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

4–81
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)*
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system is designed to assist the driver in checking the
area to the rear of the vehicle on both sides while the vehicle is rever\
sing by alerting the
driver to the presence of vehicles approaching the rear of the vehicle.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and
right sides of the vehicle while the vehicle is being reversed out of a \
parking space, and
notifies the driver of possible danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
and the warning buzzer.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) operation
1. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operates when the shift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever (automatic transmission) is shift\
ed to the reverse (R)
position.
2. If there is the possibility of a collision with an approaching vehicle, the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light flashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 812015/03/10 9:55:17

4–82
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
WARNING
Always check the surrounding area visually before actually putting the vehicle in
reverse:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at the rear when putting
the vehicle in reverse. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light may not flash or it might be delayed even
though a vehicle is behind your vehicle. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to
check the rear.
NOTE
 In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator \
light turns on and
operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)\
OFF indicator
light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
 Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warnin\
g
lights has occurred. A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred. There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear). Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods. The temperature near the radar sensors becomes extremely hot due to driving for long
periods on slopes during the summer. The battery voltage has decreased.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 822015/03/10 9:55:17

4–83
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
 Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
 The vehicle speed when reversing is about 10 km/h (6 mph) or faster. The radar sensor (rear) detection area is obstructed by a nearby wall or parked
vehicle. (Reverse the vehicle to a position where the radar sensor detection area is no
longer obstructed.)
Your vehicle
 A vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle.
Your vehicle
 The vehicle is parked on a slant.
Your vehicle
 Directly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch and the system
becomes operable.
 In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
 Snow or ice adheres to the door mirrors. The door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
 Turn off the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system while pulling a trailer or while an
accessory such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise,
the radio waves emitted by the radar will be blocked causing the system \
to not operate
normally.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 832015/03/10 9:55:18

4–84
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)*
Your vehicle is equipped with a Forward Sensing Camera (FSC). The Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) is positioned near the rearview mirror and used by the fo\
llowing systems.
 High Beam Control System (HBC) Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
F orward Sensing Camera (FSC)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) determines the conditions ahead of th\
e vehicle while
traveling at night and detects traffic lanes. The distance in which the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) can detect objects varies depending on the surrounding co\
nditions.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 842015/03/10 9:55:18

4–85
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
CAUTION
 Do not apply accessories, stickers or film to the windshield near the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC).
If the area in front of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) lens is obstructed, it will cause
the system to not operate correctly. Consequently, each system may not operate normally
which could lead to an unexpected accident. Do not disassemble or modify the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
Disassembly or modification of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) will cause a malfunction
or mistaken operation. Consequently, each system may not operate normally which could
lead to an unexpected accident. Heed the following cautions to assure the correct operation of the Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC).
 The direction of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) has been finely adjusted, therefore
do not change the installation position or remove the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC). Be careful not to scratch the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) lens or allow it to get dirty. Do not remove the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) cover. Do not place objects on the dashboard which reflect light. Always keep the windshield glass around the camera clean by removing dirt or fogging.
Use the windshield defroster to remove fogging on the windshield. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer regarding cleaning the interior side of the
windshield around the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC). Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer before performing repairs around the Forward
Sensing Camera (FSC). The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed to the windshield. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer for windshield repair and replacement. When performing repairs around the rearview mirror, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer. Do not hit or apply strong force to the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) or the area around
it. If strong force is applied, stop using the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and
the High Beam Control System (HBC) and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The direction in which the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is pointed has been finely
adjusted. Do not change the installation position of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
or remove it. Otherwise, it could result in damage or malfunction.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 852015/03/10 9:55:18

4–86
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
 In the following cases, the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) cannot detect target objects
correctly, and each system may be unable to operate normally.
 The height of the vehicle ahead is low. You drive your vehicle at the same speed as the vehicle ahead. Headlights are not turned on during the night or when going through a tunnel.
 In the following cases, the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) may not be able to detect
target objects correctly.
 When driving next to walls with no patterning (including fences and lon\
gitudinally
striped walls). The taillights of the vehicle ahead are turned off. A vehicle is outside the illumination range of the headlights. The vehicle is making a sharp turn, or ascending or descending a steep s\
lope. Entering or exiting a tunnel. Heavy luggage is loaded causing the vehicle to tilt. Strong light is shone at the front of the vehicle (back light or high-beam light from on-
coming vehicles). There are many light emitters on the vehicle ahead. When the vehicle ahead is not equipped with taillights or the taillights\
are turned off at
nighttime. The vehicle ahead has a special shape.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 862015/03/10 9:55:18

4–87
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Radar Sensors (Rear)*
Your vehicle is equipped with radar sensors (rear). The following systems also use the radar
sensors (rear).
 Blind Spot Monitoring system (BSM) Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle
approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensor.
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right
sides.
Always keep the surface of the rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear\
) clean so that the
radar sensors (rear) operate normally. Also, do not apply items such as stickers.
Refer to Exterior Care on page 6-57.
CAUTION
If the rear bumper receives a severe impact, the system may no longer operate normally.
Stop the system immediately and have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 872015/03/10 9:55:18

4–88
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
 The detection ability of the radar sensors (rear) has limitations. In the following cases,
the detection ability may lower and the system may not operate normally.
 The rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) has become deformed. Snow, ice or mud adheres to the radar sensors (rear) on the rear bumper. Under bad weather conditions such as rain, snow and fog.
 Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
 Stationary objects on a road or a road side such as small, two-wheeled vehicles,
bicycles, pedestrians, animals, and shopping carts. Vehicle shapes which do not reflect radar waves well such as empty trailers with a low
vehicle height and sports cars.
 Vehicles are shipped with the direction of the radar sensors (rear) adjusted for each
vehicle to a loaded vehicle condition so that the radar sensors (rear) detect approaching
vehicles correctly. If the direction of the radar sensors (rear) has deviated for some
reason, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. For repairs or replacement of the radar sensors (rear), or bumper repairs, paintwork,
and replacement near the radar sensors, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Turn off the system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as\
a bicycle carrier
is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted by the radar will\

be blocked causing the system to not operate normally. The radar sensors are regulated by the relevant radio wave laws of the country in which
the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is driven abroad, authorization from the country in
which the vehicle is driven may be required.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 882015/03/10 9:55:18