Mazda 3 Owners Manual: 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 diffi cult 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 (Some models) 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.
Climbing steep grades from a stop To climb a steep grade from a stopped position:
- Depress the brake pedal.
- Shift to D or M1, depending on the load weight and grade steepness.
- 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.
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
range.
While in direct mode, th ...
Other materials:
Trailer towing
SUBARU does not recommend using the Subaru Solterra for towing purposes.
The vehicle is not engineered to support trailer towing, nor is it suitable for
installing a tow hitch or carrying loads such as bicycles, wheelchairs, or scooters
on hitch-mounted carriers.
Dinghy towing
The Suba ...
Cup Holder
WARNING
Never use a cup holder to hold hot
liquids while the vehicle is moving:
Using a cup holder to hold hot
liquids while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. If the contents spill, you
could be scalded.
Do not put anything other than cups or
drink cans in cup hold ...
Replacing Windshield Wiper Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, do not try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
NOTE
When raising both windshield wiper arms,
raise the driver's side ...
