2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA Owners Manual

7 –31 If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
*Some models.Tiedown Hooks *
CAUTION Do not use the front and rear tiedown
eyelets for towing the vehicle.
They have been designed only for
securing the vehicle to a transport
vessel during shipping.
Using the eyelets for any other purpose
could result in the vehicle being
damaged.
Tiedown Hooks1. Remove the tiedown eyelet and the lug
wrench from the luggage compartment
(page 7-3 ).
2. Wrap a flathead screwdriver or similar
tool with a soft cloth to prevent damage
to a painted bumper, and open the cap
located on the front or rear bumper.
Front Rear
CAUTION Do not use excessive force as it may
damage the cap or scratch the painted
bumper surface.
NOTE
Remove the cap completely and store it so
as not to lose it.
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet
using the lug wrench or equivalent.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Front

Lug wrench
Tiedown eyelet
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7 –32 If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing Rear
Lug wrench
Tiedown eyelet
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedown
eyelet.
CAUTION If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying the
vehicle. Make sure that the tiedown
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
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7 –33 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
If a Warning Light Turns On or FlashesIf any warning light turns on/flashes, take appropriate action f or each light. There is no
problem if the light turns off, however if the light does not turn off or turns on/flashes again,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Vehicles with type B audio)
The warning contents can be verified on the center display.
1. If the warning light is turned on, select icon on the home screen to display the
application screen.
2. Select “Vehicle Status Monitor”.
3. Select “Warning Guidance” to display the current warnings.
4. Select the applicable warning to view the warning details.
Stop Vehicle in Safe Place ImmediatelyIf any of the following warning lights turns on, the system may have a malfunction. Stop the
vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Signal Warning
Brake System Warning
Light This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning/Warning light inspection
The light illuminates when the parking brake is applied with the ignition switched to
START or ON. It turns off when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the brake warning light remains illuminated even though the parking brake is
released, the brake fluid may be low or there could be a problem with the brake system.
Park the vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING Do not drive with the brake system warning light illuminated. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the brakes inspected as soon as possible:
Driving with the brake system warning light illuminated is dangerous. It indicates
that your brakes may not work at all or that they could completely fail at any
time. If this light remains illuminated, after checking that the parking brake is fully
released, have the brakes inspected immediately.
CAUTION In addition, the effectiveness of the braking may diminish so you may need to
depress the brake pedal more strongly than normal to stop the vehicle.
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7 –34 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds Signal Warning
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution System
Warning If the electronic brake force distribution control unit determines that some components
are operating incorrectly, the control unit may illuminate the brake system warning
light and the ABS warning light simultaneously. The problem is likely to be the
electronic brake force distribution system.
WARNING Do not drive with both the ABS warning light and brake warning light illuminated.
Have the vehicle towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible:
Driving when the brake system warning light and ABS warning light are
illuminated simultaneously is dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the rear wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal circumstances.
Charging System
Warning Indication/
Warning Light If the warning light illuminates while driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION Do not continue driving when the charging system warning light is illuminated
because the engine could stop unexpectedly.
Engine Oil Warning
Light This warning light indicates low engine oil pressure.
CAUTION Do not run the engine if the oil pressure is low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive
engine damage.
If the light illuminates or the warning indication is displayed while driving:
1.Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way on level ground.
2.Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
3.Inspect the engine oil level 6-28 . If it's low, add the appropriate amount of engine
oil while being careful not to overfill.
CAUTION Do not run the engine if the oil level is low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive
engine damage.
4.Start the engine and check the warning light.
If the light remains illuminated even though the oil level is normal or after adding oil,
stop the engine immediately and have your vehicle towed to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
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7 –35 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds Signal Warning
(Red)
High Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Indication/Warning
Light The light flashes when the engine coolant temperature is extreme ly high, and
illuminates when the engine coolant temperature increases further.
Handling Procedure
Flashing light
Drive slowly to reduce engine load until you can find a safe pla ce to stop the vehicle
and wait for the engine to cool down.
Illuminated light
This indicates the possibility of overheating. Park the vehicle in a safe place
immediately and stop the engine.
Refer to Overheating 7-27 .
CAUTION Do not drive the vehicle with the high engine coolant temperature warning light
illuminated. Otherwise, it could result in damage to the engine.
Power Steering
Malfunction Indicator
Light The light illuminates if the electric power steering has a malfunction.
If the light illuminates, stop the vehicle in a safe place and do not operate the steering
wheel. There is no problem if the light turns off after a while. Contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer if the light illuminates continuously.
NOTE 
If the indicator light illuminates, the power steering will not operate normally. If this
happens, the steering wheel can still be operated, however, the operation may feel
heavy compared to normal, or the steering wheel could vibrate when turning. 
Repeatedly jerking the steering wheel left and right while the vehicle is stopped or
moving extremely slowly will cause the power steering system to go into protective
mode which will make the steering feel heavy, but this does not indicate a problem. If
this occurs, park the vehicle safely and wait several minutes for the system to return
to normal.
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7 –36 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models. Contact Authorized Mazda Dealer and Have Vehicle InspectedIf any of the following warning lights or the indicator light t urns on/flashes, the system may
have a malfunction. Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have your vehicle inspected. Signal Warning
Master Warning
Indication/Warning
Light *
Type A instrument cluster
(Master warning indication)
Displays when notification of the system malfunctions is require d.
Check the message indicated in the display and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Master warning light)
The master warning light displays when a warning message occurs.
This indicates a malfunction with the vehicle system. Check the message indicated in the
display and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
For details, refer to the explanations for the warning/indicato r lights, in the warning/
indicator lights section, which match the symbol in the upper part of the display.
If a message is not indicated in the display, operate the INFO switch to display the
“Warning” screen.
Refer to Message Indicated in Multi-information Display and INF O switch on page 4-18 .
Type B instrument cluster
The light illuminates continuously if any one of the following occurs. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. 
There is a malfunction in the battery management system. 
There is a malfunction in the brake switch.
Electric Vacuum
Pump Warning
Light The light turns on if the electric vacuum pump system has a problem. Have your vehicle
inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
ABS Warning Light If the ABS warning light stays on while you're driving, the ABS control unit has detected a
system malfunction. If this occurs, your brakes will function normally as if the vehicle had
no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE 
When the engine is jump-started to charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs, it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.

The brake assist system does not operate while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
Check Engine Light If this light illuminates while driving, the vehicle may have a problem. It is important to
note the driving conditions when the light illuminated and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The check engine light may illuminate in the following cases: 
The engine's electrical system has a problem. 
The emission control system has a problem. 
The fuel tank level being very low or approaching empty. 
The fuel-filler cap is missing or not tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on, or it flashes continuously , do not drive at high speeds
and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
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7 –37 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models.Signal Warning
Automatic
Transmission
Indication/Warning
Light *
The indication/light illuminates when the transmission has a problem.
CAUTION If the automatic transmission warning indication/light illuminates, the transmission
has an electrical problem. Continuing to drive your Mazda in this condition could cause
damage to your transmission. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
(Illuminate)
TCS/DSC Indicator
Light If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC or the brake assist system may have a malfunction and
they may not operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Air Bag/Seat Belt
Pretensioner System
Warning Light A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly
illuminates or does not illuminate at all when the ignition is switched ON. If any of these
occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not operate
in an accident.
WARNING Never tamper with the air bag/pretensioner systems and always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer perform all servicing and repairs:
Self-servicing or tampering with the systems is dangerous. An air bag/pretensioner
could accidentally activate or become disabled causing serious injury or death.
(Flashing)
Tire Pressure
Monitoring System
Warning Light *
If the tire pressure monitoring system has a malfunction, the tire pressure warning light
flashes. Have your vehicle checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light illuminates or flashes, or the tire
pressure warning beep sound is heard, decrease vehicle speed immediately and avoid
sudden maneuvering and braking:
If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light illuminates or flashes, or the tire
pressure warning beep sound is heard, it is dangerous to drive the vehicle at high
speeds, or perform sudden maneuvering or braking. Vehicle drivability could worsen
and result in an accident.
To determine if you have a slow leak or a flat, pull over to a safe position where you can
check the visual condition of the tire and determine if you have enough air to proceed
to a place where air may be added and the system monitored again by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer or a tire repair station.
Do not ignore the TPMS Warning Light:
Ignoring the TPMS warning light is dangerous, even if you know why it is illuminated.
Have the problem taken care of as soon as possible before it develops into a more
serious situation that could lead to tire failure and a dangerous accident.
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7 –38 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models.Signal Warning
(Red)
KEY Warning
Indication *
“Keyless System malfunction” is displayed
This message is displayed if the advanced keyless entry & push button start system has a
problem.
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION If the message is indicated, or the push button start indicator light (amber) flashes, the
engine may not start. If the engine cannot be started, try starting it using the emergency
operation for starting the engine, and have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Refer to Emergency Operation for Starting the Engine on page 4-9 .
(Amber)
KEY Warning
Indication *
“Ignition is on” is displayed
This message is displayed when the driver's door is opened without switching the ignition
off.
“Key not detected” is displayed
This message is displayed when any of the following operations is performed with the key
out of the operational range or placed in areas inside the cabi n where it is difficult for the
key to be detected. 
The push button start is pressed with the ignition switched off 
The ignition is switched on 
All doors are closed without switching the ignition off
(Red)
(Illuminate)
KEY Warning
Light *
If any malfunction occurs in the keyless entry system, it illuminates continuously.
CAUTION If the key warning indicator light illuminates or the push button start indicator light
(amber) flashes, the engine may not start. If the engine cannot be started, try starting it
using the emergency operation for starting the engine, and have the vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Refer to Emergency Operation for Starting the Engine on page 4-9 .
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