MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2003 Owners Manual
Page 111 of 256
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Seat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver
’s seat belt is not fastened 
when the ignition switch is turned to the 
ON position, a beep will sound for about 
6 seconds.
 Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or 
ACC position, a beep will sound when 
any door is opened.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed 
from the ignition switch, a beep will 
sound when any door is opened.
Beeps
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Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Switches and Controls
Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the knob on the 
end of the control lever.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed 
from the ignition switch, a beep will 
sound when any door is opened.
Headlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beam.
Pull it back for low.
Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully 
toward you. The headlight switch need 
not be on, and the lever will return to the 
normal position when released.
Lighting Control
Lever Position OFF
Headlights Off Off OnTaillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights Off On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery, 
don't leave the lights on while the 
engine is off.
High beam
Low beam
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Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Tu r n  S i g n a l
Move the signal lever down (for a left 
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop 
position. The signal will self-cancel after 
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash 
after a turn, manually return the lever to 
its original position.
Green indicators on the dashboard show 
which signal is working.
Lane-change signals
Move the lever slightly toward the 
direction of the change 
—until the 
indicator flashes — and hold it there. It 
will return to the off position when 
released. Use this switch to turn on the fog lights. 
They help you to see as well as to be seen.
To turn on the fog lights, first turn on the 
headlight switch. Then press the fog light 
switch.
To turn the fog lights off:
(Type A) 
Press the fog light switch again or turn the 
headlight switch off.
(Type B) 
Press the left part of the fog light switch 
or turn the headlight switch off.
Turn and Lane-Change 
Signals
NOTE
If an indicator light stays on without 
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, the 
turn signal bulb may be burned out.
Right turn
Right lane
OFF
Left lanechange change
Left turn
Fog Lights
NOTE
The fog lights will turn off when the 
headlights are set at high beam.
Type A
Type B
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Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with 
the headlights on during daytime 
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights 
automatically turn on when the ignition 
switch is turned to the ON position.The ignition switch must be in the ON 
position.
Daytime Running Lights 
(Canada)
NOTE
The running lights go off when the 
parking brake is applied.
Windshield Wipers and 
Washer
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid in 
freezing temperatures is dangerous. 
The washer fluid could freeze on the 
windshield and block your vision.
You could have an accident. Don
’t use 
the washer without first warming the 
windshield.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam 
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is 
protected from motor breakdown, 
overheating and possible fire by a 
circuit breaker. This mechanism will 
automatically stop operation of the 
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper 
switch and park off the right-of-way, 
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and 
the blades should operate normally. If 
they don ’t resume functioning, consult 
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon 
as possible.
WARNING
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Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Windshield Wipers
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever 
down.
INT 
— Intermittent
I  — Normal
II  — Fast
One-touch wipers
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever 
forward and release it.
 Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to 
spray washer fluid.
If the washer doesn
’t work, inspect the 
fluid level (page 8-22). If it ’s OK, consult 
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
OFF
INT
I
II
NOTE
In the OFF or INT position, the wipers 
will operate continuously until the 
lever is released.
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Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
The rear window defroster clears frost, 
fog, and thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition switch must be in the ON 
position.
Press the switch to turn on the rear 
window defroster, the indicator light will 
illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn it off.To sound the horn, press around the   
mark of the steering wheel.
Rear Window Defroster
Don
’t use sharp instruments or 
window cleaners with abrasives to 
clean the inside of the rear window 
surface. They may damage the 
defroster grid inside the window.
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for 
melting snow. If there is an 
accumulation of snow on the rear 
window, brush it off before using the 
defroster.
CAUTION
Horn
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Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
The hazard warning lights should always 
be used when you stop on or near a 
roadway.
The hazard warning lights warn other 
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard 
and that they must take extreme caution 
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning flasher and 
all four turn signals will flash at once.
Hazard Warning Flasher
NOTE
•The turn signals don
’t work when 
the hazard warning lights are on.
• Check local regulations about the 
use of hazard warning lights while 
the vehicle is being towed. They 
may forbid it.
Hazard warning flasher
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Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
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6-1
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
6Interior Comfort
Use of various features for drive comfort, including air-conditioning and 
audio system.
Climate Control System .............................................................. 6- 2
Operating Tips  ......................................................................... 6- 2
Vent Operation ......................................................................... 6- 3
Control Panel  ........................................................................... 6- 5
Audio System  ............................................................................... 6-10
Antenna ................................................................................... 6-10
Operating Tips for Audio System ............................................ 6-10
Audio Set  ................................................................................. 6-17
Safety Certification .................................................................. 6-36
Interior Equipment  ..................................................................... 6-37
Sunvisors ................................................................................. 6-37
Interior Light  ........................................................................... 6-37
Lighter   .................................................................................... 6-38
Ashtray .................................................................................... 6-38
Cup Holder  .............................................................................. 6-39
Storage Compartments ............................................................. 6-40
Windblocker ............................................................................. 6-41
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6-2
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Climate Control System
Operating the Climate Control 
System
Operate the climate control system with 
the engine running.
Clearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow 
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in 
the cowling grille to improve the system 
efficiency.
Foggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid 
weather. Use the climate control system to 
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the air 
conditioner to dehumidify the air.
Outside/Recirculated Air 
Position
Use the outside air position in normal 
conditions. The recirculated air position 
can be used temporarily when driving on 
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the 
interior.
Parking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct 
sunlight during hot weather, open the 
windows to let warm air escape, then run 
the climate control system.
Not Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner at least once a 
month to keep internal parts lubricated.
Check the Refrigerant before the 
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before 
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant 
may make the air conditioner less 
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda 
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with 
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will 
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant 
or has a malfunction, consult an 
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Operating Tips
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