2016 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 ignition

4–20
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.
Wrench Indicator Light*
When the ignition is switched ON, the
wrench indicator light is illuminated and
then turns off after a few seconds.
The wrench indicator light is illuminated
when the preset maintenance period
arrives. Verify the content and perform
maintenance.
Refer to Maintenance Monitor on page
6-20.
Low Engine Coolant Temperature
Indicator Light (Blue)
The light illuminates continuously when
the engine coolant temperature is low and
turns off after the engine is warm.
If the low engine coolant temperature
indicator light remains illuminated after
the engine has been sufficiently warmed
up, the temperature sensor could have
a malfunction. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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4–24
When Driving
Transmission
Automatic Transmission Controls
Lock-release button
Indicates the selector le ver can be shifted freely into an y position.
Indicates that you must hold in the lock-release b utton to shift.
Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal and hold in the lock-rel\
ease
b
utton to shift (The ignition must be switched ON).
Various Loc kouts:
NOTE
The Sport AT has an option that is not included in the traditional automatic transmi\
ssion
that gives the driver the option of selecting each gear instead of leavi\
ng it to the
transmission to shift gears. Even if you intend to use the automatic tra\
nsmission functions
as a traditional automatic, you should also be aware that you can inadvertently shift
into manual shift mode and an inappropriate gear may be retained as the vehicle speed
increases. If you notice the engine speed going higher or hear the engine racing, confirm
you have not accidentally slipped into manual shift mode (page 4-27).
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4–25
When Driving
Transmission
Shift Position Indication
The selector position is indicated when the
ignition is switched ON.
Gear position indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear is displayed.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-16.
Transmission Ranges
 The shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates. Refer to
Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-16. The selector lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transmission and prevents the
rear wheels from rotating.
WARNING
Always set the selector lever to P and set
the parking brake:
Only setting the selector lever to the
P position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle is dangerous.
If P fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident.
CAUTION
 Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is
moving can damage your transmission. Shifting into a driving gear or reverse
when the engine is running faster than
idle can damage the transmission.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete
stop before shifting to or from R, except
under rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 3-45).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
WARNING
If the engine is running faster than idle,
do not shift from N or P into a driving
gear:
It's dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine
is running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move suddenly,
causing an accident or serious injury.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot
be applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury.
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4–26
When Driving
Transmission
CAUTION
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle
damage.
NOTE
Apply the parking brake or depress the
brake pedal before moving the selector
lever from N to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 6-gear sequence.
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position. Gears
can be shifted up or down by operating the
selector lever. Refer to Manual Shift Mode
on page 4-27.
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
automatically controls the transmission
shift points to best suit the road conditions
and driver input. This improves driving
feel. The transmission may switch to AAS
mode when driving up and down slopes,
cornering, driving at high elevations,
or depressing the accelerator pedal
quickly while the selector lever is in the
D position. Depending on the road and
driving conditions/vehicle operations, gear
shifting could be delayed or not occur,
however, this does not indicate a problem
because the AAS mode will maintain the
optimum gear position.
Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting out
of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
NOTE
 When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P. The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P.
Shift-Lock Override
If the selector lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure, continue
to hold down the brake pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped flat head
screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.

Cove r
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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