tow MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2004 Owners Manual

3-8
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Locking, Unlocking with Key
Either door can be locked/unlocked with
the key.
Turn the key toward the front to unlock,
toward the back to lock.

Locking, Unlocking with
Transmitter*
The doors can be locked/unlocked by
operating the keyless entry system
transmitter, refer to keyless entry system
(page 3-3).

Locking, Unlocking with Door-
Lock Knob
To lock any door from the inside, push its
door-lock knob.
To unlock, pull it out.
This does not operate the other door lock.
To lock any door with the door-lock knob
from the outside, push its door-lock knob
to the lock position and close the door.
This does not operate the other door lock.
Unlock
Lock
NOTE
When locking the doors this way, be
careful not to leave the key inside the
vehicle.
Lock
Unlock
Door-lock knob
*Some models.
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 8 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

4-1
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ......................................... 4-2
Fuel Requirements ..................................................................... 4-2
Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-3
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-4
Before Starting the Engine ........................................................... 4-5
Before Getting In ....................................................................... 4-5
After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-5
Driving Tips ................................................................................... 4-6
Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-6
Money-Saving Suggestions ....................................................... 4-6
Hazardous Driving ..................................................................... 4-7
Rocking the Vehicle ................................................................... 4-7
Winter Driving ........................................................................... 4-8
Driving In Flooded Area ........................................................... 4-9
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-10
To w i n g .......................................................................................... 4-11
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-11
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4-11
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
To w i n g
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Trailer Towing
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5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then pull the
handle up and press the button. Lower the
handle to the release position while
holding in the button.

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-18).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-27).
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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
NOTE
• Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
• The trip record will be erased when;

The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
 The vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
Don ’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
Red zone
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-11).
CAUTION
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5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-18).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again. If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-27).
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5-31
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Switches and Controls

Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the headlight
switch 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
Switch 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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5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Turn Signal
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
*Some models.
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5-34
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

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
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT
position, the wipers will operate
continuously until the lever is released.
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5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
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
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 36 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM