3 –7 Before Driving
KeysNOTE
The panic button will work whether any
door or the trunk lid is open or closed.
(Turning on the alarm)
Pressing the panic button for 1 second or
more will trigger the alarm for about 2
minutes and 30 seconds, and the following
will occur:
The horn sounds intermittently.
The hazard warning lights flash.
(Turning off the alarm)
The alarm stops by pressing any button on
the key.
Operational RangeThe system operates only when the driver
is in the vehicle or within operational
range while the key is being carried.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Starting the engine may be possible
even if the key is outside of the vehicle
and extremely close to a door and
window, however, always start the
engine from the driver's seat.
If the vehicle is started and the key
is not in the vehicle, the vehicle will
not restart after it is shut off and the
ignition is switched to off.
The trunk is out of the assured
operational range, however, if the key
(transmitter) is operable the engine will
start. With the advanced keyless function Interior antenna
Operational range
Without the advanced keyless function
Operational rangeInterior antenna
NOTE
The engine may not start if the key is
placed in the following areas:
Around the dashboard
In the storage compartments or the
center console
Key Suspend Function
If a key is left in the vehicle, the
functions of the key left in the vehicle are
temporarily suspended to prevent theft of
the vehicle.
To restore the functions, press the unlock
button on the functions-suspended key in
the vehicle.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 7 2016/08/11 20:28:29
3 –9 Before Driving
Advanced Keyless Entry System
Operational Range The system operates only when the driver
is in the vehicle or within operational
range while the key is being carried. NOTE
When the battery power is low, or in
places where there are high-intensity radio
waves or noise, the operational range
may become narrower or the system may
not operate. For determining battery
replacement, Refer to Keyless Entry
System on page 3-3 .
Locking, Unlocking the Doors 80cm (31in)
80cm (31in) Exterior antenna
Operational range
NOTE
The system may not operate if you
are too close to the windows or door
handles.
If the key is left in the following areas
and you leave the vehicle, the doors
may be locked depending on the radio
wave conditions even if the key is left in
the vehicle.
Around the dashboard
In the storage compartments or the
center console
Next to a communication device such
as a mobile phone Opening the Trunk Lid 80cm (31in)Exterior antenna
Operational range
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 9 2016/08/11 20:28:29
3 –11 Before Driving
Doors and Locks
*Some models.NOTE
Always stop the engine and lock the
doors. In addition, to prevent theft of
valuables, do not leave them inside the
cabin.
If the key is left in the following areas
and you leave the vehicle, the doors
may be locked depending on the radio
wave conditions even if the key is left in
the vehicle.
Around the dashboard
In the storage compartments or the
center console
Next to a communication device such
as a mobile phone
When the ignition is switched to ACC
or ON, the vehicle lock-out prevention
feature prevents you from locking
yourself out of the vehicle.
Both doors will automatically unlock if
they are locked using the power door
locks with any door open.
If both the doors are closed even though
the trunk lid is open, both the doors will
lock.
The vehicle lock-out prevention feature
does not operate while the ignition is
switched off.
When any door is opened from the
outside while the key is inside the
vehicle, the closed doors are locked.
Both the doors are automatically
unlocked by closing the open door.
(With the advanced keyless function)
The beep sound is heard for about 10
seconds to notify the driver that the key
has been left in the vehicle.
(Without the advanced keyless
function)
The horn sound is heard twice to notify
the driver that the key has been left in
the vehicle.
(Door unlock (control) system with
collision detection) *
This system automatically unlocks the
doors in the event the vehicle is involved
in an accident to allow passengers to
get out of the vehicle immediately and
prevent being trapped inside. While the
ignition is switched ON and in the event
the vehicle receives an impact strong
enough to inflate the air bags, both the
doors are automatically unlocked after
about 6 seconds have elapsed from the
time of the accident.
The doors may not unlock depending on
how an impact is applied, the force of
the impact, and other conditions of the
accident.
If door-related systems or the battery
is malfunctioning, the doors will not
unlock.
When opening a door, the power
windows open a little automatically.
When closing the door, the power
windows close automatically. This is a
function for improving the sealability,
and it does not mean there is a problem.
If the vehicle battery is disconnected for
vehicle maintenance or other reasons,
the power windows will not open
or close automatically. If the power
windows do not open or close, the
automatic open/close mechanism for the
windows must be reset.
Refer to Operating the Power Windows
on page 3-31 .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 11 2016/08/11 20:28:30
3 –34 Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
Convertible Top (Soft Top) Top latch assembly
Convertible top's handles
Convertible top
Convertible Top Precautions
WARNINGSit in the seat with the seat belt correctly fastened when the vehicle is moving:
Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on the convertible top storage area or center console
when the vehicle is moving is a dangerous way to ride. During a sudden maneuver or
collision you could be seriously injured or even killed.
Always keep your hands and fingers away from the fastening mechanisms when
moving the convertible top:
It is dangerous to place your hands or fingers near the fastening mechanisms. Your hands
or fingers could be caught and injured by the mechanism.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 34 2016/08/11 20:28:35
3 –40 Before Driving
Convertible Top (Retractable Fastback) Retractable Fastback Precautions
WARNINGAlways confirm that there are no people around the vehicle before operating the roof:
If the roof were to operate unexpectedly, it could result in an accident and serious injury
from someone getting caught in the mechanism.
Sit in the seat with the seat belt correctly fastened when the vehicle is moving:
Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on the rear roof or center console when the vehicle is
moving is a dangerous way to ride. During a sudden maneuver or collision you could be
seriously injured or even killed.
Always keep your hands and fingers away from the fastening mechanisms when
moving the roof:
It is dangerous to place your hands or fingers near the fastening mechanisms. Your hands
or fingers could be caught and injured by the mechanism.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 40 2016/08/11 20:28:36
4 –32 When Driving
Transmission NOTE
A natural driving posture can be
realized by lightly gripping the shift
lever from the side without having to
rest your elbow on the center console
box.
If shifting to R is difficult, shift back into
neutral, release the clutch pedal, and try
again. Gear Shift Indicator The gear shift indicator supports you to
obtain optimum fuel economy and smooth
driving. It displays the selected gear
position in the instrument cluster as well
as notifies the driver to change to the most
suitable gear position corresponding to the
actual driving condition.
Selected gear position Suitable gear positionIndication Condition
Numeral The selected gear position is
displayed.
and numeral Shift up or down to the indicated
gear position is recommended.
CAUTION Do not rely solely on the shift-up/
shift-down recommendations by
indications. The actual driving
situation might require shift operations
different from indication. To avoid the
risk of accidents, the road and traffic
conditions have to be judged correctly
by the driver before shifting.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 32 2016/08/11 20:28:49