2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA 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.
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4 –77 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSENOTE
The timing in which the system switches the headlights changes under the following
conditions. If the system does not switch the headlights appropriately, manually switch
between high and low beams according to the visibility as well as road and traffic
conditions. 
When there are sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated signboards,
and traffic signals. 
When there are reflective objects in the surrounding area such as reflective plates and
signs. 
When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions. 
When driving on roads with sharp turn or hilly terrain. 
When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles in front of you or in the opposite lane are dim
or not illuminated. 
When there is sufficient darkness such as at dawn or dusk. 
When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects. 
When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle in front of you spraying water from its tires
onto your windshield.
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4 –78 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE To Operate the SystemThe High Beam Control System (HBC)
operates to switch the headlights
automatically between high and low
beams after the ignition is switched ON
and the headlight switch is in the AUTO
and high beam position.
The High Beam Control System (HBC)
determines that it is dark based on the
brightness of the surrounding area. At the
same time, the High Beam Control System
(HBC) indicator light (green) in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
NOTE 
When the vehicle speed is about 30
km/h (19 mph) or more, the headlights
automatically switch to high beams
when there are no vehicles ahead or
approaching in the opposite direction.
When the vehicle speed is less than
about 20 km/h (12 mph), the High Beam
Control System (HBC) switches the
headlights to low beams. 
The low beams may not switch to high
beams when cornering. 
Operation of the High Beam Control
System (HBC) function can be disabled.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9 . Manual Switching Switching to low beams
Shift the lever to the low beam position.
The High Beam Control System (HBC)
indicator light (green) turns off.
Switching to high beams
Turn the headlight switch to the

position.
The High Beam Control System (HBC)
indicator light (green) turns off and the

is illuminated.
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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 –81 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Under the following conditions, the LDWS may not be able to detect white or yellow lines
correctly and the LDWS may not operate correctly. 
If an object placed on the dashboard is reflected in the windshield and picked up by the
camera. 
Heavy luggage is loaded in the luggage compartment the vehicle is inclined. 
The tire pressures are not adjusted to the specified pressure. 
When the vehicle is driven on the entry and exit to or from the rest area or tollgate of a
highway. 
The white or yellow lines are less visible because of dirt or paint flaking. 
The vehicle ahead is running near a white or yellow line and the line is less visible. 
A white or yellow line is less visible because of bad weather (rain, fog, or snow). 
The vehicle is driven on a temporary lane or section with a closed lane due to
construction. 
A misleading line is picked up on the road such as a temporary line for construction,
or because of shade, lingering snow, or grooves filled with water. 
The surrounding brightness suddenly changes such as when entering or exiting a
tunnel. 
The illumination of the headlights is weakened because of dirt or the optical axis is
deviated. 
The windshield is dirty or foggy. 
Back-light is reflecting from the road surface. 
The road surface is wet and shiny after rain, or there are puddles on the road. 
The shade of a guardrail parallel to a white or yellow line is on the road. 
The width of a lane is excessively narrow or wide. 
The road is excessively uneven. 
The vehicle is shaken after hitting a road bump. 
There are two or more adjacent white or yellow lines. 
There are various road markings or lane markings of various shapes near an
intersection.
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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.
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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.
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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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