Black plate (158,1)
Ignition Switch
Auxiliary key (with advanced key)
NOTE
When starting the engine using the advanced
key, refer to Starting the Engine (page 3-11).
When starting the engine with the
auxiliary key, perform the following
procedure.
1. Remove the auxiliary key from theadvanced key (page 3-18).
2. Make sure the start knob is in OFF/ LOCK position.
3. Remove the start knob by pulling it outward while pressing the buttons on
both the left and right sides.
4. Insert the auxiliary key in the ignitionswitch.
qIgnition Switch Positions
With advanced
key
Without advanced
key
The engraved mark on the actual vehicle
may read OFF or LOCK depending on the
type of ignition system.
OFF/LOCK
The power supply to electrical devices is
turned off. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual Transmission Vehicle
Push the key
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page158
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (159,1)
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
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page159
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (160,1)
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
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page160
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (163,1)
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 (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.
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
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page163
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (172,1)
qActive Adaptive Shift (AAS)
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
automatically controls the transmission
shift points to best suit the road conditions
and driver input. This optimizes engine
performance and improves driving
comfort. When cornering the vehicle,
AAS mode will hold the transmission in
the gear the vehicle was in before entering
the curve, allowing the vehicle to be
accelerated from the same gear after
exiting the curve.
If the driver accelerates rapidly, or
accelerates and decelerates rapidly by
operating the accelerator and brake pedal
for a certain period of time while the
selector lever is in the D position, AAS
mode could activate. When this occurs,
AAS mode will maintain the transmission
in the optimum gear and the driver may
sense that the transmission is not shifting,
however this does not indicate an
abnormality.
qShift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Move the shift lever. NOTE
lWhen the ignition is switched off (LOCK),
the shift lever cannot be shifted from P.
lTo be sure the vehicle is in park,
the
ignition key cannot be removed unless the
shift lever is in P.
l(With Advanced Key)
The ignition cannot be switched from ACC
to OFF when the shift lever is not in P.
q Manual 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.
NOTE
Changing to manual shift mode while driving
will not damage the transmission.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page172
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (199,1)
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-47
Door-Ajar Warning Light5-47
Automatic Transmission Warning Light5-47
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light5-48
Flat Tire Warning Light5-50
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green)5-50
Security Indicator Light5-52
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light5-52
Shift Position Indicator Light5-52
TCS/DSC Indicator Light5-53
DSC OFF Indicator Light5-53
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-54
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights5-54
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-43
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page199
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (206,1)
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture.
Refer to Vehicle with run-flat tires on
page 7-3.
Vehicles with Instant Mobility System
(IMS) emergency flat tire repair kit
If an emergency tire repair is needed,
repair the punctured tire with the
emergency flat tire repair kit (page 7-7).
CAUTION
Do not use non-genuine tire sealant.
It may damage the tire pressure
sensor.
Vehicles with optional temporary spare
tire
If you have bought the optional temporary
spare tire, replace the punctured tire with
the temporary spare tire. Refer to the
manufacturer's instructions.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
q Flat Tire Warning Lightí
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
Warning light illuminates/Warning
beep sounds
If the tire pressures decrease extremely
after the TPMS warning light has
illuminated, or if a tire is punctured, the
flat tire warning light also illuminates, and
a beep sound will be heard for
approximately 30 seconds.
Refer to Vehicle with run-flat tires on
page 7-3.
qKEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY
Indicator Light (Green) (with
Advanced Key)
This indicator has two colors.
KEY Warning Light (Red)
When illuminated
lWhen the ignition is switched ON, it
illuminates momentarily and then goes
out.
lIf any malfunction occurs in the
advanced keyless system, it illuminates
continuously.
5-50
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page206
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (207,1)
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the KEY
warning light illuminated:If the KEY warning light remains
illuminated, do not continue to drive
using the advanced key system. Park
the vehicle in a safe place and use
the auxiliary key to continue driving
the vehicle. Have the vehicle
inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
When flashing
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) flashes to
inform the driver that the start knob
will not rotate to the ACC position
even if it is pushed in from the OFF/
LOCK position.
lThe advanced key battery is dead.lThe advanced key is not within
operational range.
lThe advanced key is placed in areas
where it is difficult for the system to
detect the signal (page 3-7).
lA key from another manufacturer
similar to the advanced key is in the
operational range.
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) will flash
continuously when the start knob has
not been returned to the OFF/LOCK
position to notify the driver that the
advanced key has been removed from
the vehicle. It will stop flashing when
the advanced key is back inside the
vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the OFF/LOCK position, the
driver's door is open, and the
advanced key is removed from the
vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the OFF/LOCK position and all
the doors are closed after removing
the advanced key from the vehicle.
NOTE
The flashing KEY warning light (red) and the
beep sound operate simultaneously (page
3-22).
KEY Indicator Light (Green)
When illuminated
When the start knob is pushed in from the
OFF/LOCK position, the system confirms
that the correct advanced key is inside the
vehicle, the KEY indicator light (green)
illuminates, and the start knob can be
turned to the ACC position (page 3-11).
When flashing
When the advanced key battery power is
low, the KEY indicator light flashes for 30
seconds after the start knob is turned from
the ON position to the ACC or OFF/
LOCK position. Replace with a new
battery before the advanced key becomes
unusable (page 3-7).
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-51
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page207
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F