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

4–99
When Driving
Power Steering
Power Steering
 












 Power steering is only operable when
the engine is running. If the engine is
off or if the power steering system is
inoperable, you can still steer, but it
requires more physical effort.
  If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving or the steering
vibrates, consult an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
 


 The warning light noti¿ es the driver
of system abnormalities and operation
conditions.
  Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-42 .
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than
5 seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
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4–10 0
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
i-ACTIVSENSE *
i-ACTIVSENSE is a collective term covering a series of advanced safety and driver support
systems which make use of a Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) and radar sensors.
Because each system has its limitations, always drive carefully and do not rely solely on the
systems.
Driver awareness support systems
Nighttime visibility
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) ............................................................................ 4-102
High Beam Control System (HBC) .................................................................................. 4-103
Left/right side and rear side detection
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) ....................................................................... 4-106
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System ............................................................................. 4-112
Rear obstruction detection when leaving a parking space
Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA) ...................................................................................... 4-119
Driver support system
Speed control
Adjustable Speed Limiter ................................................................................................. 4-122
Camera and Sensors
F o r w a r d s e n s i n g c a m e r a ( F S C )
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) determines the conditions ahead of the vehicle while
travelling at night and detects traf¿ c lanes. The following systems also use the Forward
Sensing Camera (FSC).
 


 High Beam Control system (HBC)



 Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed at the top of the windscreen near the
rearview mirror.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) on page 4-129 .
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4–101
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reÀ ected off a vehicle
approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensors. The following
systems also use the radar sensors (rear).
 


 Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System



 Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right
sides.
Refer to Radar Sensors (Rear) on page 4-132 .
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4–102
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) *
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the headlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel after the headlights have
been turned on.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-42 .
NOTE
  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).

 The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/
inoperable using the personalisation function.
 Refer to Personalisation Features on page 9-10 .
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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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4–104
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
The timing in which the system switches the headlights changes under the following
conditions. If the system does not switch the headlights appropriately, manually switch
between high and low beams according to the visibility as well as road and traf¿ c
conditions.
 
 When there are sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated
signboards, and traf¿ c signals.

 When there are reÀ ective objects in the surrounding area such as reÀ ective plates and
signs.
  When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions. 
 When driving on roads with sharp turn or hilly terrain. 
 When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles in front of you or in the opposite lane are
dim or not illuminated.
  When there is suf¿ cient darkness such as at dawn or dusk. 
 When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects. 
 When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle in front of you spraying water from its tyres
onto your windscreen.
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4–105
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
To Operate the System
The High Beam Control System (HBC)
operates to switch the headlights
automatically between high and low
beams after the ignition is switched ON
and the headlight switch is in the AUTO
and high beam position.
The High Beam Control System (HBC)
determines that it is dark based on the
brightness of the surrounding area. At the
same time, the High Beam Control System
(HBC) indicator light (green) in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
NOTE
  When the vehicle speed is about
30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the
headlights automatically switch
to high beams when there are no
vehicles ahead or approaching in the
opposite direction.
 When the vehicle speed is less
than about 20 km/h (12 mph), the
High Beam Control System (HBC)
switches the headlights to low
beams.
  The low beams may not switch to
high beams when cornering.
  Operation of the High Beam Control
System (HBC) function can be
disabled. Refer to Personalisation
Features on page 9-10 .
Manual Switching
Switching to low beams
Shift the lever to the low beam position.
The High Beam Control System (HBC)
indicator light (green) turns off.
Switching to high beams
Turn the headlight switch to the
position.
The High Beam Control System (HBC)
indicator light (green) turns off and the
is illuminated.
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4–106
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) *
The LDWS system noti¿ es the driver that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane.
The system detects the white or yellow lines on the traf¿ c lane using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) and if it determines that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane, it noti¿ es
the driver by À ashing the LDWS warning light and activating the LDWS warning beep, and
by the multi-information display (vehicles with multi-information display).
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow lines.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-129 .
Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)
The warning light illuminates when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-42 .
WARNING
Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions,
resulting in an accident.
 
 Driving on roads with tight curves. 
 Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
The functions of the LDWS have limitations:
Always stay on course using the steering wheel and drive with care. The system is not
designed to compensate for a driver’s lack of caution and if you rely too much on the
LDWS it could lead to an accident. The driver is responsible for assuring lane changes
and other manoeuvres. Always pay attention to the direction in which the vehicle is
travelling and the vehicle’s surroundings.
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