2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA ECU

2 –2 Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Seat PrecautionsWARNINGMake sure the adjustable components of a seat are locked in place:
Adjustable seats and seatbacks that are not securely locked are dangerous. In a
sudden stop or collision, the seat or seatback could move, causing injury. Make sure the
adjustable components of the seat are locked in place by attempting to slide the seat
forward and backward and rocking the seatback.
Never allow children to adjust a seat:
Allowing children to adjust a seat is dangerous as it could result in serious injury if a
child's hands or feet become caught in the seat.
Do not drive with the seatback unlocked:
All of the seatbacks play an important role in your protection in a vehicle. Leaving the
seatback unlocked is dangerous as it can allow passengers to be ejected or thrown
around and baggage to strike occupants in a sudden stop or collision, resulting in severe
injury. After adjusting the seatback at any time, even when there are no other passengers,
rock the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.
Adjust the driver's seat only when the vehicle is stopped:
Adjusting the driver's seat while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. The driver could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Do not modify or replace the seats:
Modifying or replacing the seats such as replacing the upholstery or loosening any
bolts is dangerous. The seats contain air bag components essential to the supplemental
restraint system. Such modifications could damage the supplemental restraint system
and result in serious injury. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is any need to
remove or reinstall the seats.
Do not drive with damaged seats:
Driving with damaged seats, such as seat cushions torn or damaged down to the
urethane, is dangerous. A collision, even one not strong enough to inflate the air bags,
could damage the seats which contain essential air bag components. If there was a
subsequent collision, an air bag may not deploy which could lead to injuries. Always have
an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seats, seat belt pretensioners and air bags after
a collision.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 2 2016/08/11 20:28:20

2 –3 Essential Safety Equipment
SeatsDo not drive with either seats reclined:
Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving is dangerous because you do not
get the full protection from seat belts. During sudden braking or a collision, you can slide
under the lap belt and suffer serious internal injuries. For maximum protection, sit well
back and upright.
Do not place an object such as a cushion between the seatback and your back:
Putting an object such as a cushion between the seatback and your back is dangerous
because you will be unable to maintain a safe driving posture and the seat belt cannot
function at its full capacity in a collision, which could result in a serious accident, injury or
death.
Do not place objects under the seat:
The object could get stuck and cause the seat to not be fixed securely, and result in an
accident.
Do not stack cargo higher than the seatbacks:
Stacking luggage or other cargo higher than the seatbacks is dangerous. During sudden
braking or a collision, objects can fly around and become projectiles that may hit and
injure passengers.
Make sure luggage and cargo is secured before driving:
Not securing cargo while driving is dangerous as it could move or be crushed during
sudden braking or a collision and cause injury.
Always leave your car locked and keep the car keys safely away from children:
Leaving your car unlocked or the keys in reach of children is dangerous. Children who find
their way into the trunk through an open trunk can become accidentally locked in the
trunk. This could result in death or brain damage from heat prostration, particularly in
the summer. Always lock the doors and the trunk.
CAUTION 
When operating a seat, be careful not to put your hands or fingers near the moving parts of
the seat or on the side trim to prevent injury. 
When moving the seats, make sure there is no cargo in the surrounding area. If the cargo
gets caught it could damage the cargo. 
When moving the seats forward and rearward or returning a rear-reclined seatback to its
upright position, make sure you hold onto the seatback with your hand while operating. If
the seatback is not held, the seat will move suddenly and could cause injury.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 3 2016/08/11 20:28:20

2 –7 Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt PrecautionsSeat 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.
(Except Mexico)
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way when
not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the passenger's seat lap/shoulder belt retractor operates in two modes: emergency
locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode. If you must use the
passenger seat for a child, slide the passenger seat as far back as possible and make sure any
child-restraint system is secured properly.
(Mexico)
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.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 7 2016/08/11 20:28:21

2 –16 Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
WARNINGUse the correct size child-restraint system:
For effective protection in vehicle accidents and sudden stops, a child must be properly
restrained using a seat belt or child-restraint system depending on age and size. If not, the
child could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and always keep the child-restraint system
buckled down:
An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it could
move causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Make sure any
child-restraint system is properly secured in place according to the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or fasten it with
a seat belt.
Always secure a child in a proper child-restraint system:
Holding a child in your arms while the vehicle is moving is extremely dangerous. No
matter how strong the person may be, he or she cannot hold onto a child in a sudden
stop or collision and it could result in serious injury or death to the child or other
occupants. Even in a moderate accident, the child may be exposed to air bag forces that
could result in serious injury or death to the child, or the child may be slammed into an
adult, causing injury to both child and adult.
Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is illuminated
when using a child-restraint system:
Seating a child in a child-restraint system that is installed on the passenger seat with the
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not illuminated is extremely dangerous. In
an accident, an air bag could inflate and cause serious injuries or even death to the child
seated in the child-restraint system. Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light is illuminated.
Refer to Passenger Occupant Classification System on page 2-37 .
(Except Mexico)
Vehicles with a passenger air bag have the following warning label. The warning label is
displayed in compliance with regulations.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 16 2016/08/11 20:28:23

2 –18 Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint Seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat is dangerous under
certain conditions (With Passenger Occupant Classification System):
Your vehicle is equipped with passenger occupant classification sensor. Even with the
passenger occupant classification sensor, if you must use the passenger seat to seat a
child, using a child-restraint system on the passenger seat under the following conditions
increases the danger of the passenger air bag deploying and could result in serious injury
or death to the child. 
The passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when seating a
child in the child-restraint system. 
Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system. 
The seat is washed. 
Liquids are spilled on the seat. 
The passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items placed
behind it. 
Luggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and driver seat. 
An electric device is put on the passenger's seat. 
An additional electrical device, such as a seat warmer is installed to the surface of the
passenger seat.
Do not allow a child or anyone to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with
side air bags:
It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of the
passenger seat from which the side air bags deploy, even if a child-restraint system is
used. The impact of inflation from a side air bag could cause serious injury or death to an
out of position child. Furthermore, leaning over or against the door could block the side
air bags and eliminate the advantages of supplemental protection. Because the side air
bag deploys from the outboard shoulder of the seat, do not allow the child to lean over or
against the side window, even if the child is seated in a child-restraint system.
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.
Always use a child-restraint system designed for use without a tether or the LATCH
lower anchor:
Using a child-restraint system that requires a tether or the LATCH lower anchor is
dangerous. Your Mazda does not have a child-restraint tether or the LATCH lower anchor.
The child-restraint system cannot be properly secured. In a collision, it could move and
injure other occupants as well as result in serious injuries or death to the child.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 18 2016/08/11 20:28:23

2 –22 Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint Passenger's Seat Child-Restraint
System Installation (With Passenger
Occupant Classification System)
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off.
2. Slide the seat as far back as possible.

3. Place the child-restraint system on the
seat without putting your weight on
the seat and secure the child-restraint
system with the lap portion of the lap/
shoulder belt. See the manufacturer's
instructions on the child-restraint
system for belt routing instructions.
4. To get the retractor into the automatic
locking mode, pull the shoulder belt
portion of the seat belt until the entire
length of the belt is out of the retractor.
5. Push the child-restraint system firmly
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the
belt retracts as snugly as possible. A
clicking noise from the retractor will
be heard during retraction if the system
is in automatic locking mode. If the
belt does not lock the seat down tight,
repeat the previous step and also this
one.
NOTE
Inspect this function before each use of
the child-restraint system. You should
not be able to pull the shoulder belt out
of the retractor while the system is in the
automatic locking mode. When you remove
the child-restraint system, be sure the
belt fully retracts to return the system to
emergency locking mode before occupants
use the seat belts. 6. Seat your child safely in the child-
restraint system and secure the child
according to the instructions from the
child-restraint system manufacturer.
7. Switch the ignition ON and make sure
the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light illuminates after
installing a child-restraint system on
the passenger seat.
If the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate,
remove the child-restraint system,
switch the ignition to OFF, and then re-
install the child-restraint system (page
2-37 ).

MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 22 2016/08/11 20:28:24

2 –40 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags 
Luggage or other items placed under the passenger seat or between the passenger
seat and driver seat that push up the passenger seat bottom. 
An object, such as a seat cushion, is put on the passenger's seat or between the
passenger's back and the seatback. 
A seat cover is put on the passenger's seat. 
Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system. 
The seat is washed. 
Liquids are spilled on the seat. 
The passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items placed
behind it. 
Luggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and driver seat. 
An electric device is put on the passenger's seat. 
An additional electrical device, such as a seat warmer is installed to the surface of the
passenger seat.
The passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will deactivate if
the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on.
CAUTION 
To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensor in
the seat cushion: 
Do not place sharp objects on the seat cushion or leave heavy luggage on them. 
Do not spill any liquids on the seats or under the seats. 
To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following: 
Adjust the seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks
with seat belts worn properly. 
If you place your child on the passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system properly
and slide the passenger seat as far back as possible.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 40 2016/08/11 20:28:27

3 –1 *Some models.3 Before 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 ....... 3-8
Advanced Keyless Entry
System *
........................................... 3-8
Operational Range
......................... 3-9
Doors and Locks ................................ 3-10
Door Locks
................................... 3-10
Trunk Lid
..................................... 3-18
Inside Trunk Release Lever *
........ 3-20
Fuel and Emission ............................. 3-22
Fuel and Engine Exhaust
Precautions
................................... 3-22
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap
................ 3-25
Steering Wheel ................................... 3-27
Steering Wheel
............................. 3-27
Mirrors ............................................... 3-28
Mirrors
......................................... 3-28
Windows ............................................. 3-31
Power Windows
........................... 3-31
Convertible Top (Soft Top) ............... 3-34
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
.......... 3-34 Convertible Top
(Retractable Fastback)
..................... 3-39
Convertible Top (Retractable
Fastback)
...................................... 3-39
Security System ................................. 3-47
Modification and Add-On
Equipment
.................................... 3-47
Immobilizer System
..................... 3-47
Theft-Deterrent System *
............... 3-49
Driving Tips ....................................... 3-51
Break-In Period
............................ 3-51
Saving Fuel and Protection of the
Environment
................................. 3-51
Hazardous Driving
....................... 3-52
Floor Mat
..................................... 3-52
Rocking the Vehicle
..................... 3-53
Winter Driving
............................. 3-53
Driving In Flooded Area
.............. 3-55
Overloading
.................................. 3-55
Driving on Uneven Road
............. 3-56
Towing ................................................ 3-57
Trailer Towing
.............................. 3-57
Recreational Towing
.................... 3-57
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 1 2016/08/11 20:28:27