2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA ECU

3 –48 Before Driving
Security System NOTE 
The keys carry a unique electronic code.
For this reason, and to assure your
safety, obtaining a replacement key
requires some waiting time. They are
only available through an Authorized
Mazda Dealer. 
Always keep a spare key in case one
is lost. If a key is lost, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. 
If you lose a key, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer will reset the electronic codes of
your remaining keys and immobilizer
system. Bring all the remaining keys to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to reset.
Starting the vehicle with a key that has
not been reset is not possible.
OperationNOTE 
The engine may not start and security
indicator light may illuminate or flash
if the key is placed in an area where it
is difficult for the system to detect the
signal, such as on the dashboard. Move
the key to a location within the signal
range, switch the ignition off, and then
restart the engine. 
Signals from a TV or radio station, or
from a transceiver or mobile telephone
could interfere with your immobilizer
system. If you are using the proper key
and the engine fails to start, check the
security indicator light. Arming
The system is armed when the ignition is
switched from ON to off.
The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes every 2 seconds
until the system is disarmed.
Disarming
The system is disarmed when the
ignition is switched ON with the correct
programmed key. The security indicator
light illuminates for about 3 seconds and
then turns off. If the engine does not start
with the correct key, and the security
indicator light remains illuminated or
flashing, try the following:
Make sure the key is within the
operational range for signal transmission.
Switch the ignition off, and then restart the
engine. If the engine does not start after
3 or more tries, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE 
If the security indicator light flashes
continuously while you are driving,
do not shut off the engine. Go to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer and have it
checked. If the engine is shut off while
the indicator light is flashing, you will
not be able to restart it. 
Because the electronic codes are
reset when the immobilizer system
is repaired, the keys are needed.
Make sure to bring all the keys to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer so that they
can be programmed.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 48 2016/08/11 20:28:38

3 –49 Before Driving
Security System
*Some models.Theft-Deterrent System *
If the theft-deterrent system detects an
inappropriate entry into the vehicle,
which could result in the vehicle or its
contents being stolen, the alarm alerts the
surrounding area of an abnormality by
sounding the horn and flashing the hazard
warning lights.
The system will not function unless it's
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, follow the arming procedure
correctly.
OperationSystem triggering conditions
The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 30
seconds when the system is triggered by
any one of the following: 
Unlocking a door with the key, door
lock switch, or an inside door-lock knob. 
Forcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid. 
Opening the hood by operating the hood
release handle. 
Switching the ignition ON without using
the push button start.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until the driver's
door is unlocked with the transmitter.
(With the advanced keyless function)
The lights and horn can also be
deactivated by pressing the request switch
on a door. NOTE 
The trunk lid does not open while the
theft-deterrent system is operating. 
If the battery goes dead while the theft-
deterrent system is armed, the horn will
activate and the hazard warning lights
will flash when the battery is charged or
replaced.
How to Arm the System 1. Close the windows and the convertible
top securely.
2. Switch the ignition OFF.
3. Make sure the hood, the doors, and the
trunk lid are closed.
4. Press the lock button on the transmitter
or lock the driver's door from the
outside with the auxiliary key.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once.
The following method will also arm the
theft-deterrent system:
Press the door-lock switch “ ” while
any door is open and then close both of
the doors.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Press a request switch.

The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes twice per
second for 20 seconds.
5. After 20 seconds, the system is fully
armed.
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3 –50 Before Driving
Security System NOTE 
The theft-deterrent system can also be
armed by activating the auto relock
function with both the doors, the trunk
lid and the hood closed.
Refer to Transmitter on page 3-4 .
The system will disarm if one of the
following operations takes place within
20 seconds after pressing the lock
button: 
Unlocking any door. 
Opening any door. 
Opening the hood. 
Switching the ignition ON.
To rearm the system, do the arming
procedure again. 
When the doors are locked by pressing
the lock button on the transmitter
or using the auxiliary key while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the
hazard warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.
To Turn Off an Armed SystemAn armed system can be turned off using
any one of the following methods: 
Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter. 
Starting the engine with the push button
start. 
(With the advanced keyless function) 
Pressing a request switch on the doors.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
NOTE
When the doors are unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the transmitter while
the theft-deterrent system is turned off, the
hazard warning lights will flash twice to
indicate that the system is turned off. To Stop the Alarm A triggered alarm can be turned off using
any one of the following methods: 
Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter. 
Starting the engine with the push button
start. 
(With the advanced keyless function) 
Pressing a request switch on the doors. 
Pressing the electric trunk lid opener
while the key is being carried.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
Theft-Deterrent Labels
A label indicating that your vehicle is
equipped with a Theft-Deterrent System is
in the console box.
Mazda recommends that you affix it to the
lower rear corner of a front door window.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 50 2016/08/11 20:28:38

3 –52 Before Driving
Driving Tips
Hazardous Driving WARNINGBe 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 tire
speed could cause the tires 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
maneuvering. 
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-65 .
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. Floor Mat We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda floor mats.
WARNING Make sure the floor mats are hooked on
the retention pins to prevent them from
bunching up under the foot pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation,
which could result in an accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
If using an all weather mat for winter
use always remove the original floor
mat.
When setting a floor mat, position the floor
mat so that its grommets are inserted over
the pointed end of the retention posts.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 52 2016/08/11 20:28:39

3 –54 Before Driving
Driving Tips 
Drive slowly. Braking performance
can be adversely affected if snow or
ice adheres to the brake components. If
this situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
Snow TiresUse snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm 2
, 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WARNINGUse only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION Check local regulations before using
studded tires. Tire Chains Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION 
Chains may affect handling. 
Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower. 
Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns. 
Avoid locked-wheel braking. 
Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged. 
Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the rear tires only.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires 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).
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 54 2016/08/11 20:28:39

4 –4 When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
Ignition Switch Push Button Start PositionsThe 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. Off
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.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been
pressed to ACC, and the doors will not
lock/unlock even if they have been locked
manually.
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4 –8 When Driving
Start/Stop Engine 8. After starting the engine, let it idle for
about ten seconds.NOTE 
Whether the engine is cold or warm, it
should be started without the use of the
accelerator. 
If the engine does not start the first
time, refer to Starting a Flooded Engine
under Emergency Starting. If the engine
still does not start, have your vehicle
inspected by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer (page 7-26 ).
Engine Start Function When Key
Battery is Dead
CAUTION When starting the engine by holding
the transmitter over the push button
start due to a dead key battery or a
malfunctioning key, be careful not
to allow the following, otherwise the
signal from the key will not be received
correctly and the engine may not start. 
Metal parts of other keys or metal
objects touch the key.

Spare keys or keys for other
vehicles equipped with an
immobilizer system touch or come
near the key.

Devices for electronic purchases,
or security passage touch or come
near the key.
If the engine cannot be started due to a
dead key battery, the engine can be started
using the following procedure:
1. Continue to depress the brake pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
2. (Manual transmission)
Continue to depress the clutch pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
3. Verify that the push button start
indication light (green) flashes.
4. Touch the push button start using the
backside of the key (as shown) while
the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes.

Transmitter
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4 –29 When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.Signal Indicator Lights Page
Security Indicator Light *1
3-48*
Retractable Fastback Operation Indicator Light 3-42*
Wrench Indication/Indicator Light *1
4-30
(Blue) Low Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Light 4-30*
Shift Position Indication 4-35
Lights-On Indicator Light 4-45
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light Headlight High-Low
Beam
4-48
Flashing the Headlights
4-48
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
4-50
Hazard Warning Flasher
4-57
TCS/DSC Indicator Light *1
Traction Control System
(TCS)
4-66
Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)
4-67
(Turns on)
7-36
DSC OFF Indicator Light *1
4-68*
Select Mode Indication 4-72
(White) *
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Indication 4-108
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