warning MAZDA MODEL MX-5 2020 Owners Manual (in English)

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 presence 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 both 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
*Some models.4-87
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

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
4-88
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

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
4-89
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

▼Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning 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 systems are operational.
BSM warning lights
The BSM warning lights are equipped 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 turns 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 warning light is illum inated, 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
4-90
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

BSM warning beep
The BSM warning beep is activated simultaneously with the flashing of a BSM warning
light.
▼Canceling Operation of Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM)
The BSM system can be set to inoperable.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-9.
When the BSM is set to inoperable, the
BSM and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) systems are turned off and the
BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument
cluster turns on.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched OFF, the
system status before it was turned off is
maintained. For example, if the ignition is
switched OFF while the BSM and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems are
operational, the BSM and Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems remain
operational the next time the ignition is
switched ON.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-91
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR)*
The TSR helps prevent the driver from overlooking traffic signs , and provides support for
safer driving by displaying traff ic signs on the multi-information display which are
recognized by the Forward Sensi ng Camera (FSC) or recorded in the navigation system
while the vehicle is driven.
The TSR displays the speed limit , do not enter, and traffic stop signs.
If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit sign indicated in the multi-information display
while the vehicle is driven, the system notifies the driver usi ng the indication in the
multi-information display and a warning sound.
NOTE
The TSR is not supported in some countries or regions. For information concerning the
supported countries or regions, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The TSR operates only if the navigation system SD card (Mazda genuine) is inserted in
the SD card slot. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.
Speed limit signs and do not enter signs
Sign recognized
Sign displayed
Instrument cluster Instrument cluster
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-92*Some models.
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

Stop sign
Sign recognized and
displayed at same time
Instrument cluster
WARNING
Always check the traffic signs visually while driving.
The TSR helps prevent the driver from overlookin g traffic signs and provides support for safer
driving. Depending on the weather conditions or problems with traffic signs, a traffic sign
may not be recognized or a traffic sign different from the actual traffic sign may be displayed.
Always make it your responsibility as a driver to check the actual traffic signs. Otherwise, it
could result in an accident.
NOTE
The TSR does not operate if there is a malf unction in the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC).
Under the following conditions, the TSR may not operate normally.
An object placed on the dashboard is reflected in the windshield and picked up by the
camera.
Heavy luggage is loaded in the luggage compartment or on the rear seat and the
vehicle is tilted.
The tire pressures are not adjusted to the specified pressure.
Tires other than standard tires are equipped.
The vehicle is driven on the ramp and surrounding area to or from a rest area or a
tollgate on a highway.
When surrounding brightness suddenly changes such as when entering or exiting a
tunnel.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-93
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

▼Excessive Speed Warning
If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit sign displayed in the multi-information display,
the area around the speed limit sign flashes 3 times in amber a nd the warning sound is
activated 3 times at the same time. If the vehicle speed continues to exceed the displayed
speed limit sign, the indication stops flashing and remains on. Check the surrounding
conditions and adjust the vehicle speed to the legal speed using the appropriate operation
such as depressing the brake pedal.
Instrument cluster Instrument cluster While 60 mph is displayed
50 mph is displayed
Vehicle driven at speed of 55 mph
The excessive speed warning is initially set to inoperable. If you want to activate the
excessive speed warning, change the setting in the personalizat
ion features. In addition, the
warning pattern and the warning activation timing differ depend ing on the setting contents.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
Warning pattern
Off: The excessive speed warning is not activated.
Visual: The area around the speed limit sign displayed in the d isplay flashes 3 times in
amber, and if the vehicle speed continues to exceed the display ed speed limit sign, the
indication stops flashing and remains on.
Audio & Visual: The area around the speed limit sign displayed in the display flashes 3
times in amber and the warning s ound is activated 3 times at the same time. If the vehicle
speed continues to exceed the displayed speed limit sign, the indication stops flashing and
remains on.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-96
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

Warning activation timing
 0: If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit sign displayed in the display, the
excessive speed warning is activated.
 5: If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit sign displayed in the display by 5 km/h
(5 mph), the excessive speed warning is activated.
 10: If the vehicle speed exceed s the speed limit sign displayed in the display by 10
km/h (10 mph), the excessive s peed warning is activated.
NOTE
In the following cases, the excessive speed warning stops operating.
The vehicle speed is less than the speed of the displayed speed limit sign. (If the
activation timing for the excessive speed warning is changed in the personalization
features, the excessive speed warning stops operating when the vehicle speed is less
than the changed vehicle speed.
A speed limit sign indication has been updated and the vehicle speed is lower than the
updated indication.
Display of the speed limit sign stops.
The warning indication is displayed at the same time the excessive speed warning sound
is activated if the vehicle speed exceeds the speed indicated on the speed limit sign.
Refer to Warning Sound is Activated on page 7-48.
If the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) incorrectly recognizes the actual speed limit sign
at a lower speed, the excessive speed alarm is activated even if the vehicle is driven at the
legal speed.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-97
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)*
The RCTA system is designed to assist the driver in checking the area to the rear of the
vehicle on both sides while the vehicle is reversing by alertin g the driver to the presence of
vehicles approaching the rear of the vehicle.
The RCTA system detects vehicles approaching from the rear left and right sides of the
vehicle, and the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is being reversed out of a parking
space, and notifies the driver of possible danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
warning indicator lights and the warning buzzer.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
RCTA operation
1. The RCTA system operates when the shift lever (manual transmi ssion) or the selector
lever (automatic transmission) i s shifted to the reverse (R) po sition.
2. If there is the possibility of a collision with an approaching vehicle, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning indicato r lights flashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-98*Some models.
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition2 _old 2019-8-29 16:18:06