ABS MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2006 Owners Manual

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Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and passenger always wear seat belts.
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way
when not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the passenger's seat lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two modes: emergency
locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.
Your vehicle is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for securing the LATCH child-
restraint system in the passenger seat but there is no child-restraint tether available. As
there is no rear seat on this vehicle, the preferred location for children, following the
manufacturer's instructions on the LATCH child restraint-system and this owner's manual is
important (page 2-23).
WARNING
Not Wearing Seat Belts:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not
wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out
of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision,
occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer. Always wear your seat belt and
make sure all occupants are properly restrained.
Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident:
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing
of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a
collision. Air bags and pretensioners work together, but whether a seat was occupied
or not, if any air bag deployed and whether a seat belt pretensioner deployed or not,
all seat belts and air bags must be inspected and replaced if necessary. Have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident before
they are used again.
Twisted Seat Belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt isn't available
to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could
cause serious injury or death. Don't wear twisted seat belts.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
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Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
ABS:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident. So don't rely on
ABS as a substitute for safe driving.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
lIf your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don't hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don't pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don't spin the rear
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear
wheels.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes
an indicator of leakage. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible even if the brake light is no
longer illuminated.
WARNING
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
fully released, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don't drive
with this light on, have the vehicle
towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
qAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)í
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
is about to lock up, the ABS responds by
automatically releasing and reapplying
that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal when the ABS operates. Don't
pump the brakes, continue to press down
on the brake pedal.
WARNING
ABS:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident. So don't rely on
ABS as a substitute for safe driving.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
qABS Warning Lightí
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-7íSome models.
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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.
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.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warningí
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 and the ABS warning light
on at the same time. The problem is likely
to be an electronic brake force distribution
system.
WARNING
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, have
the vehicle towed to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible.
qBrake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
5-8
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
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Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
í
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 5-7) and TCS (page
5-23).
WARNING
DSC and Unsafe Driving:
The dynamic stability control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident. So
don't rely on the dynamic stability
control as a substitute for safe driving.
CAUTION
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
lUse tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
lUse tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
lDo not mix worn tires.
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
when tire chains are used or a
temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
lIf repair or replacement of the
steering or other surrounding
equipment is necessary, have it done
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. If
the center position of the steering
deviates, the DSC may not operate
correctly because there is a sensor in
the steering which detects driving
conditions.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS or DSC is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
5-24
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
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Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-40
Charging System Warning Light5-41
Check Engine Light5-42
ABS Warning Light5-40
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light5-42
Low Fuel Warning Light5-43
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep5-43
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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qBrake 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
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.
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 8-21).
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 out have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes
an indicator of leakage. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible even if the brake light is no
longer illuminated.
WARNING
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
fully released, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don't drive
with this light on, have the vehicle
towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
q ABS Warning Lightí
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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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.
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.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warningí
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 and the ABS warning light
on at the same time. The problem is likely
to be an electronic brake force distribution
system.
WARNING
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, have
the vehicle towed to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible.
qCharging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
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 Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41íSome models.
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Wiper Blades
CAUTION
lHot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the wiper's ability to clean windows.
lTo prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline, kerosene,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
qReplacing Windshield Wiper Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand. 1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade
assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the windshield let
the wiper arm down easily, don't let it
slap down on the windshield.
2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull until the tabs are free of the metal
support.
Metal support
Ta b
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-25
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3. Remove the metal stiffeners from theblade rubber and install them in new
blades.
CAUTION
lDon't bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
lIf the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade's wiping efficiency could
be reduced.
So don't use the driver's side metal
stiffeners on the passenger's side, or
vice versa.
lBe sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was in
the old blade rubber. 4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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