ECU MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF 2020 Owner's Manual

To raise the convertible top from
inside the vehicle, use the
convertible top's handles.

Convertible top's handles
5. Sitting in a seat, grasp the convertibletop's handles, and press the convertible
top against the windshield.
Make sure the strik er engages with the
anchor, move the top latch slowly, and
then push the top latch upward until a
latch sound is heard.

Convertible top's handles
Striker
Anchor
CAUTION

Driving with the convertible top not fully
locked could damage the convertible
top.
If the red indicator is visible on the lock
release button, the convertible top is not
locked. After locking the convertible top,
verify that the red indicator is not visible.

Locked position
Unlocked position Red indicator
 Do not spray water directly near the
seam of the window and convertible top
when flushing away dirt on the soft top
with water. Otherwise, water may enter
the vehicle.
Refer to Convertible Top Maintenance on
page 6-62.
NOTE
The convertible top may be constricted
if it is left retracted for a long period.
Therefore, if the top has become
constricted, it may be difficult to hook
the top latch striker to the anchor.
Make sure the convertible top is
securely locked by pushing up on it. If it
still sounds loose (rattles) after being
locked by the top latch, have it inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
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Convertible Top (Hardtop)
The retractable hardtop opens/closes electrically by operating switches in the vehicle. When
opening/closing the roof and window glass operate together. The front roof is stored in the
storage area under rear roof.
To help prevent burglary or vandalism and to ensure that the pa ssenger compartment stays
dry, close the roof and both windows securely and lock both doo rs when leaving the vehicle.
Front roof
Rear roofMiddle roof
▼Convertible Top Precautions
WA R N I N G
Always
confirm that there are no people around the vehicle before operating the roof:
If the roof were to operate unexpectedly, it coul d result in an accident and serious injury from
someone getting caught in the mechanism.
Sit in the seat with the seat belt correctly fastened when the vehicle is moving:
Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on the rear roof or center console when the vehicle is
moving is a dangerous way to ride. During a sudden maneuver or collision you could be
seriously injured or even killed.
Always keep your hands and fingers away from the fastening mechanisms when moving the
roof:
It is dangerous to place your hands or fingers near the fastening mechanisms. Your hands or
fingers could be caught and injured by the mechanism.
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Hardtop)
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▼Opening the Roof
When opening the roof, make sure objects
inside the vehicle a
re not blown away by
the wind. Secure all loose objects inside
before driving with the roof down.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground in a safe place where the vehicle does not
obstruct traffic.
Shift the shift lever to neutral on a
manual transmission vehicle.
Shift the selector lever to P on an
automatic transmission vehicle.
Apply the parking brake.
2. Make sure that the trunk is closed.
3. Start the engine t o prevent the battery
from going dead.
4. Continue pressing the retractable
hardtop switch in the open direction
until the roof opening operation is
completed. When the opening
operation is completed, a beep sound is
activated and the operation indicator
light turns off.
NOTE
If the retractable hardtop switch is
pressed in the open direction, a
warning beep sounds.
When pressing the retractable
hardtop switch while the windows
are closed, the windows open
slightly. If the switch is continuously
pressed in the open direction until
the roof opening operation is
completed, the wi ndows return to
their original positions. However,
the windows may not return to their
original positions depending on the
conditions.
The roof keeps opening and the
operation indicator light flashes
while the retractable hardtop switch
is pressed in the open direction.
If the switch is released while the
roof is opening, the roof stops
opening. If the switch is pressed in
the open direction again, the roof
resumes opening.
When the roof is half-open, the front
roof resumes opening after the rear
roof is completely open.
▼ Closing the Roof
1. Park the vehicle on level ground in a
safe place where the vehicle does not
obstruct traffic.
Shift the shift lever to neutral on a
manual vehicle.
Shift the selector lever to P on an
automatic vehicle.
Apply the parking brake.
2. Make sure that the trunk is closed.
3. Slightly slide the seats back if they are in the foremost position.
4. Start the engine to prevent the battery from going dead.
Before Driving
Convertible Top (Hardtop)
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Modification and Add-OnEquipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the immobilizer
and the theft-deterrent systems' operation
if the system has been modified or if any
add-on equipment has been installed.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the vehicle, do not
modify the system or install any add-on
equipment to the immobilizer and the
theft-deterrent systems or the vehicle.
Immobilizer System
The immobilizer syste m allows the engine
to start only with a key the system
recognizes.

If someone attempts to start the engine
with an unrecognized key, the engine will
not start, thereby helping to prevent
vehicle theft.
If you have a problem with the
immobilizer system or the key, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
 Radio equipment like this is governed by
laws in the United States.
Changes or
modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
 To avoid damage to the key, do not:
 Drop the key.
 Get the key wet.
 Expose the key to any kind of magnetic
field.
 Expose the key to high temperatures
on places such as the dashboard or
hood, under direct sunlight.
 If the engine does not start with the
correct key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Before Driving
Security System
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NOTE
The keys carry a unique electronic code.
For this reason, and to assure your
safety, obtaining a replacement key
requires some waiting time. They are
only available through an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Always keep a spare key in case one is
lost. If a key is lost, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
If you lose a key, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer, will reset the electronic codes of
your remaining keys and immobilizer
system. Bring all the remaining keys to
the Authorized Mazda Dealer to reset.
Starting the vehicle with a key that has
not been reset is not possible.
▼Operation
NOTE
The engine may not start and security
indicator light may illuminate or flash if
the key is placed in an area where it is
difficult for the system to detect the
signal, such as on the dashboard. Move
the key to a location within the signal
range, switch the ignition off, and then
restart the engine.
Signals from a TV or radio station, or
from a transceiver or mobile telephone
could interfere with your immobilizer
system. If you are using the proper key
and the engine fails to start, check the
security indicator light.
Arming
The system is armed when the ignition is
switched from ON to off.
The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster fla
shes every 2 seconds
until the system is disarmed.

Disarming
The system is disarmed when the ignition
is switched ON with the correct
programmed key. The security indicator
light illuminates for about 3 seconds and
then turns off. If the engine does not start
with the correct key, and the security
indicator light remains illuminated or
flashing, try the following:
Make sure the key is within the
operational range for signal transmission.
Switch the ignition off, and then restart the
engine. If the engine d oes not start after 3
or more tries, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the security indicator light flashes
continuously while you are driving, do
not shut off the engine. Go to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer, and have it
checked. If the engine is shut off while
the indicator light is flashing, you will
not be able to restart it.
Because the electronic codes are reset
when the immobilizer system is repaired,
the keys are needed. Make sure to bring
all the keys to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer, so that they can be programmed.
Before Driving
Security System
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Theft-Deterrent System*
If the theft-deterrent system detects an
inappropriate entry in to the vehicle, which
could result in the veh icle or its contents
being stolen, the alarm alerts the
surrounding area of an abnormality by
sounding the horn and flashing the hazard
warning lights.

The system will not function unless it's
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, follow the arming procedure
correctly.
▼ Operation
System triggering conditions
The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 30
seconds when the system is triggered by
any one of the following:
Unlocking a door with the auxiliary key,
door lock switch, or an inside door-lock
knob.
Forcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid.
Opening the hood by operating the hood
release handle.
Switching the ignition ON without using
the push button start.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activat e until the driver's
door is unlocked wit h the transmitter.
(With the advanced keyless function)
The lights and horn can also be
deactivated by pressing the request switch
on a door.
NOTE
The trunk lid does not open while the
theft-deterrent system is operating.
If the battery goes dead while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the horn
will activate and the hazard warning
lights will flash when the battery is
charged or replaced.
▼ How to Arm the System
1. Close the windows and the convertible
top securely.
2. Switch the ignition OFF.
3. Make sure the hood, the doors, and the
trunk lid are closed.
4. Press the lock button on the transmitter
or lock the driver's door from the
outside with the auxiliary key.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once.
The following method will also arm
the theft-deterrent system:
Press the door-lock switch “
” while
any door is open and then close both of
the doors.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Press a request switch.

The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes twice per
second for 20 seconds.
5. After 20 seconds, the system is fully armed.
Before Driving
Security System
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NOTE
The theft-deterrent system can also be
armed by activating the auto relock
function with both the doors, the trunk
lid and the hood closed.
Refer to Transmitter on page 3-5.
The system will disarm if one of the
following operations takes place within
20 seconds after pressing the lock
button:
Unlocking any door.
Opening any door.
Opening the hood.
Switching the ignition ON.
To rearm the system, do the arming
procedure again.
When the doors are locked by pressing
the lock button on the transmitter or
using the auxiliary key while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the
hazard warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.
▼ To Turn Off an Armed System
An armed system can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter.
Starting the engine with the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Pressing a request switch on the
doors.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
NOTE
When the doors are unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the transmitter while
the theft-deterrent system is turned off, the
hazard warning lights will flash twice to
indicate that the system is turned off.
▼ To Stop the Alarm
A triggered alarm can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button or the trunk
button on the transmitter.
Starting the engine w
ith the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Pressing a request switch on the
doors.
The hazard warning ligh ts will flash twice.
Before Driving
Security System
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Hazardous Driving
WA R N I N G
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift 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.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.
Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-65.
If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels.
For 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.
Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda floor mats.
WA R N I N G
Make sure the floor mats are hooked on the
retention pins to prevent them from
bunching up under the foot pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation,
which could result in an accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on top of
the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top of the
other, on the driver's side is dangerous as
the retention pins can only keep one floor
mat from sliding forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with the
foot pedals and could result in an accident.
If using an all-weather mat for winter use
always remove the original floor mat.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its grommets are inserted
over the pointed end of the retention posts.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as
tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Retighten the ch ains 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
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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.
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) position 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) position 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
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