tow MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF 2017 (in English) Owner's Manual

7–2
If Trouble Arises
Parking in an Emergency
*Some models.
Parking in an Emergency
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 traf¿ c hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning À asher and
all the direction indicators will À ash. The
hazard warning indicator lights in the
instrument cluster À ash simultaneously.
NOTE

 The direction indicators 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.
Roadside Emergency
Triangle Retaining Strap
*
Keep the roadside emergency triangle in
the boot end trim and secure it with the
strap.
Strap
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7–5
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tyre
Tool Storage
NOTE
Your vehicle may or may not be equipped with a spare tyre, jack, and wheel brace. For
details, consult an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Tools are stored in the locations illustrated in the diagram.
Emergency flat tyre repair kit
Jack
Some models. Tool bag Wheel brace
Jack lever
Towing eyelet
Screwdriver
Wrench
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7–23
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Starting
Starting a Flooded Engine
If the engine fails to start, it may be
À ooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. If the engine does not start within
¿ ve seconds on the ¿ rst try, wait ten
seconds and try again.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the accelerator all the way and
hold it there.
4. Depress the clutch pedal (Manual
transmission) or the brake pedal
(Automatic transmission), then
press the push button start. If the
engine starts, release the accelerator
immediately because the engine will
suddenly rev up.
5. If the engine fails to start, crank it
without depressing the accelerator.
If the engine still does not start using
the previous procedure, have your
vehicle inspected by an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
Push-Starting
Do not push-start your Mazda.
WARNING
Never tow a vehicle to start it:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured.
CAUTION
Do not push-start a vehicle that has a
manual transmission. It can damage the
emission control system.
NOTE
You cannot start a vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing it.
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7–27
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an expert repairer, we recommend
an Authorised Mazda Repairer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary
to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
drive wheels (rear wheels) off the ground.
If excessive damage or other conditions
prevent this, use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
When towing with the rear wheels on the
ground, release the parking brake.
CAUTION
  Do not tow the vehicle pointed
backward with driving wheels on
the ground. This may cause internal
damage to the transmission.
  Do not tow with sling-type
equipment. This could damage your
vehicle. Use wheel-lift or À atbed
equipment.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, the vehicle may be towed with
all four wheels on the ground using the
towing hook at the front of the vehicle.
Only tow the vehicle on paved surfaces for
short distances at low speeds.
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7–28
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
CAUTION
Follow these instructions when towing
the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground.
 
 Shift to neutral (Manual
transmission), or the N position
(Automatic transmission).
  Switch the ignition to ACC. 
 Release the parking brake.
Remember that power assist for the
brakes and steering will not be available
when the engine is not running.
Towing Hooks
CAUTION
  The towing eyelet should be used
in an emergency (to get the vehicle
out of a ditch or a snow bank, for
example).
  When using the towing eyelets,
always pull the lead or chain in a
straight direction with respect to the
eyelet. Never apply a sideways force.
NOTE
When towing with chain or lead, wrap
the chain or lead with a soft cloth near
the bumper to prevent damage to the
bumper.
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7–29
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
Towing Hooks
1. Remove the towing eyelet and
the wheel brace from the luggage
compartment (page 7-5 ).
2. Wrap a À athead screwdriver or similar
tool with a soft cloth to prevent damage
to a painted bumper, and open the cap
located on the front or rear bumper.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
Do not use excessive force as it may
damage the cap or scratch the painted
bumper surface.
NOTE
Remove the cap completely and store it
so as not to lose it.
3. Securely install the towing eyelet using
the wheel brace or equivalent.
Consult an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Front
Wheel brace
Towing eyelet
Rear
Wheel brace
Towing eyelet
4. Hook the towing rope to the towing
eyelet.
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7–30
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
CAUTION
  If the towing eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when towing the
vehicle. Make sure that the towing
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
  Be careful not to damage the towing
eyelet and towing hook, vehicle
body, or transmission system
when towing under the following
conditions:
 


 Do not tow a vehicle heavier than
yours.
 


 Do not suddenly accelerate your
vehicle as it will apply a severe
shock to the towing eyelet and
towing hook or rope.
 


 Do not attach any rope other than
to the towing eyelet and towing
hook.
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7–32
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
Signal Warning
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 illuminate the brake system warning
light and the ABS warning light simultaneously. The problem is likely to be the
electronic brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer to have the brakes inspected as soon as possible:
Driving when the brake system warning light and ABS warning light are
illuminated simultaneously is dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the rear wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal circumstances.
Charging System
Warning Indication/
Warning Light If the warning light illuminates while driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. Consult an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer. CAUTION
Do not continue driving when the charging system warning light is illuminated
because the engine could stop unexpectedly.
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7–33
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
Signal Warning
Engine Oil Warning
Light This warning light indicates low engine oil pressure.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil pressure is low. Otherwise, it could result in
extensive engine damage.
If the light illuminates or the warning indication is displayed while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way on level ground.
2. Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the sump.
3. Inspect the engine oil level 6-20 . If it's low, add the appropriate amount of engine
oil while being careful not to over¿ ll.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil level is low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive
engine damage.
4. Start the engine and check the warning light.
If the light remains illuminated even though the oil level is normal or after adding oil,
stop the engine immediately and have your vehicle towed to an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
(Red)
High Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Indication/Warning
Light
The light À ashes when the engine coolant temperature is extremely high, and
illuminates when the engine coolant temperature increases further.
Handling Procedure
Flashing light
Drive slowly to reduce engine load until you can ¿ nd a safe place to stop the vehicle
and wait for the engine to cool down.
Illuminated light
This indicates the possibility of overheating. Park the vehicle in a safe place
immediately and stop the engine.
Refer to Overheating 7-24 .
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle with the high engine coolant temperature warning light
illuminated. Otherwise, it could result in damage to the engine.
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7–69
If Trouble Arises
When the Roof Cannot be Closed
5. One person pushes the rear roof down
and the other person pulls the rope
strongly and straight back towards the
vehicle rear until a click sound is heard.
Rope
NOTE
  The rear roof is locked completely if
the position where the rope is hooked
is at the rear end of the bracket
groove in the direction of the vehicle
rear, as shown in the ¿ gure, when
viewed from the vehicle interior.
Rope
Link pin
 
 If the rear roof is not locked
completely, the boot will not open
even if the remote release button
(if equipped), the electric boot lid
opener, or the boot button on the
transmitter is operated.
6. Do the same procedure on the other
side.
7. Open the boot and tie the rope to the
boot hinge.
Hinge
Rope
8. Tie off the other side rope the same
way.
9. Close the boot lid.
After ¿ nishing the procedure
A f t e r ¿ nishing the procedure, have the
roof checked at an Authorised Mazda
Repairer as soon as possible.
WARNING
Drive the vehicle at a speed of 40 km/h
(24 mph) or lower before having the
roof checked at an Authorised Mazda
Repairer:
The front roof may open while the
vehicle is being driven and cause an
accident.
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