2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA light

5 –2 Interior Features
Climate Control System
Operating Tips 
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running. 
To prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the fan control
dial on for a long period of time with the
ignition switched ON when the engine is
not running. 
Clear all obstructions such as leaves,
snow and ice from the hood and the air
inlet in the cowl grille to improve the
system efficiency. 
Use the climate control system to defog
the windows and dehumidify the air. 
The recirculate mode should be used
when driving through tunnels or while in
a traffic jam, or when you would like to
shut off outside air for quick cooling of
the interior. 
Use the outside air position for
ventilation or windshield defrosting. 
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then
run the climate control system. 
Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated. 
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient.
The refrigerant specifications are
indicated on a label attached to the
inside of the engine compartment. Check
the label before refilling the refrigerant.
If the wrong type of refrigerant is used,
it could result in a serious malfunction
of the air conditioner.
For details, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer. Label
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 2 2016/08/11 20:29:06

5 –6 Interior Features
Climate Control System Control SwitchesTemperature control dial
This dial controls temperature. Turn it
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise
for cold.
NOTE
(Type A)
When the mode is set to
, or a position
in between them with the fan control dial
in a position other than 0 and the
temperature control dial in the maximum
cold position, the air intake selector
switches to the recirculated air position
and the A/C turns on automatically.
If A/C is not desired, press the A/C switch
to turn it off.
Fan control dial
This dial allows variable fan speeds.
The fan has seven speeds.
Mode selector dial
Turn the mode selector dial to select
airflow mode (page 5-4 ).
NOTE 
The mode selector dial can be set at the
intermediate positions ( ) between
each mode. Set the dial to an
intermediate position if you want to split
the airflow between the two modes. 
For example, when the mode selector
dial is at the position between the
and positions, airflow from the floor
vent is less than that of the position. A/C switch
Press the A/C switch to turn the air
conditioner on. The indicator light on the
switch will illuminate when the fan control
dial is in any position except OFF.
Press the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function when
the outside temperature approaches 0 °C
(32 °F).
Air intake selector
This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
Outside or recirculated air positions can be
selected. Press the switch to select outside/
recirculated air positions.
Recirculated air position (indicator light
illuminated)
Outside air is shut off. Use this position
when going through tunnels, driving in
congested traffic (high engine exhaust
areas) or when quick cooling is desired.
Outside air position (indicator light
turned off)
Outside air is allowed to enter the
cabin. Use this mode for ventilation or
windshield defrosting.
WARNING Do not use the position in cold or
rainy weather:
Using the
position in cold or rainy
weather is dangerous as it will cause
the windows to fog up. Your vision will
be hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 6 2016/08/11 20:29:07

5 –7 Interior Features
Climate Control SystemRear window defogger switch
Press the rear window defogger switch to
defrost the rear window.
Refer to Rear Window Defogger on page
4-55 .
Heating1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the outside
air position (indicator light turns off).
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
hot position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
5. If dehumidified heating is desired, turn
on the air conditioner.
NOTE 
If the windshield fogs up easily, set the
mode selector dial to the position.
If cooler air is desired at face level, set
the mode selector dial at the position
and adjust the temperature control dial
to maintain maximum comfort. 
The air to the floor is warmer than air
to the face (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the extreme hot or
cold position).
Cooling (With air conditioner)
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
cold position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing
the A/C switch.
5. After cooling begins, adjust the fan
control dial and temperature control
dial as needed to maintain maximum
comfort. CAUTION If the air conditioner is used while
driving up long hills or in heavy
traffic, monitor the engine coolant
temperature warning light to see if it is
illuminated or flashing (page 4-18 ).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the warning light is
illuminated or flashing, turn the air-
conditioning off (page 7-27 ).
NOTE 
When maximum cooling is desired,
set the temperature control dial to the
extreme cold position and set the air
intake selector to the recirculated air
position, then turn the fan control dial
fully clockwise. 
If warmer air is desired at floor level,
set the mode selector dial at the
position and adjust the temperature
control dial to maintain maximum
comfort. 
The air to the floor is warmer than air
to the face (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the extreme hot or
cold position).
Ventilation
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the outside
air position (indicator light turns off).
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 7 2016/08/11 20:29:08

5 –8 Interior Features
Climate Control System Windshield Defrosting and
Defogging1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
4. If dehumidified heating is desired, turn
on the air conditioner.
WARNINGDo not defog the windshield using the
position with the temperature
control set to the cold position:
Using the
position with the
temperature control set to the cold
position is dangerous as it will cause
the outside of the windshield to fog up.
Your vision will be hampered, which
could lead to a serious accident. Set
the temperature control to the hot or
warm position when using the

position.
NOTE 
For maximum defrosting, turn on the air
conditioner, set the temperature control
dial to the extreme hot position, and
turn the fan control dial fully clockwise. 
If warm air is desired at the floor, set the
mode selector dial to the position.
When the fan control dial is ON, and the
mode selector dial is in the or
position, the air conditioner is
automatically turned on and the outside
air position is automatically selected to
defrost the windshield. In the
or
position, the outside air position cannot
be changed to the recirculated air
position. Dehumidifying (With air
conditioner) Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold
weather to help defog the windshield and
side windows.
1. Set the mode selector dial to the desired
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the outside
air position (indicator light turns off).
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
5. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing
the A/C switch.
NOTE
One of the functions of the air conditioner
is dehumidifying the air and, to use
this function, the temperature does not
have to be set to cold. Therefore, set the
temperature control dial to the desired
position (hot or cold) and turn on the air
conditioner when you want to dehumidify
the cabin air.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 8 2016/08/11 20:29:08

5 –10 Interior Features
Climate Control System Control SwitchesTemperature control dial
This dial controls temperature. Turn it
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise
for cold.
Fan control dial
The fan has seven speeds.
AUTO position
The amount of airflow will be
automatically controlled in accordance
with the set temperature.
Except AUTO position
The airflow amount can be adjusted to the
desired level by turning the dial.
0 position
To turn off the system, set the dial to 0
position.
Mode selector dial
Turn the mode selector dial to select
airflow mode (page 5-4 ).
AUTO position
The airflow mode automatically adjusts to
the selected temperature.
Except AUTO position
The desired airflow position can be
selected by turning the dial. NOTE 
With the airflow mode set to the
position and the temperature control
dial set at a medium temperature,
heated air is directed to the feet and air
at a comparably lower temperature will
flow through the central, left and right
vents. 
When the fan control dial is ON, and the
mode selector dial is in the or
position, the air conditioner is
automatically turned on and the outside
air position is automatically selected to
defrost the windshield. In the
or
position, the outside air position cannot
be changed to the recirculated air
position.
A/C switch
The air-conditioning (cooling/
dehumidifying functions) can be turned on
or off by pressing the switch while the fan
control dial is at a position other than 0.
The indicator light turns on while the air-
conditioning is operating.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function when
the outside temperature approaches 0 °C
(32 °F).
Air intake selector
Outside or recirculated air positions can be
selected. Press the switch to select outside/
recirculated air positions.
Recirculated air position (indicator light
illuminated)
Outside air is shut off. Use this position
when going through tunnels, driving in
congested traffic (high engine exhaust
areas) or when quick cooling is desired.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 10 2016/08/11 20:29:08

5 –11 Interior Features
Climate Control SystemOutside air position (indicator light
turned off)
Outside air is allowed to enter the
cabin. Use this mode for ventilation or
windshield defrosting.
WARNING Do not use the position in cold or
rainy weather:
Using the
position in cold or rainy
weather is dangerous as it will cause
the windows to fog up. Your vision will
be hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident.
Rear window defogger switch
Press the rear window defogger switch to
defrost the rear window.
Refer to Rear Window Defogger on page
4-55 .
Operation of Automatic Air-
Conditioning1. Set the mode selector dial to the AUTO
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the outside
air position (indicator light turned off).
NOTE
If the recirculated air position is used
for long periods in cold weather or high
humidity, the windshield may fog up more
easily.
3. Set the fan control dial to the AUTO
position.
4. Press the A/C switch to operate the air-
conditioning (turn indicator light on).
5. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
6. To turn off the system, set the fan
control dial to the 0 position. NOTE 
Setting the temperature to maximum
hot or cold will not provide the desired
temperature at a faster rate. 
When selecting heat, the system will
restrict airflow until it has warmed to
prevent cold air from blowing out of the
vents.
Windshield Defrosting and
Defogging Set the mode selector dial to the
position and turn the fan control dial to the
desired speed.
In this position, the outside air position
is automatically selected, and when the
fan control dial is ON, the air conditioner
automatically turns on. The air conditioner
will directly dehumidify the air to the
front windshield and side windows (page
5-4 ). Airflow amount will be increased.
WARNING Set the temperature control to the hot
or warm position when defogging (
position):
Using the
position with the
temperature control set to the cold
position is dangerous as it will cause
the outside of the windshield to fog up.
Your vision will be hampered, which
could lead to a serious accident.
NOTE
Use the temperature control dial to
increase the air flow temperature and
defog the windshield more quickly.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 11 2016/08/11 20:29:09

5 –12 Interior Features
Climate Control System Sunlight/Temperature SensorSunlight sensor
Do not place objects on the sunlight
sensor. Otherwise, the interior temperature
may not adjust correctly. Sunlight sensor
Interior temperature sensor
Do not cover the interior temperature
sensor. Otherwise, the interior temperature
may not adjust correctly.
Interior temperature sensor
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 12 2016/08/11 20:29:09

5 –15 Interior Features
Audio SystemFM characteristics
An FM broadcast range is usually about
40—50 km (25—30 miles) from the
source. Because of extra coding needed to
break the sound into two channels, stereo
FM has even less range than monaural
(non-stereo) FM. FM Station
40—50km
(25—30 miles)
Signals from an FM transmitter are similar
to beams of light because they do not
bend around corners, but they do reflect.
Unlike AM signals, FM signals cannot
travel beyond the horizon. Therefore, FM
stations cannot be received at the great
distances possible with AM reception.
AM wa veFM wa ve
FM wa ve
100—200 km (60—120 miles) Ionosphere
Atmospheric conditions can also affect
FM reception. High humidity will cause
poor reception. However, cloudy days may
provide better reception than clear days. Multipath noise
Since FM signals can be reflected by
obstructions, it is possible to receive both
the direct signal and the reflected signal
at the same time. This causes a slight
delay in reception and may be heard as a
broken sound or a distortion. This problem
may also be encountered when in close
proximity to the transmitter. Reflected wa ve
Direct
Flutter/Skip noise
Signals from an FM transmitter move in
straight lines and become weak in valleys
between tall buildings, mountains, and
other obstacles. When a vehicle passes
through such an area, the reception
conditions may change suddenly, resulting
in annoying noise.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 15 2016/08/11 20:29:10