brake light MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA PRHT 2012 Owner's Manual

Black plate (182,1)
Traction Control System
(TCS)
í
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque and braking.
When the TCS detects driving wheel
slippage, it lowers engine torque and
operates the brakes to prevent loss of
traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
WARNING
Do not rely on the traction control
system as a substitute for safe driving:The traction control system (TCS)
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.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive
at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow: Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and/or ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF switch
(page 5-28).
q TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lIn addition to the indicator light flashing, a
slight lugging sound will come from the
engine. This indicates that the TCS is
operating properly.
lOn slippery surfaces, such as fresh snow, it
will be impossible to achieve high rpm
when the TCS is on.
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page182
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (185,1)
NOTElWhen DSC is on and you attempt to free the
vehicle when it is stuck, or drive it out of
freshly fallen snow, the TCS (part of the
DSC system) will activate. Depressing the
accelerator will not increase engine power
and freeing the vehicle may be difficult.
When this happens, turn off the TCS/DSC.
lIf the TCS/DSC is off when the engine is
turned off, it automatically activates when
the ignition is switched ON.
lLeaving the TCS/DSC on will provide the
best stability. When the TCS/DSC is off, the
TCS/DSC does not activate but the brake
LSD (Limited Slip Differentials) function
remains.
lIf the DSC OFF switch is pressed and held
for a second or more, the TCS/DSC system
may become inoperative due to the system
detecting a switch problem. If the TCS/DSC
system becomes inoperative, the TCS/DSC
and the DSC OFF indicator lights
illuminate simultaneously. In this case, turn
off the engine and restart it to restore the
TCS/DSC.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-29
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page185
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (197,1)
qEngine Oil Pressure Gauge
Normal range
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
within the normal range.
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 8-19). 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.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the oil
pressure is low. It could result in
extensive engine damage.
qDashboard Illumination
When the exterior lights are on, rotate the
knob to adjust the brightness of the
dashboard illumination.
Dim
Bright
NOTE
This symbol () indicates the knob to adjust
the brightness of the dashboard illumination.
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-41
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page197
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (198,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-44
Malfunction Warning Light5-44
Charging System Warning Light5-46
Check Engine Light5-46
ABS Warning Light5-45
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light5-46
Low Fuel Warning Light5-47
5-42
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page198
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (200,1)
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light illuminates when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switched
to START or ON. It turns 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.
Brake system warningí
Illuminates when there is a malfunction in
the brake switch.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
depress 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, open the
hood and check the brake fluid level
immediately, and then add fluid if
required (page 8-22).
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 turns off, 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
Do not drive with the brake system
warning light illuminated. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible:
Driving with the brake system
warning light illuminated 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
illuminated, after checking that the
parking brake is fully released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
qMalfunction Warning Lightí
When the ignition is switched ON, the
malfunction warning light illuminates and
then turns off after a few seconds.
The light stays on if the brake switch has
a malfunction. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
5-44
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page200
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (201,1)
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the
malfunction warning light illuminated.Driving the vehicle with the light
illuminated is dangerous as it could
result in the loss of brake power and
cause an accident. In addition, loss of
brake power could occur when
stopping the vehicle. Have your
vehicle inspected by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
qABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
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
lWhen the engine is jump-started to charge
the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs,
it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
l(With DSC vehicles)
The brake assist system does not operate
while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may illuminate the brake
system warning light and the ABS
warning light on simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-45
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page201
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (213,1)
qLights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a continuous
beep sound will be heard when the
driver's door is opened.
NOTE
When the advanced keyless function is used
and the start knob is in the ACC position, the
Start Knob Not in Lock Warning Beep (page
3-19) overrides the lights-on reminder.
qHeadlight High-Low Beam
Press the lever forward to turn on the high
beams.
Pull the lever back to its original position
for the low beams.
High beam
Low beam
q Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
towards you (the headlight switch does
not need to be on). The lever will return to
the normal position when released.
OFF
Flashing
qDaytime Running Lights (Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition is
switched ON.
NOTE
The Daytime Running Lights turn off when the
parking brake is applied.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-57
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page213
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (337,1)
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3 Scheduled Maintenance (USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico) ....... 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (Mexico) ............................................. 8-8
Owner Maintenance ................................................................... 8-15 Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................ 8-15
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-16
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-17
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-18
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-20
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-22
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-23
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-23
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-24
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-25
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-27
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-30
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-36
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-44
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-50 How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-50
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-52
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-58
8-1
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page337
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (372,1)
Light Bulbs
High-mount brake light
License plate lights
Trunk light
Reverse lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights
Rear side-marker lights
Overhead light
Headlights (Low beam) Headlights (High beam)Some models.
Fog lights
Front turn signal lights/Parking lights
Front side-marker lights
8-36
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page372
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (377,1)
Front turn signal lights/Parking lights
1. If you are changing the right bulb, startthe engine, turn the steering wheel all
the way to the right, and turn off
engine. If you are changing the left
bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
2. Make sure the turn signal switch is off.
3. Turn the center section of the plastic retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and partially peel back the
mudguard.
Removal
Installation
4. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the reverse orderof the removal procedure.
Rear turn signal lights, Reverse lights,
Brake lights/Taillights, Rear side
marker lights
Rear side marker lights
Due to the complexity and difficulty of
the procedure, the LED bulbs should be
replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Rear turn signal lights, Reverse lights,
Brake lights/Taillights
1. Make sure the ignition is switched offand the applicable light switch is off.
2. Lift the trunk.
3. Pull the center section of the plastic retainers and remove them, then
remove the trunk end trim.
Removal
Installation
4. Remove the trunk light connector.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-41
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page377
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F