
3–1*Some models.
3Before Driving
Use of various features, including keys, doors, mirrors and windows.
Keys ......................................................3-2
Keys
...............................................3-2
Keyless Entry System
....................3-3
Advanced Keyless Entry System
.......3-8
Advanced Keyless Entry
System
* ...........................................3-8
Operational Range
.........................3-9
Doors and Locks
................................3-10
Door Locks
...................................3-10
Trunk Lid
.....................................3-18
Inside Trunk Release Lever* ........3-20
Fuel and Emission
.............................3-22
Fuel and Engine Exhaust
Precautions
...................................3-22
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap
................3-25
Steering Wheel ................................... 3-27
Steering Wheel
.............................3-27
Mirrors
...............................................3-28
Mirrors
.........................................3-28
Windows
.............................................3-31
Power Windows
...........................3-31
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
...............3-34
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
..........3-34 Security System
.................................3-39
Modification and Add-On
Equipment
....................................3-39
Immobilizer System
.....................3-39
Theft-Deterrent System
................3-41
Driving Tips
.......................................3-43
Break-In Period
............................3-43
Saving Fuel and Protection of the
Environment
.................................3-43
Hazardous Driving
.......................3-44
Floor Mat
.....................................3-44
Rocking the Vehicle
.....................3-45
Winter Driving
.............................3-45
Driving In Flooded Area
..............3-47
Overloading
..................................3-47
Driving on Uneven Road
.............3-48
Towing
................................................3-49
Trailer Towing
..............................3-49
Recreational Towing
....................3-49
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3–18
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
Operation from outside
To lock the passenger door with the door-
lock knob from the outside, press the
door-lock knob to the lock position and
close the door (holding the door handle in
the open position is not required).
This does not operate the other door locks.
Door-lock knob
NOTE
When locking the door this way:
Be careful not to leave the key inside the
vehicle. The driver's door lock knob cannot be
used while the driver's door is open.
Trunk Lid
WARNING
Never allow a person to ride in the
trunk:Allowing a person to ride in the trunk
is dangerous. The person in the trunk
could be seriously injured or killed
during sudden braking or a collision.
Do not drive with the trunk lid open: Exhaust gas in the cabin of a vehicle
is dangerous. An open trunk lid in a
moving vehicle will cause exhaust
gas to be drawn into the cabin. This
gas contains CO (carbon monoxide),
which is colorless, odorless, and highly
poisonous, and it can cause loss of
consciousness and death. Moreover, an
open trunk lid could cause occupants
to fall out in an accident.
CAUTION
Before opening the trunk lid, remove
any snow and ice accumulation on it.
Otherwise, the trunk lid could close
under the weight of the snow and ice
resulting in injury.
Be careful when opening/closing the
trunk lid during strong winds. If a strong
gust blows against the trunk lid, it could
close suddenly resulting in injury.
Fully open the trunk lid and make sure
that it stays open. If the trunk lid is only
opened partially, it could slam shut
by vibration or wind gusts resulting in
injury.
When loading or unloading luggage in
the trunk, turn off the engine. Otherwise,
you could get burned by the heat of the
exhaust gas.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition3.indb 182015/10/21 16:52:32

3–22
Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Fuel Requirements
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a min\
imum.
This vehicle will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
FuelOctane Rating* (Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel 91 [(R
M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline stat\
ion pumps.
Regular unleaded fuel with an octane rating from 87 to 90 (91 to 95 RON) can be used, but
this will reduce performance slightly, such as reduced engine output, and engine knocking.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) will negatively affect the emission control
system performance and could also cause engine knocking and serious engi\
ne damage.
CAUTION
USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead to
deterioration of the emission control system and or failures. This vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol by
volume. Damage to the vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this recommendation, or
if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any kind if your vehicle engine
is performing poorly.
Never add fuel system additives, otherwise the emission control system could be damaged.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10 %. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name "Gasohol".
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the fol\
lowing may not be
covered by the warranty.
Gasohol containing more than 10 % ethanol. Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition3.indb 222015/10/21 16:52:33

3–23
Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Emission Control System
This vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic\
converter is
part of this system) that enables the vehicle to comply with existing e\
xhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Never park over or near anything flammable:
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with the
engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and could ignite
anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst inside
the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will damage the
converter and cause poor performance.
USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL. Do not drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction. Do not coast with the ignition switched off. Do not descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switched off. Do not operate the engine at high idle for more than 2 minutes. Do not tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments
must be made by a qualified technician. Do not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control
system before the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some
states, such modification made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be\
heard at the rear
of the vehicle, however this does not indicate an abnormality. The vehicle has a self-
checking device and it operates while the engine is off.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition3.indb 232015/10/21 16:52:34

3–24
Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Engine Exhaust (Carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Do not drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle:
Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness and
death. If you smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, keep all windows fully open and contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Do not run the engine when inside an enclosed area: Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss of
consciousness or even death could occur.
Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw fresh air when
idling the engine: Exhaust gas is dangerous. When the vehicle is stopped with the windows closed and
the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which contains
poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or even death
could occur.
Clear snow from underneath and around your vehicle, particularly the tail pipe, before
starting the engine: Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The exhaust
pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin. Because
exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, it could cause loss of consciousness or
even death to occupants in the cabin.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition3.indb 242015/10/21 16:52:34

4–4
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
After starting a cold engine, the engine
speed increases and a whining sound
from the engine compartment can be
heard.
This is for improved exhaust gas
purification and does not indicate defect
of the parts.
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
1. Make sure you are carrying the key.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Continue to press the brake pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
5. (Manual transmission)
Continue to press the clutch pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transmission)
The starter will not operate if the clutch
pedal is not depressed sufficiently.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the selector
lever is not in P or N and the brake pedal
is not depressed sufficiently.
6. Verify that the KEY indicator light
(green) in the instrument cluster and the
push button start indicator light (green)
illuminate.
Indicator light
Push button start
KEY indicator light
(green)/ KEY warning light (red)
NOTE
If the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes, make sure that the key is
being carried.
If the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes with the key being
carried, touch the key to the push
button start and start the engine. Refer
to Engine Start Function When Key
Battery is Dead on page 4-6.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition3.indb 42015/10/21 16:52:49

5–6
Interior Features
Climate Control System
Control Switches
Temperature control dial
This dial controls temperature. Turn it
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise
for cold.
NOTE
(Type A)
When the mode is set to
, or a position
in between them with the fan control dial
in a position other than 0 and the
temperature control dial in the maximum
cold position, the air intake selector
switches to the recirculated air position
and the A/C turns on automatically.
If A/C is not desired, press the A/C switch
to turn it off.
Fan control dial
This dial allows variable fan speeds.
The fan has seven speeds.
Mode selector dial
Turn the mode selector dial to select
airflow mode (page 5-4).
NOTE
The mode selector dial can be set at the
intermediate positions () between
each mode. Set the dial to an
intermediate position if you want to split
the airflow between the two modes.
For example, when the mode selector
dial is at the position between the
and positions, airflow from the floor
vent is less than that of the position.
A/C switch
Press the A/C switch to turn the air
conditioner on. The indicator light on the
switch will illuminate when the fan control
dial is in any position except OFF.
Press the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function when
the outside temperature approaches 0 °C
(32 °F).
Air intake selector
This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
Outside or recirculated air positions can be
selected. Press the switch to select outside/
recirculated air positions.
Recirculated air position (indicator light
illuminated)
Outside air is shut off. Use this position
when going through tunnels, driving in
congested traffic (high engine exhaust
areas) or when quick cooling is desired.
Outside air position (indicator light
turned off)
Outside air is allowed to enter the
cabin. Use this mode for ventilation or
windshield defrosting.
WARNING
Do not use the position in cold or
rainy weather:
Using the
position in cold or rainy
weather is dangerous as it will cause
the windows to fog up. Your vision will
be hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident.
MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition4.indb 62016/01/20 11:05:28

5–10
Interior Features
Climate Control System
Control Switches
Temperature control dial
This dial controls temperature. Turn it
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise
for cold.
Fan control dial
The fan has seven speeds.
AUTO position
The amount of airflow will be
automatically controlled in accordance
with the set temperature.
Except AUTO position
The airflow amount can be adjusted to the
desired level by turning the dial.
0 position
To turn off the system, set the dial to 0
position.
Mode selector dial
Turn the mode selector dial to select
airflow mode (page 5-4).
AUTO position
The airflow mode automatically adjusts to
the selected temperature.
Except AUTO position
The desired airflow position can be
selected by turning the dial.
NOTE
With the airflow mode set to the
position and the temperature control
dial set at a medium temperature,
heated air is directed to the feet and air
at a comparably lower temperature will
flow through the central, left and right
vents.
When the fan control dial is ON, and the
mode selector dial is in the or
position, the air conditioner is
automatically turned on and the outside
air position is automatically selected to
defrost the windshield. In the
or
position, the outside air position cannot
be changed to the recirculated air
position.
A/C switch
The air-conditioning (cooling/
dehumidifying functions) can be turned on
or off by pressing the switch while the fan
control dial is at a position other than 0.
The indicator light turns on while the air-
conditioning is operating.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function when
the outside temperature approaches 0 °C
(32 °F).
Air intake selector
Outside or recirculated air positions can be
selected. Press the switch to select outside/
recirculated air positions.
Recirculated air position (indicator light
illuminated)
Outside air is shut off. Use this position
when going through tunnels, driving in
congested traffic (high engine exhaust
areas) or when quick cooling is desired.
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