MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2003 Owners Manual
Page 121 of 256
6-3
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Adjusting the Vents
Directing airflow
You can direct air flow by moving the adjustment knob.
Vent Operation
NOTE
When using the air conditioner, mist may come out from the vents. This is not a sign of 
trouble but a result of humid air being suddenly cooled.
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6-4
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Selecting the Airflow Mode
Dashboard and Floor Vents
Defroster Vents
Floor Vents Dashboard Vents Defroster and Floor Vents
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Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Control Switches
Temperature control dial
This dial controls temperature. Turn it 
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise 
for cold. Fan control dial
This dial allows variable fan speeds.
0
—Fan off
1 —Low speed
2 —Medium low speed
3 —Medium high speed
4 —High speed
Control Panel
A/C switch Fan control dial
Rear window defroster switch
Temperature control dial Air intake selector Mode selector dial(page 5-34)
Hot
Cold
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Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Mode selector dial
Turn the mode selector dial to select 
airflow mode(page 6-4).
A/C switch
Push the switch to turn the air conditioner 
on. The indicator light on the switch will 
illuminate when the fan control dial is on.
Push the switch once again to turn the air 
conditioner off.Air intake selector
This lever controls the source of air 
entering the vehicle.
It is recommended that under normal 
conditions the lever be kept in the outside 
air position.
Outside air position ( ) 
Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use 
this position for normal ventilation and 
heating.
Recirculated air position ( ) 
Outside air is shut off. Air within the 
vehicle is recirculated.
This position can be used when driving on 
a dusty road or in similar conditions. It 
also helps to provide quicker cooling of 
the interior.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function 
when the outside temperature 
approaches 0 
°C ( (32 ° F).
The Recirculated Air Position:
Using the   position in cold or 
rainy weather will cause the glass to 
fog up. Your vision will be hampered, 
which could lead to a serious 
accident. Do not use the   
position in cold or rainy weather.
WARNING
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Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Heating
1. Set the mode selector dial to the   
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the    position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the  hot position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired  speed.
5. If dehumidified heating is desired, turn  on the air conditioner.
Cooling (With Air Conditioner) 
1. Set the mode selector dial to the   
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the  desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired  speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and  temperature control dial to maintain 
maximum comfort.
NOTE
•If the windshield fogs up easily, set 
the mode selector dial to the   
position.
• If cooler air is desired at face level, 
set the mode selector dial at the   
position and adjust the temperature 
control dial to maintain maximum 
comfort.
• The air to the floor is warmer than 
air to the face (except when the 
temperature control dial is set at the 
extreme hot or cold position).
1
23
45
When using the air conditioner while 
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic, 
closely monitor the temperature gauge 
(page 5-19).
The air conditioner may cause engine 
overheating. If the gauge indicates 
overheating, turn the air conditioner 
off.
1
2
34
CAUTION
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Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Ve n t i l a t i o n
1. Set the mode selector dial to the   
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the    position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the  desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired  speed.
Windshield Defrosting and 
Defogging
1. Set the mode selector dial to the   
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the    position.
NOTE
•When maximum cooling is desired, 
set the temperature control dial to 
the extreme cold position and set 
the air intake selector to the   
position, then set the fan control dial 
to position 4.
• If warmer air is desired at floor 
level, set the mode selector dial at 
the   position and adjust the 
temperature control dial to maintain 
maximum comfort.
• The air to the floor is warmer than 
air to the face (except when the 
temperature control dial is set at the 
extreme hot or cold position).1
23
4
0 1
2
3
4
1
23
4
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Climate Control System
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired  speed.Dehumidifying (With Air 
Conditioner) 
Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold 
weather to help defog the windshield and 
side windows.
1. Set the mode selector dial to the 
desired position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the    position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the  desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired  speed.
5. Turn on the air conditioner.
Foggy Windshield:
Using the   position with the 
temperature control set to the cold 
position will cause the outside of the 
glass to fog up. Your vision will be 
hampered, which could lead to a 
serious accident. Set the temperature 
control to the hot or warm position 
when using the   position.
NOTE
• For maximum defrosting,  set the 
temperature control dial to the 
extreme hot position and the fan 
control dial to position 4.
• If warm air is desired at the floor, 
set the mode selector dial to the   
position.
WARNING
1
23
45
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Page 128 of 256
6-10
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Audio System
Power Antenna
The antenna automatically rises when the 
radio is turned on, and lowers when it is 
turned off.Radio Reception
AM characteristics
AM signals bend around such things as 
buildings or mountains and bounce off the 
ionosphere. Therefore, they can reach 
longer distances than FM signals. Because 
of this, two stations may sometimes be 
picked up on the same frequency at the 
same time.
FM characteristics
An FM broadcast range is usually about 
40—50 km (25
—30 miles) from the 
source. Because of extra coding needed to 
break the sound into two channels, stereo 
FM has even less range than monaural 
(non-stereo) FM.
Antenna
• To prevent damaging the antenna, 
retract it before entering a car wash 
facility or passing beneath a low 
overhead clearance.
• Make sure no one is near the 
antenna before turning on the radio 
to prevent injury or damage to the 
antenna.
CAUTION
Operating Tips for Audio 
System
Ionosphere
Station 1 Station 2
FM Station
40—50 km
(25—30 miles)
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Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Signals from an FM transmitter are 
similar to beams of light because they do 
not bend around corners, but they do 
reflect. Unlike AM signals, FM signals 
cannot travel beyond the horizon. 
Therefore, FM stations cannot be received 
at the great distances possible with AM 
reception.
Atmospheric conditions can also affect 
FM reception. High humidity will cause 
poor reception. However, cloudy days 
may provide better reception than clear 
days.
Multipath noise
Since FM signals can be reflected by 
obstructions, it is possible to receive both 
the direct signal and the reflected signal at 
the same time. This causes a slight delay 
in reception and may be heard as a broken 
sound or a distortion. This problem may 
also be encountered when in close 
proximity to the transmitter.Flutter/Skip noise
Signals from an FM transmitter move in 
straight lines and become weak in valleys 
between tall buildings, mountains, and 
other obstacles. When a vehicle passes 
through such an area, the reception 
conditions may change suddenly, 
resulting in annoying noise.
Weak signal noise
In suburban areas, broadcast signals 
become weak because of distance from 
the transmitter. Reception in such fringe 
areas is characterized by sound breakup.
Ionosphere
100—200 km (60—120 miles)
FM wave
FM wave AM wave
Direct
Reflected wave
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Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Strong signal noise
This occurs very close to a transmitter 
tower. The broadcast signals are 
extremely strong, so the result is noise and 
sound breakup at the radio receiver.
Station drift noise
When a vehicle reaches the area of two 
strong stations broadcasting at similar 
frequencies, the original station may be 
temporarily lost and the second station 
picked up. At this time there will be some 
noise from this disturbance.Operating Tips for Cassette Tape 
Player
Cleaning the cassette tape player
The tape head, capstans, and pinch rollers 
will gather oxide residue from cassette 
tapes. This can cause weak or wavering 
sounds and damage to the cassette tapes 
and player. Use a good quality head-
cleaning tape or a liquid cleaner cassette 
tape to remove it.
Should the unit not operate normally, 
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer. 
Never attempt to repair it or insert a 
screwdriver or anything else.
Handling the cassette tape player
The following precautions should be 
observed.
• Do not spill any liquid on the audio 
system.
• Do not insert any objects, other than 
cassette tape, into the slot.
Station 1
88.1 MHz Station 2
88.3 MHz
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