2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF tow

4–68
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Headlight High-Low Beam
The headlights switch between high and
low beams by moving the lever forward or
backward.
High beam
Low beam
When the headlight high-beams are on,
the headlight high-beam indicator light is
turned on.
Flashing the Headlights
Can be used when the ignition is switched
ON.
T o À ash the headlights, pull the lever fully
towards you (the headlight switch does not
need to be on).
OFF
Headlight
flashing
The headlight high-beam indicator light
in the instrument cluster illuminates
simultaneously. The lever will return to the
normal position when released.
Coming Home Light
The coming home light turns on the
headlights (low beams) when the lever is
operated.
To turn on the lights
When the lever is pulled with the ignition
switched to ACC or OFF, the low beam
headlights turn on.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed after the doors
are closed.
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4–72
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE
  If an indicator light stays on without
À ashing or if it À ashes abnormally,
one of the direction indicator bulbs
may be burned out.
  A personalised function is available
to change the turn indicator sound
volume. (page 9-10 )
Lane-change Signals
Move the lever halfway toward the
direction of the lane change—until the
indicatorÀ ashes— and hold it there. It will
return to the off position when released.
Three-À ash Turn Signal
After releasing the direction indicator
lever, the direction indicator À ashes three
times. The operation can be cancelled by
moving the lever in the direction opposite
to which it was operated.
NOTE
The three-À ash turn signal function can
be switched to operable/inoperable using
the personalisation function.
Refer to Personalisation Features on
page 9-10 .
Windscreen Wipers and
Washer
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the wipers.
WARNING
Use only windscreen washer À uid or
plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
À uid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windscreen, it will dirty the windscreen,
affect your visibility, and could result in
an accident.
Only use windscreen washer À uid
mixed with anti-freeze protection in
freezing weather conditions:
Using windscreen washer À uid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing
weather conditions is dangerous as it
could freeze on the windscreen and
block your vision which could cause
an accident. In addition, make sure
the windscreen is suf¿ ciently warmed
using the defroster before spraying the
washerÀ uid.
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4–76
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE
  If the auto-wiper lever is left in the
position, the wipers could
operate automatically from the effect
of strong light sources,
electromagnetic waves, or infrared
light because the rain sensor uses an
optical sensor. It is recommended
that the auto-wiper lever be switched
to the
position other than when
driving the vehicle under rainy
conditions.
  The auto-wiper control functions can
be turned off.
 Refer to Personalisation Features on
page 9-10 .
Windscreen Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer À uid.
Washer OFF
NOTE
If the windscreen washer is turned
on when the windscreen wipers are
not operating, the windscreen wipers
operate a few times.
If the washer does not work, inspect the
À uid level (page 6-23 ). If the À uid level
is normal, consult an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
NOTE
(With headlight washers)
When the headlights are on, the
headlight washers operate automatically
once every ¿ fth time the windscreen
washer operates.
Refer to Headlight Washer on page
4-77 .
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4–80
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE
  The direction indicators do not work
when the hazard warning lights are
on.
  Check local regulations about the use
of hazard warning lights while the
vehicle is being towed to verify that
it is not in violation of the law.
  If the brake pedal is depressed
while driving on slippery roads, the
emergency stop signal system could
operate causing all the turn and lane
change signals to À ash. Refer to
Emergency Stop Signal System on
page 4-84 .
  While the emergency stop signal
system is operating, all the direction
indicators automatically À ash rapidly
to caution the driver of a vehicle
following behind your vehicle of a
sudden braking situation. Refer to
Emergency Stop Signal System on
page 4-84 .
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4–85
When Driving
Brake
WARNING
Do not rely completely on Hill Launch
Assist (HLA):
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is an
auxiliary device for accelerating from
a stop on a slope. The system only
operates for about two seconds and
therefore, relying only on the system,
when accelerating from a stop is
dangerous because the vehicle may
move (roll) unexpectedly and cause an
accident.
The vehicle could roll depending on
the vehicle's load or if it is towing
something. In addition, for vehicles
with a manual transmission, the vehicle
could still roll depending on how the
clutch pedal or the accelerator pedal is
operated.
Always con¿ rm the safety around the
vehicle before starting to drive the
vehicle.
NOTE
  Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate on a gentle slope. In addition,
the gradient of the slope on which
the system will operate changes
depending on the vehicle's load.
  Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does
not operate if the parking brake is
applied, the vehicle has not stopped
completely, or the clutch pedal is
released.
  While Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is
operating, the brake pedal may feel
stiff and vibrate, however, this does
not indicate a malfunction.
  Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate while the TCS/DSC indicator
light is illuminated.
 Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on
page 4-42 .

 Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
turn off even if the DSC OFF switch
is pressed to turn off the TCS/DSC.
 (Automatic Transmission) Although the Hill Launch Assist
(HLA) does not operate during idling
stop, the vehicle roll prevention
function operates to prevent vehicle
roll.
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4–103
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
High Beam Control System (HBC) *
The High Beam Control System (HBC) determines the conditions in front of the vehicle
using the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) while driving in darkness to automatically switch
the headlights between high and low beams.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-42 .
While driving the vehicle at a speed of about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the headlights are
switched to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or approaching in the opposite
direction.
The system switches the headlights to low beams when one of the following occurs:
 


 The system detects a vehicle or the headlights/lights of a vehicle approaching in the
opposite direction.
 


 The vehicle is driven on roads lined with streetlamps or on roads in well-lit cities and
towns.
 


 The vehicle is driven at less than about 20 km/h (12 mph).
Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) The recognition distance of the
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
varies according to the
surrounding conditions.
The warning light turns on when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-42 .
CAUTION
  Do not adjust the vehicle height, modify the headlight units, or remove the camera,
otherwise the system will not operate normally.
  Do not rely excessively on the High Beam Control System (HBC) and drive the
vehicle while paying suf¿ cient attention to safety. Switch the headlights between the
high beams and low beams manually if necessary.
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4–131
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
  In the following cases, the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) cannot detect target objects
correctly, and each system may be unable to operate normally.
 


 The height of the vehicle ahead is low.



 You drive your vehicle at the same speed as the vehicle ahead.



 Headlights are not turned on during the night or when going through a tunnel. 

 In the following cases, the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) may not be able to detect
target objects correctly.
 


 When driving next to walls with no patterning (including fences and longitudinally
striped walls).
 


 The tail lights of the vehicle ahead are turned off.



 A vehicle is outside the illumination range of the headlights.



 The vehicle is making a sharp turn, or ascending or descending a steep slope.



 Entering or exiting a tunnel.



 Heavy luggage is loaded causing the vehicle to tilt.



 Strong light is shone at the front of the vehicle (back light or high-beam light from
on-coming vehicles).
 


 There are many light emitters on the vehicle ahead.



 When the vehicle ahead is not equipped with tail lights or the tail lights are turned
off at nighttime.
 


 The vehicle ahead has a special shape. For example, a vehicle towing a trailer house
or a boat, or a vehicle carrier carrying a vehicle with its front pointed rearward.
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4–149
When Driving
Parking Sensor System
NOTE
  Do not install any accessories within the detection ranges of the sensors. It may affect
the system operation.
  Depending on the type of obstruction and the surrounding conditions, the detection
range of a sensor may narrow, or the sensors may not be able to detect obstructions.
  The system may not operate normally under the following conditions:




 Mud, ice, or snow is adhering to the sensor area (Returns to normal operation when
removed).
 


 The sensor area is frozen (Returns to normal operation when the ice is thawed).



 The sensor is covered by a hand.



 The sensor is excessively shocked.



 The vehicle is excessively tilted.



 Under extremely hot or cold weather conditions.



 The vehicle is driven on bumps, inclines, gravel, or grass covered roads.



 Anything which generates ultrasound is near the vehicle, such as another vehicle's
horn, the engine sound of a motorcycle, the air brake sound of a large-sized vehicle,
or another vehicle's sensors.
 


 The vehicle is driven in heavy rain or in road conditions causing water-splash.



 A commercially-available wing pole or an aerial for a radio transmitter is installed to
the vehicle.
 


 The vehicle is moving towards a tall or square curbstone.



 An obstruction is too close to the sensor. 

 Obstructions under the bumper may not be detected. Obstructions that are lower than
the bumper or thin which may have been initially detected but are no longer detected
as the vehicle approaches more closely.
  The following types of obstructions may not be detected:




 Thin objects such as wire or rope



 Things which absorb sonic waves easily such as cotton or snow



 Angular shaped objects



 Very tall objects, and those which are wide at the top



 Small, short objects 

 Always have the system inspected at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer if any shock is applied to the bumpers, even in a minor accident. If the
sensors are deviated, they cannot detect obstructions.
  The system may have a malfunction if the beep does not operate. Consult an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
  The beeper which indicates a system malfunction may not be heard if the ambient
temperature is extremely cold, or mud, ice, or snow adheres to the sensor area.
Remove any foreign material from the sensor area.
  When installing a trailer hitch, consult an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer.
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