The headlights turn off if the lever is
pulled again while the headlights are
illuminated.
▼ Leaving Home Light
The leaving home light turns on the lights
when the transmitte
r unlock button is
pressed while away from the vehicle.
The following light s turn on when the
leaving home light is operated.
Low beams, Parking lights, Taillights,
License plate lights.
To turn on the lights
When the ignition switch and the headlight
switch are in the following conditions, the
headlights will il luminate when the
transmitter unlock button is pressed and
the vehicle receives the transmitter signal.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed (30 seconds).
Ignition switch: off
Headlight switch: , , or
Lock button
Unlock
button
NOTE
Operation of the leaving home light can
be turned on or off.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9.
When the transmitter lock button is
pressed and the vehicle receives the
transmitter signal, the headlights turn
off.
When the headlight switch is turned to
the
position, the headlights turn off.
▼ Headlight Leveling
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
▼Daytime Running Lights
Some countries requir
e moving vehicles to
have their lights on (daytime running
lights) during the daytime.
The daytime running lights turn on
automatically when the vehicle starts
moving.
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated or the shift lever is shifted to the
P position (automatic transmission
vehicle).
NOTE
(Except Canada)
The daytime running lights can be
deactivated.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-9.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-48
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27
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 wi per 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.
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 wi pers cannot remove
this ice, dirt or foreign matter, the
auto-wiper control will stop operation.
In this case, set th e 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.
If the headlight switch and the
windshield wiper switch are in
,
and the wipers are operated at low or
high speed by the auto wiper control for
several seconds, bad weather conditions
are determined and the headlights may
be turned on.
The auto-wiper control functions can be
turned off. Refer to Personalization
Features on page 9-9.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
4-52
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)*
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the headlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel after the headlights have
been turned on.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-26.
NOTE
Headlights do not blind drivers approaching in the opposite direction no matter what side
of the road you must drive your vehicle (left- hand or right-hand traffic). Therefore, it is
not necessary to adjust the optical axis of the headlights when switching temporarily to
driving on the opposite side of the road (left-hand or right-hand traffic).
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/
inoperable using the personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.4-75
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27
High Beam Control System (HBC)*
The HBC determines the conditions in front of the vehicle using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) while driving in darkness to automatically switch the headlights between
high and low beams.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-26.
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 appr oaching in the opposite
direction.
The system switches the headlight s to low beams when one of the following occurs:
The system detects a vehicle or the headlights/lights of a vehi cle approaching in the
opposite direction.
The vehicle is driven on roads lined with streetlamps or on roa ds 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 th e headlight units, or remove the camera,
otherwise the system will not operate normally.
Do not rely excessively on the HBC and drive the vehicle while paying sufficient attention to
safety. Switch the headlights between the high beams and low beams manually if
necessary.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-76*Some models.
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27
NOTE
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.
▼ To Operate the System
The HBC operates to s
witch the headlights
automatically between high and low
beams after the igni tion is switched ON
and the headlight sw itch is in the AUTO
and high beam position.
The HBC determines that it is dark based
on the brightness of the surrounding area.
At the same time, the HBC indicator light
(green) in the instrument cluster
illuminates.
The HBC determines that it is dark based
on the brightness of the surrounding area.
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 HBC
switches the headlights to low beams.
The low beams may not switch to high
beams when cornering.
Operation of the HBC function can be
disabled. Refer to Personalization
Features on page 9-9.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-77
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27
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 adjace nt white or yellow lines.
There are various road markings or lane markings of various shapes near an
intersection.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-81
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer regardi ng cleaning the interior side of the
windshield around the Forw ard Sensing Camera (FSC).
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer before performing repairs around the Forward
Sensing Camera (FSC).
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installe d to the windshield. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer for windshield repair and replacement.
When performing repairs around the rearvi ew mirror, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Do not hit or apply strong force to the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) or the area around
it. If strong force is applied, stop using the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and
the High Beam Control System (HBC) and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The direction in which the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is pointed has been finely
adjusted. Do not change the installation position of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) or
remove it. Otherwise, it could result in damage or malfunction.
NOTE
In the following cases, the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) cannot detect target objects
correctly, and each system may be unable to operate normally.
The height of the vehicle ahead is low.
You drive your vehicle at the same speed as the vehicle ahead.
Headlights are not turned on during the night or when going through a tunnel.
In the following cases, the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) may not be able to detect
target objects correctly.
When driving next to walls with no patterning (including fences and longitudinally
striped walls).
The taillights of the vehicle ahead are turned off.
A vehicle is outside the illumi nation range of the headlights.
The vehicle is making a sharp turn, or ascending or descending a steep slope.
Entering or exiting a tunnel.
Heavy luggage is loaded causing the vehicle to tilt.
Strong light is shone at the front of the vehicle (back light or high-beam light from
on-coming vehicles).
There are many light emitters on the vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead is not equipped with taillights or the taillights are turned off at
nighttime.
The vehicle ahead has a special shape. For example, a vehicle towing a trailer house or
a boat, or a vehicle carrier carrying a vehicle with its front pointed rearward.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-95
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27
Light Bulbs
Overhead lightSide turn signal lights
High-mount brake light
Trunk light
Front side-marker lights
Front turn signal lights
Headlights (Low/High beam)
P
arking lights
Daytime running lights
License plate lights
Brake lights
Taillights
Rear side-marker lights
Reverse lights
Rear turn signal lights
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-40
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27