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

7–27
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an expert repairer, we recommend
an Authorised Mazda Repairer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary
to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
drive wheels (rear wheels) off the ground.
If excessive damage or other conditions
prevent this, use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
When towing with the rear wheels on the
ground, release the parking brake.
CAUTION
  Do not tow the vehicle pointed
backward with driving wheels on
the ground. This may cause internal
damage to the transmission.
  Do not tow with sling-type
equipment. This could damage your
vehicle. Use wheel-lift or À atbed
equipment.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, the vehicle may be towed with
all four wheels on the ground using the
towing hook at the front of the vehicle.
Only tow the vehicle on paved surfaces for
short distances at low speeds.
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7–28
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
CAUTION
Follow these instructions when towing
the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground.
 
 Shift to neutral (Manual
transmission), or the N position
(Automatic transmission).
  Switch the ignition to ACC. 
 Release the parking brake.
Remember that power assist for the
brakes and steering will not be available
when the engine is not running.
Towing Hooks
CAUTION
  The towing eyelet should be used
in an emergency (to get the vehicle
out of a ditch or a snow bank, for
example).
  When using the towing eyelets,
always pull the lead or chain in a
straight direction with respect to the
eyelet. Never apply a sideways force.
NOTE
When towing with chain or lead, wrap
the chain or lead with a soft cloth near
the bumper to prevent damage to the
bumper.
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7–29
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
Towing Hooks
1. Remove the towing eyelet and
the wheel brace from the luggage
compartment (page 7-5 ).
2. Wrap a À athead screwdriver or similar
tool with a soft cloth to prevent damage
to a painted bumper, and open the cap
located on the front or rear bumper.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
Do not use excessive force as it may
damage the cap or scratch the painted
bumper surface.
NOTE
Remove the cap completely and store it
so as not to lose it.
3. Securely install the towing eyelet using
the wheel brace or equivalent.
Consult an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Front
Wheel brace
Towing eyelet
Rear
Wheel brace
Towing eyelet
4. Hook the towing rope to the towing
eyelet.
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7–30
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
CAUTION
  If the towing eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when towing the
vehicle. Make sure that the towing
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
  Be careful not to damage the towing
eyelet and towing hook, vehicle
body, or transmission system
when towing under the following
conditions:
 


 Do not tow a vehicle heavier than
yours.
 


 Do not suddenly accelerate your
vehicle as it will apply a severe
shock to the towing eyelet and
towing hook or rope.
 


 Do not attach any rope other than
to the towing eyelet and towing
hook.
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7–31
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
If a Warning Light Turns On or Flashes
If any warning light turns on/À ashes, take appropriate action for each light. There is no
problem if the light turns off, however if the light does not turn off or turns on/À ashes again,
consult an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
(Vehicles with type B/type C audio)
The warning contents can be veri¿ ed on the centre display.
1. If the warning light is turned on, select
icon on the home screen to display the
application screen.
2. Select “Vehicle Status Monitor”.
3. Select “Warning Guidance” to display the current warnings.
4. Select the applicable warning to view the warning details.
Stop Vehicle in Safe Place Immediately
If any of the following warning lights turns on, the system may have a malfunction. Stop the
vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Signal Warning
(Red)
Brake System Warning
Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning/Warning light inspection
The light illuminates when the parking brake is applied with the ignition switched to
START or ON. It turns off when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake À uid level warning
If the brake warning light remains illuminated even though the parking brake is
released, the brake À uid may be low or there could be a problem with the brake
system. Park the vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
WARNING
Do not drive with the brake system warning light illuminated. Contact an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible:
Driving with the brake system warning light illuminated is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not work at all or that they could completely fail
at any time. If this light remains illuminated, after checking that the parking
brake is fully released, have the brakes inspected immediately.
CAUTION
In addition, the effectiveness of the braking may diminish so you may need to
depress the brake pedal more strongly than normal to stop the vehicle.
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7–32
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
Signal Warning
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution System
Warning If the electronic brake force distribution control unit determines that some components
are operating incorrectly, the control unit may illuminate the brake system warning
light and the ABS warning light simultaneously. The problem is likely to be the
electronic brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer to have the brakes inspected as soon as possible:
Driving when the brake system warning light and ABS warning light are
illuminated simultaneously is dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the rear wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal circumstances.
Charging System
Warning Indication/
Warning Light If the warning light illuminates while driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. Consult an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer. CAUTION
Do not continue driving when the charging system warning light is illuminated
because the engine could stop unexpectedly.
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7–33
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
Signal Warning
Engine Oil Warning
Light This warning light indicates low engine oil pressure.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil pressure is low. Otherwise, it could result in
extensive engine damage.
If the light illuminates or the warning indication is displayed while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way on level ground.
2. Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the sump.
3. Inspect the engine oil level 6-20 . If it's low, add the appropriate amount of engine
oil while being careful not to over¿ ll.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil level is low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive
engine damage.
4. Start the engine and check the warning light.
If the light remains illuminated even though the oil level is normal or after adding oil,
stop the engine immediately and have your vehicle towed to an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
(Red)
High Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Indication/Warning
Light
The light À ashes when the engine coolant temperature is extremely high, and
illuminates when the engine coolant temperature increases further.
Handling Procedure
Flashing light
Drive slowly to reduce engine load until you can ¿ nd a safe place to stop the vehicle
and wait for the engine to cool down.
Illuminated light
This indicates the possibility of overheating. Park the vehicle in a safe place
immediately and stop the engine.
Refer to Overheating 7-24 .
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle with the high engine coolant temperature warning light
illuminated. Otherwise, it could result in damage to the engine.
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7–34
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models.
Signal Warning
Power Steering
Malfunction Indicator
Light The light illuminates if the electric power steering has a malfunction.
If the light illuminates, stop the vehicle in a safe place and do not operate the steering
wheel. There is no problem if the light turns off after a while. Contact an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer if the light illuminates
continuously.
NOTE
If the indicator light illuminates, the power steering will not operate normally. If
this happens, the steering wheel can still be operated, however, the operation may
feel heavy compared to normal, or the steering wheel could vibrate when turning.
Repeatedly jerking the steering wheel left and right while the vehicle is stopped
or moving extremely slowly will cause the power steering system to go into
protective mode which will make the steering feel heavy, but this does not indicate
a problem. If this occurs, park the vehicle safely and wait several minutes for the
system to return to normal.
Contact Authorised Mazda Repairer and Have Vehicle Inspected
If any of the following warning lights or the indicator light turns on/À ashes, the system
may have a malfunction. Contact an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer to have your vehicle inspected.
Signal Warning
Master Warning
Indication/Warning
Light
*
Type A instrument cluster
(Master warning indication)
Displays when noti¿ cation of the system malfunctions is required.
Check the message indicated in the display and consult an expert repairer, we recommend
an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
(Master warning light)
The master warning light displays when a warning message occurs.
This indicates a malfunction with the vehicle system. Check the message indicated in the
display and consult an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
For details, refer to the explanations for the warning/indicator lights, in the warning/
indicator lights section, which match the symbol in the upper part of the display.
If a message is not indicated in the display, operate the INFO switch to display the
“Warning” screen.
Refer to Message Indicated in Multi-information Display and INFO switch on page 4-33 .
Type B instrument cluster
The light illuminates continuously if any one of the following occurs. Consult an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
There is a malfunction in the battery management system. There is a malfunction in the brake switch.
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