2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA change wheel

3 –27 Before Driving
Steering Wheel
Steering WheelWARNING Never adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving:
Adjusting the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control or
an accident.
Steering Wheel AdjustmentTo change the angle of the steering wheel:
1. Stop the vehicle, and then pull down
the lock release lever under the steering
column.

Lock release le ve r
2. Tilt the steering wheel to the desired
positions, then push the lever up to lock
the column.
3. Attempt to push the steering wheel
up and down to make sure it's locked
before driving.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 27 2016/08/11 20:28:33

3 –52 Before Driving
Driving Tips
Hazardous Driving WARNINGBe extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear
while driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards: 
Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking. 
Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering. 
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-65 .
If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels. 
For more traction in starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow,
use sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting,
or other nonslip material under the rear
wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear wheels. Floor Mat We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda floor mats.
WARNING Make sure the floor mats are hooked on
the retention pins to prevent them from
bunching up under the foot pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation,
which could result in an accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
If using an all weather mat for winter
use always remove the original floor
mat.
When setting a floor mat, position the floor
mat so that its grommets are inserted over
the pointed end of the retention posts.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 52 2016/08/11 20:28:39

4 –37 When Driving
TransmissionTake the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer to have the system checked.
Manual Shift ModeThe manual shift mode gives you the feel
of driving a manual transmission vehicle
by allowing you to operate the selector
lever manually. This allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the drive wheels
much like a manual transmission when
more control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
Changing to manual shift mode while
driving will not damage the transmission.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift the
lever from M to D.
NOTE 
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1. 
If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator
pedal when driving in D range, 5th
gear/6th gear, the gear will shift to M4/
M5. Indicators
Manual shift mode indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indication
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates. Manual shift mode indication
Gear position indication
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down when
driving at higher speeds, the gear position
indication will flash twice to signal that
the gears cannot be shifted down (to
protect the transmission).
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4 –39 When Driving
Transmission
*Some models.Manually shifting down
You can shift gears down by operating
the selector lever or the steering shift
switches *
.
M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2→ M1
Using selector lever
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the
selector lever forward
once.
Using steering shift switch *
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch
toward you once with your
fingers. DOWN switch (-) WARNING Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while driving
at high speeds causes sudden engine
braking, which is dangerous. The
sudden change in tire speed could
cause the tires to skid. This could
lead to loss of vehicle control and an
accident.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers on the steering
shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE 
When driving at high speeds, the gear
may not shift down. 
During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed. 
When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transmission will shift to a lower
gear, depending on vehicle speed.
However, the gears do not kickdown
while the DSC is turned off.
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4 –67 When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC) The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-65 ) and TCS
(page 4-66 ).
DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-26 .
WARNING Do not rely on the Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe driving:
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident. CAUTION 
The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed: 
Use tires of the correct size specified
for your Mazda on all four wheels. 
Use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all four
wheels. 
Do not mix worn tires. 
The DSC may not operate correctly when
tire chains are used or a temporary spare
tire is installed because the tire diameter
changes.
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light flashes.
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.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 67 2016/08/11 20:28:58

4 –71 When Driving
Drive Selection
*Some models.Drive Selection *
Drive selection is a system to switch the vehicle's drive mode. When the sport mode
is selected, vehicle's response against accelerator operation is enhanced. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely mak e maneuvers such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION Do not use the sport mode when driving on slippery roads such as wet or snow-covered
roads. It may cause tire slipping.
NOTE 
When the sport mode is selected, driving at higher engine speeds increases and it may
increase fuel consumption. Mazda recommends that you cancel the sport mode on normal
driving. 
Drive mode cannot be switched in the following conditions: 
ABS/TCS/DSC is operating 
Cruise control is operating. 
Steering wheel is being operated abruptly
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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 –80 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
CAUTION Do not modify the suspension. If the vehicle height or the damping force of the
suspensions is changed, the LDWS may not operate correctly.
NOTE 
If your vehicle deviates from its traffic lane, the LDWS operates (warning sound and
indicator light). Steer the vehicle adequately to drive the vehicle to the center of the lane. 
When the turn signal lever is operated for a lane change, the LDWS warning is
automatically canceled. The LDWS warning becomes operable when the turn signal lever
is returned and the system detects the white or yellow lines. 
If the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brake pedal is operated abruptly and the
vehicle moves close to a white or yellow line, the system determines that the driver is
making a lane change and the LDWS warning is automatically canceled. 
The LDWS may not operate during the period immediately after the vehicle has deviated
from its lane and the LDWS has operated, or the vehicle deviates from its lane repeatedly
within a short period of time. 
The LDWS does not operate if it does not detect the white or ye llow lines of the traffic
lane.
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