2002 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA ignition

5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-17).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-26).
Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don
’t drive
with this light on, and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 6 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

5-7
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
is about to lock up, the ABS responds by
automatically releasing and reapplying
that wheel
’s brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal when the ABS operates. Don ’t
pump the brakes, continue to press down
on the brake pedal.

ABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you’
re driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function
normally as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
ABS:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident. So don ’t rely on ABS as a
substitute for safe driving.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
WARNING
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 7 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

5-9
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Various Lockouts:
•
Keep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also,
don’
t use the clutch to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. This will
avoid needless clutch wear and
damage.
• Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to
reverse.
Shifting to reverse while the vehicle
is still moving may damage the
transmission.
NOTE
If shifting to reverse is difficult, shift
into neutral, release the clutch pedal,
and try again.
CAUTIONAutomatic Transmission
Controls
Indicates that you must depress the
brake pedal and hold in the lock-
release button to shift (The ignition
switch must be in the ON position).
Indicates the shift lever can be
shifted freely into any position.
Indicates that you must hold in the
lock-release button to shift.
Lock-release button
To prevent unsafe
shifting
Shift pattern
indicator
Shows shift lever
position
Overdrive button
For gear selection with
either a three-speed or
four-speed transmission
J07L(02MY).book Page 9 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Shift-Lock System
For your safety, the automatic
transmission has a shift-lock, which
prevents shifting out of P unless the
brake pedal is depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Push and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the shift lever.

Shift-Lock Override
If the shift lever won
’t move from P with
the brake pedal depressed, continue to
hold down the pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover with a screwdriver. 2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
3. Push and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the shift lever.
5. Take the vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the system
checked.

Overdrive
Overdrive operation
In D, the transmission automatically shifts
to overdrive, which improves fuel
economy and reduces noise.
To allow engine braking when going
down a steep grade, make sure the
overdrive button is in the off position.
NOTE
• When the ignition switch is in the
ACC or LOCK position, the
transaxle cannot be shifted from P.
• If the brake is pumped with the shift
lever in P, a chattering near the shift
lever may be heard. Don’
t worry,
this is a normal sound.
• To be sure the vehicle is in park, the
ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in P.
Shift lever
Overdrive button
J07L(02MY).book Page 11 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
• Press the CRUISE MAIN switch.
• Slightly depress the brake pedal.
• (Manual transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal.
The system is off when the ignition is off.
NOTE
With an automatic transmission
vehicle, the gear is automatically
selected when going uphill.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed
or below 40 km/h (25 mph).
J07L(02MY).book Page 16 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Speedometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of
the vehicle.

Odometer and Trip Meter
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
The display mode can be changed from
odometer to trip meter A to trip meter B
and then back to odometer by pressing the
selector. The selected mode will be
displayed. Odometer
When this mode is selected, ODO will be
displayed.
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Tr i p m e t e r
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to "0.0" by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and in to compute fuel
consumption.
Selector
Odometer
Trip meter A Press the selector
Press the selector
Press the selector
Trip meter B
J07L(02MY).book Page 18 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-17).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again. If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-26).
J07L(02MY).book Page 24 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
If the driver’
s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep will sound for about
6 seconds and the seat belt warning light
will remain on until the belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate correctly,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Charging System Warning Light
This warning light indicates a malfunction
of the alternator or of the charging system.
If the light comes on while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine. Inspect the alternator drive belt for looseness and
breakage.
3. If it ’s OK, the charging system has a
problem. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don ’t drive
with this light on, and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 25 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM