2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA windshield wipers

4 –1 *Some models.4 When Driving Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine ................................ 4-4
Ignition Switch
............................... 4-4
Starting the Engine
......................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off
................ 4-10
Instrument Cluster and Display ...... 4-11
Meters and Gauges
....................... 4-11
Multi-information Display and INFO
Switch *
......................................... 4-18
Warning/Indicator Lights
............. 4-26
Transmission ...................................... 4-31
Manual Transmission
Operation
...................................... 4-31
Automatic Transmission
Controls
........................................ 4-34
Switches and Controls ...................... 4-45
Lighting Control
........................... 4-45
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
.... 4-50
Windshield Wipers and Washer
... 4-51
Rear Window Defogger
............... 4-55
Horn
............................................. 4-56
Hazard Warning Flasher
............... 4-57
HomeLink Wireless Control
System *
......................................... 4-57
Brake .................................................. 4-61
Brake System
............................... 4-61
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) *
........... 4-63 ABS/TCS/DSC ................................... 4-65
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
..... 4-65
Traction Control System (TCS)
... 4-66
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ... 4-67
Fuel Economy Monitor ..................... 4-69
Fuel Economy Monitor *
............... 4-69
Drive Selection ................................... 4-71
Drive Selection *
........................... 4-71
Power Steering ................................... 4-73
Power Steering ............................. 4-73
i-ACTIVSENSE ................................. 4-74
i-ACTIVSENSE *
.......................... 4-74
Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS) *
.......................................... 4-75
High Beam Control System
(HBC) *
.......................................... 4-76
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS) *
...................................... 4-79
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System *
......................................... 4-85
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) *
....................................... 4-92
Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC) *
........................................... 4-95
Radar Sensors (Rear) *
.................. 4-98
Cruise Control ................................. 4-100
Cruise Control *
........................... 4-100
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 1 2016/08/11 20:28:40

4 –47 When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models.Auto-light control *
When the headlight switch is in the position and the ignition is switched ON, the light
sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the headlights,
other exterior lights and dashboard illumination on or off.
CAUTION 
Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windshield. Otherwise
the light sensor will not operate correctly. 
The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands and
scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the position and the
ignition is switched ON as fingers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades could be
damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off completely when it is particularly tempting to leave the
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE 
The headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination may not turn off
immediately even if the surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor
determines that it is night time if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several
minutes such as inside long tunnels, traffic jams inside tunnels , or in indoor parking lots.
In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the position.
The dashboard illumination can be adjusted by rotating the knob in the instrument cluster.
Also, the day/night mode can be changed by rotating the knob until a beep sound is heard.
To adjust the brightness of the dashboard illumination:
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-15 .
The sensitivity of the auto-light control may be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9 .
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4 –51 When Driving
Switches and Controls
Windshield Wipers and
Washer The ignition must be switched ON to use
the wipers.
WARNING Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result in
an accident.
Only use windshield washer fluid mixed
with anti-freeze protection in freezing
weather conditions:
Using windshield washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing
weather conditions is dangerous as
it could freeze on the windshield and
block your vision which could cause
an accident. In addition, make sure
the windshield is sufficiently warmed
using the defroster before spraying the
washer fluid. NOTE
If the windshield wipers are operated
under cold weather conditions or
during snowfall, they could stop due to
accumulated snow on the windshield.
If the windshield wipers stop due to
accumulated snow on the windshield,
park the vehicle in a safe place, turn the
wiper switch off, and then remove the
accumulated snow. If the wiper switch is
turned to another position other than OFF,
the wipers will operate. If the wipers do
not operate even though the wiper switch
is turned to a position other than OFF,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
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4 –52 When Driving
Switches and Controls Windshield WipersTurn the wipers on by pressing the lever
up or down.
With intermittent wiper
Switch
Position Wiper operation
Operation while pulling up lever
Stop
Intermittent
Low speed
High speed Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to the intermittent position
and choose the interval timing by rotating
the ring.
INT ring
FastSlow
With auto-wiper control
Switch
Position Wiper operation
Operation while pulling up lever
Stop
Auto control
Low speed
High speed
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4 –53 When Driving
Switches and ControlsAuto-wiper control
When the wiper lever is in the
position, the rain sensor senses the amount
of rainfall on the windshield and turns the
wipers on or off automatically (off—
intermittent—low speed—high speed).
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be
adjusted by turning the switch on the
wiper lever.
From the center position (normal), rotate
the switch upward for higher sensitivity
(faster response) or rotate it downward for
less sensitivity (slower response).
Higher sensitivity Less sensitivity
Switch
Center
positionCAUTION 
Do not shade the rain sensor by
adhering a sticker or a label on the
windshield. Otherwise the rain sensor
will not operate correctly.

When the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition is switched ON,
the wipers may move automatically in
the following cases: 
If the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched or wiped with a
cloth. 
If the windshield is struck with a hand
or other object from either outside or
inside the vehicle.
Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windshield when the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition is
switched ON as fingers could be pinched
or the wipers and wiper blades damaged
when the wipers activate automatically.
If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off
completely (when it is most likely
that the engine is left running) this is
particularly important when clearing ice
and snow.
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4 –54 When Driving
Switches and Controls NOTE 
Switching the auto-wiper lever from the
to the position while driving
activates the windshield wipers once,
after which they operate according to
the rainfall amount. 
The auto-wiper control may not operate
when the rain sensor temperature is
about -10 °C (14 °F) or lower, or about
85 °C (185 °F) or higher. 
If the windshield is coated with water
repellent, the rain sensor may not be
able to sense the amount of rainfall
correctly and the auto-wiper control
may not operate properly. 
If dirt or foreign matter (such as ice or
matter containing salt water) adheres
to the windshield above the rain sensor,
or if the windshield is iced, it could
cause the wipers to move automatically.
However, if the wipers cannot remove
this ice, dirt or foreign matter, the auto-
wiper control will stop operation. In
this case, set the wiper lever to the low
speed position or high speed position
for manual operation, or remove the ice,
dirt or foreign matter by hand to restore
the auto-wiper operation. 
If the auto-wiper lever is left in the
position, the wipers could operate
automatically from the effect of strong
light sources, electromagnetic waves, or
infrared light because the rain sensor
uses an optical sensor. It is
recommended that the auto-wiper lever
be switched to the
position other
than when driving the vehicle under
rainy conditions. 
The auto-wiper control functions can
be turned off. Refer to Personalization
Features on page 9-9 . Windshield Washer Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid. WasherOFF
NOTE
If the windshield washer is turned on when
the windshield wipers are not operating,
the windshield wipers operate a few times.
If the washer does not work, inspect the
fluid level (page 6-31 ). If the fluid level
is normal, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 54 2016/08/11 20:28:55

6 –33 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Wiper BladesCAUTION 
Hot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect the
wiper's ability to clean windows. 
To prevent damage to the wiper blades,
do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near
them. 
When the wiper lever is in the AUTO
position and the ignition is switched ON,
the wipers may move automatically in
the following cases: 
If the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched. 
If the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth. 
If the windshield is struck with a hand
or other object. 
If the rain sensor is struck with a hand
or other object from inside the vehicle.
Be careful not to pinch hands or fingers
as it may cause injury, or damage the
wipers. When washing or servicing the
vehicle, make sure the wiper lever is in
the OFF position.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary. Replacing Windshield Wiper
Blades When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, do not try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
NOTE
When raising both windshield wiper arms,
raise the driver's side wiper arm first.
When lowering the wiper arms, slowly
lower the wiper arm from the passenger's
side first while supporting it with your
hand. Forcefully lowering the wiper arms
could damage the wiper arm and blade,
and may scratch or crack the windshield.
(Type A)
1. Raise the wiper arm.
2. Open the clip and slide the blade
assembly in the direction of the arrow.
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6 –57 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
*Some models.DESCRIPTION FUSE
RATING PROTECTED COMPONENT
18 A/C MAG 7.5 A Air conditioner
19 AT PUMP
H/L HI 20 A Transmission control system *
20 AT 15 A Transmission control system *
21 D LOCK 25 A Power door locks
22 H/L RH 20 A Headlight (RH)
23
ENG
B2 7.5 A Engine control system
24 TAIL 20 A Taillights, License plate lights, Parking lights
25 DRL 15 A —
26 ROOM 25 A Overhead light
27 FOG 15 A —
28 H/CLEAN 20 A —
29 STOP 10 A Brake lights
30 HORN 15 A Horn
31 H/L LH 20 A Headlight (LH)
32 ABS/DSC S 30 A ABS, Dynamic stability control system
33 HAZARD 15 A Hazard warning flashers, Turn signal lights
34 FUEL PUMP 15 A Fuel system
35
ENG B3 5 A —
36 WIPER 20 A Windshield wipers
37
CABIN
B 50 A For protection of various circuits
38 — — —
39 — — —
40 ABS/DSC M 50 A ABS, Dynamic stability control system
41 EVVT
A/R PUMP 20 A Engine control system
42 EVPS 30 A Brake control system
43 FAN1 30 A Cooling fan
44 FAN2 40 A —
45 ENG.MAIN 40 A Engine control system
46 EPS 60 A Power steering system
47 DEFOG 30 A Rear window defogger
48 IG2 30 A For protection of various circuits
49 INJECTOR 30 A Engine control system
50 HEATER 40 A Air conditioner
51 — — —
52 — — —
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