2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF Owners Manual (in English)

3–37
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
Top latch assembly
Convertible top's handles
Convertible top
Convertible Top Precautions
WARNING
Sit in the seat with the seat belt correctly fastened when the vehicle is moving:
Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on the convertible top storage area or centre console
when the vehicle is moving is a dangerous way to ride. During a sudden manoeuvre or
collision you could be seriously injured or even killed.
Always keep your hands and ¿ ngers away from the fastening mechanisms when moving
the convertible top:
It is dangerous to place your hands or ¿ ngers near the fastening mechanisms. Your
hands or ¿ ngers could be caught and injured by the mechanism.
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3–38
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
CAUTION
  Remove leaves or other matter that may accumulate on and around the convertible top.
If leaves or other matter block the drain ¿ lter, water may enter the vehicle. Clean the
drain¿ lter at least once a year.
 Refer to Convertible Top Maintenance on page 6-58 . 
 Before opening the convertible top, make sure the rear window defogger switch
is turned off. Otherwise the heat generated from the defogger could damage the
convertible top and the internal material.
  Before lowering or raising the convertible top, stop in a safe place off the right-of-way
and park on a level surface.
  Make sure nothing is on the convertible top or near the back window when raising or
lowering the convertible top.
 Even small objects may interfere and cause damage.   Do not drive through an automatic car wash; it may damage the convertible top. 
 Do not raise or lower the convertible top when the temperature is below 5 °C (41 °F) ;
this will damage the convertible top material.
  Do not lower the convertible top when it's wet. If the convertible top dries while
folded, it will deteriorate and mold.
  Lowering the convertible top while it's wet can also cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.
  Do not raise or lower the convertible top in a strong wind as it could damage the
convertible top or cause an unexpected accident.
 


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3–39
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
NOTE
  The power windows go down automatically in conjunction with the convertible top
opening/closing. However, this is a function for improving the operability, and it
does not mean there is a problem. If the vehicle battery is disconnected for vehicle
maintenance or other reasons, the power windows will not go down automatically.
If the power windows do not go down, the automatic open/close mechanism for the
windows must be reset.
 Refer to Operating the Power Windows on page 3-34 .
  The windblocker reduces the amount of wind coming into the cabin from behind when
driving with the convertible top opened.
 Refer to Windblocker on page 5-133 .   When lowering the convertible top, make sure objects inside the vehicle are not blown
away by the wind.
  Secure all loose objects inside before driving with the convertible top down. 
 To help prevent burglary or vandalism and to ensure that the passenger compartment
stays dry, close the convertible top securely and lock both doors when leaving the
vehicle.
  The soft top is made of high quality material and if it is not maintained correctly, the
material could harden, becomes stained, or have an uneven gloss.
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3–40
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
Lowering the Convertible Top
CAUTION
Do not sit on the folded convertible top.
Otherwise, the convertible top could
be damaged or you may fall off and be
injured.
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. If the engine is running, turn it off.
3. Make sure there are no objects which
have been placed in the area where the
convertible top is to be retracted.
4. With the lock release button depressed
forward, pull back the top latch lever to
unlock it.
Top latch Lock release button
5. Remove the striker from the anchor.
Anchor
Striker
NOTE
If the power windows do not go down
automatically, fully open the windows or
open the doors.
6. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold
the convertible top along the front edge
and pull it toward the vehicle rear.
Front edge
NOTE
To lower the convertible top from inside
the vehicle, use the convertible top's
handles.
Convertible top's handles
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3–41
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
7. Move the convertible top rearward and
fold it while pressing the rear glass
lightly with your hand.
8. With the back end of the convertible
top pressed, press the front end until a
latch sound is heard.
Lightly rock the retracted convertible
top to make sure it is securely locked.
Raising the Convertible Top
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. If the engine is running, turn it off.
3. Pull up the unlock lever to disengage
the lock.
Unlock Lever
4. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold
the convertible top along the front edge
and pull it towards the vehicle front.
Front edge
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3–42
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
NOTE
  If the power windows do not go
down automatically, fully open the
windows or open the doors.
  To raise the convertible top from
inside the vehicle, use the convertible
top's handles.

Convertible top's handles
5. Sitting in a seat, grasp the convertible
top's handles, and press the convertible
top against the windscreen.
Make sure the striker engages with the
anchor, move the top latch slowly, and
then push the top latch upward until a
latch sound is heard.
Convertible top's handles
Striker Anchor
CAUTION
  Driving with the convertible top
not fully locked could damage the
convertible top.
 If the red indicator is visible on the
lock release button, the convertible
top is not locked. After locking the
convertible top, verify that the red
indicator is not visible.

Locked position
Unlocked position
Red indicator
  Do not spray water directly near the
seam of the window and convertible
top when À ushing away dirt on the
soft top with water. Otherwise, water
may enter the vehicle.
 Refer to Convertible Top
Maintenance on page 6-58 .
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3–43
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
NOTE
  The convertible top may be
constricted if it is left retracted for
a long period. Therefore, if the top
has become constricted, it may be
dif¿ cult to hook the top latch striker
to the anchor.
  Make sure the convertible top is
securely locked by pushing up on it.
If it still sounds loose (rattles) after
being locked by the top latch, have
it inspected at an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
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3–44
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Retractable Fastback)
Convertible Top (Retractable Fastback)
The Retractable fastback opens/closes electrically by operating switches in the vehicle.
When opening/closing the roof and window glass operate together. The front roof is stored
in the storage area under rear roof.
Front roof
Rear roof
Open
Close
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