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

4–59
When Driving
Transmission
Second gear ¿ xed mode
When the selector lever is moved back
while the vehicle speed is about 10 km/h
(6.2 mph) or less, the transmission is set in
the second gear ¿ xed mode. The gear is
¿ xed in second while in this mode for
easier acceleration from a stop and driving
on slippery roads such as snow-covered
roads.
If the selector lever is moved back
or
forward
while in the second gear ¿ xed
mode, the mode will be cancelled.
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4–60
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 speed limit.
Shift down
The gear does not shift down while the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit.
If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit and the gear does not shift down, the gear
position indication À ashes 2 times to notify the driver that the gear cannot be shifted.
Kickdown
When the accelerator pedal is depressed fully while driving, the gear shifts 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 ¿ xed 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 ¿ xed mode, the gear remains in
second.
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4–61
When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.
Direct Mode *
Direct mode can be used for temporarily
switching gears by operating the steering
shift switch while the vehicle is being
driven with the selector lever in the D
range.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indication illuminate and the gear position
in use is illuminated.
Direct mode is cancelled (released) under
the following conditions.
 


 The UP switch ( ) is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of time or
longer.
 


 The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating).
 


 The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.
Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct
mode may not be possible depending on
the vehicle speed. In addition, because
direct mode is cancelled (released)
depending on the rate of acceleration
or if the accelerator is fully depressed,
use of the manual shift mode is
recommended if you need to drive the
vehicle in a particular gear for long
periods.
Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not let the vehicle move in a
direction opposite to the direction
selected by the selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward
with the selector lever in a forward
position, or do not let the vehicle move
forward with the selector lever in the
reverse position. Otherwise, the engine
may stop, causing the loss of the power
brake and power steering functions,
and make it dif¿ cult to control the
vehicle which could result in an
accident.
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
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4–62
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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4–63
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Lighting Control
Headlights
Turn the headlight switch to turn the headlights, other exterior lights and instrument panel
illumination on or off.
When the headlight switch is turned to the
or position, the lights-on indicator light in
the instrument cluster turns on.
(With auto-light control)
When the headlight switch is turned to the
position, the lights-on indicator light in the
instrument cluster turns on/off in conjunction with the automatic on/off operation of the
headlights.
NOTE
  To prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while the engine is off
unless safety requires them.
  Headlights do not blind drivers approaching in the opposite direction no matter
what side of the road you must drive your vehicle (left-hand or right-hand traf¿ c).
Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the optical axis of the headlights when
switching temporarily to driving on the opposite side of the road (left-hand or right-
hand traf¿ c).
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4–64
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Without auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition Position ON ACC or
OFF O N ACC or
OFF O N ACC or
OFF
Headlights Off Off Off Off On Off
Running lights On
*1 Off Off Off Off Off
Tail lights
Position lights
Number plate lights
Instrument panel illumination On
*2 Off On On On On *3
*1 It turns on while driving the vehicle.
*2 When the running lights are turned on, the position lights, tail lights, and number plate lights turn on. The
instrument panel illumination does not turn on.
*3 If the driver's door is opened or 30 s have elapsed with the lights turned on, the lights turn off.
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4–65
When Driving
Switches and Controls
With auto-light control
Switch Position
Ignition Position ON ACC
or OFF O N ACC
or OFF O N ACC
or OFF O N ACC
or OFF
Headlights Off Off Auto
*1 Off Off Off On Off
Running lights On *2 Off Auto *1 Off Off Off Off Off
Tail lights
Position lights
Number plate lights
Instrument panel illumination On
*3 Off Auto *1 On *4 /
Off *5 On On On On *6
*1 The headlight and other light settings switch automatically depending on the surrounding brightness detected by
the sensor.
*2 It turns on while driving the vehicle.
*3 When the running lights are turned on, the position lights, tail lights, and number plate lights turn on. The
instrument panel illumination does not turn on.
*4 While the lights are turned on, they will remain on even if the ignition is switched to a position other than ON .
If the driver’s door is opened or 30 s have elapsed with the lights turned on, the lights turn off.
*5 When the ignition is switched to a position other than ON , the lights will not turn on even if the light switch is
switched to
.
*6 If the driver’s door is opened or 30 s have elapsed with the lights turned on, the lights turn off.
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4–66
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Auto-light control
When the headlight switch is in the
position and the ignition is switched ON, the light
sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the headlights,
other exterior lights and instrument panel illumination on or off (see chart above).
CAUTION
  Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windscreen.
Otherwise the light sensor will not operate correctly.

  The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands and
scrapers clear of the windscreen when the wiper lever is in the
position and the
ignition is switched ON as ¿ ngers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades
damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are going to clean the
windscreen, be sure the wipers are turned off completely — this is particularly
important when clearing ice and snow — when it is particularly tempting to leave the
engine running.
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