NOTE
Function number 3 in the following
table is the factory setting for your
vehicle.
There are only a total of six auto lock/
unlock settings available for automatic
transmission vehicles, and three for
manual transmission vehicles. Be sure to
press the unlock side of the driver's
door-lock switch the correct number of
times according to the selected function
number. If the switch is mistakenly
pressed seven times on an automatic
transmission vehicle or four times on a
manual transmission, the procedure will
be cancelled. If this occurs, start the
procedure from the beginning.
Functionnumber Function*1
1The auto door-lock function is disa‐
bled.
2 Both the doors and the fuel-filler lid
lock automatically when the vehicle
speed is about 20 km/h (12 mph) or
more.
3 (Factory Setting) Both the doors and the fuel-filler lid
lock automatically when the vehicle
speed is about 20 km/h (12 mph) or
more. Both the door
s and the fuel-fill‐
er lid unlock when the ignition is
switched from ON to Off.
4 (Automatic transmission vehicles
only)
When the ignition is switched ON
and the selector lever is shifted from
park (P) to any ot
her gear position,
both the doors and the fuel-filler lid
lock automatically.
Function number Function*1
5(Automatic transmission vehicles
only)
When the ignition is switched ON
and the selector lever is shifted from
park (P) to any other gear position,
both the doors and
the fuel-filler lid
lock automatically.
When the selector lever is shifted to
park (P) while the i gnition is switched
ON, both the doors and the fuel-filler
lid unlock automatically.
6 (Automatic transmission vehicles
only)
Both the doors and the fuel-filler lid
lock automatically when the vehicle
speed is about 20 km/h (12 mph) or
more.
When the selector lever is shifted to
park (P) while the i
gnition is switched
ON, both the doors and the fuel-filler
lid unlock automatically.
*1 Other settings for the au to door lock function are
available at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. For
details consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
Settings can be changed using the
following procedure.
1. Safely park the vehicle. Both doors
and the fuel-filler lid must remain
closed.
2. Switch the ignition ON.
3. Press and hold the lock side of the driver's door-lock switch within 20
seconds of switching the ignition ON,
and make sure a beep sound is heard
about eight seconds afterwards.
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
3-17
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
4. Refer to the auto lock/unlock function
setting table, determine the function
number for the desired setting. Press
the unlock side of the driver's
door-lock switch the same number of
times as the selected function number
(Ex. If you select function 2, press the
unlock side of the switch only 2 times).
5. Three seconds after the function
setting has been changed, a beep sound
will beep in the amount of the selected
function number. (Ex. Function
number 3 = 3 beep sounds)
(Manual transmission vehicles)
Press 2 times
Press 3 times
Current Function Number
Function Number 1
Function Number 2
Function Number 3 Press 4 times
Press unlock side of
lock switch once
Cancel setting Cancel setting
Function set (The
number of beeps
heard is the same as
the selected function
number)
Press lock side of
lock switch
Wait for 3 second
(Automatic transmission vehicles)
Press unlock side of
lock switch once
Press 2 times
Press 3 times
Current Function Number
Function Number 1
Function Number 2
Press 4 times
Function Number 3
Press 5 times
Function Number 4
Press 7 times
Function Number 5
Press 6 times
Function Number 6
Cancel setting Cancel setting
Function set (The
number of beeps
heard is the same as
the selected function
number)
Press lock side of
lock switch
Wait for 3 second
NOTE
The doors and the fuel-filler lid cannot
be locked or unlocked while the setting
function is being performed.
The procedure can be cancelled by
pressing the lock side of the driver's
door-lock switch.
▼ Locking, Unlocking with Door-Lock
Knob
Operation from inside
To lock any door from the inside, press the
door-lock knob.
To unlock, pull it outward.
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
3-18
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3
2018-7-17 15:48:16
When flashing
This indicates that the roof is being open/closed. (During switch operation)
When not illuminated
This indicates that the roof is open/closed fully.
NOTE
If the operation indicator light flashes quickly, there may be a system malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Roof operation display
The roof operation status is i ndicated on the multi-information display.
▼Opening the Roof
When opening the roof, make sure objects
inside the vehicle are not blown away by
the wind. Secure all loose objects inside
before driving with
the roof down.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground in a
safe place where the vehicle does not
obstruct traffic.
Shift the shift lever to neutral on a
manual transmission vehicle.
Shift the selector lever to P on an
automatic transmi ssion vehicle.
Apply the parking brake.
2. Make sure that the trunk is closed.
3. Start the engine to prevent the battery from going dead.
4. Continue pressing the retractablehardtop switch in the open direction
until the roof open ing operation is
completed. When the opening
operation is completed, a beep sound is
activated and the operation indicator
light turns off.
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Hardtop)
3-41
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
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
Ignition Switch
▼Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches
in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
Indicator light
NOTE
The engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the clutch
pedal (manual transmission) or the
brake pedal (automatic transmission).
To switch the ignition position, press the
push button start without depressing the
pedal.
Do not leave the ignition switched ON
while the engine is not running. Doing
so could result in the battery going
dead. If the ignition is left in ACC (For
automatic transmission, the selector
lever is in the P position, and the
ignition is in ACC), the ignition switches
off automatically af ter about 25 minutes.
Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start
indicator light (amber) also turns off.
WA R N I N G
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector lever is in
P (automatic transmission) position or in
1st gear or R (manual transmission):
Leaving the driver's seat without switching
the ignition off, setting the parking brake,
and shifting the selector lever to P
(automatic transmission) position or to 1st
gear or R (manual transmission) is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle movement
could occur which could result in an
accident.
In addition, if your intention is to leave the
vehicle for even a short period, it is
important to switch the ignition off, as
leaving it in another position will disable
some of the vehicle's security systems and
run the battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been
pressed to ACC, and the doors will not
lock/unlock even if they have been locked
manually.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-4
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
This is for improved exhaust gas
purification and does not indicate any
parts defect.
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
1. Make sure you are carrying the key.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Continue to press the brake pedal firmly until the engine has completely
started.
5. (Manual transmission)
Continue to press the clutch pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transmission)
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not depressed
sufficiently.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the
selector lever is not in P or N and the
brake pedal is not depressed
sufficiently.
6. Verify that the KEY indicator light
(green) in the instr ument cluster and
the push button start indicator light
(green) illuminate.
Indicator light
Push button start
KEY indicator light
(green)/ KEY
warning light (red)
NOTE
If the push button start indicator
light (green) flashes, make sure that
the key is being carried.
If the push button start indicator
light (green) flashes with the key
being carried, touch the key to the
push button start and start the
engine. Refer to Engine Start
Function When Key Battery is Dead
on page 4-8.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-6
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16
CAUTION
If the KEY warning light (red)
illuminates, or the push button start
indicator light (amber) flashes, this
could indicate a problem with the
engine starting system. This may
prevent the engine from starting or
from switching the ignition to ACC or
ON. Have your vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
NOTE
Under the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) flashes after
the push button start is pressed. This
informs the driver that the push
button start will not switch to ACC
even if it is pressed from off.
The key battery is dead.
The key is out of operational
range.
The key is placed in areas where it
is difficult for the system to detect
the signal (page 3-7).
A key from another manufacturer
similar to the key is in the
operational range.
(Forced engine starting method)
If the KEY warning light (red)
illuminates, or the push button start
indicator light (amber) flashes, this
could indicate that the engine may
not start using the usual starting
method. Have your vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible. If this occurs, the
engine can be force-started. Press
and hold the push button start until
the engine starts. Other procedures
necessary for starting the engine,
such as having the key in the cabin,
and depressing the clutch pedal
(manual transmission) or the brake
pedal (automatic transmission) are
required.
When the engine is force-started, the
KEY warning light (red) remains
illuminated and the push button start
indicator light (amber) remains
flashing.
(Automatic transmission)
When the selector lever is in the
neutral (N) position, the KEY
indicator light (green) and the push
button start indicator light (green)
do not illuminate.
7. Press the push button start after both the KEY indicator light (green) in the
instrument cluster and the push button
start indicator light (green) illuminate.
NOTE
After starting the engine, the push
button start indicator light (amber)
turns off and the ignition switches to
the ON position.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-7
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16