2003 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA automatic transmission

3-4
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

TransmitterLock button
To lock the doors, press the LOCK button
and the hazard warning lights will flash
once.
To confirm that all the doors have been
locked, press the LOCK button again
within 5 seconds. If they are closed and
locked, the horn will sound and the hazard
warning lights will flash once.
Unlock button
To unlock the driver
’s door, press the
UNLOCK button and the hazard warning
lights will flash twice.
To unlock all the doors, press the
UNLOCK button again within 5 seconds
and the hazard warning lights will flash
twice.
Trunk button
To open the trunk, press the button.Panic button
You can use the button to turn on the
alarm, which allows you to signal for
attention in an emergency.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of
the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation. (Outside
transmissions may momentarily
interfere with the device’ s operation.)
NOTE
If the LOCK and UNLOCK button are
pressed sequentially, the hazard
warning lights may not flash correctly.
Panic buttonLock button
Trunk button Unlock button
NOTE
Confirm that all the doors are locked
visually or aurally by use of the double
click.
NOTE
After unlocking with the transmitter,
all doors will automatically lock if one
of the doors is not opened within about
30 seconds.
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 4 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask a Mazda dealer to perform the
following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Use only cold-weather engine oil
(page 8-13).
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze
—but don ’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-22).
• Don
’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don
’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4.3
psi) more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver ’s door), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter months.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle’ s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
WARNING
CAUTION
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5-1
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ................................................................... 5- 2
Ignition Switch ........................................................................ 5- 2
Starting the Engine .................................................................. 5- 3
Brake System ........................................................................... 5- 4
Manual Transmission Operation ............................................. 5- 8
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-10
Power Steering ......................................................................... 5-13
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-14
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-17
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-17
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps ........................................ 5-22
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-22
Beeps ....................................................................................... 5-29
Switches and Controls ................................................................. 5-30
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-30
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-31
Fog Lights ................................................................................ 5-31
Daytime Running Lights (Canada) .......................................... 5-32
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-32
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-34
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-34
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-35
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 1 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Starting and Driving

Ignition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transmission
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key in at the
ACC position. Automatic transmission
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, keep the shift lever in P.
Ignition Switch
LOCK
Push the key
ACC ON
Removing the Key:
It
’s dangerous to remove the key from
the ignition switch while the vehicle is
moving. Removing the key allows the
steering wheel to lock. You will lose
steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked.
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver ’s seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver ’s
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with
an automatic transmission or in 1 or
R with a manual transmission.
LOCK Shift lever
engaged in P
(park)
ACC
ON
WARNING
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5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-22).
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked after the
engine is started (page 5-22).

Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when
any door is opened. 1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. (Manual transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not
pushed down all the
way.
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever is not
in P or N.
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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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5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence.
2 (Second)
The 2 position is helpful when driving in
heavy, slow-moving traffic and climbing
hills, for engine braking assist when going
down hills, or for starting on slick
surfaces and other situations where gentle
acceleration may be necessary.
Do not exceed 104 km/h (64 mph) in the 2
position.
1 (Low)
Use the 1 position for maximum power in
hard-pulling situations, or for climbing
and descending very steep grades.
Do not exceed 59 km/h (36 mph) in the 1
position.

Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system 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.
Shifting from N or P:
It ’s dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine is
running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move
suddenly, causing an accident or
serious injury. If the engine is
running faster than idle, don ’t shift
from N or P into a driving gear.
Shifting into N while Driving:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury. Do not shift into N when
driving the vehicle.
WARNING
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.
NOTE
• When the ignition switch is in the
ACC or LOCK position, the
transmission 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. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
• To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
WARNING
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5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

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.
And for a smoother ride with less shifting,
don
’t use it when:
• Going up a steep grade.
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic.
• Pulling heavy loads.
To turn off the overdrive, push the
button.
The transmission will then shift through a
3-gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st
To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st
Shift lever
Overdrive button
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 12 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM