2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF ABS

2–9
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and passengers always wear seat belts.
All the seats have lap/shoulder belts. These belts have retractors with inertia locks that keep
them out of the way when not in use. The locks allow the belts to remain comfortable on
users, but they will lock in position during a collision.
WARNING
Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not
wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out
of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision,
occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer.
Do not wear twisted seat belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt is not available
to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could
cause serious injury or death. So, if your seat belt is twisted, you must straighten the
seat belt to remove any twists and to allow the full width of the belt to be used.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could
be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
Do not operate a vehicle with a damaged seat belt:
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing
of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a
collision. Have an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer
inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident before they are used again.
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been
expended:
Always have an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer
immediately inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision. Like the
air bags, the seat belt pretensioners and load limiters will only function once and must
be replaced after any collision that caused them to deploy. If the seat belt pretensioners
and load limiters are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase.
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2–55
Essential Safety Equipment
Active Bonnet
How the Active Bonnet Works
If the Active Bonnet Activates, Does Not Activate
If the active bonnet activates
The active bonnet activates under the following conditions:
 


 If the front of the vehicle hits a pedestrian or obstruction while the vehicle is being driven
at a speed suf¿ cient to activate the system, the system will activate if a certain amount of
impact is applied in a collision even though no trace may remain on the front bumper. In
addition, it may activate depending on the level of impact from even a light object, small
animal, or other small object.
 


 The system may also activate if the lower part of the vehicle or the front bumper receives
an impact from one of the following situations:
 

 
 The vehicle hits a curb.


 
 The vehicle falls into a deep ditch or hole.


 
 The vehicle bounces and hits the ground.


 
 The front, bottom part of the vehicle contacts the slope of a parking garage, the surface
of an even, undulating road, or a protruding or fallen object on the road.
Situations in which the active bonnet may not activate
The active bonnet may not active in the following situations as an impact would be dif¿ cult
to detect.
 


 The pedestrian gets hit at an angle or by the side areas on the left and right of the front
bumper.
 


 The vehicle hits a pedestrian who is carrying something such as a bag which can absorb
the impact.
Situations in which the system does not activate
The active bonnet does not activate under the following conditions:
 


 The front bumper gets hit while the vehicle is being driven at a speed insuf¿ cient to
activate the system.
 


 The vehicle gets hit from the side or the rear.



 The vehicle rolls or turns over (the active bonnet may operate depending on the accident
conditions).
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3–60
Before Driving
Driving Tips
WARNING
Never stop the engine when going
down a hill:
Stopping the engine when going
down a hill is dangerous. This causes
the loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident.
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary
to downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tyre
speed could cause the tyres to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control and
an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
 


 Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.
 


 Avoid sudden braking and sudden
manoeuvring.
 


 Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
  Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-86 .
 


 If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels.
 


 For more traction in starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow,
use sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting,
or other nonslip material under the rear
wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear
wheels.
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3–65
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Installation speci¿ cation (Europe)
When installing tyre chains, the distance
between the tyre tread and the chain must
be within the prescribed limits in the
following table.
Distance [Unit: mm (in)]
A B
MAX 11 (0.43) MAX 11 (0.43)
Side viewCross section viewTyre A
B
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tyres as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer's instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile).
Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Dry off brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle on À ooded
roads as it could cause short circuiting
of electrical/electronic parts, or
engine damage or stalling from water
absorption. If the vehicle has been
immersed in water, consult an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
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4–1*Some models.4–1
4When Driving



Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine ................................ 4-4
Ignition Switch ............................... 4-4
Starting the Engine ......................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off ................ 4-11
i-stop
* ........................................... 4-13
Instrument Cluster and Display ...... 4-24
Meters and Gauges ....................... 4-24
Multi-information Display and INFO
Switch
* ......................................... 4-33
Warning/Indicator Lights ............. 4-42
Transmission ...................................... 4-48
Manual Transmission
Operation ...................................... 4-48
Automatic Transmission
Controls ........................................ 4-51
Switches and Controls ...................... 4-63
Lighting Control ........................... 4-63
Rear Fog Light
* ............................ 4-70
Turn and Lane-change Signals ..... 4-71
Windscreen Wipers and
Washer .......................................... 4-72
Headlight Washer
* ........................ 4-77
Rear Window Defogger ............... 4-77
Horn ............................................. 4-79
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 4-79
Brake .................................................. 4-81
Brake System ............................... 4-81
Emergency Stop Signal System ... 4-84
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) ............ 4-84 ABS/TCS/DSC ................................... 4-86
Antilock Brake System (ABS) ..... 4-86
Traction Control System (TCS) ... 4-87
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) ........................................... 4-88
i-ELOOP ............................................ 4-90
i-ELOOP
* ..................................... 4-90
Fuel Economy Monitor ..................... 4-93
Fuel Economy Monitor
* ............... 4-93
Drive Selection ................................... 4-97
Drive Selection
* ........................... 4-97
Power Steering................................... 4-99
Power Steering ............................. 4-99
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4–43
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.
Signal Warning Lights Page
(Amber) Electric Vacuum Pump Warning Light
*1 7-34
ABS Warning Light *1
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution System
Warning
7-31
ABS warning
7-34
Check Engine Light *1 7-34
(Amber)
* i-stop Warning Light *1 7-34
(Amber) * i-ELOOP Warning Indication/Warning Light *1 7-34
* Automatic Transmission Warning Indication/Warning Light *1 7-34
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light *1 7-34
* Active Bonnet Warning Light *1 7-34
* Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light *1
Flashing
7-34
Illuminate
7-41
* Flat Tyre Warning Light *1 7-34
(Red)
* KEY Warning Indication/Warning Light *1
Malfunction

7-34
Except malfunction

7-41
(Amber)
* KEY Warning Indication
7-34
* Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) Warning Indication/
Warning Light *1
Illuminated

7-34
Flashing
4-111
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4–86
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue to
depress the brake pedal without pumping
the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-42 .
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow,
and hydroplaning (reduced tyre friction
and road contact because of water on
the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
  Braking distances may be longer
on loose surfaces (snow or gravel,
for example) which usually have a
hard foundation. A vehicle with a
normal braking system may require
less distance to stop under these
conditions because the tyres will
build up a wedge of surface layer
when the wheels skid.
  The sound of the ABS operating may
be heard when starting the engine
or immediately after starting the
vehicle, however, it does not indicate
a malfunction.
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4–87
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Traction Control System
(TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by controlling
engine torque and braking. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque and operates the brakes to
prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-42 .
WARNING
Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving:
The Traction Control System (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning (reduced
tyre friction and road contact because
of water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
Use snow tyres or tyre chains and
drive at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction devices
on snow and/or ice-covered roads
is dangerous. The Traction Control
System (TCS) alone cannot provide
adequate traction and you could still
have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-89 ).
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light À ashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
NOTE
  In addition to the indicator light
À ashing, a slight labouring sound
will come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS/DSC is
operating properly.
  On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
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