2016 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 lights

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

4–46
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.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 462015/03/10 9:55:10

4–52
When Driving
Brake
Parking Brake
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
parts.
NOTE
For parking in snow, refer to Winter
Driving (page 3-45) regarding parking
brake use.
Setting the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal and then firmly
pull the parking brake lever fully upwards
with sufficient force to hold the vehicle in
a stationary position.
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever upwards, then press
the release button. While holding the
button, lower the parking brake lever all
the way down to the released position.
Button
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-16.
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 522015/03/10 9:55:12

4–54
When Driving
Brake
WARNING
Do not rely completely on Hill Launch
Assist (HLA):
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is an auxiliary
device for accelerating from a stop
on a slope. The system only operates
for about two seconds and therefore,
relying only on the system, when
accelerating from a stop is dangerous
because the vehicle may move (roll)
unexpectedly and cause an accident.
The vehicle could roll depending on
the vehicle's load or if it is towing
something. In addition, for vehicles
with a manual transmission, the
vehicle could still roll depending on
how the clutch pedal or the accelerator
pedal is operated.
Always confirm the safety around the
vehicle before starting to drive the
vehicle.
NOTE
 Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate on a gentle slope. In addition,
the gradient of the slope on which the
system will operate changes depending
on the vehicle's load. Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate if the parking brake is applied,
the vehicle has not stopped completely,
or the clutch pedal is released. While Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is
operating, the brake pedal may feel
stiff and vibrate, however, this does not
indicate a malfunction. Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate while the TCS/DSC indicator
light is illuminated.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on
page 4-16. Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
turn off even if the DSC OFF switch is
pressed to turn off the TCS/DSC.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition1.indb 542015/03/10 9:55:12