2020 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 sensor

i-ACTIVSENSE*
i-ACTIVSENSE is a collective term covering a series of advanced safety and driver support
systems which make use of a Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) and radar sensors. These
systems consist of active safety and pre-crash safety systems.
These systems are designed to assist the driver in safer drivin g by reducing the load on the
driver and helping to avert collisions or reduce their severity . However, because each system
has its limitations, always drive carefully and do not rely solely on the systems.
▼Active Safety Technology
Active Safety Technology supports safer driving by helping the driver to recognize potential
hazards and avert accidents.
Driver awareness support systems
Nighttime visibility
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)..................................................................... page 4-77
High Beam Control System (HBC)............................................................................ page 4-78
Left/right side and rear side detection
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS).................................................................page 4-81
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM).................................... ............................................... page 4-87
Road sign recognition
Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR).................................................................... page 4-92
Rear obstruction detection wh en leaving a parking space
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)................................ ............................................... page 4-98
▼Pre-Crash Safety Technology
Pre-crash safety technology is designed to assist the driver in averting colli sions or reduce
their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided.
Collision damage reduction in low vehicle speed range
Forward driving
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS).......................................................................... page 4-101
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.4-75
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

▼Camera and Sensors
Forward sensing camera (FSC)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) determines the conditions ahead of the vehicle while
traveling at night and detects traffic lanes. The following systems also use the Forward
Sensing Camera (FSC).
High Beam Control system (HBC)
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR)
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed at the top of the windshield near the
rearview mirror.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) on page 4-105.
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle
approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensors. The following
systems also use the radar sensors (rear).
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) are inst alled inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right
sides.
Refer to Radar S ensors (Rear) on page 4-109.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-76
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

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
4-88
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent
lane.
Directly after the BSM system becomes operable by changing the setting.
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 4-98.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-89
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

NOTE
Speed limit signs
When the vehicle speed is about 1 km/h (0.6 mph) or faster, the speed limit sign is
displayed when any one of the following conditions are met.
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) recognizes a speed limit sign as a sign targeted for
your vehicle and the vehicle passes it.
The speed limit sign stored in the navigation system is read (if the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) does not recognize a speed limit sign).
In the following cases, display of the speed limit sign stops.
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) recognizes the speed limit sign and the vehicle is
driven for a certain distance after passing the sign.
Each sensor determines that the vehicle has changed direction of travel.
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) recognizes a new speed limit sign which differs
from the previous one (displays the new speed limit sign).
The speed limit sign stored in the navigation system is not read within a certain period
of time (if the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) does not recognize a speed limit sign,
the speed limit sign stored in the navigation system is displayed).
The vehicle speed exceeds the displayed speed limit sign by 30 km/h (19 mph) or more
after a certain period of time has elapsed since the speed limit sign was displayed.
(Except when there is information for the speed limit sign in the navigation system)
Do not enter signs
A do not enter sign is displayed when all of the following conditions are met.
The vehicle speed is about 60 km/h (37 mph) or slower.
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) recognizes a do not enter sign as a sign targeted
for your vehicle and the vehicle passes it.
When the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) recognizes the do not enter sign and a certain
period of time has elapsed since the vehicle passed the sign, display of the do not enter
sign stops.
Stop sign
A stop sign is displayed when all of the following conditions are met:
The vehicle speed is about 30 km/h (19 mph) or slower.
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) recognizes a stop sign as a sign targeted for your
vehicle.
When a certain period of time has elapsed since the stop sign was displayed, display of
the stop sign stops.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-95
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

(With rear view monitor)
The RCTA warning indication in the rearview monitor also synchronizes with the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator light on the door mirro rs.
(With rear view monitor)
WARNING
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 with the operation of this system, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator lights may not flash or it might be delayed even though
a vehicle is behind your vehicl e. 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
indicator 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.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-99
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

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
A vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle.
Your vehicle
The vehicle is parked at an angle.
Your vehicle
Directly after the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system becomes operable using the
personalization feature.
Radio wave interference from a radar sensor equipped on a nearby parked vehicle.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning indicator 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 vehicl e. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted by the
radar will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-100
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

Radar Sensors (Rear)*
Your vehicle is equipped with radar sensors (rear). The following systems also use the radar
sensors (rear).
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle
approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensor.
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right
sides.
Always keep the surface of the rear bumper near the radar senso rs (rear) clean so that the
radar sensors (rear) operate normally. Also, do not apply items such as stickers.
Refer to Exterior Care on page 6-57.
CAUTION
If the rear bumper receives a severe impact, the system may no longer operate normally. Stop
the system immediately and have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
The detection ability of the radar sensors (rear) has limitations. In the following cases,
the detection ability may lower and the system may not operate normally.
The rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) has become deformed.
Snow, ice or mud adheres to the radar sensors (rear) on the rear bumper.
Under bad weather conditions such as rain, snow and fog.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
Stationary objects on a road or a road side such as small, two-wheeled vehicles,
bicycles, pedestrians, animals, and shopping carts.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.4-109
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06