When Driving

Lighting Control

~3min read

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.

Mazda 3. Headlights

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 .

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

Without auto-light control

Mazda 3. Without auto-light control


With auto-light control

Mazda 3. With auto-light control

Mazda 3. With auto-light control

*1 The headlight and other light settings switch automatically depending on the surrounding brightness detected by the sensor.

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).

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 .

  • The sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be changed by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

    Refer to Personalization Features on .

Xenon fusion headlight bulbs *

The low-beam bulbs of the headlights have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a bright white beam over a wide area.

WARNING Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs yourself: Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs yourself is dangerous, because the xenon fusion bulbs require high voltage. You could receive an electric shock if the bulbs are handled incorrectly. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer when replacement is necessary.

NOTE If the headlights fiicker or the brightness weakens, the bulb-life may be depleted and a replacement is necessary. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Test yourself

A quick Mazda 3 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.