2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA sensor

4 –87 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
In the following cases, the activation of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
and the warning beep may not occur or they may be delayed. 
A vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane two lanes over to an adjacent lane. 
Driving on steep slopes. 
Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass. 
The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections). 
When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent
lane. 
Directly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch and the system
becomes operable. 
If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected.
The detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of
expressways. 
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights may turn on in reaction to stationary
objects on the road or the roadside such as guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls, and parked
vehicles. Objects such as guardrails and concrete walls
running alongside the vehicle. Places where the width between guardrails or
walls on each side of the vehicle narrows.
The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels,
turnouts.

A Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light may flash or the warning beep may be
activated several times when making a turn at a city intersection. 
Turn off the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) while pulling a trailer or while an accessory
such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radar’s
radio waves will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
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4 –93 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
WARNING Always check the surrounding area visually before actually putting the vehicle in
reverse:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at the rear when putting
the vehicle in reverse. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light may not flash or it might be delayed even
though a vehicle is behind your vehicle. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to
check the rear.
NOTE 
In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light turns on and
operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator
light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible. 
Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
lights has occurred. 
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred. 
There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear). 
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods. 
The temperature near the radar sensors becomes extremely hot due to driving for long
periods on slopes during the summer. 
The battery voltage has decreased.
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4 –94 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE 
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them. 
The vehicle speed when reversing is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster. 
The radar sensor (rear) detection area is obstructed by a nearby wall or parked
vehicle. (Reverse the vehicle to a position where the radar sensor detection area is no
longer obstructed.) Your vehicle
A vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle. Your vehicle
The vehicle is parked on a slant.
Your vehicle
Directly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch and the system
becomes operable. 
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumina tion/flashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors. 
Snow or ice adheres to the door mirrors. 
The door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt. 
Turn off the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system while pulling a trailer or while an
accessory such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise,
the radio waves emitted by the radar will be blocked causing the system to not operate
normally.
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4 –98 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.Radar Sensors (Rear) *
Your vehicle is equipped with radar sensors (rear). The following systems also use the radar
sensors (rear). 
Blind Spot Monitoring system (BSM) 
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle
approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensor. Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right
sides.
Always keep the surface of the rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) clean so that the
radar sensors (rear) operate normally. Also, do not apply items such as stickers.
Refer to Exterior Care on page 6-59 .
CAUTION If the rear bumper receives a severe impact, the system may no longer operate normally.
Stop the system immediately and have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
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4 –99 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSENOTE 
The detection ability of the radar sensors (rear) has limitations. In the following cases,
the detection ability may lower and the system may not operate normally. 
The rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) has become deformed. 
Snow, ice or mud adheres to the radar sensors (rear) on the rear bumper. 
Under bad weather conditions such as rain, snow and fog. 
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them. 
Stationary objects on a road or a road side such as small, two-wheeled vehicles,
bicycles, pedestrians, animals, and shopping carts. 
Vehicle shapes which do not reflect radar waves well such as empty trailers with a low
vehicle height and sports cars. 
Vehicles are shipped with the direction of the radar sensors (rear) adjusted for each
vehicle to a loaded vehicle condition so that the radar sensors (rear) detect approaching
vehicles correctly. If the direction of the radar sensors (rear) has deviated for some
reason, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. 
For repairs or replacement of the radar sensors (rear), or bumper repairs, paintwork,
and replacement near the radar sensors, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer. 
Turn off the system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle carrier
is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted by the radar will
be blocked causing the system to not operate normally. 
The radar sensors are regulated by the relevant radio wave laws of the country in which
the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is driven abroad, authorization from the country in
which the vehicle is driven may be required.
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4 –105 When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
*Some models.Tire Pressure Monitoring System *
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors the air pressure of all four tires. If
the air pressure of one or more tires is too low, the system warns the driver by indicating the
tire pressure monitoring system warning light in the instrument cluster and operating a beep
sound. The system monitors the tire pressures indirectly using the data sent from the ABS
wheel speed sensors.
To allow the system to operate correctly, the system needs to be initialized with the specified
tire pressure (value on the tire pressure label). Follow the pr ocedure and perform the
initialization.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System Initialization on page 4-108 .
The warning light flashes when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-26 .
ABS wheel speed sensor
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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
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6 –33 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Wiper BladesCAUTION 
Hot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect the
wiper's ability to clean windows. 
To prevent damage to the wiper blades,
do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near
them. 
When the wiper lever is in the AUTO
position and the ignition is switched ON,
the wipers may move automatically in
the following cases: 
If the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched. 
If the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth. 
If the windshield is struck with a hand
or other object. 
If the rain sensor is struck with a hand
or other object from inside the vehicle.
Be careful not to pinch hands or fingers
as it may cause injury, or damage the
wipers. When washing or servicing the
vehicle, make sure the wiper lever is in
the OFF position.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary. Replacing Windshield Wiper
Blades When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, do not try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
NOTE
When raising both windshield wiper arms,
raise the driver's side wiper arm first.
When lowering the wiper arms, slowly
lower the wiper arm from the passenger's
side first while supporting it with your
hand. Forcefully lowering the wiper arms
could damage the wiper arm and blade,
and may scratch or crack the windshield.
(Type A)
1. Raise the wiper arm.
2. Open the clip and slide the blade
assembly in the direction of the arrow.
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