MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2018 Owners Manual

Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
Drive slowly. Braking performance can
be adversely affected if snow or ice
adheres to the brake components. If this
situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
▼Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never more
than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.

The vehicle is origin ally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WA R N I N G
Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could
be greatly affected and result in an
accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tires
with steel wire reinforcement in the
sidewalls (page 4-104).
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-53
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

▼Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION

Chains may affect handling.
 Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph)
or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
 Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns.
 Avoid locked-wheel braking.
 Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
 Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the rear tires only.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as tightly as possible.
Always follo w the chain
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).
Driving In Flooded Area
WA R N I N G
Dry off brakes that have become wet by
driving slowly, releasing the accelerator
pedal and lightly applying the brakes
several times until the brake performance
returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the vehicle
pulling to one side when braking could
result in a serious accident. Light braking
will indicate whether the brakes have been
affected.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle on flooded roads
as it could cause short circuiting of
electrical/electronic parts, or engine
damage or stalling from water absorption.
If the vehicle has been immersed in water,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-54
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

Overloading
WA R N I N G
Be careful not to overload your vehicle:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and
the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of
the vehicle are on the Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard Label on the driver's door frame.
Exceeding these ratings can cause an
accident or vehicle damage. You can
estimate the weight of the load by
weighing the items (or people) before
putting them in the vehicle.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-55
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition22017-10-31 14:07:27

Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce sp eed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.

Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle
Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle

This vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewa ll of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use care
and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or throug h potholes.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-56
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

Trailer Towing
Your Mazda is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
"Towing Description " (page 7-30) and
"Tiedown Hooks" (page 7-31) and
carefully follow the instructions.
Before Driving
To w i n g
3-57
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

MEMO
3-58
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition22017-10-31 14:07:27

4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine.............................. 4-4 Ignition Switch........ ..................... 4-4
Starting the Engine....................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off...............4-10
Instrument Cluster and Display............
........................................................... 4-11 Meters and Gauges..................... 4-11
Multi-information Display and INFO
Switch
*....................................... 4-18
Warning/Indicator Lights............4-26
Manual Transmission
Operation......................................... 4-31 Manual Transmission Shift
Pattern......................................... 4-31
Automatic Transmission................. 4-34 Automatic Transmission
Controls...................................... 4-34
Shift-Lock System...................... 4-35
Transmission Ranges.................. 4-35
Manual Shift Mode..................... 4-37
Direct Mode
*.............................. 4-42
Driving Tips................................4-43
Switches and Controls..................... 4-44
Lighting Control......................... 4-44
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals........................................ 4-49
Windshield Wipers and
Washer........................................ 4-50
Rear Window Defogg er.............. 4-53
Horn............................................ 4-55
Hazard Warning Flasher............. 4-55
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
*.......................................4-56
Brake................................................ 4-60 Brake System.............................. 4-60
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
*.........4-62
ABS/TCS/DSC................................. 4-64 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)..........................................4-64
Traction Control System
(TCS).......................................... 4-65
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)..........................................4-66
Fuel Economy Monitor................... 4-68 Fuel Economy Monitor
*............. 4-68
Drive Selection................................. 4-71 Drive Selection
*..........................4-71
Power Steering................................. 4-73 Power Steering............................4-73
*Some models.4-1
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

i-ACTIVSENSE............................... 4-74i-ACTIVSENSE
*........................4-74
Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)
*........................................ 4-75
High Beam Control System
(HBC)
*........................................4-76
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
*.................................... 4-79
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
*.........
.................................................... 4-85
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
*.....
.................................................... 4-91
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
*......
.................................................... 4-94
Radar Sensors (Rear)
*................ 4-96
Cruise Control................................. 4-98
Cruise Control
*........................... 4-98
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System.............................................4-103 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System...................................... 4-103
4-2*Some models.
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

MEMO
4-3
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition22017-10-31 14:07:27

Ignition Switch
▼Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
Each time the push button start is pressed,
the ignition switches
in the order of off,
ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button
start again from ON switches the ignition
off.
Indicator light
NOTE
The engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the clutch
pedal (manual transmission) or the
brake pedal (automatic transmission).
To switch the ignition position, press the
push button start without depressing the
pedal.
Do not leave the ignition switched ON
while the engine is not running. Doing
so could result in the battery going
dead. If the ignition is left in ACC (For
automatic transmission, the selector
lever is in the P position, and the
ignition is in ACC), the ignition switches
off automatically af ter about 25 minutes.
Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start
indicator light (amber) also turns off.
In this position the steering wheel is
locked.
*
WA R N I N G
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector lever is in
P (automatic transmission) or in 1st gear or
R (manual transmission):
Leaving the driver's seat without switching
the ignition off, setting the parking brake,
and shifting the selector lever to P
(automatic transmission) or to 1st gear or R
(manual transmission) is dangerous.
Unexpected vehicle movement could occur
which could result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to leave the
vehicle for even a short period, it is
important to switch the ignition off, as
leaving it in another position will disable
some of the vehicle's security systems and
run the battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
NOTE
The keyless entry system does not function
while the push button start has been
pressed to ACC, and the doors will not
lock/unlock even if they have been locked
manually.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-4*Some models.
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27