NOTE
The keys carry a unique electronic code.
For this reason, and to assure your
safety, obtaining a replacement key
requires some waiting time. They are
only available through an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Always keep a spare key in case one is
lost. If a key is lost, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
If you lose a key, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer will reset the electronic codes of
your remaining keys and immobilizer
system. Bring all the remaining keys to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to reset.
Starting the vehicle with a key that has
not been reset is not possible.
▼ Operation
NOTE
The engine may not start and security
indicator light may illuminate or flash if
the key is placed in an area where it is
difficult for the system to detect the
signal, such as on the dashboard. Move
the key to a location within the signal
range, switch the ignition off, and then
restart the engine.
Signals from a TV or radio station, or
from a transceiver or mobile telephone
could interfere with your immobilizer
system. If you are using the proper key
and the engine fails to start, check the
security indicator light.
Arming
The system is armed when the ignition is
switched from ON to off.
The security indica tor light in the
instrument cluster flashes every 2 seconds
until the system is disarmed.
Disarming
The system is disarmed when the ignition
is switched ON with the correct
programmed key. The security indicator
light illuminates for about 3 seconds and
then turns off. If the engine does not start
with the correct key, and the security
indicator light remains illuminated or
flashing, try the following:
Make sure the key is within the
operational range for signal transmission.
Switch the ignition off, and then restart the
engine. If the engine does not start after 3
or more tries, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the security indicator light flashes
continuously while you are driving, do
not shut off the engine. Go to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer and have it
checked. If the engine is shut off while
the indicator light is flashing, you will
not be able to restart it.
Because the electronic codes are reset
when the immobilizer system is repaired,
the keys are needed. Make sure to bring
all the keys to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer so that they can be programmed.
Before Driving
Security System
3-45
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
Theft-Deterrent System*
If the theft-deterrent system detects an
inappropriate entry into the vehicle, which
could result in the vehicle or its contents
being stolen, the alarm alerts the
surrounding area of an abnormality by
sounding the horn and flashing the hazard
warning lights.
The system will not function unless it's
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, follow the arming procedure
correctly.
▼ Operation
System triggering conditions
The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 30
seconds when the sys
tem is triggered by
any one of the following:
Unlocking a door with the auxiliary key,
door lock switch, or an inside door-lock
knob.
Forcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid.
Opening the hood by operating the hood
release handle.
Switching the ignition ON without using
the push button start.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until the driver's
door is unlocked with the transmitter.
(With the advanced keyless function)
The lights and horn can also be
deactivated by pressing the request switch
on a door.
NOTE
The trunk lid does not open while the
theft-deterrent system is operating.
If the battery goes dead while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the horn
will activate and the hazard warning
lights will flash wh en the battery is
charged or replaced.
▼ How to Arm the System
1. Close the windows and the convertible
top securely.
2. Switch the ignition OFF.
3. Make sure the hood, the doors, and the
trunk lid are closed.
4. Press the lock butto n on the transmitter
or lock the driver's door from the
outside with the auxiliary key.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once.
The following method will also arm
the theft-deterrent system:
Press the door-lock switch “
” while
any door is open and then close both of
the doors.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Press a request switch.
The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes twice per
second for 20 seconds.
5. After 20 seconds, the system is fully armed.
Before Driving
Security System
3-46*Some models.
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
NOTE
The theft-deterrent system can also be
armed by activating the auto relock
function with both the doors, the trunk
lid and the hood closed.
Refer to Transmitter on page 3-4.
The system will disarm if one of the
following operations takes place within
20 seconds after pressing the lock
button:
Unlocking any door.
Opening any door.
Opening the hood.
Switching the ignition ON.
To rearm the system, do the arming
procedure again.
When the doors are locked by pressing
the lock button on the transmitter or
using the auxiliary key while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the
hazard warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.
▼ To Turn Off an Armed System
An armed system can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter.
Starting the engine with the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Pressing a reque
st switch on the
doors.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
NOTE
When the doors are unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the transmitter while
the theft-deterrent system is turned off, the
hazard warning lights will flash twice to
indicate that the system is turned off.
▼ To S t o p t h e A l a r m
A triggered alarm can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button or the trunk
button on the transmitter.
Starting the engine with the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Pressing a request switch on the
doors.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
Before Driving
Security System
3-47
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
Rocking the Vehicle
WA R N I N G
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow anyone
to stand behind a wheel when pushing the
vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous. The
spinning tire could overheat and explode.
This could cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever/
selector lever from 1 (D) to R position.
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-24.
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-22).
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (page
6-26).
NOTE
Do not use the parking brake in freezing
weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift
to P with an automatic transmission and
to 1 or R with a manual transmission.
Block the rear wheels.
Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
Do not open or close the soft top when
the temperature is 5 °C (41 °F) or less.
The material of the soft top could be
damaged by freezing.
Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-50
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
Drive slowly. Braking performance can
be adversely affected if snow or ice
adheres to the brake components. If this
situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
▼Snow Tires
Use snow tires on
all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with sno w tires. Inflate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never more
than the maximum c old-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WA R N I N G
Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehi cle's handling could
be greatly affected and result in an
accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tires
with steel wire reinforcement in the
sidewalls (page 4-115).
▼ Tire Chains
Check local regulati
ons 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.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-51
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires astightly 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
3-52
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
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)
*.........4-63
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 Monito r...............4-68
Drive Selection................................. 4-71 Drive Selection
*..........................4-71
Power Steering................................. 4-73 Power Steering............................4-73
*Some models.4-1
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
i-ACTIVSENSE............................... 4-74i-ACTIVSENSE
*........................4-74
Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)
*........................................ 4-76
High Beam Control System
(HBC)
*........................................4-77
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
*.................................... 4-80
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
*.........
.................................................... 4-86
Traffic Sign Recognition System
(TSR)
*........................................ 4-91
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
*.....
.................................................... 4-97
Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS)
*.................................... 4-100
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
*......
.................................................. 4-103
Radar Sensors (Rear)
*.............. 4-107
Cruise Control............................... 4-109
Cruise Control
*.........................4-109
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System............................................. 4-114 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System...................................... 4-114
Rear View Monitor........................ 4-118 Rear View Monitor
*..................4-118
4-2*Some models.
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16