Our Guide to the Mazda 3 Warning Light Dashboard

The Mazda 3 is a reliable, capable vehicle boasting a 5 star ANCAP safety rating and a smooth driving experience. With an impressive safety suite and the Zoom-Zoom experience of a Mazda, you can feel confident in trusting your Mazda 3 to get you wherever you want to go. 

However, all cars need regular servicing and maintenance to keep them in optimal condition and working as they should. The Mazda 3 has a series of warning lights that may illuminate on the dashboard to signal that something is wrong or needs attention. These Mazda dashboard warning lights can assist you in getting your car into an authorised Mazda repairer and getting the problem fixed before it becomes a larger problem. 

While it can be tempting to ignore the warning light until your next service, the best course of action is always to get the car looked at right away. Some dashboard warning lights signal minor faults that can be resolved with a simple fix, while others signal more serious problems which can quickly become dangerous – and costly – if ignored. Let’s take a look at the warning lights in the Mazda 3. 

Check Engine Light

The check engine warning light is shaped like an engine and illuminated yellow. The check engine light may signal a problem with the emission control system or the electrical system. Note the driving conditions when the light comes on, and be prepared to describe any changes to the drive when speaking to an expert repairer. 

Stop when it is safe to do so, and switch off the engine. Allow the engine to cool before restarting it. If the check engine light remains on, or if it flashes continuously, don’t drive at high speeds. Take it to an authorised Mazda repairer as soon as possible. 

Brake System Warning Light

The brake system warning light is an exclamation point within a circle, with parentheses on either side of the circle. This red light illuminates when the parking brake (or hand brake) is applied, and should turn off when the parking brake is fully released. If the light remains on even when the hand brake is turned off, there may be a problem with the braking system. 

The reason for the appearance of the brake system warning light may differ depending on your Mazda vehicle, and whether or not it has an electric parking brake (EPB). It may signify low brake fluid levels or a problem with the brake system itself. 

Do not drive when the brake system warning light is illuminated (and the parking brake is released), as your brakes may not work or may fail at any time. It can be very dangerous to drive when this dashboard light is illuminated. If you’ve checked that the parking brake is fully released and the light still remains on, have the brakes inspected immediately by an expert repairer.

Engine Oil Warning Light

This dashboard warning light looks like an old-school oil can or a genie’s lamp. This warning light indicates low oil pressure within the engine. 

If the oil warning light illuminates, pull over when it is safe to do so, parking on level ground. Turn off the engine and wait for it to cool. This will allow the oil to drain. Once the engine has cooled, check the oil level. If it’s low, add the appropriate amount of oil – be careful not to overfill. Running the car when the oil level is low can cause severe damage to your engine. 

If the oil light remains illuminated even after filling the oil, or if the oil is at the correct level, stop the engine immediately. Call roadside assistance – you may have Mazda roadside assistance included as part of your Mazda purchase. You may need to have your car towed to an expert repairer service centre to avoid causing extensive (and expensive) damage to the vehicle.  

Power Steering System Malfunction Indicator Light

If you see a yellow symbol that looks like a steering wheel with an exclamation point next to it (it may be flashing or stay on), it could signal an issue with the power steering system. Stop the vehicle when it is safe to do so. If the power steering malfunction indicator light turns off after a while, it’s likely there is no problem. 

If the light remains on or flashes continuously, contact an authorised Mazda repairer. The power steering will not operate normally, so while the steering wheel can still be operated, it may feel heavy or may vibrate when turning. 

Other dashboard warning lights

There are other dashboard warning lights you may see illuminated or flashing in your Mazda 3. Some of them only apply to certain grades of the Mazda 3. A few of the other dashboard warning lights include:

• Automatic Transaxle Warning Light: A yellow ‘AT’ symbol. Continuing to drive while there’s an electrical problem with the transaxle could cause damage to the transaxle. Consult an expert repairer. 

• Lane-Keep Assist System: This symbol shows a birds eye view of a rectangular vehicle straying over a line/lane. If you are using an emergency spare tyre or an improper tyre, the system may not operate as normal and may malfunction. Get in touch with an expert repairer. 

• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Warning: A yellow exclamation point surrounded by parentheses with several short lines pointing downwards at the bottom. If this symbol illuminates or flashes, decrease the speed of your vehicle immediately. Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvring. Pull over and check the condition of the tyre. If you have enough tyre pressure, drive to a service centre to have air added and the system monitored. Do not ignore this light – it can lead to tyre failure and potentially dangerous accidents. 

Regular servicing of your Mazda 3

If you take care of your car, it will take care of you. Make sure you never miss a service – book your car in regularly for its scheduled services at an authorised Mazda repairer service centre. Regular servicing is a great way of avoiding issues with your car before they cause more damage. Call up today and book a service for your Mazda 3 in Perth. 

This is not an exhaustive list of Mazda 3 warning lights, and if you ever see a light illuminate on your dash, make sure you identify what it means and how best to proceed. If in doubt, get in touch with a trusted Perth Mazda dealership. Here at Mandurah Mazda, we can help you identify what is causing the dashboard warning light to illuminate, and get it resolved for you.