2003 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA tow

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

Locking, Unlocking with Key
Either door can be locked/unlocked with
the key.
Turn the key toward the front to unlock,
toward the back to lock.

Locking, Unlocking with
Transmitter
The doors can be locked/unlocked by
operating the keyless entry system
transmitter, refer to keyless entry system
(page 3-3).

Locking, Unlocking with Door-
Lock Button
To lock any door from the inside, push its
door-lock button.
To unlock, pull it out.
This does not operate the other door lock. To lock any door with the door-lock
button from the outside, push its door-
lock button and close the door.
This does not operate the other door lock.


Power Door Locks
Locking, unlocking with key
Both doors lock automatically when either
door is locked with the key. Both doors
unlock when the driver
’s door is unlocked
and the key is held in the unlock position a
second longer. Also, both doors unlock
when the passenger ’s door is unlocked.
Unlock
Lock
Lock
Unlock
NOTE
When locking the doors this way, be
careful not to leave the key inside the
vehicle.
Door-lock button
Unlock Lock
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 8 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

4-1
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ....................................... 4- 2
Fuel Requirements ................................................................... 4- 2
Emission Control System ........................................................ 4- 3
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ....................................... 4- 4
Before Starting the Engine ......................................................... 4- 5
Before Getting In ..................................................................... 4- 5
After Getting In ....................................................................... 4- 5
Driving Tips ................................................................................. 4- 6
Break-In Period ....................................................................... 4- 6
Money-Saving Suggestions ..................................................... 4- 6
Hazardous Driving ................................................................... 4- 7
Rocking the Vehicle ................................................................. 4- 7
Winter Driving ......................................................................... 4- 8
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4- 9
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-10
To w i n g .......................................................................................... 4-11
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-11
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 1 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

4-11
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
To w i n g
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Trailer Towing
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 11 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

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, after checking
that the parking brake is released, 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
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 6 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
NOTE
• Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
• The trip record will be erased when;

The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
 The vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
Don ’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
Red zone
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page 7-
11).
CAUTION
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 19 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

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).
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 24 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-30
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Switches and Controls

Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the knob on the
end of the control lever.

Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep will
sound when any door is opened.

Headlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beam.
Pull it back for low.

Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch need
not be on, and the lever will return to the
normal position when released.
Lighting Control
Lever Position OFF
Headlights Off Off OnTaillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights Off On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery,
don't leave the lights on while the
engine is off.
High beam
Low beam
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 30 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-31
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Tu r n S i g n a l
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to
its original position.
Green indicators on the dashboard show
which signal is working.
Lane-change signals
Move the lever slightly toward the
direction of the change
—until the
indicator flashes — and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released. Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
They help you to see as well as to be seen.
To turn on the fog lights, first turn on the
headlight switch. Then press the fog light
switch.
To turn the fog lights off:
(Type A)
Press the fog light switch again or turn the
headlight switch off.
(Type B)
Press the left part of the fog light switch
or turn the headlight switch off.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
NOTE
If an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, the
turn signal bulb may be burned out.
Right turn
Right lane
OFF
Left lanechange change
Left turn
Fog Lights
NOTE
The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
Type A
Type B
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 31 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM