2021 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF warning

▼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 retractable
hardtop switch in the open direction
until the roof opening operation is
completed. When the opening
operation is completed, a beep sound is
activated and the operation indicator
light turns off.
NOTE
If the retractable hardtop switch is
pressed in the open direction, a
warning beep sounds.
When pressing the retractable
hardtop switch while the windows
are closed, the windows open
slightly. If the switch is continuously
pressed in the open direction until
the roof opening operation is
completed, the windows return to
their original positions. However,
the windows may not return to their
original positions depending on the
conditions.
The roof keeps opening and the
operation indicator light flashes
while the retractable hardtop switch
is pressed in the open direction.
If the switch is released while the
roof is opening, the roof stops
opening. If the switch is pressed in
the open direction again, the roof
resumes opening.
When the roof is half-open, the front
roof resumes opening after the rear
roof is completely open.
▼Closing the Roof
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 vehicle.
Shift the selector lever to P on an
automatic vehicle.
Apply the parking brake.
2. Make sure that the trunk is closed.
3. Slightly slide the seats back if they are in the foremost position.
4. Start the engine to prevent the battery from going dead.
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Hardtop)
3-41
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01

5. Continue pressing the retractablehardtop switch in the close direction
until the roof closing operation is
completed. When the closing operation
is completed, a beep sound is activated
and the operation indicator light turns
off.

6. Close the windows using the powerwindow switch.
NOTE
If the retractable hardtop switch is
pressed in the close direction, a warning
beep sounds.
When pressing the retractable hardtop
switch while the windows are closed, the
windows open slightly. The windows do
not return to their original positions
even after the roof closing operation is
completed.
The roof keeps closing and the operation
indicator light flashes while the
retractable hardtop switch is pressed in
the close direction.
If the switch is released while the roof is
closing, the roof stops closing. If the
switch is pressed in the close direction
again, the roof resumes closing.
▼Operation Conditions
If the following conditions have been
satisfied, the roof can be opened/closed.
The ignition is switched ON.
Shift/selector lever is in a position other
than R (reverse).
Vehicle speed is 10 km/h (6.2 mph) or
less.
The trunk lid is closed.
The vehicle is tilted at an angle of 15
degrees or less.
CAUTION
If the vehicle speed exceeds 10 km/h (6.2
mph) during the opening/closing
operation, the opening/closing operation
of the roof stops midstream. If the roof
stops midstream, visibility at the rear may
be impaired or damage to the roof may
occur which could lead to an accident.
Operate the switch again with the vehicle
stopped, depending on the road and traffic
conditions, to complete opening/closing
operation of the roof.
NOTE
For the purposes of safety when
opening/closing the roof, follow the
instructions for Opening the Roof and
Closing the Roof.
If the roof cannot be closed even after
the operation conditions are all met,
have it checked at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The roof can be closed manually as an
emergency measure.
Refer to When the Roof Cannot be
Closed on page 7-57.
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Hardtop)
3-42
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old
2020-8-28 13:50:01

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_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01

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 3-5.
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_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01

Hazardous Driving
WARNING
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 4-66.
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
3-49
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01

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 4 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.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all 4 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 4-116).
▼ 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_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01

Overloading
WARNING
Be careful not to overload your vehicle:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and
the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of
the vehicle are on the Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard Label on the driver's door frame.
Exceeding these ratings can cause an
accident or vehicle damage. You can
estimate the weight of the load by
weighing the items (or people) before
putting them in the vehicle.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-53
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old2020-8-28 13:50:01

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............... 4-11
Instrument Cluster and Display ............
........................................................... 4-12 Meters and Gauges..................... 4-12
Multi-information Display and INFO
Switch
*....................................... 4-19
Warning/Indicator Lights............4-27
Manual Transmission
Operation......................................... 4-32 Manual Transmission Shift
Pattern......................................... 4-32
Automatic Transmission................. 4-35 Automatic Transmission
Controls...................................... 4-35
Shift-Lock System...................... 4-36
Transmission Ranges.................. 4-36
Manual Shift Mode..................... 4-38
Direct Mode
*.............................. 4-43
Driving Tips................................4-44
Switches and Controls..................... 4-45 Lighting Control......................... 4-45
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals........................................ 4-51
Windshield Wipers and
Washer........................................ 4-52
Rear Window Defogg er.............. 4-56
Horn............................................ 4-57
Hazard Warning Flasher............. 4-58
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
*.......................................4-58
Brake................................................ 4-62 Brake System.............................. 4-62
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
*.........4-65
ABS/TCS/DSC................................. 4-66 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)..........................................4-66
Traction Control System
(TCS).......................................... 4-67
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)..........................................4-68
Drive Selection................................. 4-70 Drive Selection
*..........................4-70
Power Steering................................. 4-72 Power Steering............................4-72
i-ACTIVSENSE............................... 4-73 i-ACTIVSENSE
*........................4-73
Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)
*........................................ 4-75
High Beam Control System
(HBC)
*........................................4-76
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
*.................................... 4-79
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
*.........
.................................................... 4-85
*Some models.4-1
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01