Get When Driving -> Brake Guide for Mazda 3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2019-2026)

When Driving

Brake

Dry oꢀ 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

aꢀected.

Brake System

Foot Brake

▼

This vehicle has power-assisted brakes

that adjust automatically through

normal use.

Should power-assist fail, you can stop

by applying greater force than normal

to the brake pedal. But the distance

required to stop will be greater than

usual.

WARNING

CAUTION

Do not coast with the engine stalled

or turned oꢀ, ﬁnd a safe place to stop:

Coasting with the engine stalled or

turned oꢀ is dangerous. Braking will

require more eꢀort, and the brake's

power-assist could be depleted if you

pump the brake. This will cause longer

stopping distances or even an

Do not drive with your foot held on

the clutch pedal or brake pedal, or

hold the clutch pedal depressed

halfway unnecessarily. Doing so

could result in the following:

The clutch and brake parts will

wear out more quickly.

The brakes can overheat and

adversely aꢀect brake

accident.

performance.

Shift to a lower gear when going

down steep hills:

Always depress the brake pedal with

the right foot. Applying the brakes

with the unaccustomed left foot

could slow your reaction time to an

emergency situation resulting in

insuꢁcient braking operation.

Driving with your foot continuously on

the brake pedal or steadily applying

the brakes for long distances is

dangerous. This causes overheated

brakes, resulting in longer stopping

distances or even total brake failure.

This could cause loss of vehicle control

and a serious accident. Avoid

continuous application of the brakes.

Wear shoes appropriate for driving in

order to avoid your shoe contacting

the brake pedal when depressing the

accelerator pedal.

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When Driving

Brake

NOTE

Electric Parking Brake (EPB)

▼



The parking brake cannot be applied

or released while the vehicle battery

is dead.

Refer to If a Jump-Starting on page

7-17.

When the charging system warning

light in the instrument cluster turns

on, the parking brake cannot be

applied after switching the ignition

OFF. Before switching the ignition

OFF, apply the parking brake

manually.

The sound of the parking brake being

applied or released can be heard,

however, this does not indicate a

problem.

The EPB system applies the parking

brake using an electric motor. The

system can operate automatically and

manually.

The EPB switch indicator light turns on

when applying the parking brake and it

turns oꢀ when releasing the parking

brake.



If the EPB is not used for long

periods, an automatic inspection of

the system is performed while the

vehicle is parked. An operation

sound can be heard, however, this

does not indicate a problem.

When applying the parking brake

and switching OFF the ignition, an

operation sound can be heard,

however, this does not indicate a

problem.

The brake pedal may move while

applying or releasing the parking

brake, however, this does not

indicate a problem.

If the parking brake is applied with

the ignition switched OFF or in ACC,

the EPB indicator light in the

instrument cluster and the indicator

light in the switch may turn on for 15

seconds.

1. Indicator light

WARNING



Do not drive the vehicle with the

parking brake applied:

If the vehicle is driven with the parking

brake applied, the brake parts may

generate heat and the brake system

may not operate, leading to an

accident.

Before driving the vehicle, release the

parking brake and make sure that the

EPB indicator light in the instrument

cluster turns oꢀ.



Apply the parking brake when leaving

the vehicle:



When using an automatic car wash

which moves the vehicle with the

front tires mounted, it is necessary to

cancel the parking brake auto

operation before the vehicle enters

the automatic car wash. For details,

refer to Canceling the parking brake

automatic operation.

Not applying the parking brake when

parking the vehicle is dangerous as the

vehicle may move unexpectedly and

result in an accident. Before leaving the

vehicle, apply the parking brake and

make sure that the EPB indicator light

in the instrument cluster turns on.

4-77

When Driving

Brake

Manual operation

is displayed on the multi-information

display to notify the driver to depress

the brake pedal.

Applying the parking brake manually

Refer to Message Indicated on

Multi-information Display on page

7-40.

When the brake pedal is ﬁrmly

depressed and the EPB switch is pulled

up, the parking brake is applied

regardless of the ignition position.

When the parking brake is applied, the

EPB indicator light in the instrument

cluster and the EPB switch indicator

light turn on.

Auto operation

Applying the parking brake

automatically

When the ignition is switched from ON

to ACC or OFF, the parking brake will

be applied automatically. When the

parking brake is applied, the EPB

indicator light in the instrument cluster

and the EPB switch indicator light turn

on.

NOTE

To release the parking brake when the

ignition is switched OFF, it is necessary

to cancel the parking brake auto

operation. For details, refer to

Canceling the parking brake automatic

operation.

Releasing the parking brake manually

When the brake pedal is ﬁrmly

depressed and the EPB switch is

pressed while the ignition is switched

ON or the engine is running, the

parking brake is released. When the

parking brake is released, the EPB

indicator light in the instrument cluster

and the EPB switch indicator light turn

oꢀ.

Releasing the parking brake

automatically

(Shift interlock release (Automatic

transmission vehicle))

CAUTION

Firmly depress the brake pedal and

perform the shift operation.

Otherwise, the vehicle may move

unexpectedly.

If the selector lever is shifted from the

P position to a position other than P

with the parking brake applied and all

of the following conditions met, the

parking brake is released automatically.

When the parking brake is released,

the EPB indicator light in the

instrument cluster and the EPB switch

indicator light turn oꢀ.

If the EPB switch is pressed without

depressing the brake pedal, a message

4-78

When Driving

Brake



The engine is running.

The shift lever is in a position other

than neutral.

The clutch pedal is depressed

halfway.

The driver's door is closed.

Shift interlock release is enabled.

The brake pedal is being depressed.



(Automatic transmission vehicle)

The selector lever is in the D, M, or R

position.

When performing the following

operations, shift interlock release can

be enabled/disabled.

1. Switch the ignition ON.

2. Pull the EPB switch continuously for

4 seconds or longer.

CAUTION

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 and the vehicle

may move unexpectedly. If you do not

intend to start driving the vehicle

immediately, shift the shift lever to the

neutral position for a manual

3. Release the EPB switch once and

then pull it again continuously for 4

seconds or longer within 3 seconds.

(Switching from disable to enable

shift interlock release)

When shift interlock release is

enabled, a sound is activated 2

times and the EPB switch indicator

changes to fast ﬂashing, and ﬂashes

for 3 seconds.

transmission, or shift the selector lever

to the P or N position for an automatic

transmission.

(Switching from enable to disable

shift interlock release)

When shift interlock release is

disabled, a sound is activated 2

times and the EPB switch indicator

light changes to slow ﬂashing, and

ﬂashes for 4 seconds.

Canceling the parking brake

automatic operation

The parking brake automatic operation

can be canceled by doing any of the

following after switching the ignition

from ON to OFF.

NOTE

When the ignition is switched OFF,

the system setting before it was

turned oꢀ is maintained.

Auto operation cancel method 1

1. Switch the ignition ON.

(Accelerator interlock 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.

When the parking brake is released,

the EPB indicator light in the

instrument cluster and the EPB switch

indicator light turn oꢀ.

2. Release the parking brake manually.

3. Turn oꢀ the AUTOHOLD.

4. Press the EPB switch continuously

for 2 seconds or longer (until a

sound is activated).

5. Release the EPB switch and switch

the ignition OFF within 5 seconds

after the sound was activated.

After the auto operation is

canceled, a sound is activated one

time, and the EPB switch indicator

light switches from illumination to

ﬂashing, and then turns oꢀ after 3

seconds.



The engine is running.

The driver's door is closed.

The driver's seat belt is fastened.

(Manual transmission vehicle)



4-79

When Driving

Brake

Auto operation cancel method 2

WARNING

1. Switch the ignition ON.

2. Release the parking brake manually.

3. Turn oꢀ the AUTOHOLD.

4. Switch the ignition OFF with the

EPB switch pressed while the brake

pedal is not depressed.

Use Emergency Brake only in an

emergency situation:

Excessive use may cause the brake

parts to wear quickly or the brakes to

heat up and become less eꢀective.

When the auto operation is

Warning Light

▼

canceled, a sound is activated one

time, and the EPB switch indicator

light goes from normal ﬂashing to

faster ﬂashing, and then turns oꢀ

after 3 seconds.

The warning light turns on when the

system has a malfunction.

Refer to Brake System Warning

Indication/Warning Light on page

7-27.

NOTE

Brake Pad Wear Indicator

▼



When canceling the parking brake

auto operation and parking the

vehicle, shift the shift lever to the 1st

gear or the R position for a manual

transmission, or shift the selector

lever to the P position for an

automatic transmission, and then

use wheel blocks.

When the disc brake pads become

worn, the built-in wear indicators

contact the disc plates. This causes a

screeching noise to warn that the pads

should be replaced.



The auto operation may not cancel if

the vehicle is parked on a steep

slope.

When the ignition is switched ON, the

parking brake auto operation is

restored.

How to use Emergency Brake

When you hear this noise, consult an

Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as

possible.

If there is a problem with the brake

system (foot brake) while driving the

vehicle or in an emergency situation

where the driver cannot step on the

brake pedal, continually pulling up the

EPB switch will apply the brakes and

decelerate or stop the vehicle. The

parking brake on-reminder sound is

activated while the brake is applied. In

addition, when releasing the switch,

the brake is released and the sound

stops.

4-80

When Driving

Brake

Brake Override System

▼

WARNING

The brake override system applies the

brake ﬁrst for safety if the brake pedal

and accelerator pedal are depressed at

the same time.

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

Operation of the brake override system

can be turned on or oꢀ.

Refer to the Settings section in the

Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.

NOTE

In high humidity weather conditions,

brake noises, such as brake squeak or

brake squeal can be heard. It does not

indicate a malfunction.

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 eꢀect 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 eꢀect 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.

4-81

When Driving

Brake

AUTOHOLD

▼

The AUTOHOLD function automatically holds the vehicle stopped, even if you take

your foot oꢀ the brake pedal. This function can be best used while stopped in traꢁc

or at a traꢁc light. The brakes are released when 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 appropriately in accordance

with the road and surrounding conditions.

Note that the vehicle may move suddenly depending on the vehicle's load or if it is

towing something.

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 not 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 position 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.

“Depress Brake Pedal. Brake Hold Disabled” is displayed in the multi-information

display and the warning sound is activated at the same time.

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 (automatic transmission vehicle) and apply the

parking brake.

4-82

When Driving

Brake

CAUTION

If you stop operating the accelerator pedal before 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 with the AUTOHOLD is occurring.

Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.



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 you

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/shift lever is shifted to R



position while the vehicle is on level ground, or facing up a hill or grade (as shown

below).

Vehicle posture and road surface gradient

AUTOHOLD operation status

Vehicle tilts forward

Operates

Level ground

Does not operate, canceled

Vehicle tilts rearward

Does not operate, canceled

: Reverse driving (selector lever/shift lever in the reverse (R) position)

4-83

When Driving

Brake



The brake pedal response may change, sound may occur from the brakes, or the

brake pedal could vibrate from the operation of the AUTOHOLD function.

However, this does not indicate a malfunction.

2. The AUTOHOLD active indicator

light in the instrument cluster turns

on and the brakes are held.

To Turn On AUTOHOLD System

▼

Press the AUTOHOLD switch and

when the AUTOHOLD standby

indicator light turns on, the

AUTOHOLD function turns on.

1. 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 or stopped by i-stop).

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.

4-84

When Driving

Brake

3. The vehicle is held in its stopped

position even with the brake pedal

released.

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.

NOTE

When all of the following conditions

are met, the AUTOHOLD operates and

the brakes are held.



The ignition is switched ON (engine

is running or stopped by i-stop).

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



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.

(Manual transmission vehicle)

When starting to drive the vehicle

forward or in reverse on a down

slope, depress the clutch pedal and

shift the shift lever to the appropriate

position for driving in the desired

direction, and then depress the

accelerator pedal to release the

AUTOHOLD.

AUTOHOLD function.

The parking brake is released.

There is no problem with the Electric



Parking Brake (EPB) function.

(Automatic transmission vehicle)



The selector lever is in a position

other than R position or the vehicle

tilts forward with the selector lever in

the R position.



To release AUTOHOLD and start

driving the vehicle

If you try to resume driving the vehicle,

the brakes will be released

automatically and the AUTOHOLD

active indicator light turns oꢀ.



The AUTOHOLD can be canceled

forcibly by fully depressing the

accelerator pedal for 1 second or

longer while the AUTOHOLD is

operating. Forcibly cancel the

AUTOHOLD only when the

AUTOHOLD cannot be canceled due

to a system malfunction or it is

necessary to cancel the AUTOHOLD

in an emergency.

4-85

When Driving

Brake



If any of the following 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 oꢀ. For the Electric

Parking Brake (EPB) operation, refer

to the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) on

page 4-77.

To Turn Oꢀ AUTOHOLD System

▼

Depress the brake pedal and press the

AUTOHOLD switch. The AUTOHOLD

is turned oꢀ and the AUTOHOLD

standby indicator light turns oꢀ.



The ignition is switched OFF.

There is a problem with the



AUTOHOLD function.

1. AUTOHOLD standby indicator light

NOTE



When the brakes are not held such

as while driving the vehicle, the

AUTOHOLD can be turned oꢀ only

by pressing the AUTOHOLD switch.



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 “Depress Brake Pedal and

Operate Switch to Release” is

indicated on the multi-information

display to notify the driver to depress

the brake pedal.

4-86

When Driving

Brake

Always conﬁrm the safety around the

vehicle before starting to drive the

vehicle.

Hill Launch Assist (HLA)

▼

The HLA functions to assist in

NOTE

accelerating the vehicle from a stop on

slopes. When releasing the brake pedal

and depressing the accelerator pedal

to accelerate the vehicle from a stop

while on a slope, the function prevents

the vehicle from rolling. The HLA also

operates when reversing on a slope.

The braking force is maintained



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, the vehicle has not

stopped completely, or the clutch

pedal is released.

automatically after releasing the brake

pedal on a steep slope.



While HLA is operating, the brake

For manual transmission vehicles, the

HLA operates when the vehicle is tilted

rearward with the shift lever in a

forward gear, and operates when the

vehicle is tilted forward with the shift

lever in the R position.

For automatic transmission vehicles,

the HLA operates when the vehicle is

tilted rearward with the selector lever

in a forward gear, and operates when

the vehicle is tilted forward with the

selector lever in the R position.

pedal may feel stiꢀ and vibrate,

however, this does not indicate a

malfunction.

HLA does not operate while the

TCS/DSC indicator light is

illuminated.

Refer to TCS/DSC Indication/

Indicator Light (Turns on) on page

7-33.

HLA does not turn oꢀ even if the

DSC OFF switch is pressed to turn oꢀ

the TCS/DSC.



WARNING

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. In addition, for vehicles

with a manual transmission, the

vehicle could still roll depending on

how the clutch pedal or the accelerator

pedal is operated.

4-87

When Driving -> Brake for Your Mazda 3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2019-2026)

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