Black plate (84,1)
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)
WARNING
Carbon Monoxide:
Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Exhaust Gas in Enclosed Area:
Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss of
consciousness or even death could occur. Don't run the engine when inside an
enclosed area.
Idling with the Windows Closed:
Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed and
the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which contains
poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or even
death could occur. Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw
fresh air.
Snow Blocking the Exhaust Gas:
Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The exhaust
pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin. Because
exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, anyone in the cabin could be
injured or killed. Clear the snow from underneath and around your vehicle,
particularly the tail pipe, before starting the engine.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page84
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (87,1)
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces 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. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
lIf your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don't hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don't pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don't spin the rear
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear
wheels.
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don't spin the wheels at more
than 56 km/h (35 mph), and don't
allow anyone to stand behind a wheel
when pushing the vehicle.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page87
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (105,1)
O/D OFF indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.
CAUTION
If the overdrive-off indicator light
flashes, the transmission has an
electrical problem. Continuing to drive
your Mazda in this condition could
cause damage to your transmission.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
qDriving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or 1, depending on the load
weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to 2
or 1, depending on load weight and grade
steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-13
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (112,1)
qTachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Red zone
CAUTION
Don't run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
qEngine 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.
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page
7-11).
qFuel 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.
5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page112
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (123,1)
Daytime Running Lights
(Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
NOTE
The running lights go off when the
parking brake is applied.
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
WARNING
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing
temperatures is dangerous. The
washer fluid could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision. You
could have an accident. Don't use the
washer without first warming the
windshield and never use plain tap
water.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,
overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper
switch and park off the right-of-way,
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and
the blades should operate normally. If
they don't resume functioning, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-31
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (132,1)
Mode selector dial
Turn the mode selector dial to select
airflow mode (page 6-4).
A/C switchí
Push the switch to turn the air conditioner
on. The indicator light on the switch will
illuminate when the fan control dial is set
at position 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Push the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function
when the outside temperature
approaches 0 °C (32 °F).
Air intake selector
This lever controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
It is recommended that under normal
conditions the lever be kept in the outside
air position.
Outside air position (
)
Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use
this position for normal ventilation and
heating.
Recirculated air position (
)
Outside air is shut off. Air within the
vehicle is recirculated.
This position can be used when driving on
a dusty road or in similar conditions. It
also helps to provide quicker cooling of
the interior.
WARNING
The Recirculated Air Position:
Using the
position in cold or
rainy weather will cause the windows
to fog up. Your vision will be
hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident. Do not use the
position in cold or rainy weather.
6-6
Interior Comfort
íSome models.
Climate Control System
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (133,1)
Rear window defroster switch
When using the rear window defroster
switch, refer to Rear Window Defroster
(page 5-33).
qHeating
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the hot position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
5. If dehumidified heating is desired, turn on the air conditioner.
NOTE
lIf the windshield fogs up easily, set
the mode selector dial to the
position.
lIf cooler air is desired at face level,
set the mode selector dial at the
position and adjust the temperature
control dial to maintain maximum
comfort.
lThe air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
qCooling (With Air Conditioner)í
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the cold position. 3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
CAUTION
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-20).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner off.
NOTE
lWhen maximum cooling is desired,
set the temperature control dial to the
extreme cold position and set the air
intake selector to the
position,
then set the fan control dial to
position 4.
lIf warmer air is desired at floor level,
set the mode selector dial at the
position and adjust the temperature
control dial to maintain maximum
comfort.
lThe air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-7íSome models.
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page133
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (194,1)
Lighter
The ignition switch must be in the ACC
or ON position.
Press the lighter in and release it. When
ready for use, it automatically pops out.
CAUTION
lDon't touch the metal part of the
lighter, you may burn yourself.
lDon't hold the lighter in because it
will overheat.
lDon't use the lighter socket for plug-
in accessories such as shavers and
coffee pots. They may damage it or
cause electrical failure. Use only a
genuine Mazda lighter or the
equivalent.
lIf the lighter doesn't pop out within
30 seconds, remove it to prevent
overheating.
Ashtray
CAUTION
Don't use the ashtray for trash. You
might start a fire.
To remove, open and pull up the ashtray.
6-68
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page194
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G