2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA warning lights

4 –76 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.High Beam Control System (HBC) *
The High Beam Control System (HBC) determines the conditions in front of the vehicle
using the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) while driving in darknes s to automatically switch
the headlights between high and low beams.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-18 .
While driving the vehicle at a speed of about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the headlights are
switched to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or approaching in the opposite
direction.
The system switches the headlights to low beams when one of the following occurs: 
The system detects a vehicle or the headlights/lights of a vehicle approaching in the
opposite direction. 
The vehicle is driven on roads lined with streetlamps or on roads in well-lit cities and
towns. 
The vehicle is driven at less than about 20 km/h (12 mph).
Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC)The recognition distance of the
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
varies according to the
surrounding conditions.
The warning light turns on when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-26 .
CAUTION 
Do not adjust the vehicle height, modify the headlight units, or remove the camera,
otherwise the system will not operate normally. 
Do not rely excessively on the High Beam Control System (HBC) and drive the vehicle while
paying sufficient attention to safety. Switch the headlights between the high beams and
low beams manually if necessary.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 76 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.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 79 2016/08/11 20:29:00

4 –85 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System *
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is designed to assist the drive r in checking the area to the
rear of the vehicle on both sides during lane changes by alerting the driver to the presence of
vehicles approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) detects vehicles approaching fr om the rear while
traveling in the forward direction at a speed of 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster and turns on the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors depending on
the conditions. If the turn signal lever is operated to signal a lane change in the direction
in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light is illum inated, the system warns
the driver of a vehicle in the detection area by flashing the Bl ind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
warning light and activating a beep sound.
The detection area on this system covers the driving lanes on both sides of the vehicle and
from the rear part of the doors to about 50 m (164 ft) behind the vehicle.
Detection areasYour vehicle
WARNING Always check the surrounding area visually before making an actual lane change:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at your rear when
making a lane change. 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 in an adjacent driving lane. Always make it your responsibility as a
driver to check the rear.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 85 2016/08/11 20:29:02

4 –86 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE NOTE 
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) will operate when all of the following conditions are
met: 
The ignition is switched ON. 
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch is pressed and the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is turned off. 
The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster. 
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) will not operate under the following circumstances. 
The vehicle speed falls below about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) even though the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light is turned off. 
The shift lever (manual transmission)/selector lever (automatic transmission) is shifted
to reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing. 
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 is detected. 
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). Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper. 
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods. 
The temperature near the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely hot due to driving
for long periods on slopes during the summer. 
The battery voltage has decreased. 
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them. 
A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not
approach. The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) determines the condition based on radar
detection data. 
A vehicle is traveling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed for an extended
period of time. 
Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction. 
A vehicle in an adjacent driving lane is attempting to pass your vehicle. 
A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 86 2016/08/11 20:29:02

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.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 87 2016/08/11 20:29:02

4 –88 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE 
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 is adhering to the door mirrors. 
The door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt. 
The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function when the shift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever (automatic transmission) is shifted to the reverse (R)
position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on page 4-92 .
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Lights/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Warning BeepThe Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) or Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system notifies the
driver of the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes to the rear of your vehicle using the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights and the warning beep while the systems are
operational.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights are equipped on the left and right door
mirrors. The warning lights turn on when a vehicle approaching from the rear in an adjacent
lane is detected.
When the ignition is switched ON, the malfunction warning light turns on momentarily and
then turns off after a few seconds.
Forward driving (Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system operation)
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system detects vehicles approac hing from the rear and
turns on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equippe d on the door mirrors
according to the conditions. Additionally, while a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
light is illuminated, if the turn signal lever is operated to signal a turn in the direction
in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light is illum inated, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning light flashes.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 88 2016/08/11 20:29:02

4 –89 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSEReverse driving (Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operation)
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and
right of your vehicle and flashes the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM ) warning lights.
Function for cancelling illumination dimmer
If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights turn on when the parking lights are
turned on, the brightness of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) wa rning lights is dimmed.
If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights are difficult to see due to glare from
surrounding brightness when traveling on snow-covered roads or under foggy conditions,
press the dimmer cancellation button to cancel the dimmer and increase the brightness of
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights when they turn on.
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-15 .
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning beep
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning beep is activated simul taneously with the
flashing of a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 89 2016/08/11 20:29:02

4 –92 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) *
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system is designed to assist the driver in checking the
area to the rear of the vehicle on both sides while the vehicle is reversing by alerting the
driver to the presence of vehicles approaching the rear of the vehicle.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and
right sides of the vehicle while the vehicle is being reversed out of a parking space, and
notifies the driver of possible danger using the Blind Spot Moni toring (BSM) warning lights
and the warning buzzer.
Detection areas Your vehicle
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) operation
1. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operates when the shift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever (automatic transmission) is shifted to the reverse (R)
position.
2. If there is the possibility of a collision with an approaching vehicle, the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light flashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 92 2016/08/11 20:29:03