-5  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Before Starting the Engine  
Before Getting In  
After Getting In  
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Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,  
and outside lights are clean.  
Inspect inflation pressures and  
condition of tires.  
Are all doors closed and locked?  
Is the seat adjusted properly?  
Are the inside and outside mirrors  
adjusted?  
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Look under the vehicle for any sign of  
fluid leaks.  
If you plan to back up, make sure  
nothing is in your way.  
Is the steering wheel adjusted properly?  
Is everyone's seat belt fastened?  
Check all gauges.  
Check all warning lights when the  
ignition is switched ON.  
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NOTE  
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Release the parking brake and make  
sure the brake warning light goes off.  
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch fluid,  
washer fluid, and other fluid levels should be  
inspected. See Maintenance, Section 8.  
Always be thoroughly familiar with your  
Mazda.  
4-6  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
Break-In Period  
Money-Saving Suggestions  
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 your Mazda.  
How you operate your Mazda determines  
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use  
these suggestions to help save money on  
fuel and repairs.  
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Do not race the engine.  
Do not maintain one constant speed,  
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine  
runs smoothly, begin driving.  
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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 fast starts.  
Keep the engine tuned. Follow the  
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and  
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer  
perform inspections and servicing.  
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Use the air conditioner only when  
necessary.  
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Avoid full-throttle starts.  
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Slow down on rough roads.  
Keep the tires properly inflated.  
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Do not carry unnecessary weight.  
Do not rest your foot on the brake  
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pedal while driving.  
Keep the wheels in correct alignment.  
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Keep windows closed at high speeds.  
Slow down when driving in crosswinds  
and headwinds.  
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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.  
4-7  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
Hazardous Driving  
Floor Mat  
WARNING  
WARNING  
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to  
downshift on slippery surfaces:  
Downshifting into lower gear while  
driving on slippery surfaces is  
Make sure the floor mats are hooked  
on the retention pins to prevent them  
from bunching up under the foot  
pedals:  
dangerous. The sudden change in tire  
speed could cause the tires to skid.  
This could lead to loss of vehicle  
control and an accident.  
Using a floor mat that is not secured  
is dangerous as it will interfere with  
the accelerator and brake pedal  
operation, which could result in an  
accident.  
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for  
safe driving:  
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.  
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.  
In using a heavy duty floor mat for  
winter use always remove the  
original floor mat.  
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with  
the foot pedal and could result in an  
accident.  
When driving on ice or in water, snow,  
mud, sand, or similar hazards:  
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Be cautious and allow extra distance  
for braking.  
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Avoid sudden braking and sudden  
maneuvering.  
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to  
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press down on the brake pedal.  
Refer to Anti-Lock Brake System  
(ABS) on page 5-8.  
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If you get stuck, select a lower gear and  
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front  
wheels.  
For more traction in starting on  
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slippery surfaces such as ice or packed  
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,  
carpeting, or other nonslip material  
under the front wheels.  
When setting a floor mat, position the  
floor mat so that its eyelets are inserted  
over the pointed end of the retention  
posts.  
NOTE  
Use snow chains only on the front wheels.  
4-8  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
Rocking the Vehicle  
Winter Driving  
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Carry emergency gear, including tire  
chains, window scraper, flares, a small  
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag  
of sand or salt.  
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:  
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to  
perform the following precautions:  
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning  
the wheels at high speed is  
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Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in  
the radiator.  
dangerous. The spinning tire could  
overheat and explode. This could  
cause serious injuries.  
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-21.  
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold  
reduces battery capacity.  
Use only cold-weather engine oil (page  
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8-18).  
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 8-26).  
CAUTION  
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Too much rocking may cause engine  
overheating, transaxle failure, and  
tire damage.  
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If you must rock the vehicle to free it from  
snow, sand or mud, depress the  
accelerator slightly and slowly move the  
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.  
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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.  
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Do not apply excessive force to a  
window scraper when removing ice or  
frozen snow on the mirror glass and  
windshield.  
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Never use warm or hot water for  
removing snow or ice from windows  
and mirrors as it could result in the  
glass cracking.  
4-9  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
qSnow Tires  
qTire Chains  
Use snow tires on all four wheels  
Check local regulations before using tire  
chains.  
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)  
while driving with snow tires. Inflate  
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 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.  
Your 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.  
CAUTION  
Ø Chains may affect handling.  
Ø Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30  
mph) or the chain manufacturer's  
recommended limit, whichever is  
lower.  
Ø Drive carefully and avoid bumps,  
holes, and sharp turns.  
Ø Avoid locked-wheel braking.  
Ø Do not use chains on a temporary  
spare tire; it may result in damage  
to the vehicle and to the tire.  
Ø Do not use chains on roads that  
are free of snow or ice. The tires  
and chains could be damaged.  
Ø Chains may scratch or chip  
aluminum wheels.  
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.  
NOTE  
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Use of tire chains on a vehicle equipped  
with P225/40R18 specification tires could  
cause interference with the vehicle body  
and scratching. If tire chains are to be used,  
replace both front and rear tires with P  
205/50R17 tires. Please consult an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer.  
CAUTION  
Check local regulations before using  
studded tires.  
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If your vehicle is equipped with the tire  
NOTE  
pressure monitoring system, the system may  
not function correctly when using tire  
chains.  
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire  
pressure monitoring system, the system may  
not function correctly when using tires with  
steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls (page  
5-34).  
Install the chains on the front tires.  
Do not use chains on the rear tires.  
Please consult an Authorized Mazda  
Dealer.  
Installing the chains  
1. Remove the wheel covers, or the chain  
bands will scratch them.  
4-10  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
2. Secure the chains on the front tires as  
tightly as possible. Always follow the  
chain manufacturer's instructions.  
Driving In Flooded Area  
WARNING  
3. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2  
―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).  
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly  
and applying the brakes lightly until  
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.  
4-11  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
Overloading  
WARNING  
Be careful not to overload your vehicle:  
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)  
and the gross vehicle weight rating  
(GVWR) of your 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 your load by weighing  
the items (or people) before putting  
them in the vehicle.  
4-12  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
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:  
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Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle  
Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle  
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Your 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.  
4-13  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
í
Turbocharger Information  
The turbocharger greatly enhances engine power. Its advanced design provides improved  
operation and requires minimum additional maintenance. To get maximum performance  
from your turbocharged engine, take note of the following tips:  
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The turbocharged engine is designed for optimal operation with premium unleaded  
gasoline (page 4-2). Do not use fuel with a lower octane rating. Extra fuel additives are  
NOT recommended.  
Change the engine oil and filter using the turbo engine interval outlined in the  
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maintenance schedule (for your driving condition).  
Use only the recommended engine oil (page 8-18). Extra oil additives are NOT  
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recommended.  
After driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, idle the engine at least 30 seconds to  
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cool the turbo before turning off the engine. Avoid simply shutting the engine off  
abruptly after a hard or long drive. Damage to the turbocharger may result.  
Do not race or over-rev the engine when starting. This should not be done with ANY  
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engine, especially not with one that's turbocharged.  
Do not add any aftermarket devices to alter the engine's ignition timing, fuel delivery, or  
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turbo boost pressure. This may lead to serious engine damage and may void your  
warranty.  
4-14  
íSome models.  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Towing  
Trailer Towing  
The Mazda3 is not designed for towing.  
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda3.  
4-15  
4-16  

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