2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 Traction

2–8
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Do not operate a vehicle with a damaged seat belt:
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing
of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a
collision. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an
accident before they are used again.

Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been
expended:
Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately inspect the seat belt pretensioners
and air bags after any collision. Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners and load
limiters will only function once and must be replaced after any collision that caused them
to deploy. A seat belt with an expended pretensioner or load limiter is still better than
wearing no seat belt at all; however, if the seat belt pretensioners and load limiters are
not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase.

Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the Seat Belt:
Improper positioning of the shoulder portion of the seat belt is dangerous. Always make
sure the shoulder portion of the seat belt is positioned across your shoulder and near your
neck, but never under your arm, on your neck, or on your upper arm.

Positioning the Lap Portion of the Seat Belt:
The lap portion of the seat belt worn too high is dangerous. In a collision, this would
concentrate the impact force directly on the abdominal area, causing serious injury. Wear
the lap portion of the belt snugly and as low as possible.

CAUTION
Belt retraction may become diffi cult if the belts and seat belt guides are soiled, so try
to keep them clean. For more details about cleaning the seat belts, refer to "Seat Belt
Maintenance" (page 6-68 ).


Seat belt guide
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2–22
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
Passenger's Seat Child-Restraint
System Installation (With Passenger
Occupant Classi¿ cation System)
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off.
2. Slide the seat as far back as possible.



3. Place the child-restraint system on the
seat without putting your weight on
the seat and secure the child-restraint
system with the lap portion of the lap/
shoulder belt. See the manufacturer's
instructions on the child-restraint
system for belt routing instructions.
4. To get the retractor into the automatic
locking mode, pull the shoulder belt
portion of the seat belt until the entire
length of the belt is out of the retractor.
5. Push the child-restraint system ¿ rmly
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the
belt retracts as snugly as possible. A
clicking noise from the retractor will
be heard during retraction if the system
is in automatic locking mode. If the
belt does not lock the seat down tight,
repeat the previous step and also this
one.
N O T E
Inspect this function before each use of
the child-restraint system. You should
not be able to pull the shoulder belt out
of the retractor while the system is in the
automatic locking mode. When you remove
the child-restraint system, be sure the
belt fully retracts to return the system to
emergency locking mode before occupants
use the seat belts.

6. Seat your child safely in the child-
restraint system and secure the child
according to the instructions from the
child-restraint system manufacturer.
7. Switch the ignition ON and make sure
the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light illuminates after
installing a child-restraint system on
the passenger seat.
If the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate,
remove the child-restraint system,
switch the ignition to OFF, and then re-
install the child-restraint system (page
2-37 ).



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3–52
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:
 


y Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.
 


y Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
 


y Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
  Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-65 .
 


y If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels.
 


y 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.

N O T E
Use snow chains only on the rear wheels.
Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda À oor mats.
WARNING
Make sure the fl oor mats are hooked on
the retention pins to prevent them from
bunching up under the foot pedals:
Using a fl oor 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 fl oor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two fl oor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one fl oor mat from sliding
forward.
Loose fl oor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
If using an all weather mat for winter
use always remove the original fl oor
mat.


When setting a À oor mat, position the À oor
mat so that its grommets are inserted over
the pointed end of the retention posts.
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3–54
Before Driving
Driving Tips
 


y Drive slowly. Braking performance
can be adversely affected if snow or
ice adheres to the brake components. If
this situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. InÀ ate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2 , 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.

The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels:
Using tires diff erent in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly aff ected and result in
an accident.

CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.

Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
 


¾ Chains may aff ect handling.



¾ Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
 


¾ Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns.
 


¾ Avoid locked-wheel braking.







¾ Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
 


¾ Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.

N O T E
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using tire
chains.

Install the chains on the rear tires only.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as
tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile).

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4–1*Some models.
4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.

Start/Stop Engine ................................ 4-4
Ignition Switch ............................... 4-4
Starting the Engine ......................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off ................ 4-10

Instrument Cluster and Display ...... 4-11
Meters and Gauges ....................... 4-11
Multi-information Display and INFO
Switch
* ......................................... 4-18
Warning/Indicator Lights ............. 4-26

Transmission ...................................... 4-31
Manual Transmission
Operation ...................................... 4-31
Automatic Transmission
Controls ........................................ 4-34

Switches and Controls ...................... 4-45
Lighting Control ........................... 4-45
Turn and Lane-Change Signals .... 4-50
Windshield Wipers and Washer ... 4-51
Rear Window Defogger ............... 4-55
Horn ............................................. 4-56
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 4-57
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
* ......................................... 4-57

Brake .................................................. 4-61
Brake System ............................... 4-61
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
* ........... 4-63
ABS/TCS/DSC ................................... 4-65
Antilock Brake System (ABS) ..... 4-65
Traction Control System (TCS) ... 4-66

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ... 4-67
Fuel Economy Monitor ..................... 4-69
Fuel Economy Monitor * ............... 4-69

Drive Selection ................................... 4-71
Drive Selection
* ........................... 4-71

Power Steering................................... 4-73
Power Steering ............................. 4-73

i-ACTIVSENSE................................. 4-74
i-ACTIVSENSE
* .......................... 4-74
Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)
* .......................................... 4-75
High Beam Control System
(HBC)
* .......................................... 4-76
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
* ...................................... 4-79
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System
* ......................................... 4-85
Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert
(RCTA)
* ....................................... 4-92
Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)
* ........................................... 4-95
Radar Sensors (Rear) * .................. 4-98

Cruise Control ................................. 4-100
Cruise Control
* ........................... 4-100

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4–29
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.
Signal Indicator Lights Page

Security Indicator Light *1 3-48

* Retractable Fastback Operation Indicator Light 3-42

* Wrench Indication/Indicator Light *1 4-30


(Blue) Low Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Light 4-30


* Shift Position Indication 4-35

Lights-On Indicator Light 4-45

Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light Headlight High-Low
Beam
4-48
Flashing the Headlights
4-48

Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
4-50
Hazard Warning Flasher
4-57

TCS/DSC Indicator Light *1 Traction Control System
(TCS)
4-66
Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)
4-67
(Turns on)
7-36

DSC OFF Indicator Light *1 4-68


* Select Mode Indication 4-72


(White) * Tire Pressure Monitoring System Indication 4-108
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4–66
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 Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-26 .
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.

N O T E
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-68 ).

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 À ashes.

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.
N O T E
 


y In addition to the indicator light
À ashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating properly.
 


y On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.

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4–68
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
DSC OFF Indicator Light

This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
It also illuminates when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off.
Refer to DSC OFF Switch on page 4-68 .

If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS/DSC is not switched off, take your
vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The DSC may have a malfunction.
DSC OFF Switch
Press the DSC OFF switch to turn off the
TCS/DSC. The DSC OFF indicator light
in the instrument cluster will illuminate.


Press the switch again to turn the TCS/
DSC back on. The DSC OFF indicator
light will turn off.
N O T E
 


y When DSC is on and you attempt to free
the vehicle when it is stuck, or drive
it out of freshly fallen snow, the TCS
(part of the DSC system) will activate.
Depressing the accelerator will not
increase engine power and freeing
the vehicle may be dif¿ cult. When this
happens, turn off the TCS/DSC.
 


y If the TCS/DSC is off when the engine
is turned off, it automatically activates
when the ignition is switched ON.
 


y Leaving the TCS/DSC on will provide
the best traction.
 


y If the DSC OFF switch is pressed and
held for 10 seconds or more, the DSC
OFF switch malfunction detection
function operates and the DSC system
activates automatically. The DSC OFF
indicator light turns off while the DSC
system is operative.

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