2006 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA warning

Black plate (4,1)
We want to help you get the most driving
pleasure from your vehicle. Your owner's
manual, when read from cover to cover,
can do that in many ways.
Illustrations complement the words of the
manual to best explain how to enjoy your
Mazda. By reading your manual, you can
find out about the features, important
safety information, and driving under
various road conditions.
The symbol below in this manual means
“Do not do this ”or “Do not let this
happen ”.
Index: A good place to start is the Index,
an alphabetical listing of all information
in your manual.
You'll find several WARNINGs,
CAUTIONs, and NOTEs in the manual.
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in
which serious injury or death could
result if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in
which bodily injury or damage to your
vehicle, or both, could result if the
caution is ignored.
NOTE
A NOTE provides information and
sometimes suggests how to make better
use of your vehicle.
The symbol below, located on some parts
of the vehicle, indicates that this manual
contains information related to the part.
Please refer to the manual for a detailed
explanation.
How to Use This Manual
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page4
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (9,1)
Power door lock switch ..................................................................................... page 3-29
Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-61
DSC OFF switch ............................................................................................... page 5-24
Passenger airbag deactivation switch ................................................................ page 2-30
Dashboard illumination ..................................................................................... page 5-37
Lighting control/Turn signals ............................................................................ page 5-52
Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-33
Air bags ............................................................................................................. page 2-26
Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-55
Cruise control switches ...................................................................................... page 5-19
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................................................................... page 5-57
Climate control system ........................................................................................ page 6-2
Audio system ..................................................................................................... page 6-10
Parking brake ....................................................................................................... page 5-5
Power window switches .................................................................................... page 3-36
MT shift lever ...................................................................................................... page 5-9
AT shift lever (Sport AT) ................................................................................... page 5-12
Accessory socket ............................................................................................... page 6-43
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................... page 5-2
Tilt wheel release lever ...................................................................................... page 3-61
Audio control switch ......................................................................................... page 6-36
Fog light switch ................................................................................................. page 5-54
Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-38
Trunk release button .......................................................................................... page 3-31
Fuse box ............................................................................................................ page 8-43
Seat belt ............................................................................................................... page 2-5
Seats ..................................................................................................................... page 2-2
Convertible top unlock lever .............................................................................. page 3-43
Sunvisor ............................................................................................................. page 6-39
Rearview mirror ................................................................................................. page 3-62
Interior light ....................................................................................................... page 6-39
Vanity mirror ...................................................................................................... page 6-39
Glove box .......................................................................................................... page 6-41
Mesh Pocket ...................................................................................................... page 6-42
Cup holder ......................................................................................................... page 6-40
Bottle Holder ..................................................................................................... page 6-41
Remote fuel-filler lid release ............................................................................. page 3-37
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Dashboard and Interior Overview
1-3
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page9
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (13,1)
2Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint
systems and SRS air bags.
Seats ............................................................................................... 2-2Seats .......................................................................................... 2-2
Seat Belt Systems .......................................................................... 2-5 Seat Belt Precautions ................................................................ 2-5
Seat Belts .................................................................................. 2-8
Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ................ 2-10
Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-12
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep ................................................ 2-13
Child Restraint ............................................................................ 2-15 Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-15
Installing a Child-Restraint System ......................................... 2-20
LATCH Child-Restraint System ............................................. 2-23
SRS Air Bags ............................................................................... 2-26 Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions ............... 2-26
Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Switch .................................. 2-30
Supplemental Restraint System Components ......................... 2-34
How the Air Bags Work .......................................................... 2-37
2-1
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page13
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (14,1)
Seats
WARNING
Modification of the Front Seats:
Modifying or replacing the front seats
such as replacing the upholstery or
loosening any bolts is dangerous. The
front seats contain air bag
components essential to the
supplemental restraint system. Such
modifications could damage the
supplemental restraint system and
result in serious injury. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is
any need to remove or reinstall the
front seats.
Damaged Front Seats:
Driving with damaged front seats is
dangerous. A collision, even one not
strong enough to inflate the air bags,
could damage the front seats which
contain essential air bag components.
If there was a subsequent collision, the
air bag may not deploy which could
lead to injuries. Always have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the
front seats, front seat belt
pretensioners and air bags after a
collision.
Securing the Seats:
Adjustable seats and seatbacks that
are not securely locked are dangerous.
In a sudden stop or collision, the seat
or seatback could move, causing
injury. Make sure the adjustable
components of the seat are locked in
place by attempting to slide the seat
forward and backward and rocking
the seatback.
qSeat Slide
WARNING
Driver's Seat Adjustment:
Adjusting the driver's seat while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous. The
driver could lose control of the vehicle
and have an accident. Adjust the
driver's seat only when the vehicle is
stopped.
To move a seat forward or backward, raise
the lever and slide the seat to the desired
position and release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seat is locked in place by
attempting to push it forward and
backward.
2-2
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page14
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (15,1)
qSeat Recline
WARNING
Reclining:
Sitting in a reclined position while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous
because you don't get the full
protection from seat belts. During
sudden braking or a collision, you can
slide under the lap belt and suffer
serious internal injuries. For
maximum protection, sit well back and
upright.
Reclining the Passenger Seat Can
Turn Off the Passenger Air Bags:
If your vehicle is equipped with
passenger seat weight sensors, sitting
in the passenger seat improperly out of
position or with the seatback reclined
too far while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous as it can take off weight
from the seat bottom and affect the
decision of the passenger sensing
system. The passenger will not have
the supplementary protection of the air
bags and pretensioner, which could
result in serious injury. Always sit
upright against your seatback, with
your feet on the floor.
WARNING
Unlocked Seatback:
The seatback plays an important role
in your protection in a vehicle.
Leaving the seatback unlocked is
dangerous as it can allow passengers
to be ejected or thrown around and
baggage to strike occupants in a
sudden stop or collision, resulting in
severe injury. After adjusting the
seatback at any time, even when there
are no other passengers, rock the
seatback to make sure it is locked in
place.
To change the seatback angle, lean
forward slightly while raising the lever.
Then lean back to the desired position and
release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seatback is locked in
place by attempting to push it forward and
backward.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
2-3
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page15
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (17,1)
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and passenger always wear seat belts.
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way
when not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the passenger's seat lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two modes: emergency
locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.
Your vehicle is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for securing the LATCH child-
restraint system in the passenger seat but there is no child-restraint tether available. As
there is no rear seat on this vehicle, the preferred location for children, following the
manufacturer's instructions on the LATCH child restraint-system and this owner's manual is
important (page 2-23).
WARNING
Not Wearing Seat Belts:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not
wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out
of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision,
occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer. Always wear your seat belt and
make sure all occupants are properly restrained.
Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident:
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing
of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a
collision. Air bags and pretensioners work together, but whether a seat was occupied
or not, if any air bag deployed and whether a seat belt pretensioner deployed or not,
all seat belts and air bags must be inspected and replaced if necessary. Have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident before
they are used again.
Twisted Seat Belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt isn't available
to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could
cause serious injury or death. Don't wear twisted seat belts.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
2-5
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page17
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (18,1)
WARNING
One Belt, One Passenger:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way can't spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be
crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
CAUTION
Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and seat belt guides are soiled, so try to
keep them clean.
Seat belt guide
qPregnant Women and Persons with Serious Medical Conditions
Pregnant women should wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations.
The lap belt should be worn SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OVER THE HIPS.
The shoulder belt should be worn across your shoulder properly, but never across the
stomach area.
Persons with serious medical conditions also should wear seat belts. Check with your
doctor for any special instructions regarding specific medical conditions.
2-6
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page18
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (20,1)
Seat Belts
WARNING
Wearing Seat Belt without Routing the
Seat Belt Guide:
Wearing a seat belt without the seat
belt routed in its guide is dangerous
because the seat belt would not be able
to provide adequate protection in an
accident, which could result in serious
injury. Always wear the seat belt with
it correctly routed in its guide.
Seat belt guide
qFastening the Seat Belts
1. Grasp the tongue.
2. Slowly pull out the lap/shoulder belt.
Belt
Tongue
3. Insert the tongue into the buckle until you hear a click.
Tongue
Buckle
WARNING
Positioning the Shoulder Portion of
the Seat Belt:
Improper positioning of the shoulder
portion of the seat belt is dangerous.
Always make sure the shoulder
portion of the seat belt is positioned
across your shoulder and near your
neck, but never under your arm, on
your neck, or on your upper arm.
4. Make sure the shoulder belt is snugly fitted against your body.
Too high
Take up slack
Keep low on
hip bone
2-8
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page20
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:2 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F