MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF 2019 Owners Manual

Drive Selection*
Drive selection is a system to switch the vehicle's drive mode. When the sport mode is
selected, 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 the sport mode is selected, driving at higher engine speeds increases and it may
increase fuel consumption. Mazda recommends that you cancel the sport mode on 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 selection switch forward
(“
”) to select the sport mode.
Pull the drive selection switch back
(“
”) to cancel the sport mode.

NOTE
When the ignition is switched off, the
sport mode is canceled.
Depending on the driving conditions
when sport mode is selected, the vehicle
may perform shift-down or slightly
accelerate.
When Driving
Drive Selection
*Some models.4-71
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16

▼Select Mode Indication
When the sport mode is selected, the select
mode indication turns on in the instrument
cluster.
NOTE
If the drive selection cannot be switched to
sport mode, the select mode indication
flashes to notify the driver.
When Driving
Drive Selection
4-72
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3
2018-7-17 15:48:16

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 notifies the driver of
system abnormalities and operation
conditions.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-26.
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
4-73
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition32018-7-17 15:48:16

i-ACTIVSENSE*
i-ACTIVSENSE is a collective term covering a series of advanced safety and driver support
systems which make use of a Forw ard Sensing Camera (FSC) and radar sensors. These
systems consist of active safety and pre-crash safety systems.
These systems are designed to ass ist the driver in safer driving by reducing the load on the
driver and helping to avert col lisions or reduce their severity. However, because each system
has its limitations, always drive carefully and do not rely sol ely on the systems.
▼Active Safety Technology
Active Safety Technology supports safer driving by helping the
driver to recognize potential
hazards and avert accidents.
Driver awareness support systems
Nighttime visibility
Adaptive Front Lighting Sy stem (AFS)..................................................................... page 4-76
High Beam Control System (HBC)................................. ........................................... page 4-77
Left/right side and rear side detection
Lane Departure Warning Syst em (LDWS).................................................................page 4-80
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM).................................... ............................................... page 4-86
Road sign recognition
Traffic Sign Recogn ition System (TSR).......................... .......................................... page 4-91
Rear obstruction detection wh en leaving a parking space
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)................................ ............................................... page 4-97
▼Pre-Crash Safety Technology
Pre-crash safety technology is designed to assist the driver in
averting collisions or reduce
their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided.
Collision damage reduction in low vehicle speed range
Forward driving
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS).......................................................................... page 4-100
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-74*Some models.
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16

▼Camera and Sensors
Forward sensing camera (FSC)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
determines the conditions ahead of the vehicle while
traveling at night and detects traffic lanes. The following sys tems also use the Forward
Sensing Camera (FSC).
High Beam Control system (HBC)
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Traffic Sign Recogn ition System (TSR)
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed at the top of the windshield near the
rearview mirror.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) on page 4-103.
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reflected off a vehicle
approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensors. The following
systems also use the radar sensors (rear).
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right
sides.
Refer to Radar Sensors (Rear) on page 4-107.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-75
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16

Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)*
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the headlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel after the headlights have
been turned on.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on page 7-36.
NOTE
Headlights do not blind drivers approaching in the opposite direction no matter what side
of the road you must drive your vehicle (left-hand or right-hand traffic). Therefore, it is
not necessary to adjust the optical axis of the headlights when switching temporarily to
driving on the opposite side of the road (left-hand or right-hand traffic).
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/
inoperable using the personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-76*Some models.
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16

High Beam Control System (HBC)*
The HBC determines the conditions in front of the vehicle using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) while driving in darkness to automatically switch the headlights between
high and low beams.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) on page 4-103.
While driving the vehicle at a speed of about 30 km/h (19 mph) or more, the headlights are
switched to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or appr oaching in the opposite
direction.
The system switches the headlights to low beams when one of the following occurs:
The system detects a vehicle or the headlights/lights of a vehicle approaching in the
opposite direction.
The vehicle is driven on roads lin ed with streetlamps or on roads in well-lit cities and
towns.
The vehicle is driven at less than about 20 km/h (12 mph).
Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC)
The recognition distance of the
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
varies according to the
surrounding conditions.
The warning light turns on when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspe
cted on page 7-36.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the vehicle he ight, modify the headlight units, or remove the camera,
otherwise the system will not operate normally.
 Do not rely excessively on the HBC and drive the vehicle while paying sufficient attention to
safety. Switch the headlights between th e high beams and low beams manually if
necessary.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.4-77
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16

NOTE
The timing in which the system switches the headlights changes under the following
conditions. If the system does not switch the headlights appropriately, manually switch
between high and low beams according to the visibility as well as road and traffic
conditions.
When there are sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated signboards,
and traffic signals.
When there are reflective objects in the surrounding area such as reflective plates and
signs.
When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions.
When driving on roads with sharp turn or hilly terrain.
When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles in front of you or in the opposite lane are dim
or not illuminated.
When there is sufficient darkness such as at dawn or dusk.
When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects.
When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle in front of you spraying water from its tires
onto your windshield.
▼ To Operate the System
The HBC operates to sw
itch the headlights
automatically between high and low
beams after the ignition is switched ON
and the headlight switch is in the AUTO
and high beam position.
The HBC determines t hat it is dark based
on the brightness of the surrounding area.
At the same time, th e HBC indicator light
(green) in the instrument cluster
illuminates.

The HBC determines t hat it is dark based
on the brightness of the surrounding area.
NOTE
When the vehicle speed is about 30 km/h
(19 mph) or more, the headlights
automatically switch to high beams
when there are no vehicles ahead or
approaching in the opposite direction.
When the vehicle speed is less than
about 20 km/h (12 mph), the HBC
switches the headlights to low beams.
The low beams may not switch to high
beams when cornering.
Operation of the HBC function can be
disabled. Refer to Personalization
Features on page 9-9.
▼ Manual Switching
Switching to low beams
Shift the lever to t
he low beam position.
The HBC indicator light (green) turns off.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-78
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16

Switching to high beams
Turn the headlight switch to the
position.
The HBC indicator light (green) turns off
and the
is illuminated.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-79
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition32018-7-17 15:48:16

Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)*
The LDWS notifies the driver that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane.
The system detects the white or yellow lines on the traffic lane using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) and if it determines that the vehicle may be devia ting from its lane, it notifies
the driver by flashing the LDWS warning light and activating the LDWS warning beep, and
by the multi-information display (vehicles with multi-information display).
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow lines.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-103.

Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)
The warning light illuminates whe n the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-26.
WA R N I N G
Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately accordin g to the actual driving conditions, resulting
in an accident.
 Driving on roads with tight curves.
 Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-80*Some models.
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16