2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA steering wheel

4 –38 When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.Manually shifting up
You can shift gears up by operating
the selector lever or the steering shift
switches *
.
M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 → M5 → M6
Using selector lever
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the
selector lever back
once.
Using steering shift switch *
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
(
) toward you once with your
fingers. UP switch (+/OFF) WARNING Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers on the steering
shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE 
When driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up. 
Do not drive the vehicle with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE
while in manual shift mode. In
addition, manual shift mode switches
to automatic shift mode while the
accelerator pedal is completely
depressed.
This function is canceled while the DSC
is turned off. However, if the vehicle
is continuously driven at a high rpm,
the gears may automatically shift up to
protect the engine. 
The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever is
in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch (
) is
pulled rearward for a sufficient amount
of time.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 38 2016/08/11 20:28:51

4 –39 When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.Manually shifting down
You can shift gears down by operating
the selector lever or the steering shift
switches *
.
M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2→ M1
Using selector lever
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the
selector lever forward
once.
Using steering shift switch *
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch
toward you once with your
fingers. DOWN switch (-) WARNING Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while driving
at high speeds causes sudden engine
braking, which is dangerous. The
sudden change in tire speed could
cause the tires to skid. This could
lead to loss of vehicle control and an
accident.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers on the steering
shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE 
When driving at high speeds, the gear
may not shift down. 
During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed. 
When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transmission will shift to a lower
gear, depending on vehicle speed.
However, the gears do not kickdown
while the DSC is turned off.
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4 –56 When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models. Mirror Defogger *
The mirror defoggers defrost the outside
mirrors.
The mirror defoggers operate in
conjunction with the rear window
defogger.
To turn on the mirror defoggers, switch
the ignition ON and press the rear window
defogger switch (page 4-55 ).
Manual Climate Control Indicator light
Fully Automatic Climate Control Indicator light Horn To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 56 2016/08/11 20:28:55

4 –71 When Driving
Drive Selection
*Some models.Drive Selection *
Drive selection is a system to switch the vehicle's drive mode. When the sport mode
is selected, vehicle's response against accelerator operation is enhanced. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely mak e maneuvers such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION Do not use the sport mode when driving on slippery roads such as wet or snow-covered
roads. It may cause tire slipping.
NOTE 
When the sport mode is selected, driving at higher engine speeds increases and it may
increase fuel consumption. Mazda recommends that you cancel the sport mode on normal
driving. 
Drive mode cannot be switched in the following conditions: 
ABS/TCS/DSC is operating 
Cruise control is operating. 
Steering wheel is being operated abruptly
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 71 2016/08/11 20:28:59

4 –73 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 Authorized Mazda
Dealer. 
The warning light notifies the driver
of system abnormalities and operation
conditions.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-26 .
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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4 –75 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) *
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the headlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel after the headlights have
been turned on.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-26 .
NOTE
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/inoperable
using the personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9 .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 75 2016/08/11 20:29:00

4 –79 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) *
The LDWS system notifies the driver that the vehicle may be devi ating from its lane.
The system detects the white or yellow lines on the traffic lane using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) and if it determines that the vehicle may be devia ting from its lane, it notifies
the driver by flashing the LDWS warning light and activating the LDWS warning beep, and
by the multi-information display (vehicles with multi-information display).
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow lines.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-95 . Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)
The warning light illuminates when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-26 .
WARNING Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions,
resulting in an accident. 
Driving on roads with tight curves. 
Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
The functions of the LDWS have limitations:
Always stay on course using the steering wheel and drive with care. The system is not
designed to compensate for a driver’s lack of caution and if you rely too much on the
LDWS it could lead to an accident. The driver is responsible for assuring lane changes and
other maneuvers. Always pay attention to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling
and the vehicle’s surroundings.
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4 –80 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
CAUTION Do not modify the suspension. If the vehicle height or the damping force of the
suspensions is changed, the LDWS may not operate correctly.
NOTE 
If your vehicle deviates from its traffic lane, the LDWS operates (warning sound and
indicator light). Steer the vehicle adequately to drive the vehicle to the center of the lane. 
When the turn signal lever is operated for a lane change, the LDWS warning is
automatically canceled. The LDWS warning becomes operable when the turn signal lever
is returned and the system detects the white or yellow lines. 
If the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brake pedal is operated abruptly and the
vehicle moves close to a white or yellow line, the system determines that the driver is
making a lane change and the LDWS warning is automatically canceled. 
The LDWS may not operate during the period immediately after the vehicle has deviated
from its lane and the LDWS has operated, or the vehicle deviates from its lane repeatedly
within a short period of time. 
The LDWS does not operate if it does not detect the white or ye llow lines of the traffic
lane.
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