2016 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 steering

4–1*Some models.
4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine ................................4-2
Ignition Switch ...............................4-2
Starting the Engine .........................4-3
Turning the Engine Off ..................4-8
Instrument Cluster and Display ........4-9
Meters and Gauges .........................4-9
Warning/Indicator Lights .............4-16
Transmission ......................................4-21
Manual Transmission
Operation ......................................4-21
Automatic Transmission
Controls ........................................4-24
Switches and Controls ......................4-35
Lighting Control ...........................4-35
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ....4-40
Windshield Wipers and Washer ...4-41
Rear Window Defogger ...............4-45
Horn .............................................4-46
Hazard Warning Flasher ...............4-46
HomeLink Wireless Control
System* .........................................4-47
Brake ..................................................4-51
Brake System ...............................4-51
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)* ...........4-53
ABS/TCS/DSC ...................................4-55
Antilock Brake System (ABS) .....4-55
Traction Control System (TCS) ...4-56
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ...4-57
Fuel Economy Monitor .....................4-59
Fuel Economy Monitor* ...............4-59
Drive Selection ...................................4-61
Drive Selection* ...........................4-61
Power Steering...................................4-63
Power Steering .............................4-63
i-ACTIVSENSE.................................4-64
i-ACTIVSENSE*..........................4-64
Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)* ..........................................4-65
High Beam Control System
(HBC)*..........................................4-66
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)* ......................................4-69
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System* .........................................4-74
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA)* .......................................4-81
Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)* ...........................................4-84
Radar Sensors (Rear)* ..................4-87
Cruise Control ...................................4-89
Cruise Control* .............................4-89
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ....4-93
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System* .........................................4-93
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 12015/03/10 9:54:47

4–2
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
Ignition Switch
Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
Indicator light
NOTE
 The engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the clutch
pedal (manual transmission) or the
brake pedal (automatic transmission).
To switch the ignition position, press the
push button start without depressing the
pedal. Do not leave the ignition switched
ON while the engine is not running.
Doing so could result in the battery
going dead. If the ignition is left in
ACC (For automatic transmission, the
selector lever is in the P position, and
the ignition is in ACC), the ignition
switches off automatically after about
25 minutes.
Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start indicator
light (amber) also turns off.
In this position the steering wheel is
locked.
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector lever
is in P (automatic transmission) or in 1st
gear or R (manual transmission):
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition off, setting the
parking brake, and shifting the selector
lever to P (automatic transmission) or
to 1st gear or R (manual transmission)
is dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur which could
result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to leave
the vehicle for even a short period, it
is important to switch the ignition off,
as leaving it in another position will
disable some of the vehicle's security
systems and run the battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been
pressed to ACC, and the doors will not
lock/unlock even if they have been locked
manually.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 22015/03/10 9:54:48

4–9
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
Meters and Gauges
Instrument Cluster
Steering Switc
h
Speedometer ........................................................................\
..................................page 4-10
Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector ....................................................page 4-10
Tachometer ........................................................................\
....................................page 4-11
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .....................................................................page 4-11
Fuel Gauge ........................................................................\
....................................page 4-12
Dashboard Illumination........................................................................\
.................page 4-13
Outside Temperature Display ........................................................................\
........page 4-13
Cruise Control Set Vehicle Speed Display ............................................................page 4-14
Trip Computer and INFO Switch ........................................................................\
..page 4-14
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 92015/03/10 9:54:50

4–17
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.
SignalWarning LightsPage
Check Engine Light*17-33
(Red)High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light*17-33
*Automatic Transmission Warning Light*17-33
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light*17-33
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light*17-33
Low Fuel Warning Light7-33
Check Fuel Cap Warning Light*17-33
Seat Belt Warning Light7-33
Door-Ajar Warning Light7-33
*Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light7-33
*Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light*17-33
(Red)
KEY Warning Light*17-33
*Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) Warning Light*1Illuminated 7-33
Flashing 4-63
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4–28
When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.
Manually shifting up
You can shift gears up by operating the
shift lever or the steering shift switches*.
M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 → M5 → M6
Using selector lever
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back once.
Using steering shift switch*
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
() toward you once with your
fingers.
UP switch (+/OFF)
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers 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
 When driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up. In manual shift mode, do not run the
engine with the tachometer needle in
the RED ZONE. When the engine rpm is
high, a gear may shift up automatically
to protect the engine. When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transmission will shift to a lower
gear, depending on vehicle speed. The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever is
in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch () is
pulled rearward for a sufficient amount
of time.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 282015/03/10 9:55:05

4–29
When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.
Manually shifting down
You can shift gears down by operating the
shift lever or the steering shift switches*.
M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2→ M1
Using selector lever
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the
selector lever forward once.
Using steering shift switch*
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch toward you once with your
fingers.
DOWN switch (-)
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 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
 When driving at high speeds, the gear
may not shift down. During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed. When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transmission will shift to a lower
gear, depending on vehicle speed.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 292015/03/10 9:55:06

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.
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4–46
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Horn
To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
Hazard Warning Flasher
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning flasher and
all the turn signals will flash. The hazard
warning indicator lights in the instrument
cluster flash simultaneously.
NOTE
 The turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning lights are on. Check local regulations about the use of
hazard warning lights while the vehicle
is being towed to verify that it is not in
violation of the law.
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