2016 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 traction control

3–44
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear
while driving on slippery surfaces 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.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
 Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking. Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering. Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-55. If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels. For more traction in starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow,
use sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting,
or other nonslip material under the rear
wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear wheels.
Floor Mat
WARNING
Make sure the floor mats are hooked on
the retention pins to prevent them from
bunching up under the foot pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation,
which could result in an accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
If using a heavy duty floor mat for
winter use always remove the original
floor mat.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
When setting a floor mat, position the floor
mat so that its grommets are inserted over
the pointed end of the retention posts.
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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
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4–56
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Traction Control System
(TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by controlling
engine torque and braking. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque and operates the brakes to
prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-16.
WARNING
Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving:
The Traction Control System (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are covered
with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction devices
on snow and/or ice-covered roads
is dangerous. The Traction Control
System (TCS) alone cannot provide
adequate traction and you could still
have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-58).
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
 In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating properly. On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
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6–43
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
*Some models.
Replacing a Tire
WARNING
Always use tires that are in good
condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
Replace all four tires at the same time:
Replacing just one tire is dangerous. It
could cause poor handling and poor
braking resulting in loss of vehicle
control. Mazda strongly recommends
that you replace all four tires at the
same time.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator will
appear as a solid band across the tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
New treadT
read wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace the tire before the band
crosses the entire tread.
(With tire pressure monitoring system)
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operate normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-96.
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used on the road. It
is recommended that tires generally be
replaced when they are 6 years or older.
Heat caused by hot climates or frequent
high loading conditions can accelerate the
aging process. The period in which the tire
was manufactured (both week and year) is
indicated by a 4-digit number.
Refer to Tire Labeling on page 8-24.
Replacing a Wheel
WARNING
Always use wheels of the correct size on
your vehicle:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be affected, leading to loss of
control and an accident.
CAUTION
A wrong-sized wheel may adversely
affect:
 Tire fit Wheel and bearing life Ground clearance Snow-chain clearance Speedometer calibration Headlight aim Bumper height Tire Pressure Monitoring System*
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8–22
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and temperature
performance.
Tread Wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of t\
he tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well o\
n the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of \
their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests
and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under c\
ontrolled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degener\
ate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum requ\
ired by law.
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8–27
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be p\
ut in the tire under
normal driving conditions.
Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature Grades
Tread wear: The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of t\
he tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example,
a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on\
the government
course as a tire graded 100.
Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The grades
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under c\
ontrolled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Temperature: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate\
heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true snow tires,\
those with very
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or placed on all four wheels. M\
ake
sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction typ\
e as the other tires
on your vehicle.
SAFETY WARNING
The following safety warning appears on the tire's sidewall.
SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM:
 EXPLOSION OF TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING-MATCH
TIRE DIAMETER TO RIM DIAMETER; NEVER EXCEED 40 psi (275 kPa) TO SEAT
BEADS-ONLY SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONS SHOULD MOUNT TIRES. TIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING/DAMAGE-
FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD IN VEHICLE-FREQUENTLY
CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT FOR DAMAGE.
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10–6
Index
Replacement
Fuse ...............................................6-52
Key battery ....................................6-38
Light bulbs ....................................6-45
Tires ...............................................6-43
Wheel ............................................6-43
Wiper .............................................6-33
Request Switch Inoperable Warning Beep
(With the advanced keyless function) ...7-47
Rocking the Vehicle ............................3-45
S
SRS Air Bags
How the SRS air bags work ..........2-31
Limitations to SRS air bag ............2-35
Monitoring.....................................2-42
Passenger occupant classification
system ............................................2-37
SRS air bag deployment criteria ...2-34
Supplemental restraint system
components ...................................2-29
Safety Defects, Reporting ...................8-13
Satellite Radio .....................................5-46
Saving Fuel and Protection of the
Environment ........................................3-43
Scheduled Maintenance ........................6-4
Seat ........................................................2-4
Seat Belt System .................................2-10
3-point type ...................................2-10
Automatic locking ...........................2-9
Emergency locking ..........................2-9
Extender ........................................2-13
Pregnant women ..............................2-9
Seat belt precautions .......................2-7
Seat Belt Warning Beep ......................7-46
Seat Side Box ....................................5-137
Seats
Head restraint ..................................2-6
Seat warmer .....................................2-5
Security System
Immobilizer system .......................3-39
Theft-deterrent system ..................3-41
Service Publications ............................8-49
Specifications ........................................9-4
Speedometer ........................................4-10
Starting the Engine ................................4-3
Steering Wheel ....................................3-27
Horn...............................................4-46
Storage Compartments ......................5-137
Back trim storage box .................5-138
Console box .................................5-137
Seat side box ...............................5-137
Sunvisors ...........................................5-131
T
Tachometer ..........................................4-11
Theft-Deterrent System .......................3-41
Tiedown
Hook ..............................................7-31
Tire Inflation Pressure Warning Beep ...7-47
Tire Information ..................................8-24
Tire Pressure Monitoring System .......4-93
Tires ....................................................6-41
Flat tire ............................................7-3
Replacing a tire .............................6-43
Replacing a wheel .........................6-43
Snow tires ......................................3-46
Specifications ..................................9-8
Tire chains .....................................3-46
Tire inflation pressure ....................6-41
Tire rotation ...................................6-42
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) .......................................8-22
Towing
Recreational towing ......................3-49
Trailer towing ................................3-49
Towing Description .............................7-30
Traction Control System (TCS) ..........4-56
TCS/DSC indicator light ...............4-56
Transmitter ............................................3-4
Trip Computer .....................................4-14
Trip Meter ...........................................4-10
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