2003 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA Reverse

1-4
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Exterior Overview
Door and keys
Outside mirrors
Side-marker lights
Headlights
Fuel-filler lid
Tires
Windshield wiper blades
Washer fluid
Hood
Front turn signal lights/
Parking lights Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights
Power windows Antenna
Rear window defroster
Trunk lid
High-mount brake light
License plate
lights
Reverse lights
Convertible top
(page 3-9)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35) (page 5-34)
(page 3-2)
(page 8-27)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35) (page 3-14)
(page 6-10)
(page 3-17)
(page 8-24)
(page 8-22)
(page 3-16)
(page 8-34) (page 8-32) (page 8-34) (page 3-31) (page 3-13)
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 4 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-8
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.

Manual Transmission Shift
Pattern
The shift pattern of the transmission is
conventional, as shown.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down
while shifting; then release it slowly.
(5-speed transmission)
A safety feature prevents accidental
shifting from 5 to reverse. The shift lever
must be put in neutral before being shifted
to reverse.
(6-speed transmission)

Vehicles with 6-speed transmission are
equipped with a device to prevent shifting
to reverse by mistake. Apply greater than
normal force when shifting to reverse.
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to
charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs
and the ABS warning light comes on.
This is due to a weak battery, not a
malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
Driving with Worn Disc Pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Manual Transmission
Operation
5-speed transmission
6-speed transmission Neutral position
Neutral position
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 8 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-9
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
For cruising
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade
, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
reduces the chance of stalling and gives
better acceleration when you need more
speed.
On a steep downgrade
, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
Sudden Engine-Braking:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which is dangerous.
The sudden change in tire speed
could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident. Do not use sudden
engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds.
• 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.
WARNING
CAUTION
5-speed
transmission 6-speed
transmission
1 to 2 24 km/h (15 mph) 23 km/h (14 mph)
2 to 3 42 km/h (26 mph) 37 km/h (23 mph)
3 to 4 55 km/h (34 mph) 50 km/h (31 mph)
4 to 5 66 km/h (41 mph) 56 km/h (35 mph)
5 to 6 —66 km/h (41 mph)
5-speed
transmission 6-speed
transmission
1 to 2 15 km/h (9 mph) 18 km/h (11 mph)
2 to 3 29 km/h (18 mph) 32 km/h (20 mph)
3 to 4 47 km/h (29 mph) 44 km/h (27 mph)
4 to 5 61 km/h (38 mph) 56 km/h (35 mph)
5 to 6 —68 km/h (42 mph)
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 9 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Various Lockouts:

Transmission Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transmission and prevents the
rear wheels from rotating.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except as
explained under Rocking the Vehicle
(page 4-7).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
Automatic 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 turning the
overdrive off or on
Holding the Vehicle with P:
Setting the shift lever to the P position
without using the parking brake to
hold the vehicle is dangerous. If P
fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident. To hold the
vehicle, set the shift lever to P AND
set the parking brake.
•
Shifting into P, N or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage your
transmission.
• Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transmission.
WARNING
CAUTION
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6-15
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
•The CD revolves at high speed within
the unit. Defective (cracked or badly
bent) CDs should never be used.
• Do not use non-conventional discs such
as heart-shaped, octagonal discs, etc.
The CD player/changer could be
damaged.
• A new CD may have rough edges on its
inner and outer perimeters. If a disc
with rough edges is used, proper
setting will not be possible and the CD
player/changer will not play the CD.
Remove the rough edges in advance by
using a ball-point pen or pencil as
shown below. To remove the rough
edges, rub the side of the pen or pencil
against the inner and outer perimeter of
the CD. •
When driving over uneven surfaces, the
sound may jump.
• The CD player/changer has been
designed to play CDs bearing the
identification logo as shown. No other
discs can be played.
• Be sure never to touch the signal
surface when handling the CDs. Pick
up a CD by grasping the outer edge or
the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
• Do not stick paper or tape on the CD.
Avoid scratching the reverse side (the
side without a label).
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6-26
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Operating the Cassette Tape Player
Cassette tape insert
Insert the cassette tape into the slot, open
edge to the right and cassette tape will
begin play and "TAPE" will be displayed.
At the end of the cassette tape, the unit
automatically reverses cassette tape play.
When is lit, the cassette tape
’s top side
is playing. When is lit, the bottom side
is on. PlayingPress the cassette tape play button
( ) to start playing when a
cassette tape is in the unit. If there isn
’t a
cassette tape in the unit when the cassette
tape play button ( ) is pressed,
"NO TAPE" will flash on and off in
sequence.
Dolby noise reduction
When using a tape with Dolby NR*, push
the Dolby NR button ( ). The
symbol will be displayed. To play a tape
without Dolby NR, push the button once
again.
Display
APC button:
(next program) (one being
played) Cassette tape play button
Cassette tape eject button Fast-forward button
Program button
Dolby NR button Rewind
button
Repeat button
NOTE
When a metal tape is inserted, the
player will automatically compensate
for it and "MTL" will be displayed.
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6-27
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
* Noise reduction system manufactured
under license from Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are
trademarks of Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
Ejecting the cassette tape
Press the cassette tape eject button ( ) to
eject the cassette tape.
Fast-forward/Rewind
Press the fast-forward button ( ) to
fast-forward.
Press the rewind button ( ) to rewind.
To stop this operation and play the
cassette tape, press the button again.
Reversing
Press the program button ( ) to
change cassette tape-playing direction.
Automatic program control (APC)
APC is used to find the beginning of
either the next program or the one being
played.Press the APC button ( ) to the
beginning of the next selection.
Press the APC button ( ) to the
beginning of the one being played. To
stop this operation and play the cassette
tape, press the button again.
If APC detects 15 seconds of blank space
it will automatically advance the tape to
the next selection.
Repeat play
This operation makes it possible to listen
to a selection repeatedly.
Press the repeat button ( ) during play.
The current selection playing will be
repeated ("RPT" will be displayed).
Press the repeat button ( ) once again
to cancel repeat play.
NOTE
The cassette tape can be ejected when
the ignition switch is in the OFF
position.
NOTE
When the cassette tape ends during
fast-forward or rewind, it
automatically stops and starts playing.
NOTE
When the cassette tape ends, the unit
automatically reverses play.
NOTE
APC may not operate properly if
•
A tape was recorded at a low level.
• A tape has long, silent intervals.
• A tape is a live recording.
• A tape has very short intervals of
less than 3 seconds.
NOTE
RPT may not operate properly if
•A tape was recorded at a low level.
• A tape has long, silent intervals.
• A tape is a live recording.
• A tape has very short intervals of
less than 3 seconds.
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 27 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

6-28
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Operating the Mini Disc (MD) Player
Inserting the MD
Insert the MD, label-side up with the
arrow pointed to the slot. The auto-
loading mechanism will set the MD and
begin play. There will be a short lapse
before play begins while the player reads
the digital signals on the MD.
Playing
Press the MD play button ( ) to
start playing when a MD is in the unit.
Ejecting the MD
Press the MD eject button ( ) to eject the
MD. Fast-forward/Reverse
Press and hold the fast-forward button
( ) to advance through a track at high
speed.
Press and hold the reverse button ( )
to reverse through a track at high speed.
Tr a c k s e a r c h
Press the track up button ( ) once to
skip forward to the beginning of the next
track.
Press the track down button ( ) once to
skip back to the beginning of the current
track.
Display
Track up
button
Track down
button MD play button
Reverse button Scan
button
Repeat button
MD display
MD slot
Random buttonMD eject
button
Display
button
Fast-
forward
button
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 28 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM