
Black plate (133,1)
Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Never park over or near anything flammable:Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and
could ignite anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst
inside the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will
damage the converter and cause poor performance.
ØUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Ø Do not drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
Ø Do not coast with the ignition switched off.
Ø Do not descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switched off.
Ø Do not operate the engine at high idle for more than 2 minutes.
Ø Do not tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments
must be made by a qualified technician.
Ø Do not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control system before
the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some states, such modification
made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
NOTE
While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be heard below the trunk,
however this does not indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-checking device and it
operates while the engine is off.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
4-3
MX-5_8EN7-EA-14E_Edition1 Page133
Friday, March 28 2014 3:39 PM
Form No.8EN7-EA-14E

Black plate (145,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Turning the Engine Off ............................................................. 5-5
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-5
Manual Transmission Operation ............................................. 5-11
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-13
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-22
Cruise Control
í...................................................................... 5-22
Traction Control System (TCS)í........................................... 5-26
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-27
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-30
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-36 Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-36
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-41 Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-41
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-53
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-54 Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-54
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-56
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-56
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-57
Rear Window Defogger .......................................................... 5-58
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-59
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-59
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-60
5-1íSome models.
MX-5_8EN7-EA-14E_Edition1 Page145
Friday, March 28 2014 3:39 PM
Form No.8EN7-EA-14E

Black plate (147,1)
WARNING
Do not stop the engine while the
vehicle is moving:Stopping the engine while the vehicle
is moving for any reason other than
in an emergency is dangerous.
Stopping the engine while the vehicle
is moving will result in reduced
braking ability due to the loss of
power braking, which could cause an
accident and serious injury.
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition to OFF, 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 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, 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.
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 5-41). 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.
q
Ignition 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-3
MX-5_8EN7-EA-14E_Edition1 Page147
Friday, March 28 2014 3:39 PM
Form No.8EN7-EA-14E

Black plate (153,1)
NOTElBraking distances may be longer on loose
surfaces (snow or gravel, for example)
which usually have a hard foundation. A
vehicle with a normal braking system may
require less distance to stop under these
conditions because the tires will build up a
wedge of surface layer when the wheels
skid.
lThe sound of the ABS operating may be
heard when starting the engine or
immediately after starting the vehicle,
however, it does not indicate a malfunction.
qABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
lWhen the engine is jump-started to charge
the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs,
it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
l(With DSC vehicles)
The brake assist system does not operate
while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may illuminate the brake
system warning light and the ABS
warning light on simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-9
MX-5_8EN7-EA-14E_Edition1 Page153
Friday, March 28 2014 3:39 PM
Form No.8EN7-EA-14E

Black plate (170,1)
Traction Control System
(TCS)
í
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque and braking.
When the TCS detects driving wheel
slippage, it lowers engine torque and
operates the brakes to prevent loss of
traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
WARNING
Do not rely on the traction control
system as a substitute for safe driving:The traction control system (TCS)
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.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive
at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow: Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and/or ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF switch
(page 5-28).
q TCS/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.
NOTE
lIn addition to the indicator light flashing, a
slight lugging sound will come from the
engine. This indicates that the TCS is
operating properly.
lOn slippery surfaces, such as fresh snow, it
will be impossible to achieve high rpm
when the TCS is on.
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
MX-5_8EN7-EA-14E_Edition1 Page170
Friday, March 28 2014 3:39 PM
Form No.8EN7-EA-14E

Black plate (174,1)
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_8EN7-EA-14E_Edition1 Page174
Friday, March 28 2014 3:39 PM
Form No.8EN7-EA-14E

Black plate (176,1)
qTire Pressure Monitoring System
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates
and a beep is heard when tire pressure is
too low in one or more tires, and flashes
when there is a system malfunction.
WARNING
If the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light illuminates or flashes, or
the tire pressure warning beep sound is
heard, decrease vehicle speed
immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking:
If the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light illuminates or flashes,
or the tire pressure warning beep
sound is heard, it is dangerous to
drive the vehicle at high speeds, or
perform sudden maneuvering or
braking. Vehicle drivability could
worsen and result in an accident.
To determine if you have a slow leak
or a flat, pull over to a safe position
where you can check the visual
condition of the tire and determine if
you have enough air to proceed to a
place where air may be added and
the system monitored again by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer or a tire
repair station.
Do not ignore the TPMS Warning Light: Ignoring the TPMS warning light is
dangerous, even if you know why it is
illuminated. Have the problem taken
care of as soon as possible before it
develops into a more serious
situation that could lead to tire
failure and a dangerous accident.
Warning light illuminates/Warning
beep sounds
When the warning light illuminates, and
the warning beep sound is heard (about 3
seconds), tire pressure is too low in one or
more tires.
5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
MX-5_8EN7-EA-14E_Edition1 Page176
Friday, March 28 2014 3:39 PM
Form No.8EN7-EA-14E

Black plate (185,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-43
Malfunction Warning Light5-43
Charging System Warning Light5-45
Check Engine Light5-45
ABS Warning Light5-44
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light5-45
Low Fuel Warning Light5-46
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41
MX-5_8EN7-EA-14E_Edition1 Page185
Friday, March 28 2014 3:39 PM
Form No.8EN7-EA-14E