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Mazda dashboard warning lights

22 lights that the Mazda3 handbook (2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019) shows, each in our own drawing, with Mazda's name for it next to ours, the colour the handbook gives it and what the handbook says to do. Tap a light for its full page.

Check your own handbook — models differ. This page is one handbook for one model. Another Mazda model or year can have lamps this one lacks, or draw the same lamp differently; only your car's own handbook is sure.

Read this first

Every light below is confirmed by Mazda's own online handbook for the 2019 Mazda3 (European edition). Mazda names most lamps 'Warning Indication/Warning Light', because on this car many of them can appear either as a lamp or as a symbol with a message on the display. Its rule for every lamp in the table: it comes on at switch-on as a check and goes off after a few seconds or once the engine starts; if it does not come on, or stays on, have the car inspected. Mazda's own names to look for: i-stop is its stop-start system, TCS/DSC its traction and stability control, and i-ACTIVSENSE its group of driver-assistance systems, which has its own lamp. The KEY warning light covers the keyless system: a fault, a key not detected and a low key battery. This is a European handbook; a US Mazda3 can differ.

The 22 lights in the Mazda3 handbook

Brake system warning light

Mazda calls it “Brake System Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

Stays on: brake fluid may be low or there could be a brake system problem — park in a safe place immediately and contact a repairer. Do not drive with it on.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

ABS warning light (anti-lock brakes)

Mazda calls it “ABS Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

Stays on while driving: the ABS has a fault; the brakes work normally but without ABS, and brake assist does not work — have it checked as soon as possible.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Battery / charging warning light

Mazda calls it “Charging System Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

On while driving: an alternator or charging system fault — park off the road and consult a repairer. Do not drive on: the engine could stop unexpectedly.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Oil pressure warning light (oil can)

Mazda calls it “Engine Oil Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

Low engine oil pressure — park on level ground, switch off, wait 5 minutes and check the oil level. Do not run the engine with low oil pressure.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Engine coolant temperature warning light

Mazda calls it “High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Indication”.

“Elevated Engine Coolant Temp. Drive Slowly”: drive gently until you can stop. “Excessive Engine Coolant Temp.”: possible overheating — park safely and stop the engine.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Power steering warning light (EPS)

Mazda calls it “Power Steering Malfunction Indication/Indicator Light”.

Electric power steering fault — stop in a safe place and do not turn the wheel. Steering still works but may feel heavy; contact a repairer if the message stays.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red or yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Master warning light (triangle with !)

Mazda calls it “Master Warning Indication”.

A system has a malfunction — the centre display or multi-information display says which.

Colour in this handbook: Yellow / amber

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Check engine light (engine malfunction)

Mazda calls it “Check Engine Indication/Light”.

The engine electrical system or emission control system has a problem, the tank is nearly empty, or the fuel cap is loose. On or flashing continuously: do not drive at high speed; see a repairer as soon as possible.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Auto stop-start light

Mazda calls it “i-stop Warning Light”.

Amber. Flashing continuously: the i-stop system has a malfunction — have the car inspected.

Colour in this handbook: Yellow / amber

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Gearbox (transmission) warning light

Mazda calls it “Automatic Transmission Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

The transmission has an electrical problem; driving on could damage it — see a repairer as soon as possible.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Stability control light (ESC)

Mazda calls it “TCS/DSC Indication/Indicator Light”.

Stays on: the TCS, DSC or brake assist may have a malfunction and may not work correctly — take the car to a repairer.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Airbag warning light

Mazda calls it “Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

Flashing, staying on, or not lighting at switch-on: a system malfunction — the airbags or pretensioners may not work in an accident; have it checked as soon as possible.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber or red)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Low tyre pressure light (TPMS)

Mazda calls it “Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

On: a tyre is below the specified pressure; the display shows each tyre, the low one in yellow. Flashing: a TPMS fault. Either way, do not drive at high speed.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Key not detected light

Mazda calls it “KEY Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

Red. With “Key Not Detected” the car cannot find the key; with “Low Key Fob Battery” the key's battery is low; with a keyless-system message the engine may not start — have it inspected.

Colour in this handbook: Red

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Mazda i-ACTIVSENSE warning light

Mazda calls it “i-ACTIVSENSE Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

A system has a malfunction — the centre display or multi-information display says which.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Bulb failure (exterior light) warning

Mazda calls it “Exterior Light Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

A malfunction in the exterior lights (except the number plate lights) — have the car inspected.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Low fuel light

Mazda calls it “Low Fuel Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

About 9.0 L (2.3 US gal, 1.9 Imp gal) remains. Flashing: the gauge is near empty — refuel as soon as possible.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Low engine oil level light

Mazda calls it “Engine Oil Level Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

The engine oil level is around the MIN mark — add 1 L of engine oil.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Seat belt warning light

Mazda calls it “Seat Belt Warning Indication/Warning Light (Front seat)”.

A front belt is unfastened with the seat occupied. Above about 20 km/h (12 mph) it flashes, then stays on.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Door open light

Mazda calls it “Door-Ajar Warning Indication/Warning Light”.

A door, the boot lid or the liftgate is not closed securely — close it.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Parking brake light

Mazda calls it “Electric Parking Brake (EPB) Indication/Indicator Light”.

On while the parking brake is applied, off when released. Flashing even after using the switch: an EPB malfunction — see a repairer as soon as possible.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: red)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Immobiliser (security) light

Mazda calls it “Security Indicator Light”.

Flashing continuously while driving: do not switch off (it may not restart) — go to a Mazda repairer. If the engine will not start after 3 or more tries, contact one.

Colour in this handbook: not named in the handbook's text (our page: yellow / amber or red)

Confirmed by: Mazda handbook — Mazda3, 2019 edition, form no. e-8HC2-EO-19A, March 2019. Check your own handbook — models differ.

Not in this handbook

42 lights on this site are not shown by this handbook, so they are left off this page — among them brake pad wear warning light, side airbag warning light, passenger airbag off light, hazard warning light, low tyre pressure light showing which tyre, tpms light. That does not mean no Mazda has them — only that this handbook does not. If your car shows one, find it by colour and shape.

Other makes

Source: the handbook

A light is listed only when this handbook shows it. The names in quotes are Mazda's wording; the rest is ours, written from the handbook.