> 2012 MAZDA3 5-Door Features: safety

The first in its segment to offer the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), Mazda3 5-Door helps illuminate the road in front of you, as well as spot potential danger around every curve.

• With the available Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) the headlight beam automatically swivels in the direction the driver wants to go based on vehicle speed and steering angle, improving visibility while cornering at night.
• Available Self-leveling Bi-Xenon High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) headlights use Xenon gas elements that produce brighter, broader light and last longer than traditional halogen bulbs.

You can't put a price on safety, so we didn't. These advanced safety features are standard on every Mazda3.

• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)* modulates the throttle and brakes when over- or understeer is detected to help keep the vehicle stable during aggressive maneuvers.
• Traction Control System (TCS) detects any loss of traction then adjusts the throttle to provide the drive wheels with a better grip on the road and more sure-footed acceleration in difficult driving conditions.
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) pulses the brakes hundreds of times per second to help prevent wheel lockup so the driver can make controlled and confident stops.
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) monitors brake pedal pressure and vehicle weight to determine how much force to apply to the front and rear brakes, while Brake Assist increases braking pressure in an emergency situation.

* Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is an electronic system to help the driver maintain control under adverse conditions. It is not a substitute for safe driving practices. Factors including speed, road conditions and driver steering input can all affect whether DSC will be effective in preventing loss of control. Please see your Owner's Manual for further details.

Mazda3's six standard air bags leave little doubt we're serious about safety.

• Standard advanced front air bags help provide driver and front passenger protection for head and chest*.
• Standard front side-impact air bags help provide protection for chest and abdominal areas*.
• Fast-inflating design gives the side-impact air curtains a larger coverage area than standard air bags, providing greater protection to both front and outboard rear passengers in side-impact collisions*.

* Always wear your seat belt and secure children in the rear seats in appropriate child restraints.

Active front headrests help guard against neck injury in the event of a rear-end collision.

During a rear impact, the headrest moves forward when the occupant is pushed into the seatback and helps minimize whiplash injuries.

You can't always see every car on the road. That's why the available class-leading Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System* is here to help.

• An icon on the side-view mirrors illuminates when vehicles enter the detection area.
• If the turn signal is activated while vehicles are in the detection area, a chime sounds, alerting the driver.
• Sensors track approximately 12.5 feet from left to right and approximately 26 feet behind the side of the vehicle.

* Always check your mirrors. Be aware of the traffic around you.