warning lights MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2021 Owner's Manual
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Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting out
of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P position.
The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P position.
▼ Shift-Lock Override
If the selector lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure, continue
to hold down the brake pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped flat head
screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
Cover
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer to have the system checked.
Transmission Ranges
The shift position indication in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on
page 4-27.
The selector lever must be in P or N
position to operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transmissi on and prevents the
rear wheels from rotating.
WA R N I N G
Always set the selector lever to P position
and set the parking brake:
Only setting the selector lever to the P
position without using the parking brake to
hold the vehicle is dangerous. If P fails to
hold, the vehicle could move and cause an
accident.
CAUTION
Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is
moving can damage your transmission.
Shifting into a driving gear or reverse
when the engine is running faster than
idle can damage the transmission.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except under
rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 3-50).
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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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 Wireless
Control 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
4-58*Some models.
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Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when
the engine is running. If the engine is off
or if the power steering system is
inoperable, you can still steer, but it
requires more physical effort.
If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving or the steering
vibrates, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The warning light not ifies the driver of
system abnormalities and operation
conditions.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-27.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running. This
could damage the power steering system.
When Driving
Power Steering
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Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)*
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the headlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel after the headlights have
been turned on.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspe cted on page 7-36.
NOTE
Headlights do not blind drivers approaching in the opposite direction no matter what side
of the road you must drive your vehicle (left-hand or right-hand traffic). Therefore, it is
not necessary to adjust the optical axis of the headlights when switching temporarily to
driving on the opposite side of the road (left-hand or right-hand traffic).
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/
inoperable using the personalization function.
Refer to the Settings section in the Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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High Beam Control System (HBC)*
The HBC determines the conditions in front of the vehicle using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) while driving in darkness to automatically switch the headlights between
high and low beams.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) on page 4-103.
While driving the vehicle at a speed of about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the headlights are
switched to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or appr oaching in the opposite
direction.
The system switches the headlight s to low beams when one of the following occurs:
The system detects a vehicle or the headlights/lights of a vehi cle approaching in the
opposite direction.
The vehicle is driven on roads lined with streetlamps or on roa ds in well-lit cities and
towns.
The vehicle is driven at less than about 20 km/h (12 mph).
Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC)
The recognition distance of the
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
varies according to the
surrounding conditions.
The warning light turns on when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on page 7-36.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the vehicle height, modify th e headlight units, or remove the camera,
otherwise the system will not operate normally.
Do not rely excessively on the HBC and drive the vehicle while paying sufficient attention to
safety. Switch the headlights between the high beams and low beams manually if
necessary.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)*
The LDWS notifies the driver that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane.
The system detects the white or yellow lines on the traffic lane using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) and if it determines that the vehicle may be devia ting from its lane, it notifies
the driver by flashing the LDWS warning light and activating th e LDWS warning beep, and
by the multi-info rmation display (vehicles with multi-informati on display).
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow lines.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-103.
Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)
The warning light illuminates when the system has a malfunction .
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-27.
WARNING
Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately accordin g to the actual driving conditions, resulting
in an accident.
Driving on roads with tight curves.
Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
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
WARNING
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 though 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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NOTE
The BSM will operate when all of the following conditions are met:
The ignition is switched ON.
The BSM switch is pressed and the BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is
turned off.
The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster.
The BSM will not operate under the following circumstances.
The vehicle speed falls below about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) even though the BSM OFF
indicator light is turned off.
The shift lever (manual transmission)/selector lever (automatic transmission) is shifted
to reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing.
In the following cases, the BSM OFF indicator light turns on and operation of the system
is stopped. If the BSM OFF indicator light re mains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the BSM warning lights is detected.
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred.
There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear). Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper.
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
The temperature near the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely hot due to driving for
long periods on slopes during the summer.
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.
A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not
approach. The BSM determines the condition based on radar detection data.
A vehicle is traveling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed for an extended
period of time.
Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.
A vehicle in an adjacent driving lane is attempting to pass your vehicle.
A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.
In the following cases, the activation of the BSM warning lights and the warning beep
may not occur or they may be delayed.
A vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane two lanes over to an adjacent lane.
Driving on steep slopes.
Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.
The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections).
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 4-96.
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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