Black plate (8,1)
Interior Equipment (View A)
Door-lock knob .................................................................................................. page 3-31
DSC OFF switch ............................................................................................... page 5-27
Passenger air bag deactivation switch ............................................................... page 2-43
Lighting control ................................................................................................. page 5-56
Turn and lane-change signal .............................................................................. page 5-58
Dashboard illumination knob ............................................................................ page 5-41
Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-37
Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-59
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................... page 5-2
Tilt wheel release lever ...................................................................................... page 3-74
Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-41
Trunk release button .......................................................................................... page 3-33
Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-74
1-2
Your Vehicle at a Glance
The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Interior Overview
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page8
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Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (65,1)
3Knowing Your Mazda
Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment
of various parts.
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System ................................ 3-2Advanced Keysí...................................................................... 3-2
Operation Using Advanced Keyless Functions ......................... 3-7
Operation Using Advanced Key Functions ............................. 3-15
Advanced Key Suspend Function ........................................... 3-18
Warning and Beep Sounds ...................................................... 3-19
Setting Change (Function Customization) .............................. 3-21
When Warning Indicator/Beep is Activated ............................ 3-22
Doors and Locks ......................................................................... 3-23 Keys (without Advanced Key) ................................................ 3-23
Keyless Entry System (with Retractable Type Key)
í............ 3-24
Door Locks ............................................................................. 3-30
Trunk Lid ................................................................................ 3-33
Inside Trunk Release Lever ..................................................... 3-35
Power Windows ...................................................................... 3-37
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap ........................................................... 3-40
Hood ....................................................................................... 3-41
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
í.................................................. 3-44
Convertible Top (Power Retractable Hardtop)í..................... 3-49
Security System ........................................................................... 3-64 Immobilizer System (with Advanced Key) ............................. 3-64
Immobilizer System (without Advanced Key) ........................ 3-68
Theft-Deterrent System
í........................................................ 3-72
Steering Wheel and Mirrors ...................................................... 3-74 Steering Wheel ........................................................................ 3-74
Mirrors .................................................................................... 3-74
3-1íSome models.
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Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (138,1)
Steering Wheel
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving:Adjusting the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident.
qTilt Steering Wheel
To change the angle of the steering wheel,
stop the vehicle, pull the tilt wheel release
lever under the steering column down,
adjust the wheel, then push the release
lever up to lock the column.
Tilt wheel release
lever
After adjusting, push the wheel up and
down to be certain it's locked before
driving.
Mirrors
qOutside Mirrors
Check the mirror angles before driving.
Mirror type
Flat type (driver's side)
Flat surface mirror.
Convex type (passenger side)
The mirror has single curvature on its
surface.
WARNING
Be sure to look over your shoulder
before changing lanes:
Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears.
Power mirror
The ignition must be switched to ACC or
ON.
To adjust:
1. Press the left or right side of the
selector switch to choose the left or
right side mirror.
3-74
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (149,1)
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift 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.
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving: The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
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. Do not hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not 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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page149
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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
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Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (174,1)
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers or thumbs on
the steering shift switches:Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
lWhen driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up.
lIn manual shift mode, gears do not shift up
automatically. Do not run the engine with
the tachometer needle in the RED ZONE. If
the tachometer needle enters the RED
ZONE, you may feel engine-braking.
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).
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
Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds: 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.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers or thumbs on
the steering shift switches: Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page174
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Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (183,1)
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 5-9) and TCS (page
5-26).
WARNING
Do not rely on the dynamic stability
control as a substitute for safe 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.
CAUTION
ØThe DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
ØUse tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
ØUse tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
ØDo not mix worn tires.
Ø The DSC may not operate correctly
when tire chains are used or a
temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
Ø If 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 is switched
ON. 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-27íSome models.
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page183
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Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (186,1)
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors the pressure for each tire.
If tire pressure is too low in one or more tires, the system will inform the driver via the
warning light in the instrument panel and by the warning beep sound.
The tire pressure sensors installed on each wheel send tire pressure data by radio signal to
the receiver unit in the vehicle.
Tire pressure sensors
NOTE
When the ambient temperature is low due to seasonal changes, tire temperatures are also lower.
When the tire temperature decreases, the air pressure decreases as well. The TPMS warning light
may illuminate more frequently. Visually inspect the tires daily before driving, and check tire
pressures monthly with a tire pressure gauge. When checking tire pressures, use of a digital tire
pressure gauge is recommended.
TPMS does not alleviate your need to check the pressure and condition of all four tires
regularly.
5-30
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page186
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Form No.8CC1-EA-11F