Mazda 3 Sedan 2023 Blind Spot Monitoring User Manual
Introduction
Blind Spot Monitoring monitors the adjacent lanes on both sides of your vehicle using strategically placed sensors or cameras. The system continuously scans for vehicles that may enter your blind spots, which are areas that are not easily visible through your side mirrors, as you drive. When a vehicle is detected, the BSM system alerts you with visual or audible warnings, giving you critical information to make safer lane-change decisions.
Mazda hopes to reduce the risk of collisions caused by blind spot incidents by incorporating this innovative technology. While BSM is a useful tool, keep in mind that it does not replace the need to manually check your blind spots by looking over your shoulder before changing lanes. Instead, BSM acts as a dependable co-pilot, increasing your situational awareness and assisting in the prevention of potential accidents. The Mazda 3 Sedan 2023 with Blind Spot Monitoring is equipped to keep you better informed and safer behind the wheel, whether you’re navigating city streets or cruising on the highway.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
The BSM is designed to assist the driver in checking the area to the rear of the vehicle on both sides during lane changes by notifying the driver of the presence of vehicles approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane.
BSM operation
The BSM detects vehicles approaching from the rear while traveling in the forward direction at a speed of 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster and notifies the driver by turning on the BSM warning indicator light and displaying the vehicle detection screen.
If the turn signal lever is operated to signal a turn in the direction in which the BSM warning indicator light is illuminated while the approaching vehicle is detected, the BSM notifies the driver of possible danger flashing on the BSM warning indicator light, and by activating the warning sound and the warning screen indicator display.
The detection area on this system covers the driving lanes on both sides of the vehicle and from the rear part of the front doors to about 50 m (164 ft) behind the vehicle.
- Your vehicle
- Detection areas
WARNING
Always check the surrounding area visually before making an actual lane change:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at your rear when making a lane change. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the BSM warning indicator light, the warning sound and the warning screen indicator display may not activate or they might be delayed even though a vehicle is in an adjacent driving lane. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the rear.
NOTE
- The BSM will operate when all of the following conditions are met:
The ignition is switched ON.
The i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/warning light in the instrument cluster is turned off.
The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster. - The BSM will not operate under the following circumstances.
The vehicle speed falls below about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) even though the i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/warning light is turned off. - The shift lever (manual transmission)/selector lever
(automatic transmission) is shifted to reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing.
The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections). - In the following cases, the
i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/warning light turns on and operation of the system is stopped. If the
i-ACTIVSENSE warning indication/warning light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.- Some problem with the system including the BSM warning indicator lights is detected.
- A large deviation in the installation position of a rear side radar sensor on the vehicle has occurred.
- There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a rear side radar sensor. Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper.
- Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
- The temperature near the rear side radar sensor becomes extremely hot due to driving for long periods on slopes during the summer.
- The battery voltage has decreased.
- Under the following conditions, the rear side radar sensor cannot detect target objects or it may be difficult to detect them.
- The rear bumper around the rear side radar sensor is deformed.
- Radio wave interference from a radar sensor equipped on a nearby vehicle.
- The approaching vehicle is any of the following shapes.
- The size of the vehicle body is extremely small.
- The vehicle height is extremely low or high.
- A special type of vehicle with a complex shape.
- A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not approach. The BSM determines the condition based on radar detection data.
A vehicle is traveling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed for an extended period of time. - Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.
- A vehicle in an adjacent driving lane is attempting to pass your vehicle.
- A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The detection area of the rear side radar sensor is set at the road width of expressways.
- In the following case, the flashing of the BSM warning indicator light, and the activation of the warning sound and the warning screen indicator display may not occur or they may be delayed.
A vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane two lanes over to an adjacent lane. - Driving on steep slopes.
- Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.
- When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent lane.
Directly after the BSM system becomes operable by changing the setting. - If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected. The detection area of the rear side radar sensor is set according to the road width of expressways.
The BSM warning indicator light may turn on and the vehicle detection screen may be displayed in the display in reaction to stationary objects (guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls, and parked vehicles) on the road or the roadside.
- Objects such as guardrails and concrete walls running alongside the vehicle.
Places where the width between guardrails or walls on each side of the vehicle narrows.
The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels, turnouts.
- A BSM warning indicator light may flash or the warning beep may be activated several times when making a turn at a city intersection.
Turn off the BSM while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radar’s radio waves will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the BSM warning indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors.
Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors.
The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt. - The rear side radar sensor of the BSM may be regulated under the radio wave related laws of the country where the vehicle is driven. If this system is used abroad, it may be necessary to turn off the system. Refer to Rear Side Radar Sensor
The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) function when the shift lever (manual transmission) or the selector lever
(automatic transmission) is shifted to the reverse (R) position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Indicator Lights/Display Indicator/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Beep
The BSM system notifies the driver of the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes or at the rear of the vehicle using the BSM warning indicator light, the warning sound and the display indicator while the systems are operational.
BSM warning indicator lights
The BSM warning indicator lights are equipped on the left and right door mirrors. The warning indicator lights turn on when a vehicle approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane is detected.
When the ignition is switched ON, the warning indicator light turns on momentarily and then turns off after a few seconds.
Function for canceling illumination dimmer
If the BSM warning indicator lights turn on when the parking lights are turned on, the brightness of the BSM warning indicator lights is dimmed.
If the BSM warning indicator lights are difficult to see due to glare from surrounding brightness when traveling on snow-covered roads or under foggy conditions, press the dimmer cancellation button to cancel the dimmer and increase the brightness of BSM warning indicator lights when they turn on.
Refer to Dashboard Illumination
Display indicator
The detected approaching vehicle and warning are displayed in the multi-information display and active driving display.
Multi-information Display
Active Driving Display*
The detected direction is displayed with a detection indicator (white) when an approaching vehicle is detected. In addition, if the turn signal lever is operated to signal a lane change while the vehicle is detected, the display changes the color (amber) of the warning indicator.
BSM warning beep
The BSM warning beep is activated simultaneously with the flashing of a BSM warning indicator light.
Canceling Operation of Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
The BSM system can be set to inoperable.
- (If only the BSM is turned off) Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda Connect Owner’s Manual.
(If the BSM is turned off by operating the i-ACTIVSENSE OFF switch)
Refer to i-ACTIVSENSE OFF Switch
NOTE
If the ignition is switched OFF while you have canceled the system using the i-ACTIVSENSE OFF switch, the system is automatically enabled the next time the ignition is switched ON. However, if the system is canceled using the personalization features, the system is not automatically enabled.
FAQs
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is a safety feature that detects vehicles in adjacent lanes that may be in your blind spots, allowing you to safely change lanes.
Blind Spot Monitoring monitors the adjacent lanes using sensors or cameras mounted on the vehicle’s sides. When a vehicle enters your blind spot, it warns you visually or audibly.
Blind Spot Monitoring availability may vary depending on trim level and optional packages. It’s critical to confirm the specific features included in the Mazda 3 Sedan model you’re interested in with your Mazda dealer.
Typically, the sensitivity of the Blind Spot Monitoring system is pre-set by the manufacturer and cannot be adjusted by the driver.
No, Blind Spot Monitoring is a driver aid, but it does not eliminate the need to check your blind spots by looking over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Yes, Blind Spot Monitoring works at different speeds, including city and highway driving.
Blind Spot Monitoring detects vehicles approaching or driving alongside your vehicle in adjacent lanes. It’s possible that it wasn’t designed to detect vehicles approaching from behind at high speeds.
Yes, you can usually turn off or disable the Blind Spot Monitoring system in most Mazda vehicles via the vehicle settings or controls. Specific instructions can be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Yes, Blind Spot Monitoring is intended to function in a variety of weather conditions, including rain and fog. Extreme weather conditions, on the other hand, may have an impact on its performance.
Monitoring is intended to detect larger vehicles, it can occasionally detect motorcycles or bicycles in adjacent lanes. However, for smaller vehicles, it is necessary to manually check blind spots.
Retrofitting Blind Spot Monitoring to an older Mazda 3 Sedan model may be impractical or prohibitively expensive. For more information, contact your Mazda dealer or authorized service center.
Blind Spot Monitoring typically provides warnings for both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle, thereby covering both blind spots.
Blind Spot Monitoring has some limitations, such as its detection range and ability to detect vehicles in specific situations, such as when they are approaching quickly or are partially obscured.
Some Mazda models may be able to display Blind Spot Monitoring notifications on the infotainment system or instrument cluster. Examine the features and capabilities of the Mazda 3 Sedan model that interests you.
No, using Blind Spot Monitoring as an aid while changing lanes is not required, but it is always recommended. To ensure safety, manually check your blind spots by looking over your shoulder.
Useful Links
View Full User Guide: 2023 Mazda 3 Sedan User Manual | Auto User Guide
Download Link: Owner’s – Manuals, Guides, Maintenance Schedules | Mazda USA