2018 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA warning

NOTE
The BSM will operate when all of the following conditions are met:
The ignition is switched ON.
The BSM switch is pressed and the BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is
turned off.
The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster.
The BSM will not operate under the following circumstances.
The vehicle speed falls below about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) even though the BSM OFF
indicator light is turned off.
The shift lever (manual transmission)/selector lever (automatic transmission) is shifted
to reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing.
In the following cases, the BSM OFF indicator light turns on and operation of the system
is stopped. If the BSM OFF indicator light re mains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the BSM warning lights is detected.
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred.
There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear). Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper.
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
The temperature near the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely hot due to driving for
long periods on slopes during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not
approach. The BSM determines the condition based on radar detection data.
A vehicle is traveling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed for an extended
period of time.
Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.
A vehicle in an adjacent driving lane is attempting to pass your vehicle.
A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.
In the following cases, the activation of the BSM warning lights and the warning beep
may not occur or they may be delayed.
A vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane two lanes over to an adjacent lane.
Driving on steep slopes.
Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.
The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections).
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-86
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent
lane.
Directly after pressing the BSM switch and the system becomes operable.
If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of
expressways.
The BSM warning lights may turn on in reaction to stationary objects on the road or the
roadside such as guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls, and parked vehicles.
Objects such as guardrails and concrete walls
running alongside the vehicle.Places where the width between guardrails or
walls on each side of the vehicle narrows.
The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels,
turnouts.
A BSM warning light may flash or the warning beep may be activated several times when
making a turn at a city intersection.
Turn off the BSM while pulling a trailer or wh
ile an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is
installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radar’s radio waves will be blocked
causing the system to not operate normally.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the BSM
warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors.
The door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffi c Alert (RCTA) function when the shift lever
(manual transmission) or the selector lever (automatic transmission) is shifted to the
reverse (R) position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on page 4-91.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-87
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

▼Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warni
ng Lights/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Warning Beep
The BSM or Rear Cross Traffic Al ert (RCTA) system notifies the driver of the presence of
vehicles in adjacent lanes to the rear of your vehicle using th e BSM warning lights and the
warning beep while the s ystems are operational.
BSM warning lights
The BSM warning lights are equi pped on the left and right door mirrors. The warning lights
turn on when a vehicle approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane is detected.
When the ignition is switched ON, the malfunction warning light turns on momentarily and
then turns off after a few seconds.
Forward driving (BSM system operation)
The BSM system detects vehicles approaching from the rear and t urns on the BSM warning
lights equipped on the door mirrors according to the conditions . Additionally, while a BSM
warning light is illuminated, if the turn signal lever is operated to signal a turn in the
direction in which the BSM warni ng light is illuminated, the BSM warning light flashes.
Reverse driving (Rear Cross Traf fic Alert (RCTA) system operation)
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles app roaching from the left and
right of your vehicle and flashes the BSM warning lights.
Function for cancelling illumination dimmer
If the BSM warning lights turn on when the parking lights are turned on, the brightness of
the BSM warning lights is dimmed.
If the BSM warning lights are d ifficult to see due to glare from surrounding brightness when
traveling on snow-covered roads or under foggy conditions, pres s the dimmer cancellation
button to cancel the dimmer and increase the brightness of BSM warning lights when they
turn on.
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-14.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-88
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

BSM warning beep
The BSM warning beep is activated simultaneously with the flashing of a BSM warning
light.
▼Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF
Indicator Light
When the ignition is switched ON, the
malfunction warning light turns on
momentarily and then turns off after a
few seconds.
The BSM OFF indicator light
illuminates when the BSM switch is
pressed to turn off the BSM and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems.
A malfunction in the system may be
indicated under the following
conditions. Have your vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The light does not turn on when the
ignition is switched ON.
The light remains turned on even if
the BSM switch is operated.
It turns on while driving the vehicle.
▼Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Switch
When the BSM switc h is pressed, the
BSM and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) systems are turned off and the
BSM OFF Indicator Light in the
instrument cluster turns on.
If the switch is pre ssed again, the BSM
and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
systems become operable and the BSM
OFF Indicator Light turns off.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched off, the
condition before the system was turned
off is maintained. For example, if the
ignition is switched OFF while the BSM
and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
systems are operational, the BSM and
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems
remain operational the next time the
ignition is switched ON.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-89
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)*
The RCTA system is designed to assist the driver in checking the area to the rear of the
vehicle on both sides while the vehicle is reversing by alertin g the driver to the presence of
vehicles approaching the rear of the vehicle.
The RCTA system detects vehicles approaching from the left and right sides of the vehicle
while the vehicle is being reversed out of a parking space, and notifies the driver of possible
danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights and the warning buzzer.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
RCTA operation
1. The RCTA system operates when the shift lever (manual transmi ssion) or the selector
lever (automatic transmission) is shifted to the reverse (R) position.
2. If there is the po ssibility of a collision with an approachin g vehicle, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning light flashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.4-91
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

WA R N I N G
Always check the surrounding area visually before actually putting the vehicle in reverse:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at the rear when putting the
vehicle in reverse. Due to certain limitations wi th the operation of this system, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning light may not flash or it might be delayed even though a vehicle is
behind your vehicle. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the rear.
NOTE
In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light turns on and
operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator
light remains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
lights has occurred.
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred.
There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear).
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
The temperature near the radar sensors becomes extremely hot due to driving for long
periods on slopes during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
The vehicle speed when reversing is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster.
The radar sensor (rear) detection area is obstructed by a nearby wall or parked vehicle.
(Reverse the vehicle to a position where the radar sensor detection area is no longer
obstructed.)
Your vehicle
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-92
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

A vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle.
Your vehicle
The vehicle is parked on a slant.
Your vehicle
Directly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch and the system becomes
operable.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
Snow or ice adheres to the door mirrors.
The door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
Turn off the RCTA system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as a bicycle
carrier is installed to the rear of the vehic le. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted by the
radar will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-93
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)*
Your vehicle is equipped with a Forward Sensing Camera (FSC). The Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) is positioned near t he rearview mirror and used by the following systems.
High Beam Control System (HBC)
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) determines the conditions ahea d of the vehicle while
traveling at night and detects traffic lanes. The distance in w hich the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) can detect objects v aries depending on the surrounding conditions.
CAUTION
Do not apply accessories, stickers or
film to the windshield near the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC).
If the area in front of the Forward Sensing Cam era (FSC) lens is obstructed, it will cause the
system to not operate correctly. Consequently, each system may not operate normally
which could lead to an unexpected accident.
 Do not disassemble or modify the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
Disassembly or modification of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) will cause a malfunction
or mistaken operation. Consequently, each sy stem may not operate normally which could
lead to an unexpected accident.
 Heed the following cautions to assure the correct operation of the Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC).
 The direction of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) has been
finely adjusted, therefore do
not change the installation position or remove the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
 Be careful not to scratch the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) lens or allow it to get dirty.
 Do not remove the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) cover.
 Do not place objects on the dashboard which reflect light.
 Always keep the windshield glass around the camera clean by removing dirt or fogging.
Use the windshield defroster to remove fogging on the windshield.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-94*Some models.
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27