2018 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 ABS

Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and passengers always w ear seat belts.

(Except Mexico)
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/sh oulder belts out of the way when
not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no pr ovisions for child-restraint systems and has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the passenger's seat lap/shoulder belt retractor opera tes in two modes: emergency
locking mode, and for child-res traint systems, automatic lockin g mode. If you must use the
passenger seat for a ch ild, slide the passenger seat as far back as possible and make sure any
child-restraint system is secured properly.

(Mexico)
All the seats have lap/shoulder belts. These belts have retract ors with inertia locks that keep
them out of the way when not in use. The locks allow the belts to remain comfortable on
users, but they will lock in position during a collision.
WA R N I N G
Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerou s. During a collision, occupants not wearing
seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out of the vehicle.
They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision, occupants wearing seat
belts would be much safer.
Do not wear twisted seat belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt is not available to
absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could cause
serious injury or death. So, if your seat belt is twisted, you must straighten the seat belt to
remove any twists and to allow the fu ll width of the belt to be used.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used in this
way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be crushed
together and seriously injured or even killed. Ne ver use one belt for more than one person at a
time and always operate the vehicle wi th each occupant properly restrained.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
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Hazardous Driving
WA R N I N G
Be 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 4-64.
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.
WA R N I N G
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 pedals 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.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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▼Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION

Chains may affect handling.
 Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph)
or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
 Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns.
 Avoid locked-wheel braking.
 Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
 Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the rear tires only.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as tightly as possible.
Always follo w the chain
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).
Driving In Flooded Area
WA R N I N G
Dry off brakes that have become wet by
driving slowly, releasing the accelerator
pedal and lightly applying the brakes
several times until the brake performance
returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the vehicle
pulling to one side when braking could
result in a serious accident. Light braking
will indicate whether the brakes have been
affected.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle on flooded roads
as it could cause short circuiting of
electrical/electronic parts, or engine
damage or stalling from water absorption.
If the vehicle has been immersed in water,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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4When 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
Manual Transmission
Operation......................................... 4-31 Manual Transmission Shift
Pattern......................................... 4-31
Automatic Transmission................. 4-34 Automatic Transmission
Controls...................................... 4-34
Shift-Lock System...................... 4-35
Transmission Ranges.................. 4-35
Manual Shift Mode..................... 4-37
Direct Mode
*.............................. 4-42
Driving Tips................................4-43
Switches and Controls..................... 4-44
Lighting Control......................... 4-44
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals........................................ 4-49
Windshield Wipers and
Washer........................................ 4-50
Rear Window Defogg er.............. 4-53
Horn............................................ 4-55
Hazard Warning Flasher............. 4-55
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
*.......................................4-56
Brake................................................ 4-60 Brake System.............................. 4-60
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
*.........4-62
ABS/TCS/DSC................................. 4-64 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)..........................................4-64
Traction Control System
(TCS).......................................... 4-65
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)..........................................4-66
Fuel Economy Monitor................... 4-68 Fuel Economy Monitor
*............. 4-68
Drive Selection................................. 4-71 Drive Selection
*..........................4-71
Power Steering................................. 4-73 Power Steering............................4-73
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SignalWarning Lights Page
ABS Warning Light*1
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution System Wa r n i n g
7-33
ABS warning 7-36
Check Engine Light*17-36
*Automatic Transmission Warni ng Indication/Warning Light*17-36
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light*17-36
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light*1
Flashing
7-36
Turns on 7-41
(Red)
*KEY Warning Indication/Warning Light*1
Turns on7-36
Flashing 7-41
(Amber)
*KEY Warning Indication 7-36
*Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) Warning Indication/
Wa r n i n g L i g h t*1
Turns on 7-36
Flashing 4-83
(Amber)
*High Beam Control System (HB C) Warning Indication/Warn-
ing Light*17-36
*Blind Spot Monitoring (BS M) Warning Indication 7-36
*Retractable Hardtop Warning Indication
7-36
LED Headlight Warning Light*17-36
Seat Belt Warning Light
7-41
*Door-Ajar Warning Light7-41
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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Antilock Brake System(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed o f each wheel. If one
wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.

The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue
to depress the brak e pedal without
pumping the brakes.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-26.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for safe
driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle too
closely), driving on ice and snow, and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and
road contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires wi ll build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
The sound of the ABS operating may be
heard when starting the engine or
immediately after starting the vehicle,
however, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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Traction Control System(TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by controlling
engine torque and braking. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque and operates the brakes to
prevent loss of traction.

This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-26.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely on the Traction Control System
(TCS) as a substitute for safe driving:
The Traction Control System (TCS) 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.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are covered
with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction devices on
snow and/or ice-covered roads is
dangerous. The Traction Control System
(TCS) alone cannot provide adequate
traction and you co uld still have an
accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-67).
▼ 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.
NOTE
In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating properly.
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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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 4-64) and TCS (page
4-65).

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.
WA R N I N G
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.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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