i-ACTIVSENSE
i-ACTIVSENSE (Some Models)
i-ACTIVSENSE is a collective term covering a series of advanced safety and driver support systems which make use of a Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) and radar sensors. These systems consist of active safety and pre-crash safety systems.
These systems are designed to assist the driver in safer driving by reducing the load on the driver and helping to avert collisions or reduce their severity. However, because each system has its limitations, always drive carefully and do not rely solely on the systems.
Active Safety Technology
Active Safety Technology supports safer driving by helping the driver to recognise potential hazards and avert accidents.
Driver awareness support systems
Nighttime visibility
Left/right side and rear side detection
Road sign recognition
Inter-vehicle distance recognition
Driver fatigue detection
Rear obstruction detection when leaving a parking space
Full-surround recognition
Driver support systems
Inter-vehicle distance
Lane departure
Speed control
Pre-Crash Safety Technology
Pre-crash safety technology is designed to assist the driver in averting collisions or reduce their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided.
Collision damage reduction in low vehicle speed range
Forward driving
Reverse driving
Collision damage reduction in medium/high speed range
Camera and Sensors
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) detects lane indications and recognises headlights, tail lights and city lights during nighttime driving. In addition, it also detects the vehicle ahead, pedestrians, or obstructions. The following systems also use the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
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High Beam Control System (HBC)
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Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH)
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Driver Attention Alert (DAA)
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Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
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Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR)
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Advanced Smart City Brake Support (Advanced SCBS)
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Smart Brake Support (SBS)
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Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go function (MRCC with Stop & Go function)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed at the top of the windscreen near the rearview mirror.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) (Search).
Radar sensor (front)
The radar sensor (front) functions by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle ahead sent from the radar sensor. The following systems also use the radar sensor (front).
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Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go function (MRCC with Stop & Go function)
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Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS)
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Smart Brake Support (SBS)
The radar sensor (front) is mounted behind the radiator grille.
Refer to Radar Sensor (Front) (Search).
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensors. The following systems also use the radar sensors (rear).
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Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
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Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right sides.
Refer to Radar Sensors (Rear) (Search).
Ultrasonic sensors (rear)
The ultrasonic sensors (rear) function by detecting the ultrasonic waves reflected off obstructions at the rear sent from the ultrasonic sensors. The following systems also use the ultrasonic sensors (rear).
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Smart City Brake Support [Reverse] (SCBS R)
The ultrasonic sensors (rear) are mounted in the rear bumper.
Refer to Ultrasonic Sensors (Rear) (Search).
Front camera/side cameras/rear view camera
The front camera, side cameras, and rear camera shoot images of the area surrounding the vehicle. The 360° View Monitor uses each camera.
Cameras are installed to the front bumper, door mirrors, and liftgate.
Refer to Front Camera/Side Cameras/Rear Camera (Search).
High Beam Control System (HBC) (Some Models)
The HBC determines the conditions in front of the vehicle using the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) while driving in darkness to automatically switch the headlights between high and low beams.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) (Search).
While driving the vehicle at a speed of about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the headlights are switched to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or approaching in the opposite direction.
The system switches the headlights to low beams when one of the following occurs:
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The system detects a vehicle or the headlights/lights of a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction.
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The vehicle is driven on roads lined with streetlamps or on roads in well-lit cities and towns.
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The vehicle is driven at less than about 20 km/h (12 mph).

The warning light turns on when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorised Mazda Repairer and Have Vehicle Inspected (Search).
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Do not adjust the vehicle height, modify the headlight units, or remove the camera, otherwise the system will not operate normally.
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Do not rely excessively on the HBC and drive the vehicle while paying sufficient attention to safety. Switch the headlights between the high beams and low beams manually if necessary.
The timing in which the system switches the headlights changes under the following conditions. If the system does not switch the headlights appropriately, manually switch between high and low beams according to the visibility as well as road and traffic conditions.
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When there are sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated signboards, and traffic signals.
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When there are reflective objects in the surrounding area such as reflective plates and signs.
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When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions.
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When driving on roads with sharp turn or hilly terrain.
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When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles in front of you or in the opposite lane are dim or not illuminated.
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When there is insufficient darkness such as at dawn or dusk.
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When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger seats are occupied.
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When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle in front of you spraying water from its tyres onto your windscreen.
To Operate the System
The HBC operates to switch the headlights automatically between high and low beams after the ignition is switched ON and the headlight switch is in the AUTO and high beam position.
The HBC determines that it is dark based on the brightness of the surrounding area. At the same time, the HBC indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster illuminates.

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When the vehicle speed is about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the headlights automatically switch to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or approaching in the opposite direction.
When the vehicle speed is less than about 20 km/h (12 mph), the HBC switches the headlights to low beams.
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The low beams may not switch to high beams when cornering.
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Operation of the HBC function can be disabled. Refer to Vehicle Equipment (Search).
Manual Switching
Switching to low beams
Shift the lever to the low beam position.
The HBC indicator light (green) turns off.
Switching to high beams
Turn the headlight switch to the position.
The HBC indicator light (green) turns off and the is illuminated.
Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) (Some Models)
The ALH are a system which uses the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) to determine the situation of a vehicle ahead or a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction while driving at night to automatically switch the illumination range of the headlights, the illuminated area, or the illumination brightness.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) (Search).
The ALH are controlled between high and low beams as follows to assure the driver’s visibility without dazzling a vehicle ahead or a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction.
Glare-Free High Beam
This feature dims only the high-beam light shone on the vehicle ahead.
The high beams will dim while driving at a speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or faster. When the vehicle speed is less than about 30 km/h (19 mph), the beams switch to the low beams.

Wide-Range Low Beam
This feature extends the illumination range of the light cast by the low beams while driving at a speed less than about 40 km/h (25 mph).

Highway Mode
This feature shifts the illumination angle of the light cast by the headlights upward while driving on highways.

The distance in which the ALH can detect objects varies depending on the surrounding conditions.
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Do not modify the suspensions or headlight units, or remove the camera. Otherwise, the ALH may not operate normally.
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Do not rely excessively on the ALH and drive the vehicle while paying sufficient attention to safety. Switch the headlights between the high beams and low beams manually if necessary.
Under the following conditions, the ALH may not operate normally. Manually switch between the high and low beams according to the visibility, and the road and traffic conditions.
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When there are other sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated signboards, and traffic signals.
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When there are reflective objects in the surrounding area such as reflective plates and signs.
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When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions.
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When driving on roads with sharp curves or undulations.
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When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles ahead or in the opposite lane are dim or not illuminated.
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When there is insufficient darkness such as at dawn or dusk.
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When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger seats are occupied.
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When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead spraying water from its tyres onto your windscreen.
To Operate the System
The system switches the headlights to the high beams after the ignition is switched ON and the headlight switch is in the position. The ALH indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster turns on simultaneously.

The ALH determine that it is nighttime based on the brightness of the surrounding area.
The system cancels operation when the headlight switch is turned to a position other than , the headlights are manually switched to low beams, or the high beams are flashed on and off.
Manual Switching
Switching to low beams
Shift the lever to the low beam position.
The ALH indicator light (green) turns off.
Switching to high beams
Turn the headlight switch to the position.
The ALH indicator light (green) turns off and the is illuminated.
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.
The BSM detects vehicles approaching from the rear while travelling 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 direction indicator 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 by turning 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.

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.
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The BSM will operate when all of the following conditions are met:
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The ignition is switched ON.
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The BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is turned off.
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The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster.
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The BSM will not operate under the following circumstances.
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The vehicle speed falls below about 8 km/h (5 mph) even though the BSM OFF switch indicator light is turned off.
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The selector lever is shifted to R position and the vehicle is reversing.
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The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections).
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In the following cases, the BSM OFF indicator light turns on and operation of the system is stopped. If the BSM OFF indicator light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an expert repairer (we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer) as soon as possible.
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Some problem with the system including the BSM warning indicator lights is detected.
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A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has occurred.
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There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor (rear). Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper.
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Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
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The temperature near the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely hot due to driving for long periods on slopes during the summer.
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The battery voltage has decreased.
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Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it may be difficult to detect them.
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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.
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A vehicle is travelling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed for an extended period of time.
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Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.
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A vehicle in an adjacent driving lane is attempting to pass your vehicle.
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A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.
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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.
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A vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane 2 lanes over to an adjacent lane.
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Driving on steep slopes.
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Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.
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When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent lane.
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Directly after the BSM system becomes operable by changing the setting.
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If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles 2 lanes over may be detected. The detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of expressways.
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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.
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A BSM warning indicator light may flash or the warning beep and the warning screen indicator display may be activated several times when making a turn at a city intersection.
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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.
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In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the BSM warning indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors.
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Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors.
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The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
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The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function when the selector lever is shifted to the reverse (R) position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) (Search).
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Indicator Light/Display Indicator/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Beep
The BSM or Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) 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 (BSM) 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.
Forward driving (BSM operation)
The BSM detects vehicles approaching from the rear and turns on the BSM warning indicator lights equipped on the door mirrors according to the conditions. Additionally, while a BSM warning indicator light is illuminated, if the direction indicator lever is operated to signal a turn in the direction in which the BSM warning indicator light is illuminated, the BSM warning indicator light flashes.
Reverse driving (Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operation)
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects a vehicle approaching from the rear of the vehicle and flashes the BSM warning indicator lights.
Function for cancelling illumination dimmer
If the BSM warning indicator lights turn on when the position 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 travelling 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 Instrument Panel Illumination (Search), (Search).
Display indicator
The detected approaching vehicle and warning are displayed in the multi-information display and active driving display when the vehicle is moving forward (BSM operational).

The detected direction is displayed with a detection indicator (white) when an approaching vehicle is detected. In addition, if the direction indicator lever is operated to signal a lane change while the vehicle is detected, the display changes the colour (amber) of the warning indicator.
BSM warning beep
The BSM warning beep is activated simultaneously with the flashing of a BSM warning indicator light.