2006 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 steering wheel

Black plate (142,1)
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transmission vehicle by operating
the shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the rear wheels
much like a manual transmission when
more control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
NOTE
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Shift position
indicator
Gear position
indicator
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the gear
position indicator will flash twice to
signal that the gears cannot be shifted
down.
Shifting
You can shift gears up and down by
operating the shift lever or the steering
shift switches.
NOTE
lIf the steering shift switches on both
sides (left and right) are operated
simultaneously, the gear will shift
once.
lThe gear will not shift if:
lThe steering shift switch and the
shift lever are operated
simultaneously.
lThe UP switch and DOWN
switch are operated
simultaneously.
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (143,1)
Manually Shifting up
(M1→M2→M3→M4→M5→M6)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back (
) once.
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, tap either of the
UP switches toward you once with your
fingers.
UP switches
WARNING
Hand Position When Using Steering
Shift Switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous. If
the driver air bag were to deploy in a
collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury. Keep your
hands on the steering wheel rim when
using fingers or thumbs on the
steering shift switches.
NOTE
lWhen driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed.
lIn manual shift mode, gears do not
shift up automatically. Don't run the
engine with the tachometer needle in
the RED ZONE. If the tachometer
needle enters the RED ZONE, you
may feel engine-braking because the
fuel delivery will be stopped to
protect the engine. However, this
does not indicate an abnormality.
lWhen depressing the accelerator
fully, the transmission will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed (Except M2→M1).
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (144,1)
Manually Shifting down
(M6→M5→M4→M3→M2→M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward (
) once.
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, press either of the
DOWN switches away from you once
with your thumb.
DOWN switches
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.
Hand Position When Using Steering
Shift Switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous. If
the driver air bag were to deploy in a
collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury. Keep your
hands on the steering wheel rim when
using fingers or thumbs on the
steering shift switches.
NOTE
lWhen driving at high speeds, the
gear may not shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
lDuring deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
lWhen depressing the accelerator
fully, the transmission will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (147,1)
Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
WARNING
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
lHilly terrainlSteep inclineslHeavy or unsteady trafficlSlippery or winding roadslSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don't use cruise control in these
situations.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
(Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator
Light (Green)
The indicator light has two colors.
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)
The indicator light illuminates amber
when the ON/OFF switch is pressed and
the cruise control system is activated.
Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green)
The indicator light illuminates green when
a cruising speed has been set.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (152,1)
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
í
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 5-7) and TCS (page
5-23).
WARNING
DSC and Unsafe Driving:
The dynamic stability control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident. So
don't rely on the dynamic stability
control as a substitute for safe driving.
CAUTION
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
lUse tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
lUse tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
lDo not mix worn tires.
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
when using tire chains or the
temporary spare tire.
lIf repair or replacement of the
steering or other surrounding
equipment is necessary, have it done
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. If
the center position of the steering
deviates, the DSC may not operate
correctly because there is a sensor in
the steering which detects driving
conditions.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS or DSC is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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íSome models.
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (184,1)
Horn
To sound the horn, press around the
mark on the steering wheel.
Hazard Warning Flasher
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning flasher and all
six turn signals will flash.
NOTE
lThe turn signals don't work when the
hazard warning lights are on.
lCheck local regulations about the use
of hazard warning lights while the
vehicle is being towed. They may
forbid it.
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Switches and Controls
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (185,1)
6Interior Comfort
Use of various features for drive comfort, including air-conditioning and audio
system.
Climate Control System ............................................................... 6-2
Operating Tips ........................................................................... 6-2
Vent Operation .......................................................................... 6-3
Control Panel ............................................................................ 6-5
Audio System ............................................................................... 6-10
Antenna ................................................................................... 6-10
Operating Tips for Audio System ........................................... 6-10
Audio Set ................................................................................ 6-19
Audio Control Switch Operation (Steering Wheel)
í............. 6-36
Safety Certification ................................................................. 6-38
Interior Equipment ..................................................................... 6-39
Sunvisors ................................................................................. 6-39
Interior Lights ......................................................................... 6-39
Cup Holder .............................................................................. 6-40
Bottle Holder ........................................................................... 6-41
Storage Compartments ............................................................ 6-41
Accessory Socket .................................................................... 6-43
Windblocker ............................................................................ 6-43
6-1íSome models.
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (194,1)
Antenna
qDetachable Type
To remove the antenna, turn it
counterclockwise.
To install the antenna, turn it clockwise.
Make sure the antenna is securely
installed.
Remove
Install
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the antenna,
remove it before entering a car wash
facility or passing beneath a low
overhead clearance.
NOTE
When leaving your vehicle unattended,
we recommend that you remove the
antenna and store it inside the vehicle.
Operating Tips for Audio
System
WARNING
Do Not Adjust Audio While Driving
the Vehicle:
Adjusting the audio while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could
distract your attention from the vehicle
operation which could lead to a
serious accident. Always adjust the
audio while the vehicle is stopped.
Even if the audio control switches are
equipped on the steering wheel, learn
to use the switches without looking
down at them so that you can keep
your maximum attention on the road
while driving the vehicle.
CAUTION
For the purposes of safe driving, adjust
the audio volume to a level that allows
you to hear sounds outside of the
vehicle.
NOTE
lDo not use the audio for long periods
of time while the engine is off.
Otherwise the battery could go dead.
lIf a digital cellular phone or CB
radio is used in or near the vehicle, it
could cause noise to occur from the
audio system, however, this does not
indicate that the system has been
damaged.
6-10
Interior Comfort
Audio System
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F