steering MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2021 User Guide

Meters and Gauges

Type A
Type B
Steering Switch (With Multi-information Display)
(Without Multi-information Display)
Instrument Cluster
ƒ
Speedometer.................................................... ...................................................... page 4-13
„ Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector................... ................................. page 4-13
… Tachometer..................................................... ....................................................... page 4-14
† Engine Coolant Temperatu re Gauge..................................................................... page 4-15
‡ Fuel Gauge............................................................................................................ page 4-1 5
ˆ Dashboard Illumination......................................... ................................................page 4-16
‰ Outside Temperature Display................................................................................ page 4-17
Š Cruise Control Set Vehicle Speed Display....................... ..................................... page 4-17
‹ Trip Computer and INFO Switch.......................................................................... page 4-17
ΠMulti-information Display an d INFO Switch....................................................... page 4-19
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
4-12
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Warning/Indicator Lights
Instrument Cluster varies depending on model and specifications.
Center of Dashboard
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Type A
(With Multi-information Display)
Type B
(Without Multi-information Display)
Instrument Cluster
▼
Warning Indication/Warning Lights
These lights turn on or flash to
notify the user of the system operation status or a system
malfunction.
Signal Warning Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light*1*27-33
Charging System Warning Indication/Warning Light*17-33
Engine Oil Warning Light*17-33
(Red)High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Indication/Warning
Light*17-33
Power Steering Malfunction In
dication/Malfunction Indicator
Light*17-33
*Master Warning Indication/Warning Light*17-36
Electric Vacuum Pump Warning Light*17-36
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.4-27
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Manual Shift Mode
The manual shift mode gives you the feel
of driving a manual transmission vehicle
by allowing you to operate the selector
lever manually. This allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the drive wheels
much like a manual transmission when
more control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.

NOTE
Changing to manual shift mode while
driving will not damage the transmission.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift the
lever from M to D.
NOTE
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator pedal
when driving in D range, 5th gear/6th
gear, the gear will shift to M4/M5.
▼Indicators
Manual shift mode indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication in
the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indication
The numeral for th e selected gear
illuminates.

Manual shift mode indication
Gear position indication
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the gear
position indication will flash twice to
signal that the gears cannot be shifted
down (to protect the transmission).
▼ Manually Shifting Up
You can shift gears up by operating the
selector lever or the steering shift
switches
*.
M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 → M5 → M6
Using selector lever
To shift up to a h igher gear, tap the
selector lever back
once.

When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-38*Some models.
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Using steering shift switch*
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
(
) toward you once with your
fingers.

UP switch (+/OFF)
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel rim
when using fingers on the steering shift
switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of the
steering wheel when using the steering
shift switches is dangerous. If the driver's
air bag were to deploy in a collision, your
hands could be impacted causing injury.
NOTE
When driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up.
Do not drive the vehicle with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE
while in manual shift mode. In addition,
manual shift mode switches to automatic
shift mode while the accelerator pedal is
completely depressed.
This function is canceled while the DSC
is turned off. However, if the vehicle is
continuously driven at a high rpm, the
gears may automatically shift up to
protect the engine.
The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever is
in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch (
) is
pulled rearward for a sufficient amount
of time.
▼ Manually Shifting Down
You can shift gears down by operating the
selector lever or
the steering shift
switches
*.
M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2→ M1
Using selector lever
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the
selector lever forward
once.

When Driving
Automatic Transmission
*Some models.4-39
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Using steering shift switch*
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch
toward you once with your
fingers.

DOWN switch (-)
WA R N I N G
Do not use engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet, snowy,
or frozen roads, or while driving at high
speeds causes sudden engine braking,
which 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.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel rim
when using fingers on the steering shift
switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of the
steering wheel when using the steering
shift switches is dangerous. If the driver's
air bag were to deploy in a collision, your
hands could be impacted causing injury.
NOTE
When driving at high speeds, the gear
may not shift down.
During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed.
When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transmission will shift to a lower
gear, depending on vehicle speed.
However, the gears do not kickdown
while the DSC is turned off.
▼ Second Gear Fixed Mode
When the selector lever is moved back
while the vehicle speed is about 10 km/h
(6.2 mph) or less, the
transmission is set in
the second gear fixed mode. The gear is
fixed in second while in this mode for
easier acceleration from a stop and driving
on slippery roads such as snow-covered
roads.
If the selector lever is moved back
or
forward
while in the second gear fixed
mode, the mode will be canceled.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
4-40*Some models.
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Direct Mode*
Direct mode can be used for temporarily
switching gears by operating the steering
shift switch while the vehicle is being
driven with the selector lever in the D
position.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indication illuminate and the gear position
in use is illuminated.
Direct mode is canceled (released) under
the following conditions.
The UP switch () is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of time or
longer.
The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating).
The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.

Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct mode
may not be possible depending on the
vehicle speed. In addition, because direct
mode is canceled (released) depending on
the rate of acceleration or if the
accelerator is fully depressed, use of the
manual shift mode is recommended if you
need to drive the vehicle in a particular
gear for long periods.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
*Some models.4-43
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Driving Tips
WA R N I N G
Do not let the vehicle move in a direction
opposite to the direction selected by the
selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward with
the selector lever in a forward position, or
do not let the vehicle move forward with
the selector lever in the reverse position.
Otherwise, the engine may stop, causing
the loss of the power brake and power
steering functions, and make it difficult to
control the vehicle which could result in an
accident.
Passing
For extra power wh en passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
NOTE
The accelerator pedal may initially feel
heavy as it is being depressed, then feel
lighter as it is depressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how much
the accelerator pedal has been
depressed for performing kickdown, and
functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
While the selector lever is in the M
position and the DSC is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch to
automatic shift mode even if the
accelerator pedal is completely
depressed. Operate the selector lever.
Climbing steep gra des from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight and
grade steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
When Driving
Automatic Transmission
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▼Mirror Defogger*
The mirror defoggers defrost the outside
mirrors.

The mirror defoggers operate in
conjunction with the rear window
defogger.
To turn on the mirror defoggers, switch the
ignition ON and press the rear window
defogger switch (page 4-56).
Manual Climate Control System
Indicator light
Fully Automatic Climate Control
System
Indicator light
Horn
To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models.4-57
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Drive Selection*
Drive selection is a system to switch the vehicle's drive mode. When the sport mode is
selected, the vehicle's response against accelerator operation is enhanced. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely mak e maneuvers such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION
Do not use the sport mode when driving on slip pery roads such as wet or snow-covered roads.
It may cause tire slipping.
NOTE
When sport mode is selected, driving at higher engine speeds may increase fuel
consumption. Mazda recommends that you cancel sport mode for normal driving.
Drive mode cannot be switched in the following conditions:
ABS/TCS/DSC is operating
Cruise control is operating.
Steering wheel is being operated abruptly
▼ Drive Selection Switch
Press the drive sele
ction switch forward
(“
”) to select the sport mode.
Pull the drive selection switch back
(“
”) to cancel the sport mode.

NOTE
In the following cases, the drive
selection is canceled.
The ignition is switched OFF.
Cruise control is set.
Depending on the driving conditions
when sport mode is selected, the vehicle
may perform shift-down or slightly
accelerate.
When Driving
Drive Selection
4-70*Some models.
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Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when
the engine is running. If the engine is off
or if the power steering system is
inoperable, you can still steer, but it
requires more physical effort.
If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving or the steering
vibrates, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The warning light not ifies the driver of
system abnormalities and operation
conditions.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-27.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running. This
could damage the power steering system.
When Driving
Power Steering
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