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

4–33
When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.
Direct Mode*
Direct mode can be used for temporarily
switching gears by operating the steering
shift switch while the vehicle is being
driven with the selector lever in the D
range.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indication illuminate and the gear position
in use is illuminated.
Direct mode is canceled (released) under
the following conditions.
 The UP switch () is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of time or
longer. The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating). The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.
Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct mode
may not be possible depending on the
vehicle speed. In addition, because direct
mode is canceled (released) depending
on the rate of acceleration or if the
accelerator is fully depressed, use of the
manual shift mode is recommended if you
need to drive the vehicle in a particular
gear for long periods.
Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not let the vehicle move in a
direction opposite to the direction
selected by the selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward
with the selector lever in a forward
position, or do not let the vehicle
move forward with the selector lever
in the reverse position. Otherwise, the
engine may stop, causing the loss of
the power brake and power steering
functions, and make it difficult to
control the vehicle which could result
in an accident.
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 332015/03/10 9:55:06

4–34
When Driving
Transmission
NOTE
The accelerator pedal may initially feel
heavy as it is being depressed, then feel
lighter as it is depressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how much
the accelerator pedal has been depressed
for performing kickdown, and functions to
control whether or not kickdown should be
performed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight and
grade steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 342015/03/10 9:55:06

4–35
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Lighting Control
Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to turn the headlights, other exterior lights a\
nd dashboard
illumination on or off.
When the lights are turned on, the lights-on indicator light in the inst\
rument cluster turns on.
NOTE
 If the light switch is left on, the lights will automatically switch off\
approximately 30
seconds after switching the ignition off.
The time setting can be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9. To prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while the engine is off unless
safety requires them.
Without auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition PositionONACC or OFFONACC or OFFONACC or OFF
HeadlightsOffOffOffOffOnOn
Daytime running lightsOn*1OffOn*1OffOffOff
TaillightsParking lightsLicense lightsSide-marker lightsDashboard illumination
OffOffOnOnOnOn
*1 It turns on while driving the vehicle.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 352015/03/10 9:55:07

4–36
When Driving
Switches and Controls
With auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition PositionONACC or OFFONACC or OFFONACC or OFFONACC or OFF
HeadlightsOffOffAuto*1Auto*2OffOffOnOn
Daytime running lightsOn*3OffAuto*4OffOn*3OffOffOff
TaillightsParking lightsLicense lightsSide-marker lightsDashboard illumination
OffOffAuto*1Auto*2OnOnOnOn
*1 The headlight and other light settings switch automatically depending on\
the surrounding brightness detected by the sensor.*2 When the ignition is switched to ACC or OFF with the lights turned on, the lights turn off after a certain period of time.*3 It turns on while driving the vehicle.*4 The lights turn on while the vehicle is driven, and turn off when the headlights are turned on by the auto-light control function.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 362015/03/10 9:55:07

4–37
When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models.
Auto-light control*
When the headlight switch is in the position and the ignition is switched ON, the light
sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically tu\
rns the headlights,
other exterior lights and dashboard illumination on or off (see chart above).
CAUTION
 Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windshield. Otherwise
the light sensor will not operate correctly.
 The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands and
scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the position and the
ignition is switched ON as fingers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades could be
damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off completely when it is particularly tempting to leave the
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE
 The headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination may not turn off
immediately even if the surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor
determines that it is night time if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several
minutes such as inside long tunnels, traffic jams inside tunnels, or in indoor parking lots.
In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the position. (Without auto headlight off function)
When the headlight switch is in the position and the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the headlights, other exterior lights and \
dashboard
illumination will turn off. The dashboard illumination can be adjusted by rotating the knob in the instrument cluster.
Also, the day/night mode can be changed by rotating the knob until a beep sound is heard.
To adjust the brightness of the dashboard illumination:
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-13. The sensitivity of the auto-light control may be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 372015/03/10 9:55:07

4–38
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Headlight High-Low Beam
The headlights switch between high and
low beams by moving the lever forward or
backward.
High beam
Lo w beam
When the headlight high-beams are on,
the headlight high-beam indicator light is
turned on.
Flashing the Headlights
Can be used when the ignition is switched
ON.
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
towards you (the headlight switch does not
need to be on).
OFF
Flashing
The headlight high-beam indicator light
in the instrument cluster illuminates
simultaneously. The lever will return to the
normal position when released.
Coming Home Light System
The coming home light system turns on
the headlights (low beams) when the lever
is operated.
To turn on the system
When the lever is pulled with the ignition
switched to ACC or OFF, the low beam
headlights turn on.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed after the doors
are closed.
NOTE
 The time until the headlights turn off
after all of the doors are closed can be
changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9. If no operations are done for 3 minutes
after the lever is pulled, the headlights
turn off. The headlights turn off if the lever is
pulled again while the headlights are
illuminated.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 382015/03/10 9:55:08

4–39
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Leaving Home Light System
The leaving home light system turns on
the lights when the transmitter unlock
button is pressed while away from the
vehicle.
To turn on the system
When the ignition switch and the
headlight switch are as indicated below,
the headlights will illuminate when the
transmitter unlock button is pressed and
the vehicle receives the transmitter signal.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed (30 seconds).
 Ignition switch: off Headlight switch: or
The following lights turn on when the
leaving home light system is operated.
Low beams, Parking lights, Taillights,
License lights
Lock b utton
Unlock
b
utton
NOTE
 Operation of the leaving home light
system can be turned on or off.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9. When the transmitter lock button is
pressed and the vehicle receives the
transmitter signal, the headlights turn
off. When the headlight switch is in a
position other than or , the
headlights turn off.
Headlight Leveling
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
Daytime Running Lights
Some countries require moving vehicles
to have their lights on (daytime running
lights) during the daytime.
The daytime running lights turn on
automatically when the vehicle starts
moving.
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated or the shift lever is shifted to
the P position (automatic transmission
vehicle).
NOTE
(Except Canada)
The daytime running lights can be
deactivated.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-9.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 392015/03/10 9:55:08

4–40
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the turn and lane-change signals.
Turn Signals
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to its
original position.
Right turn
Left turn
Right lane change
Left lane changeOFF
The turn signal indicators (green) in the
instrument cluster flash according to the
operation of the turn signal lever to show
which signal is working.
NOTE

If an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, one
of the turn signal bulbs may be burned
out. A personalized function is available to
change the turn indicator sound volume.
(page 9-9)
Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever halfway toward the
direction of the lane change—until the
indicator flashes— and hold it there. It will
return to the off position when released.
Three-Flash Turn Signal
After releasing the turn signal lever, the
turn signal indicator flashes three times.
The operation can be cancelled by moving
the lever in the direction opposite to which
it was operated.
NOTE
The three-flash turn signal function can be
switched to operable/inoperable using the
personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-9.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 402015/03/10 9:55:09