Black plate (115,1)
qOpening the Power Retractable
Hardtop
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed.
4. Start the Engine.
NOTE
Do not open/close the hardtop with the engine
stopped. Otherwise the vehicle's battery power
could be depleted.
5. With the lock release button depressed, pull the top latch outward to unlock.
Lock release button
Top latch
6. Verify that the operation indicator light is illuminated and the lock is detached. 7. Press and hold the open button until the
hardtop opens completely.
NOTElWhen the open switch is pressed, a beep
sound is heard.
lThe hardtop keeps opening and the
operation indicator light flashes while the
open switch is pressed.
lIf the switch is released while the hardtop is
opening, the hardtop stops opening. If the
switch is pressed again, the hardtop
resumes opening.
8. The deck opens.
NOTE
If the windows are closed, the windows
automatically open partially when the deck
opens.
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (116,1)
9. The hardtop opens.
10. The hardtop retracts under the deck.
11. The deck closes.
NOTE
When the operation is finished, a beep sound is
heard and the operation indicator light turns
off.
qClosing the Power Retractable
Hardtop
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed.
4. Start the Engine.
NOTE
Do not open/close the hardtop with the engine
stopped. Otherwise the vehicle's battery power
could be depleted.
5. Press and hold the close button until the hardtop closes completely.
NOTElWhen the close switch is pressed, a beep
sound is heard.
lThe hardtop keeps closing and the
operation indicator light flashes while the
close switch is pressed.
lIf the switch is released while the hardtop is
closing, the hardtop stops closing. If the
switch is pressed again, the hardtop
resumes closing.
3-52
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (127,1)
Immobilizer System (with
Advanced Key)
The immobilizer system allows the engine
to start only with an advanced key the
system recognizes.
If someone attempts to start the engine
with an unrecognized advanced key, the
engine will not start, thereby helping to
prevent the theft of your vehicle.
If you have a problem with the
immobilizer system or the advanced key
(including auxiliary key), consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
ØRadio equipment like this is
governed by laws in the United
States.
Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Ø To avoid damage to the key, do
not:
ØDrop the key.
ØGet the key wet.
ØExpose the key to any kind of
magnetic field.
ØExpose the key to high
temperatures on places such as
the dashboard or hood, under
direct sunlight.
CAUTION
Do not allow the following when
starting the engine with the auxiliary
key due to an advanced key dead
battery or other malfunction.
Otherwise the signal from the
auxiliary key will not be received
correctly and the engine may not
start.
ØA key ring rests on the key grip.
ØMetal parts of other keys or metal
objects touch the auxiliary key
grip.
ØSpare auxiliary keys or keys for
other vehicles equipped with an
immobilizer system touch or come
near the auxiliary key.
ØDevices for electronic purchases, or
security passage which touch or
come near the auxiliary key.
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (135,1)
Theft-Deterrent Systemí
If the theft deterrent system detects an
inappropriate entry into the vehicle, which
could result in the vehicle or its contents
being stolen, the alarm alerts the
surrounding area of an abnormality by
sounding the horn and flashing the hazard
warning lights.
Refer to Operation on page 3-71.
NOTE
lThe theft-deterrent system operates with the
key or the keyless entry system transmitter.
l(With advanced key)
The theft-deterrent system can also be
operated using the advanced keyless
function.
The system operates only when the driver is
in the vehicle or within operational range
while the advanced key is being carried.
lThe system will not function unless it is
properly armed. To properly secure the
vehicle, always make sure both windows
are completely closed and both doors and
the trunk lid are locked before leaving the
vehicle. Remember to take your key and
transmitter.
qOperation
System triggering conditions
The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 25
seconds when the system is triggered by
any one of the following:
lForcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid.
lUnlocking a door with the door lock
switch.
lOpening a door by operating an inside
door-lock knob.
lOpening the hood by operating the
hood release handle.
lOpening the trunk lid by operating the
trunk lid release button.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until a door is
unlocked or the trunk lid is opened with
the key or with the transmitter.
(With advanced key)
The lights and horn can also be
deactivated by pressing the request
switch.
NOTE
If the battery goes dead while the theft-
deterrent system is armed, the horn will
activate and the hazard warning lights will
flash when the battery is charged or replaced.
q How to Arm the System
1. Close the windows securely.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
(With advanced key)
Switch the ignition off with the start
knob.
3. Make sure all windows, the hood and the trunk lid are closed. Close and lock
both doors from the outside using the
key. If you have the keyless entry
system, press the lock button on the
transmitter.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once to indicate that the system is
armed.
The following method will also arm the
theft-deterrent system:
(With advanced key)
Press a request switch on the doors or
the lock button on the transmitter.
(Without advanced key)
Close the hood and the trunk lid. Press
the area on the door-lock switch
marked “LOCK ”once. Close both
doors.
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
3-71íSome models.
MX-5_8BR3-EA-10F_Edition3 Page135
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (149,1)
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-20.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze ―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-23).
lDo not use the parking brake in
freezing weather as it may freeze.
Instead, shift to P with an automatic
transmission and to 1 or R with a
manual transmission. Block the rear
wheels.
lDo not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
lNever use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows
and mirrors as it could result in the
glass cracking.
lBraking performance can be adversely
affected if snow or ice adheres to the
brake equipment. If this situation
occurs, drive the vehicle slowly,
releasing the accelerator pedal and
lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
q Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver's door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels: Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result
in an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tires with
steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls (page
5-34).
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (157,1)
Automatic Transmission VehicleWARNING
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked (with steering lock
mechanism):Removing the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. Removing the key allows
the steering wheel to lock. You will
lose steering control and a serious
accident could occur. (For vehicles
equipped with the advanced key, the
steering wheel locks when the starter
knob is turned to the OFF/LOCK
position.)
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition to OFF/LOCK, set the
parking brake and make sure the shift
lever is in P (automatic transmission) or
in 1st gear or R (manual transmission): It is important to switch the ignition
to OFF/LOCK even if you are not
removing the key from the ignition or
leaving the vehicle. Leaving the key
in other positions will disable some of
the vehicle security systems and run
the battery down.
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition to OFF/LOCK,
setting the parking brake and
shifting the shift lever to P
(automatic transmission) or to 1st
gear or R (manual transmission) is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur. This could
cause an accident.
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, move the steering
wheel left and right.
Leaving the key or start knob in any position
but the OFF/LOCK position also disables
some of the security features and may run the
battery down.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-3
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (158,1)
ACC (Accessory)
In this position, some electrical
accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. Some indicator
lights/warning lights should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-42).
NOTE
When the ignition is switched ON, the sound of
the fuel pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not indicate an
abnormality.
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key. It
then returns to the ON position.
qIgnition Key Reminder
If the ignition is switched off or the
ignition is switched to ACC with the key
inserted, a continuous beep sound will be
heard when the driver's door is opened.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the spark
ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian Interference-
Causing Equipment Standard requirements
regulating the impulse electrical field strength
of radio noise.
1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. (Manual transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the clutch pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transmission)
The starter will not operate unless the clutch is
depressed sufficiently.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the shift lever is
not in P or N.
5. Switch the ignition to START and hold
(up to 10 seconds at a time) until the
engine starts.
CAUTION
Do not try the starter for more than
10 seconds at a time. If the engine
stalls or fails to start, wait 10 seconds
before trying again. Otherwise, you
may damage the starter and drain
the battery.
5-4
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (161,1)
CAUTION
ØDo not drive with your foot held
on the clutch pedal or brake pedal,
or hold the clutch pedal depressed
halfway unnecessarily. Doing so
could result in the following:
ØThe clutch and brake parts will
wear out more quickly.
ØThe brakes can overheat and
adversely affect brake
performance.
Ø Always depress the brake pedal
with the right foot. Applying the
brakes with the unaccustomed left
foot could slow your reaction time
to an emergency situation
resulting in insufficient braking
operation.
ØWear shoes appropriate for driving
in order to avoid your shoe
contacting the brake pedal when
depressing the accelerator pedal.
qParking Brake
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition to OFF/LOCK, set the
parking brake and make sure the shift
lever is in P with an automatic
transmission or in 1 or R with a manual
transmission:
It is important to switch the ignition
to OFF/LOCK even if you are not
removing the key from the ignition or
leaving the vehicle. Leaving the key
in other positions will disable some of
the vehicle security systems and run
the battery down.
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition to OFF/LOCK,
setting the parking brake and
shifting the shift lever to P with an
automatic transmission, or to 1 or R
with a manual transmission is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur. This could
cause an accident.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
linings or pads.
NOTE
For parking in snow, refer to Winter Driving
(page 4-9) regarding parking brake use.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-7
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F