2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF power steering

3–1*Some models.3–1
3Before Driving
Use of various features, including keys, doors, mirrors and windows.
Keys ...................................................... 3-2
Keys ............................................... 3-2
Keyless Entry System .................... 3-3
Advanced Keyless Entry System ....... 3-9
Advanced Keyless Entry
System
* ........................................... 3-9
Operational Range ....................... 3-10
Doors and Locks ................................ 3-11
Door Locks ................................... 3-11
Boot Lid ....................................... 3-21
Fuel and Emission ............................. 3-24
Fuel and Engine Exhaust
Precautions ................................... 3-24
Fuel-Filler Flap and Cap .............. 3-27
Steering Wheel................................... 3-29
Steering Wheel ............................. 3-29
Mirrors ............................................... 3-30
Mirrors ......................................... 3-30
Windows ............................................. 3-34
Power Windows ........................... 3-34
Convertible Top (Soft Top) ............... 3-37
Convertible Top (Soft Top) .......... 3-37 Convertible Top
(Retractable Fastback) ..................... 3-44
Convertible Top
(Retractable Fastback) ................. 3-44
Security System ................................. 3-53
Modi¿ cation and Add-On
Equipment .................................... 3-53
Immobilizer System ..................... 3-53
Theft-Deterrent System
* ............... 3-55
Driving Tips ....................................... 3-59
Running-In ................................... 3-59
Saving Fuel and Protection of the
Environment ................................. 3-59
Hazardous Driving ....................... 3-60
Floor Mat ..................................... 3-61
Rocking the Vehicle ..................... 3-62
Winter Driving ............................. 3-62
Driving In Flooded Area .............. 3-65
Towing ................................................ 3-66
Towing Caravans and Trailers...... 3-66
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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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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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4–4
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
Ignition Switch
Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
Indicator light
NOTE
  The engine starts by pressing
the push button start while
depressing the clutch pedal (manual
transmission) or the brake pedal
(automatic transmission). To switch
the ignition position, press the push
button start without depressing the
pedal.
  Do not leave the ignition switched
ON while the engine is not running.
Doing so could result in the battery
going dead. If the ignition is left in
ACC (For automatic transmission,
the selector lever is in the P position,
and the ignition is in ACC), the
ignition switches off automatically
after about 25 minutes. O f f
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start indicator
light (amber) also turns off.
In this position the steering wheel is
locked.
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector lever
is in P (automatic transmission) or in
1st gear or R (manual transmission):
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition off, setting the
parking brake, and shifting the selector
lever to P (automatic transmission) or
to 1st gear or R (manual transmission)
is dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur which could
result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to leave
the vehicle for even a short period, it
is important to switch the ignition off,
as leaving it in another position will
disable some of the vehicle's security
systems and run the battery down.
NOTE
(Locked steering wheel)
If the push button start indicator light
(green) is À ashing and the beep sound
is heard, this indicates that the steering
wheel is not unlocked. To unlock the
steering wheel, press the push button
start while moving the steering wheel
left and right.
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4–17
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
NOTE
Engine restarts automatically while engine idling is stopped
Under the following conditions, the engine restarts automatically.
 
 The i-stop OFF switch is pressed until the beep sounds. 
 The ambient temperature is extremely high or low. 
(Manual Air-Conditioning)



 The airÀ ow mode dial of the air conditioner is in the ( ) position and the fan
control dial is in a position other than 0.
 


 The airÀ ow amount is the maximum airÀ ow amount. 

(Fully Automatic Air-Conditioning)



 The airÀ ow mode dial of the air conditioner is in the ( ) position.



 The temperature setting dial of the air conditioner is in the maximum heating or
maximum cooling (A/C ON) position.
 


 The cabin temperature differs greatly from the set temperature of the air conditioner. 

 The brakes are released slightly on a slope and the vehicle begins to move. 
 Two minutes have elapsed since the idling was stopped. 
 The battery power is depleted. 
(Automatic transmission)




 The accelerator pedal is depressed with the selector lever in the D or M (not in
second gear ¿ xed mode) position.




 The selector lever is shifted to the R position.



 The selector lever is shifted from N or P position to D or M (not in second gear ¿ xed
mode) position.
 


 The steering wheel is operated with the selector lever in the D or M (not in second
gear¿ xed mode) position.




 The selector lever is in the M position and the second gear ¿ xed mode is selected. 

(Retractable fastback model) The retractable fastback switch is operated. 
(Except European model)




(Manual transmission)
 With the shift lever in the neutral position, the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the
driver's door is opened.
 


(Automatic transmission)

 With the selector lever in the N or P position, the driver's seat belt is unfastened and
the driver's door is opened.
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4–42
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.
Warning/Indicator Lights
Instrument Cluster varies depending on model and speci¿ cations.
Centre of Instrument panel
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas Type A
(With Multi-information Display)Type B
(Without Multi-information Display) Instrument Cluster
Warning Indication/Warning Lights
These lights turn on or À ash to notify the user of the system operation status or a system
malfunction.
Signal Warning Lights Page
(Red) Brake System Warning Light
*1*2 7-31
Charging System Warning Indication/Warning Light *1 7-31
Engine Oil Warning Light *1 7-31
(Red) High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Indication/Warning
Light*1 7-31
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light *1 7-31
* Master Warning Indication/Warning Light *1 7-34
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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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4–99
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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