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

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 when 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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Hill Launch Assist (HLA)*
HLA is a function which assists the driver
in accelerating from a stop while on a
slope. When the driver releases the brake
pedal and depresses the accelerator pedal
while on a slope, the function prevents the
vehicle from rolling. The braking force is
maintained automatically after the brake
pedal is released on a steep grade.
For vehicles with a manual transmission,
HLA operates on a downward slope when
the shift lever is in the reverse (R)
position, and on an upward slope when the
shift lever is in a position other than the
reverse (R) position.
For vehicles with an automatic
transmission, HLA operates on a
downward slope when the selector lever is
in the reverse (R) position, and on an
upward slope when the selector lever is in
a forward gear.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely completely on HLA:
HLA is an auxiliary device for accelerating
from a stop on a slope. The system only
operates for about 2 seconds and
therefore, relying only on the system, when
accelerating from a stop is dangerous
because the vehicle may move (roll)
unexpectedly and cause an accident.
The vehicle could roll depending on the
vehicle's load or if it is towing something. In
addition, for vehicles with a manual
transmission, the vehicle could still roll
depending on how the clutch pedal or the
accelerator pedal is operated.
Always confirm the safety around the
vehicle before starting to drive the vehicle.
NOTE
HLA does not operate on a gentle slope.
In addition, the gradient of the slope on
which the system will operate changes
depending on the vehicle's load.
HLA does not operate if the parking
brake is applied, the vehicle has not
stopped completely, or the clutch pedal
is released.
While HLA is operating, the brake pedal
may feel stiff and vibrate, however, this
does not indicate a malfunction.
HLA does not operate while the
TCS/DSC indicator light is illuminated.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-36.
HLA does not turn off even if the DSC
OFF switch is pressed to turn off the
TCS/DSC.
When Driving
Brake
4-64*Some models.
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NOTE
The BSM will operate when all of the following conditions are met:
The ignition is switched ON.
The BSM switch is pressed and the BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is
turned off.
The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster.
The BSM will not operate under the following circumstances.
The vehicle speed falls below about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) even though the BSM OFF
indicator light is turned off.
The shift lever (manual transmission)/selector lever (automatic transmission) is shifted
to reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing.
In the following cases, the BSM OFF indicator light turns on and operation of the system
is stopped. If the BSM OFF indicator light re mains illuminated, have the vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the BSM warning lights is detected.
A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred.
There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear). Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper.
Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.
The temperature near the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely hot due to driving for
long periods on slopes during the summer.
The battery voltage has decreased.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not
approach. The BSM determines the condition based on radar detection data.
A vehicle is traveling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed for an extended
period of time.
Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.
A vehicle in an adjacent driving lane is attempting to pass your vehicle.
A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.
In the following cases, the activation of the BSM warning lights and the warning beep
may not occur or they may be delayed.
A vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane two lanes over to an adjacent lane.
Driving on steep slopes.
Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.
The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections).
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent
lane.
Directly after the BSM system becomes operable by changing the setting.
If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of
expressways.
The BSM warning lights may turn on in reaction to stationary objects on the road or the
roadside such as guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls, and parked vehicles.
Objects such as guardrails and concrete walls
running alongside the vehicle.Places where the width between guardrails or
walls on each side of the vehicle narrows.
The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels,
turnouts.
A BSM warning light may flash or the warning beep may be activated several times when
making a turn at a city intersection.
Turn off the BSM while pulling a trailer or wh
ile an accessory such as a bicycle carrier is
installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radar’s radio waves will be blocked
causing the system to not operate normally.
In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the BSM
warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors.
The door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffi c Alert (RCTA) function when the shift lever
(manual transmission) or the selector lever (automatic transmission) is shifted to the
reverse (R) position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on page 4-98.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)*
The RCTA system is designed to assist the driver in checking the area to the rear of the
vehicle on both sides while the vehicle is reversing by alertin g the driver to the presence of
vehicles approaching the rear of the vehicle.
The RCTA system detects vehicles approaching from the rear left and right sides of the
vehicle, and the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is being reversed out of a parking
space, and notifies the driver of possible danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
warning indicator lights and the warning buzzer.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
RCTA operation
1. The RCTA system operates when the shift lever (manual transmi ssion) or the selector
lever (automatic transmission) i s shifted to the reverse (R) po sition.
2. If there is the possibility of a collision with an approaching vehicle, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning indicato r lights flashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
4-98*Some models.
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If you suddenly come close to a vehicle ahead.
2-wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, animals or standing trees.
Vehicle is driven with some of the tires having significant wear.
(Manual transmission)
If the vehicle is stopped by the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) operation and the clutch
pedal is not depressed, the engine stops.
▼Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
Indicator Light (Red)*
If the Smart City Bra
ke Support (SCBS) is
operating, the indicator light (red) flashes.

▼ Collision Warning*
If there is the possibili
ty of a collision with
a vehicle ahead, the beep sounds
continuously and a warning is indicated in
the multi-inform ation display.
NOTE
The operation distance and volume of the
collision warning can be changed. Refer
to Personalization Features on page
9-9.
▼Automatic Brake Operation
Display*
The automatic brake operation display is
indicated on the multi-information display
after the SCBS is operated.
NOTE
The collision warning beep sounds
intermittently while the SCBS brake or
brake assist (SCBS brake assist) is
operating.
If the vehicle is stopped by the SCBS
operation and the brake pedal is not
depressed, the warning beep sounds 1
time after about 2 seconds and the SCBS
brake is automatically released.
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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(Cruise set indication (white)/indicator
light (green))
The cruise set indication (white) is
displayed in the instrument cluster and the
cruise set indicator light (green) turns on
when a cruising sp eed has been set.
▼Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON
switch. The cruise main indication (white)
turns on.
To deactivate the system, press the OFF/
CANCEL switch.
The cruise main indi
cation (white) turns
off.
WA R N I N G
Always turn off the cruise control system
when it is not in use:
Leaving the cruise control system in an
activation-ready state while the cruise
control is not in use is dangerous as the
cruise control could unexpectedly activate
if the activation button is accidentally
pressed, and result in loss of vehicle control
and an accident.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched OFF, the
system status before it was turned off is
maintained. For exampl e, if the ignition is
switched OFF with the cruise control
system operable, the system will be
operable when the ignition is switched ON
the next time.
▼ To S e t S p e e d
1. Activate the cruise control system by
pressing the ON switch. The cruise
main indication (white) turns on.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 25 km/h (16 mph).
3. Type A instrument cluster
Set the cruise control by pressing the
SET/
switch at t he desired speed. The
cruise control is set at the moment the
SET/
switch is pressed. Release the
accelerator pedal simultaneously. The
cruise set indication (green) turns on.
Type B instrument cluster
Set the cruise control by pressing the
SET/
switch at t he desired speed. The
cruise control is set at the moment the
SET/
switch is pressed. Release the
accelerator pedal simultaneously. The
cruise set indication (white) is
displayed and the cr uise set indicator
light (green) turns on.
NOTE
The cruise control speed setting cannot
be performed under the following
conditions:
(Automatic transmission)
The selector lever is in the P or N
position.
(Manual transmission)
The shift lever is in the neutral
position.
The parking brake is applied.
When Driving
Cruise Control
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▼To Decrease Cruising Speed
Press the SET/ switch and hold it. The
vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the switch at the desired speed.

Press the SET/
switch and release it
immediately to adjust the preset speed.
Multiple operations will decrease the
preset speed according to the number of
times it is operated.
Decreasing speed with a single SET/
switch operation
Instrument cluster display for vehicle
speed indicated in km/h: 1 km/h (0.6 mph)
Instrument cluster display for vehicle
speed indicated in mph: 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
▼ To Resume Cruising Speed at More
Than 25 km/h (16 mph)
If the cruise contro
l system temporarily
canceled (such as by applying the brake
pedal) and the system is still activated, the
most recent set speed will automatically
resume when the RESUME/
switch is
pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 25 km/h (16
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 25
km/h (16 mph) or more and press the
RESUME/
switch.
▼ To Temporarily Cancel
To temporarily cancel the system, use one
of these methods:
Slightly depress the brake pedal.
(Manual transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal.
Press the OFF/CANCEL switch.
If the RESUME/
switch is pressed when
the vehicle speed is 25 km/h (16 mph) or
higher, the system reverts to the previously
set speed.
NOTE
If any of the following conditions occur,
the cruise control system is temporarily
canceled.
The parking brake is applied.
(Automatic transmission)
The selector lever is in the P, N, or R
position.
(Manual transmission)
The shift lever is in the neutral
position.
When the cruise control system is
temporarily canceled by even one of the
applicable cancel conditions, the speed
cannot be re-set.
(Automatic transmission)
The cruise control cannot be cancelled
while driving in manual mode (selector
lever shifted from D to M position).
Therefore, engine braking will not be
applied even if the transmission is
shifted down to a lower gear. If
deceleration is required, lower the set
speed or depress the brake pedal.
When Driving
Cruise Control
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When connecting a device to the
auxiliary jack or USB port, noise may
occur depending on the connected
device. If the device is connected to the
vehicle's accessory socket, the noise can
be reduced by unplugging it from the
accessory socket.
▼How to connect USB port/Auxiliary
jack

USB port
Auxiliary jack
Some models.
Connecting a device
1. Connect the connector on the device to the USB port.
Connecting with a connector cable
1. Connect the device plug/connector cable to the auxiliary jack/USB port.
WA R N I N G
Do not allow the connection plug cord to
get tangled with the parking brake or the
shift lever (manual transmission)/selector
lever (automatic transmission):
Allowing the plug cord to become tangled
with the parking brake or the shift lever
(manual transmission)/selector lever
(automatic transmission) is dangerous as it
could interfere with driving, resulting in an
accident.
CAUTION
Do not place objects or apply force to the
auxiliary jack/USB port with the plug
connected.
NOTE
Insert the plug into the auxiliary
jack/USB port securely.
Insert or pull out the plug with the plug
perpendicular to the auxiliary jack/USB
port hole.
Insert or remove the plug by holding its
base.
(Vehicles with USB port indicated with
)
Use the USB terminal indicated by the
mark when using Apple CarPlay™
and Android Auto™.
Interior Features
Before Using the Audio System
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▼Schedule 1
U.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents
- Engine oil flexible maintenance interval
Use when the maintenance monitor for “Oil Change” is set to “Fl exible”. For details,
see maintenance monitor. (page 6-15)
Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first.
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000 km (75, 000 miles).
Air filter RR
Drive belts II
Engine oil & filter
*1Replace when wrench indicator light is ON. (Max interval:12 months or 12,000 km (7,500 miles))
Engine coolant
*2Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years.
Fuel lines and hoses
*3IIII
Hoses and tubes for emission
*3II
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I I
Disc brakes IIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil Replace every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years.
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles).
Steering operation and linkages II II
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play IIII
Rear differential oil
*4
Driveshaft dust boots II II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body TTTT
Exhaust system and heat shields I
Emergency flat tire repair kit (if equipped)
*5Inspect annually.
Chart symbols:
I : Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or repla ce if necessary.
R : Replace
L : Lubricate
C : Clean
T : Tighten
D : Drain
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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