2016 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 Owners Manual (in English)

3–35
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
 Before lowering or raising the convertible top, stop in a safe place off the right-of-way
and park on a level surface. Make sure nothing is on the convertible top or near the back window when\
raising or
lowering the convertible top.
Even small objects may interfere and cause damage. When lowering the convertible top, make sure objects inside the vehicle \
are not blown
away by the wind. Secure all loose objects inside before driving with the convertible top \
down. To help prevent burglary or vandalism and to ensure that the passenger compartment stays
dry, close the convertible top securely and lock both doors when leaving th\
e vehicle. Do not drive through an automatic car wash; it may damage the convertibl\
e top. Do not raise or lower the convertible top when the temperature is below \
5 °C (41 °F) ; this
will damage the convertible top material. The soft top is made of high quality material and if it is not maintaine\
d correctly, the
material could harden, becomes stained, or have an uneven gloss. Do not lower the convertible top when it's wet. If the convertible top d\
ries while folded, it
will deteriorate and mold. Lowering the convertible top while it's wet can also cause water to drip\
into the passenger
compartment. Do not raise or lower the convertible top in a strong wind as it could d\
amage the
convertible top or cause an unexpected accident.
NOTE
 The power windows go down automatically in conjunction with the converti\
ble top
opening/closing. However, this is a function for improving the operability, and it does not
mean there is a problem. If the vehicle battery is disconnected for vehicle maintenance or\

other reasons, the power windows will not go down automatically. If the power windows
do not go down, the automatic open/close mechanism for the windows must \
be reset.
Refer to Operating the Power Windows on page 3-31. The windblocker reduces the amount of wind coming into the cabin from behind when
driving with the convertible top opened.
Refer to Windblocker on page 5-138.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 352015/03/10 9:54:44

3–36
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
Lowering the Convertible Top
CAUTION
Do not seat on the folded convertible
top. Otherwise, the convertible top
could be damaged or you may fall off
and be injured.
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. If the engine is running, turn it off.
3. Make sure there are no objects which
have been placed in the area where the
convertible top is to be retracted.
4. With the lock release button depressed
forward, pull back the top latch lever to
unlock it.

Top latch
Lock release b
utton
5. Remove the striker from the anchor.

Anchor
Striker
NOTE
If the power windows do not go down
automatically, fully open the windows.
6. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold
the convertible top along the front edge
and pull it toward the vehicle rear.

Front edge
NOTE
To lower the convertible top from inside
the vehicle, use the convertible top's
handles.
Con vertible top's handles
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 362015/03/10 9:54:45

3–37
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
7. Move the convertible top rearward and
fold it while pressing the rear glass
lightly with your hand.

8. With the back end of the convertible
top pressed, press the front end until a
latch sound is heard.
Lightly rock the retracted convertible
top to make sure it is securely locked.

Raising the Convertible Top
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. If the engine is running, turn it off.
3. Pull up the unlock lever to disengage
the lock.

Unlock Le ver
4. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold
the convertible top along the front edge
and pull it towards the vehicle front.

Front edge
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 372015/03/10 9:54:45

3–38
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
NOTE
 If the power windows do not go down
automatically, fully open the windows. To raise the convertible top from inside
the vehicle, use the convertible top's
handles.

Con vertible top's handles
5. Sitting in a seat, grasp the convertible
top's handles, and press the convertible
top against the windshield.
Make sure the striker engages with the
anchor, move the top latch slowly, and
then push the top latch upward until a
latch sound is heard.

Con vertible top's handles
Striker
Anchor
CAUTION

Driving with the convertible top not fully
locked could damage the convertible
top.
If the red indicator is visible on the lock
release button, the convertible top is not
locked. After locking the convertible top,
verify that the red indicator is not visible.

Locked position
Unlocked position Red indicator
 Do not spray water directly near the
seam of the window and convertible top
when flushing away dirt on the soft top
with water. Otherwise, water may enter
the vehicle.
Refer to Convertible Top Maintenance on
page 6-62.
NOTE
 The convertible top may be constricted
if it is left retracted for a long period.
Therefore, if the top has become
constricted, it may be difficult to hook
the top latch striker to the anchor. Make sure the convertible top is
securely locked by pushing up on it.
If it still sounds loose (rattles) after
being locked by the top latch, have
it inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 382015/03/10 9:54:45

3–39
Before Driving
Security System
Modification and Add-On
Equipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the immobilizer
and the theft-deterrent systems' operation
if the system has been modified or if any
add-on equipment has been installed.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the vehicle, do
not modify the system or install any
add-on equipment to the immobilizer
and the theft-deterrent systems or the
vehicle.
Immobilizer System
The immobilizer system allows the
engine to start only with a key the system
recognizes.
If someone attempts to start the engine
with an unrecognized key, the engine
will not start, thereby helping to prevent
vehicle theft.
If you have a problem with the
immobilizer system or the key, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
 Radio 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. To avoid damage to the key, do not:
 Drop the key. Get the key wet. Expose the key to any kind of
magnetic field. Expose the key to high temperatures
on places such as the dashboard or
hood, under direct sunlight.
 If the engine does not start with the
correct key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 392015/03/10 9:54:46

3–40
Before Driving
Security System
NOTE
 The keys carry a unique electronic code.
For this reason, and to assure your
safety, obtaining a replacement key
requires some waiting time. They are
only available through an Authorized
Mazda Dealer. Always keep a spare key in case one
is lost. If a key is lost, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. If you lose a key, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer will reset the electronic codes of
your remaining keys and immobilizer
system. Bring all the remaining keys to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to reset.
Starting the vehicle with a key that has
not been reset is not possible.
Operation
NOTE
 The engine may not start and security
indicator light may illuminate or flash
if the key is placed in an area where it
is difficult for the system to detect the
signal, such as on the dashboard. Move
the key to a location within the signal
range, switch the ignition off, and then
restart the engine. Signals from a TV or radio station, or
from a transceiver or mobile telephone
could interfere with your immobilizer
system. If you are using the proper key
and the engine fails to start, check the
security indicator light.
Arming
The system is armed when the ignition is
switched from ON to off.
The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes every 2 seconds
until the system is disarmed.
Disarming
The system is disarmed when the
ignition is switched ON with the correct
programmed key. The security indicator
light illuminates for about 3 seconds and
then turns off. If the engine does not start
with the correct key, and the security
indicator light remains illuminated or
flashing, try the following:
Make sure the key is within the
operational range for signal transmission.
Switch the ignition off, and then restart the
engine. If the engine does not start after
3 or more tries, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
 If the security indicator light flashes
continuously while you are driving,
do not shut off the engine. Go to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer and have it
checked. If the engine is shut off while
the indicator light is flashing, you will
not be able to restart it. Because the electronic codes are
reset when the immobilizer system
is repaired, the keys are needed.
Make sure to bring all the keys to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer so that they
can be programmed.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 402015/03/10 9:54:46

3–41
Before Driving
Security System
Theft-Deterrent System
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.
The system will not function unless it's
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, follow the arming procedure
correctly.
Operation
System triggering conditions
The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 30
seconds when the system is triggered by
any one of the following:
 Unlocking a door with the key, door
lock switch, or an inside door-lock knob. Forcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid. Opening the hood by operating the hood
release handle. Switching the ignition ON without using
the push button start.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until the driver's
door is unlocked with the transmitter.
(With advanced key)
The lights and horn can also be
deactivated by pressing the request switch
on a door.
NOTE
 The trunk lid does not open while the
theft-deterrent system is operating.  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.
How to Arm the System
1. Close the windows and the convertible
top securely.
2. Switch the ignition OFF.
3. Make sure the hood, the doors, and the
trunk lid are closed.
4. Press the lock button on the transmitter
or lock the driver's door from the
outside with the auxiliary key.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once.
The following method will also arm the
theft-deterrent system:
Press the door-lock switch “” while
any door is open and then close both of
the doors.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Press a request switch.

The security indicator light in the
instrument panel flashes twice per
second for 20 seconds.
5. After 20 seconds, the system is fully
armed.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 412015/03/10 9:54:46

3–42
Before Driving
Security System
NOTE
 The theft deterrent system can also be
armed by activating the auto relock
function with both the doors, the trunk
lid and the hood closed.
Refer to Transmitter on page 3-4. The system will disarm if one of the
following operations takes place within
20 seconds after pressing the lock
button:
 Unlocking any door. Opening any door. Opening the hood. Switching the ignition ON.
To rearm the system, do the arming
procedure again. When the doors are locked by pressing
the lock button on the transmitter
or using the auxiliary key while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the
hazard warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.
To Turn Off an Armed System
An armed system can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
 Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter. Starting the engine with the push button
start. (With the advanced keyless function)
 Pressing a request switch on the doors.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
NOTE
When the doors are unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the transmitter while
the theft-deterrent system is turned off, the
hazard warning lights will flash twice to
indicate that the system is turned off.
To Stop the Alarm
A triggered alarm can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
 Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter. Starting the engine with the push button
start. (With the advanced keyless function)
 Pressing a request switch on the doors. Pressing the electric trunk lid opener
while the key is being carried.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
Theft-Deterrent Labels
A label indicating that your vehicle is
equipped with a Theft-Deterrent System is
in the console box.
Mazda recommends that you affix it to the
lower rear corner of a front door window.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 422015/03/10 9:54:46