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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
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
MAZDASPEED MX-5 MX-5/miata
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-11).
CAUTION
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5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
If the needle on the gauge doesn
’t move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3. If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it ’s low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn ’t move, have
your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Don ’t run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
CAUTION
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5-23
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Warning/Indicator Lights
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-25
Charging System Warning Light 5-26
Check Engine Light 5-27
ABS Warning Light 5-27
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-28
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-28
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-28
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
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5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
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 8-18).
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 5-27).
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5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Charging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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 fully 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
Don't continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated.
CAUTION
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5-27
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Check Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
• The fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
• The engine
’s electrical system has a
problem.
• The emission control system has a
problem.
• The fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on or
flashes continuously, do not drive at high
speeds and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
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 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
*Some models.
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5-28
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Light
If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system
is normal, the warning light illuminates
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position or after the engine is cranked.
After about 6 seconds it goes out.
A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes,
illuminates or doesn
’t illuminate at all
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position. If any of these occur, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. The system may not work in an
accident.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This warning light signals that the fuel
tank will soon be empty.
Refuel as soon as possible.
Seat Belt Warning Light
If the driver
’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, 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.
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.Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
performs all servicing and repairs.
WARNING
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5-31
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Switches and Controls
Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the headlight
switch 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 sound
will be heard 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
Switch 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.
OFF
High beam
Low beam
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