A Word to Mazda OwnersThank you for choosing a Mazda. We at Mazda design and build vehicles with complete
customer satisfaction in mind.
To help ensure enjoyable and trouble-free operation of your Mazda, read this manual
carefully and follow its recommendations.
An Authorized Mazda Dealer knows your vehicle best. So when maintenance or service is
necessary, that's the place to go.
Our nationwide network of Mazda professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best
possible service.
We assure you that all of us at Mazda have an ongoing interest in your motoring pleasure
and in your full satisfaction with your Mazda product.
Mazda Motor Corporation
HIROSHIMA, JAPANImportant Notes About This Manual
Keep this manual in the trunk as a handy reference for the safe and enjoyable use of your Mazda. Should you
resell the vehicle, leave this manual with it for the next owner.
All specifications and descriptions are accurate at the time of printing. Because improvement is a constant goal at
Mazda, we reserve the right to make changes in specifications at any time without notice and without obligation.
Air-Conditioning and the Environment
Your Mazda's genuine air conditioner is filled with a refrigerant that has been found not to damage the earth's
ozone layer. If the air conditioner does not operate properly, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Perchlorate
Certain components of this vehicle such as [air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, lithium batteries,…] may
contain Perchlorate Material-- Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Please be aware that this manual applies to all models, equipment and options. As a result, you may find
some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
©2016 Mazda Motor Corporation
Oct. 2016 (Print1)
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 3 2016/08/11 20:28:17
2 –8 Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems Do not operate a vehicle with a damaged seat belt:
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing
of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a
collision. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an
accident before they are used again.
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been
expended:
Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately inspect the seat belt pretensioners
and air bags after any collision. Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners and load
limiters will only function once and must be replaced after any collision that caused them
to deploy. A seat belt with an expended pretensioner or load limiter is still better than
wearing no seat belt at all; however, if the seat belt pretensioners and load limiters are
not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase.
Positioning the Shoulder Portion of the Seat Belt:
Improper positioning of the shoulder portion of the seat belt is dangerous. Always make
sure the shoulder portion of the seat belt is positioned across your shoulder and near your
neck, but never under your arm, on your neck, or on your upper arm.
Positioning the Lap Portion of the Seat Belt:
The lap portion of the seat belt worn too high is dangerous. In a collision, this would
concentrate the impact force directly on the abdominal area, causing serious injury. Wear
the lap portion of the belt snugly and as low as possible.
CAUTION Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and seat belt guides are soiled, so try
to keep them clean. For more details about cleaning the seat belts, refer to "Seat Belt
Maintenance" (page 6-68 ).
Seat belt guide
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 8 2016/08/11 20:28:22
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 –32 Before Driving
Windows Normal opening/closing
To open the window to the desired
position, lightly hold down the switch.
To close the window to the desired
position, lightly pull up the switch. Master control switches
Driver's window
OpenClose
Open Close
Auto-opening
To fully open the window automatically,
press the switch completely down.
To stop the window partway, pull or press
the switch in the opposite direction and
then release it.
NOTE
The power window cannot be fully closed
while the door is open. Power window system initialization
procedure
If the battery was disconnected during
vehicle maintenance, or for other reasons
(such as a switch continues to be operated
after the window is open/closed), the
window will not fully open automatically.
Resetting of the automatic function can
be performed using the master control
switches or each passenger door switch.
The power window auto function reset
procedure can be done on both door
switches. The power window auto function
will only resume on the power window
that has been reset.
1. Close the doors and the convertible top.
2. Switch the ignition ON.
3. Make sure that the power window lock
switch located on the driver's door is
not depressed.
4. Press the switch and fully open the
window.
5. Pull up the switch to fully close the
window and continue holding the
switch for about 2 seconds after the
window fully closed.
6. Repeat Steps 4-5 for the passenger
power window while seated in the
passenger seat.
7. Make sure that the power windows
operate correctly using the door
switches.
After the system has been re-initialized,
passenger window can be fully opened
automatically using the master control
switches.
If the automatic power window operation
does not operate normally while the doors
or convertible top are opened/closed, reset
it using the previous procedures.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 32 2016/08/11 20:28:34
3 –35 Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
CAUTION
Remove leaves or other matter that may accumulate on and around the convertible top.
If leaves or other matter block the drain filter, water may enter the vehicle. Clean the drain
filter at least once a year.
Refer to Convertible Top Maintenance on page 6-64 .
Before opening the convertible top, make sure the rear window defogger switch is turned
off. Otherwise the heat generated from the defogger could damage the convertible top and
the internal material.
Before lowering or raising the convertible top, stop in a safe place off the right-of-way and
park on a level surface.
Make sure nothing is on the convertible top or near the back window when raising or
lowering the convertible top.
Even small objects may interfere and cause damage.
Do not drive through an automatic car wash; it may damage the convertible top.
Do not raise or lower the convertible top when the temperature is below 5 °C (41 °F) ; this
will damage the convertible top material.
Do not lower the convertible top when it's wet. If the convertible top dries while folded, it
will deteriorate and mold.
Lowering the convertible top while it's wet can also cause water to drip into the passenger
compartment.
Do not raise or lower the convertible top in a strong wind as it could damage the
convertible top or cause an unexpected accident.
NOTE
The power windows go down automatically in conjunction with the convertible top
opening/closing. However, this is a function for improving the operability, 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 go down automatically. If the power windows
do not go down, the automatic open/close mechanism for the windows must be reset.
Refer to Operating the Power Windows on page 3-31 .
The windblocker reduces the amount of wind coming into the cabin from behind when
driving with the convertible top opened.
Refer to Windblocker on page 5-140 .
When lowering the convertible top, make sure objects inside the vehicle are not blown
away by the wind.
Secure all loose objects inside before driving with the convertible top down.
To help prevent burglary or vandalism and to ensure that the passenger compartment
stays dry, close the convertible top securely and lock both doors when leaving the vehicle.
The soft top is made of high quality material and if it is not maintained correctly, the
material could harden, becomes stained, or have an uneven gloss.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 35 2016/08/11 20:28:35
3 –38 Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top) NOTE
If the power windows do not go down
automatically, fully open the windows
or open the doors.
To raise the convertible top from inside
the vehicle, use the convertible top's
handles.
Convertible top's handles
5. Sitting in a seat, grasp the convertible
top's handles, and press the convertible
top against the windshield.
Make sure the striker engages with the
anchor, move the top latch slowly, and
then push the top latch upward until a
latch sound is heard.
Convertible top's handles
StrikerAnchor CAUTION
Driving with the convertible top not fully
locked could damage the convertible
top.
If the red indicator is visible on the lock
release button, the convertible top is not
locked. After locking the convertible top,
verify that the red indicator is not visible.
Locked position
Unlocked position
Red indicator
Do not spray water directly near the
seam of the window and convertible top
when flushing away dirt on the soft top
with water. Otherwise, water may enter
the vehicle.
Refer to Convertible Top Maintenance on
page 6-64 .
NOTE
The convertible top may be constricted
if it is left retracted for a long period.
Therefore, if the top has become
constricted, it may be difficult to hook
the top latch striker to the anchor.
Make sure the convertible top is
securely locked by pushing up on it.
If it still sounds loose (rattles) after
being locked by the top latch, have
it inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 38 2016/08/11 20:28:36
3 –41 Before Driving
Convertible Top (Retractable Fastback)
CAUTION
When getting in or out of the vehicle with the roof open, be careful not to hit your head or
body on the corner of the windshield glass. It may cause an injury.
Do not drive with the roof partially opened; this could damage the roof or cause an
unexpected accident.
Children should not be allowed to play with the retractable fastback switch.
Do not place objects or cargo around the rear roof, rear glass, or the front roof storage area.
Even small objects may interfere and cause damage.
Remove leaves that accumulate on and around the roof. If the leaves are not removed, they
may block the water drainage outlets.
Before opening the roof, make sure the rear window defogger switch (Defroster) is turned
off. Otherwise the heat generated from the defogger could damage the roof and the
internal material.
When opening/closing the roof, verify that there is no obstruction above the roof
(about 1.6 m (5 ft 2 in) from the ground) so as not to damage the roof or the obstruction.
When opening/closing the roof, do not apply any load to the front roof or the rear roof. The
opening/closing mechanism of the roof may be damaged.
Do not spray water directly near the seam of the window and roof when washing off dirt on
the roof with water. Otherwise, water may enter the cabin.
Refer to Retractable Fastback Maintenance on page 6-66 .
Open/close the roof with the vehicle parked on a hard, level ground in a safe place where
the vehicle does not obstruct traffic. If the roof is opened/closed on a slope or bump, the
opening/closing mechanism of the roof may be damaged.
Do not drive through an automatic car wash as it may damage the roof.
Do not open or close the roof forcefully when the ambient temperature is low and the roof
or the surrounding area is frozen as it could damage the roof.
Opening the roof while it is wet can also cause water to drip into the passenger
compartment.
Do not open or close the roof in a strong wind as it could damage the roof.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 41 2016/08/11 20:28:36
3 –42 Before Driving
Convertible Top (Retractable Fastback) NOTE
When opening the roof, make sure objects inside the vehicle are not blown away by the
wind.
Secure all loose objects inside before driving with the roof down.
To help prevent burglary or vandalism and to ensure that the passenger compartment
stays dry, close the roof securely and lock both doors when leaving the vehicle.
The power windows lower automatically in conjunction with the roof opening/closing.
This is a function for improving the operability and it does not indicate a problem.
If the vehicle battery is disconnected for vehicle maintenance or other reasons, the power
windows will not lower automatically. If the power windows do not lower, reset the power
window automatic open/close function.
Refer to Operating the Power Windows on page 3-31 .
The windblocker reduces the amount of wind coming into the cabin from behind when
driving with the roof opened.
Refer to Windblocker on page 5-140 .
Operation IndicationOperation Indicator Light
When illuminated
This indicates that the roof is only partially open.
When flashing
This indicates that the roof is being open/closed. (During switch operation)
When not illuminated
This indicates that the roof is open/closed fully.
NOTE
If the operation indicator light flashes quickly, there may be a system malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 42 2016/08/11 20:28:36