mirror MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2020 User Guide
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Rocking the Vehicle
WA R N I N G
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow anyone
to stand behind a wheel when pushing the
vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous. The
spinning tire could overheat and explode.
This could cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever/
selector lever from 1 (D) to R position.
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-25.
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-23).
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
Use washer flu id made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (page
6-27).
NOTE
Do not use the parking brake in freezing
weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift
to P with an automatic transmission and
to 1 or R with a manual transmission.
Block the rear wheels.
Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
Do not open or close the soft top when
the temperature is 5 °C (41 °F) or less.
The material of the soft top could be
damaged by freezing.
Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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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 snow 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 cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
The vehicle is origin ally 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.
WA R N I N G
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 vehicle'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 4-118).
▼ Tire Chains
Check local regulations 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
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Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger clears fog from
the rear window.
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the defogger.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defogger. The rear window
defogger operates for about 15 minutes
and then turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates when the
defogger is operating.
To turn off the rear window defogger
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Manual Climate Control
Indicator light
Fully Automatic Climate Control
Indicator light
CAUTION
Do not use sharp instruments or window
cleaners with abrasives to clean the
inside of the rear window surface. They
may damage the defogger grid inside the
window.
Before opening the convertible top, make
sure the rear window defogger switch is
turned off. Otherwise the heat generated
from the defogger could damage the
convertible top and the internal material.
NOTE
This defogger is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the
defogger.
▼ Mirror Defogger*
The mirror defoggers defrost the outside
mirrors.
The mirror defoggers operate in
conjunction with the rear window
defogger.
To turn on the mirror defoggers, switch the
ignition ON and press the rear window
defogger switch (page 4-55).
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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Hazard Warning Flasher
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.
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
the turn signals will flash. The hazard
warning indicator lights in the instrument
cluster flash simultaneously.
NOTE
The turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning lights are on.
Check local regulations about the use of
hazard warning lights while the vehicle
is being towed to verify that it is not in
violation of the law.
HomeLink WirelessControl System
*
NOTE
HomeLink and HomeLink house icon are
registered trademarks of Gentex
Corporation.
The HomeLink system replaces up to 3
hand-held transmitters with a single
built-in component in the auto-dimming
mirror. Pressing the HomeLink button on
the auto-dimming mirror activates garage
doors, gates and other devices surrounding
your home.
HomeLink button
Indicator light
WA R N I N G
Do not use the HomeLink system with any
garage door opener that lacks the safety
stop and reverse feature:
Using the HomeLink system with any
garage door opener that lacks the safety
stop and reverse feature as required by
federal safety standards is dangerous. (This
includes garage doors manufactured
before April 1, 1982.)
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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▼Gate operator/Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit)
after several seconds of transmission ―
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up
the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian
law, some U.S. gate operators are designed
to “time-out” in the same manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
by using the “Programming” procedures
(regardless of where you live), replace
“Programming HomeLink” step 3 with
the following:
NOTE
If programming a garage door opener or
gate operator, it is advised to unplug the
device during the “cycling” process to
prevent possible overheating.
Continue to press and hold the HomeLink
button while you press and release ―
every two seconds (“cycle”) your
hand-held transmitter until the frequency
signal has successfully been accepted by
HomeLink. (The indicator light will flash
slowly and then rapidly.)
Proceed with “Prog ramming” step 4 to
complete.
▼ Operating the HomeLink System
Press the programmed HomeLink button
to operate a programmed device. The code
will continue being transmitted for a
maximum of 20 seconds.
▼ Reprogramming the HomeLink
system
To program a device to HomeLink using a
HomeLink button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink
button. DO NOT release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds. Without releasing the
HomeLink button, proceed with
“Programming” - step 1.
▼Erasing Programmed HomeLink
Buttons
To erase the existing programming from
all three operating channels, press and
hold the two outside buttons (
, ) on
the auto-dimming mirror until the
HomeLink indicator light begins to flash
after approximately 10 seconds.
Verify that the programming has been
erased when you resell the vehicle.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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▼Camera and Sensors
Forward sensing camera (FSC)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) determines the conditions ahea
d 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
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Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)*
The BSM is designed to assist the driver in checking the area to the rear of the vehicle on
both sides during lane changes by alerting the driver to the pr esence of vehicles approaching
from the rear in an adjacent lane.
The BSM detects vehicles approaching from the rear while travel ing in the forward
direction at a speed of 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster and turns o n the BSM warning lights
equipped on the door mirrors depending on the conditions. If th e turn signal lever is
operated to signal a lane change in the direction in which the BSM warning light is
illuminated, the system warns the driver of a vehicle in the detection area by flashing the
BSM warning light and activating a beep sound.
The detection area on this system covers the driving lanes on b oth sides of the vehicle and
from the rear part of the doors to about 50 m (164 ft) behind t he vehicle.
Detection areas Your vehicle
WA R N I N G
Always check the surrounding area visually before making an actual lane change:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at your rear when making a
lane change. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the BSM warning
light may not flash or it might be delayed even th ough a vehicle is in an adjacent driving lane.
Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the rear.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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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
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▼Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warni
ng Lights/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Warning Beep
The BSM or Rear Cross Traffic Al ert (RCTA) system notifies the driver of the presence of
vehicles in adjacent lanes to the rear of your vehicle using th e BSM warning lights and the
warning beep while the s ystems are operational.
BSM warning lights
The BSM warning lights are equi pped on the left and right door mirrors. The warning lights
turn on when a vehicle approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane is detected.
When the ignition is switched ON, the malfunction warning light turns on momentarily and
then turns off after a few seconds.
Forward driving (BSM system operation)
The BSM system detects vehicles approaching from the rear and t urns on the BSM warning
lights equipped on the door mirrors according to the conditions . Additionally, while a BSM
warning light is illuminated, if the turn signal lever is operated to signal a turn in the
direction in which the BSM warni ng light is illuminated, the BSM warning light flashes.
Reverse driving (Rear Cross Traf fic Alert (RCTA) system operation)
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles app roaching from the left and
right of your vehicle and flashes the BSM warning lights.
Function for cancelling illumination dimmer
If the BSM warning lights turn on when the parking lights are turned on, the brightness of
the BSM warning lights is dimmed.
If the BSM warning lights are d ifficult to see due to glare from surrounding brightness when
traveling on snow-covered roads or under foggy conditions, pres s the dimmer cancellation
button to cancel the dimmer and increase the brightness of BSM warning lights when they
turn on.
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-16.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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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
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