engine MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2003 Owner's Guide

5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
If the needle on the gauge doesn
’t move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3. If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it ’s low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn ’t move, have
your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Don ’t run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
CAUTION
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5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Warning/Indicator Lights
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-24
Charging System Warning Light 5-25
Check Engine Light 5-26
ABS Warning Light 5-26
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-27
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-27
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-27
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
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5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

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 8-17).
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 5-26).
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5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Charging System Warning Light
This warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light comes on 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 Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, after checking that
the parking brake is released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
Don
’t drive with this light on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
Don't continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated.
CAUTION
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5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Check Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
• The fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
• The engine
’s electrical system has a
problem.
• The emission control system has a
problem.
• The fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on, do
not drive at high speeds and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.

ABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you
’re driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function
normally as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
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5-27
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Light
If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system
is OK, the warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position or after the engine is cranked.
After about 6 seconds it goes out.
A system malfunction is indicated when the
warning light constantly flashes, stays on or
doesn
’t come on at all when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position. If any of
these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible. The system may
not work in an accident.

Low Fuel Warning Light
This warning light signals that the fuel
tank will soon be empty.
Refuel as soon as possible.

Seat Belt Warning Light
If the driver
’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the seat belt warning light
will remain on until the belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate correctly,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to charge
the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the
ABS warning light comes on. This is due
to a weak battery, not a malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform all servicing and repairs.
WARNING
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5-30
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Switches and Controls

Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the knob 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
Lever 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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6-2
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Climate Control System

Operating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.

Clearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in
the cowling grille to improve the system
efficiency.

Foggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the air
conditioner to dehumidify the air.

Outside/Recirculated Air
Position
Use the outside air position in normal
conditions. The recirculated air position
can be used temporarily when driving on
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the
interior.

Parking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.

Not Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner at least once a
month to keep internal parts lubricated.

Check the Refrigerant before the
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Operating Tips
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6-7
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Heating
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the hot position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
5. If dehumidified heating is desired, turn on the air conditioner.

Cooling (With Air Conditioner)
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
NOTE
•If the windshield fogs up easily, set
the mode selector dial to the
position.
• If cooler air is desired at face level,
set the mode selector dial at the
position and adjust the temperature
control dial to maintain maximum
comfort.
• The air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
1
23
45
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-19).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off.
1
2
34
CAUTION
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6-18
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Power/Volume/Sound Controls
Power ON/OFF
Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or
ON position.
Press the power/volume knob to turn the
audio system on.
Press the power/volume knob again to
turn the audio system off. Volume adjustmentTo adjust the volume, turn the power/
volume knob.
Turn the power/volume knob to the right
to increase volume, to the left to decrease
it.
Audio sound adjustment
1. Press the audio control knob to select
automatic level control, bass, mid-
range, treble or balance control. The
selected function will be indicated.
2. Turn the audio control knob to adjust the selected functions as follows:
Display
Audio control knob
Power/Volume knob
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the audio
system on for a long period when the
engine is not running.
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