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.
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
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).
Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH)
Driver Attention Alert (DAA)
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR)
Advanced Smart City Brake Support (Advanced SCBS)
Smart City Brake Support [Forward] (SCBS F)
Smart Brake Support (SBS)
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).
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)
Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS)
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).
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
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).
Smart City Brake Support [Reverse] (SCBS R)
The ultrasonic sensors (rear) are mounted in the rear bumper.
Refer to Ultrasonic Sensors (Rear) (Search).
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the headlight beams to the left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel after the headlights have been turned on.
Headlights do not blind drivers approaching in the opposite direction no matter what side of the road you must drive your vehicle (left-hand or right-hand traffic). Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the optical axis of the headlights when switching temporarily to driving on the opposite side of the road (left-hand or right-hand traffic).
The Adaptive LED Headlights (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 Adaptive LED Headlights (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 (18 mph), the beams switch to the low beams.
The headlight high-beam indicator light turns on while the high beams are on.
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 Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) can detect objects varies depending on the surrounding conditions.
Do not modify the suspensions or headlight units, or remove the camera. Otherwise, the Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) may not operate normally.
Do not rely excessively on the Adaptive LED Headlights (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 Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) may not operate normally. Manually switch between the high and low beams according to the visibility, and the road and traffic conditions.
When there are other sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated signboards, and traffic signals.
When there are reflective objects in the surrounding area such as reflective plates and signs.
When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions.
When driving on roads with sharp curves or undulations.
When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles ahead or in the opposite lane are dim or not illuminated.
When there is insufficient darkness such as at dawn or dusk.
When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger seats are occupied.
When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead spraying water from its tyres onto your windscreen.
The system switches the headlights to the high beams after the ignition is switched ON and the headlight switch is in the position. The Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster turns on simultaneously.
The Adaptive LED Headlights (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.
The system can be changed so that the Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) do not operate.
Refer to Personalisation Features (Search).
Switching to low beams
Shift the lever to the low beam position.
The Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) indicator light (green) turns off.
Switching to high beams
Turn the headlight switch to the position.
The Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) indicator light (green) turns off and the is illuminated.
The LDWS alerts the driver that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane. If the white (yellow) lines on the traffic lane are detected using the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) and the system determines that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane, it notifies the driver by flashing the LDWS warning light and activating the LDWS warning beep, and by the multi-information display (vehicles with multi-information display) and the active driving display (vehicles with active driving display).
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (Search).
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white (yellow) lines.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Lane-keep Assist System (LAS), refer to the Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) (Search).
The warning light flashes when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights (Search).
Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions, resulting in an accident.
Driving on roads with tight curves.
Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
The functions of the LDWS have limitations:
Always stay on course using the steering wheel and drive with care. The system is not designed to compensate for a driver’s lack of caution and if you rely too much on the LDWS it could lead to an accident. The driver is responsible for assuring lane changes and other manoeuvres. Always pay attention to the direction in which the vehicle is travelling and the vehicle’s surroundings.
Do not modify the suspension. If the vehicle height or the damping force of the suspensions is changed, the LDWS may not operate correctly.
If your vehicle deviates from its traffic lane, the LDWS operates (warning sound and indicator light). Steer the vehicle adequately to drive the vehicle to the centre of the lane.
When the direction indicator lever is operated for a lane change, the LDWS warning is automatically cancelled. The LDWS warning becomes operable when the direction indicator lever is returned and the system detects the white or yellow lines.
If the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brake pedal is operated abruptly and the vehicle moves close to a white or yellow line, the system determines that the driver is making a lane change and the LDWS warning is automatically cancelled.
The LDWS may not operate during the period immediately after the vehicle has deviated from its lane and the LDWS has operated, or the vehicle deviates from its lane repeatedly within a short period of time.
The LDWS does not operate if it does not detect the white or yellow lines of the traffic lane.
Under the following conditions, the LDWS may not be able to detect white or yellow lines correctly and the LDWS may not operate correctly.
If an object placed on the instrument panel is reflected in the windscreen and picked up by the camera.
Heavy luggage is loaded in the luggage compartment or on the rear seat and the vehicle is inclined.
The tyre pressures are not adjusted to the specified pressure.
When the vehicle is driven on the entry and exit to or from the rest area or tollgate of a highway.
The white or yellow lines are less visible because of dirt or paint flaking.
The vehicle ahead is running near a white or yellow line and the line is less visible.
A white or yellow line is less visible because of bad weather (rain, fog, or snow).
The vehicle is driven on a temporary lane or section with a closed lane due to construction.
A misleading line is picked up on the road such as a temporary line for construction, or because of shade, lingering snow, or grooves filled with water.
The surrounding brightness suddenly changes such as when entering or exiting a tunnel.
The illumination of the headlights is weakened because of dirt or the optical axis is deviated.
The windscreen is dirty or foggy.
Back-light is reflecting from the road surface.
The road surface is wet and shiny after rain, or there are puddles on the road.
The shade of a guardrail parallel to a white or yellow line is on the road.
The width of a lane is excessively narrow or wide.
The road is excessively uneven.
The vehicle is shaken after hitting a road bump.
There are two or more adjacent white or yellow lines.
There are various road markings or lane markings of various shapes near an intersection.
Press the LDWS OFF switch to cancel the LDWS. The LDWS OFF indicator light turns on.
(Vehicles with multi-information display)
The vehicle lane lines are no longer indicated in the multi-information display when the LDWS is cancelled.
(Vehicles with active driving display)
The vehicle lane lines are no longer indicated in the active driving display when the LDWS is cancelled.
(European models)
When the ignition is switched OFF, the LDWS becomes operational the next time the ignition switched ON.
(Except European models)
When the ignition is switched OFF, the system status before it was turned off is maintained. For example, if the ignition is switched OFF with the lane-keep system operable, the system will be operable when the ignition is switched ON the next time.
If the system determines that there is the possibility of a lane departure, the LDWS warning beep activates and the LDWS warning light flashes. Operate the steering wheel appropriately and steer the vehicle to the centre of the lane.
For vehicles equipped with the multi-information display, the direction which the system determined that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane is indicated in the multi-information display.
For vehicles equipped with the active driving display, the colour of the lane line in the direction which the system determined that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane changes from white to amber and the vehicle lane line flashes.
Indication on display
If the LDWS warning sound is set to rumble*1, the sound will be heard from the vehicle speaker on the side which the system determined the vehicle may be deviating from its lane.
It may be difficult to hear the LDWS warning beep depending on the surrounding conditions such as outside noise.
The volume of the LDWS warning sound can be changed.
Refer to Personalisation Features (Search).
The type of warning sound (rumble*1/beep) on the LDWS can be changed.
Refer to Personalisation Features (Search).
A rumble strip is a series of grooves in the road pavement surface positioned at specific intervals, and when the vehicle passes over it a vibration and rumble sound is produced which alerts the driver that the vehicle is departing from the lane.
The rumble sound is a reproduction of the sound which occurs when a vehicle passes over a rumble strip.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (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 Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) detects vehicles approaching from the rear while travelling in the forward direction at a speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) or faster and notifies the driver by turning on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light and displaying the vehicle detection screen (vehicles with active driving display).
If the direction indicator lever is operated to signal a turn in the direction in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light is illuminated while the approaching vehicle is detected, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) notifies the driver of possible danger by turning on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light, and by activating the warning sound and the warning screen indicator display (vehicles with active driving 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 Blind Spot Monitoring (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.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) will operate when all of the following conditions are met:
The ignition is switched ON.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is turned off.
The vehicle speed is about 30 km/h (19 mph) or faster.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) will not operate under the following circumstances.
The vehicle speed falls below about 25 km/h (15 mph) even though the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch indicator light is turned off.
The shift lever (manual transaxle)/selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing.
In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indication/warning light turns on and operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indication/warning light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer as soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights is detected.
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has occurred.
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.
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
The temperature near the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely hot due to driving for long periods on slopes during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it may be difficult to detect them.
A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not approach. The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) determines the condition based on radar detection data.
A vehicle is travelling 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 radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.
In the following case, the flashing of the Blind Spot Monitoring (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.
The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections).
When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent lane.
Directly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch and the system becomes operable.
If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected. The detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of expressways.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (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.
A Blind Spot Monitoring (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 Blind Spot Monitoring (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 Blind Spot Monitoring (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 system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function when the shift lever (manual transaxle) or the selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to the reverse (R) position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) (Search).
Your vehicle is equipped with radar sensors (rear). The following systems also use the radar sensors (rear).
Blind Spot Monitoring system (BSM)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
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 sensor.
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right sides.
Always keep the surface of the rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) clean so that the radar sensors (rear) operate normally. Also, do not apply items such as stickers.
Refer to Exterior Care (Search).
If the rear bumper receives a severe impact, the system may no longer operate normally. Stop the system immediately and have the vehicle inspected at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
The detection ability of the radar sensors (rear) has limitations. In the following cases, the detection ability may lower and the system may not operate normally.
The rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) has become deformed.
Snow, ice or mud adheres to the radar sensors (rear) on the rear bumper.
Under bad weather conditions such as rain, snow and fog.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it may be difficult to detect them.
Stationary objects on a road or a road side such as small, two-wheeled vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, and shopping carts.
Vehicle shapes which do not reflect radar waves well such as empty trailers with a low vehicle height and sports cars.
Vehicles are shipped with the direction of the radar sensors (rear) adjusted for each vehicle to a loaded vehicle condition so that the radar sensors (rear) detect approaching vehicles correctly. If the direction of the radar sensors (rear) has deviated for some reason, have the vehicle inspected at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
For repairs or replacement of the radar sensors (rear), or bumper repairs, paintwork, and replacement near the radar sensors, consult an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Turn off the system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted by the radar will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
The radar sensors are regulated by the relevant radio wave laws of the country in which the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is driven abroad, authorization from the country in which the vehicle is driven may be required.