2016 MAZDA MX5 MIATA automatic transmission

4–31
When Driving
Transmission
Shift gear (shifting) speed limit
For each gear position while in the manual mode, the speed limit is set \
as follows: When the
selector lever is operated within the range of the speed limit, the gear\
is shifted.
Shift up
The gear does not shift up while the vehicle speed is lower than the spe\
ed limit.
Shift down
The gear does not shift down while the vehicle speed exceeds the speed l\
imit.
If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit and the gear does not shift\
down, the gear
position indication flashes 2 times to notify the driver that the gear cannot be shifted.
Kickdown
When the accelerator pedal is depressed fully while driving, the gear sh\
ifts down.
However, the gears do not kickdown while the DSC is turned off.
NOTE
The gear also shifts down using kickdown while in the second gear fixed mode.
Auto-shift down
The gear shifts down automatically depending on the vehicle speed during\
deceleration.
NOTE
If the vehicle comes to a stop while in the second gear fixed mode, the gear remains in
second.
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4–34
When Driving
Transmission
NOTE
 The accelerator pedal may initially feel
heavy as it is being depressed, then feel
lighter as it is depressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how
much the accelerator pedal has been
depressed for performing kickdown,
and functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
 While the selector lever is in the M
position and the DSC is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch
to automatic shift mode even if the
accelerator pedal is completely
depressed. Operate the selector lever.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight and
grade steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
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4–39
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Leaving Home Light
The leaving home light turns on the lights
when the transmitter unlock button is
pressed while away from the vehicle.
The following lights turn on when the
leaving home light is operated.
Low beams, Parking lights, Taillights,
License lights
To turn on the lights
When the ignition switch and the headlight
switch are in the following conditions,
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
Lock button
Unlock
b
utton
NOTE
 Operation of the leaving home light can
be turned on or off.
Refer to Personalization Featur es 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.
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4–53
When Driving
Brake
*Some models.
WARNING
Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Brake Assist
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the brake
pedal with greater force, the brake assist
system provides braking assistance, thus
enhancing braking performance.
When the brake pedal is depressed hard or
depressed more quickly, the brakes apply
more firmly.
NOTE
 When the brake pedal is depressed hard
or depressed more quickly, the pedal
will feel softer but the brakes will apply
more firmly. This is a normal effect of
the brake assist operation and does not
indicate a malfunction.
 When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, a
motor/pump operation noise may be
heard. This is a normal effect of the
brake assist and does not indicate a
malfunction.
 The brake assist equipment does not
supersede the functionality of the
vehicle's main braking system.
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)*
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is a function
which assists the driver in accelerating
from a stop while on a slope. When
the driver releases the brake pedal and
depresses the accelerator pedal while
on a slope, the function prevents the
vehicle from rolling. The braking force is
maintained automatically after the brake
pedal is released on a steep grade.
For vehicles with a manual transmission,
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) operates on a
downward slope when the shift lever is in
the reverse (R) position, and on an upward
slope when the shift lever is in a position
other than the reverse (R) position.
For vehicles with an automatic
transmission, Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
operates on a downward slope when the
selector lever is in the reverse (R) position,
and on an upward slope when the selector
lever is in a forward gear.
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4–75
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
 The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system will operate when all of the fo\
llowing
conditions are met:
 The ignition is switched ON. The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch is pressed and the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is turned off. The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster.
 The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system will not operate under the foll\
owing
circumstances.
 The vehicle speed falls below about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) even though the \
Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light is turned off. The shift lever (manual transmission)/selector lever (automatic trans\
mission) is shifted
to reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing.
 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 is detected. 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). Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper. Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods. The temperature near the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely hot due to driving
for long periods on slopes during the summer. The battery voltage has decreased.
 Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
 A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not
approach. The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system determines the condition \
based on
radar detection data.
 A vehicle is traveling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed fo\
r an extended
period of time. Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction. A vehicle in an adjacent driving lane is attempting to pass your vehicle.\
 A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.
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4–77
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
 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 is adhering to the door mirrors. The door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
 The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function when the shift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever (automatic transmission) is shift\
ed to the reverse (R)
position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on page 4-81.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Lights/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Warning Beep
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) or Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system notifies the
driver of the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes to the rear of your\
vehicle using the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights and the warning beep while the systems are
operational.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights are equipped on the left and right door
mirrors. The warning lights turn on when a vehicle approaching from the rear in a\
n adjacent
lane is detected.
When the ignition is switched ON, the malfunction warning light turns on\
momentarily and
then turns off after a few seconds.
Forward driving (Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system operation)
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system detects vehicles approaching from the rear and
turns on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors
according to the conditions. Additionally, while a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
light is illuminated, if the turn signal lever is operated to signal a t\
urn in the direction
in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light is illuminated, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning light flashes.
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4–81
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA) *
T h e R e a r C r o s s T r a f ¿ c 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 Traf ¿ c 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
noti¿ es the driver of possible danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)\
warning lights
and the warning buzzer.

Detection areas
Your vehicle

Rear Cross Traf ¿ c Alert (RCTA) operation
1. The Rear Cross Traf¿ c 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 À ashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.


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4–91
When Driving
Cruise Control
NOTE
 The cruise control speed setting cannot
be performed under the following
conditions:
 (Automatic transmission)
The selector lever is in the P or N
position. (Manual transmission)
The shift lever is in the neutral
position. The parking brake is applied.
 Release the SET/ switch at the desired
speed, otherwise the speed will continue
decreasing while the SET/
switch is
pressed and held (except when the
accelerator pedal is depressed).
 On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down while ascending
or speed up while descending.
 The cruise contr ol will cancel if the
vehicle speed decreases below 21 km/h
(13 mph) when the cruise control is
activated, such as when climbing a
steep grade.
 The cruise control may cancel at about
15 km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed,
such as when climbing a long, steep
grade.
The vehicle speed preset using the cruise
control is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
To Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
To increase speed using cruise control
switch
Press the RESUME/
switch and hold it.
Your vehicle will accelerate. Release the
switch at the desired speed.
Press the RESUME/
switch and release
it immediately to adjust the preset speed.
Multiple operations will increase the
preset speed according to the number of
times it is operated.
Increasing speed with a single
RESUME/
switch operation
Instrument cluster display for vehicle
speed indicated in km/h: 1 km/h (0.6 mph)
Instrument cluster display for vehicle
speed indicated in mph: 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
To increase speed using accelerator
pedal
Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate
to the desired speed. Press the SET/

switch and release it immediately.
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up
temporarily when the cruise control is on.
Greater speed will not interfere with or
change the set speed. Take your foot off the
accelerator to return to the set speed.
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