transmission MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF 2021 Owners Manual

▼Opening the Roof
When opening the roof, make sure objects
inside the vehicle are 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 transmi ssion vehicle.
Apply the parking brake.
2. Make sure that the trunk is closed.
3. Start the engine to 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 windows 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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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 indica
tor light in the
instrument cluster flashes 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 does 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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Rocking the Vehicle
WA R N I N G
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow anyone
to stand behind a wheel when pushing the
vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous. The
spinning tire could overheat and explode.
This could cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever/
selector lever from 1 (D) to R position.
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-22.
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-20).
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (page
6-24).
NOTE
Do not use the parking brake in freezing
weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift
to P with an automatic transmission and
to 1 or R with a manual transmission.
Block the rear wheels.
Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
Do not open or close the soft top when
the temperature is 5 °C (41 °F) or less.
The material of the soft top could be
damaged by freezing.
Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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Trailer Towing
Your Mazda is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
"Towing Description " (page 7-30) and
"Tiedown Hooks" (page 7-31) and
carefully follow the instructions.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine.............................. 4-4 Ignition Switch........ ..................... 4-4
Starting the Engine....................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off............... 4-11
Instrument Cluster and Display ............
........................................................... 4-12 Meters and Gauges..................... 4-12
Multi-information Display and INFO
Switch
*....................................... 4-19
Warning/Indicator Lights............4-27
Manual Transmission
Operation......................................... 4-32 Manual Transmission Shift
Pattern......................................... 4-32
Automatic Transmission................. 4-35 Automatic Transmission
Controls...................................... 4-35
Shift-Lock System...................... 4-36
Transmission Ranges.................. 4-36
Manual Shift Mode..................... 4-38
Direct Mode
*.............................. 4-43
Driving Tips................................4-44
Switches and Controls..................... 4-45 Lighting Control......................... 4-45
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals........................................ 4-51
Windshield Wipers and
Washer........................................ 4-52
Rear Window Defogg er.............. 4-56
Horn............................................ 4-57
Hazard Warning Flasher............. 4-58
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
*.......................................4-58
Brake................................................ 4-62 Brake System.............................. 4-62
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
*.........4-65
ABS/TCS/DSC................................. 4-66 Antilock Brake System
(ABS)..........................................4-66
Traction Control System
(TCS).......................................... 4-67
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)..........................................4-68
Drive Selection................................. 4-70 Drive Selection
*..........................4-70
Power Steering................................. 4-72 Power Steering............................4-72
i-ACTIVSENSE............................... 4-73 i-ACTIVSENSE
*........................4-73
Adaptive Front Lighting System
(AFS)
*........................................ 4-75
High Beam Control System
(HBC)
*........................................4-76
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
*.................................... 4-79
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
*.........
.................................................... 4-85
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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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After starting a cold engine, the engine
speed increases and a whining sound
from the engine compartment can be
heard.
This is for improved exhaust gas
purification and does not indicate any
parts defect.
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
1. Make sure you are carrying the key.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Continue to press the brake pedal firmly until the engine has completely
started.
5. (Manual transmission)
Continue to press the clutch pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transmission)
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not depressed
sufficiently.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the
selector lever is not in P or N and the
brake pedal is not depressed
sufficiently.
6. Verify that the KEY indicator light (green) in the instr ument cluster and
the push button start indicator light
(green) illuminate.

Indicator light
Push button start
KEY indicator light
(green)/ KEY
warning light (red)
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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(Forced engine starting method)
If the KEY warning light (red)
illuminates, or the push button start
indicator light (amber) flashes, this
could indicate that the engine may
not start using the usual starting
method (for vehicles with a type A
instrument cluster (page 4-27),
messages are displayed in the
instrument cluster). Have your
vehicle inspected at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. If
this occurs, the engine can be
force-started. Press and hold the
push button start until the engine
starts. Other procedures necessary
for starting the engine, such as
having the key in the cabin, and
depressing the clutch pedal (manual
transmission) or the brake pedal
(automatic transmission) are
required.
When the engine is force-started, the
KEY warning light (red) remains
illuminated and the push button start
indicator light (amber) remains
flashing.
(Automatic transmission)
When the selector lever is in the
neutral (N) position, the KEY
indicator light (green) and the push
button start indicator light (green)
do not illuminate.
7. Press the push button start after both
the KEY indicator light (green) in the
instrument cluster and the push button
start indicator light (green) illuminate.
NOTE
After starting the engine, the push
button start indica tor light (amber)
turns off and the ignition switches to
the ON position.
After pressing the push button start
and before the engine starts, the
operation sound of the fuel pump
motor from near the fuel tank can be
heard, however, this does not
indicate a malfunction.
8. After starting the e ngine, let it idle for
about ten seconds.
NOTE
Do not use high engine speeds until
reaching the operating temperature.
Whether the engine is cold or warm,
it should be started without the use
of the accelerator.
If the engine does not start the first
time, refer to Starting a Flooded
Engine under Emergency Starting. If
the engine still does not start, have
your vehicle inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer (page
7-26).
▼ Engine Start Function When Key
Battery is Dead
CAUTION
When starting the engine by holding the
transmitter over the push button start due
to a dead key battery or a malfunctioning
key, be careful not to allow the following,
otherwise the signal from the key will not
be received correctly and the engine may
not start.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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Metal parts of other keys or metal objects
touch the key.
Spare keys or keys for other vehicles
equipped with an immobilizer system
touch or come near the key.
Devices for electronic purchases, or
security passage touch or come near the
key.
If the engine cannot be started due to a
dead key battery, the engine can be started
using the following procedure:
1. Continue to depress the brake pedal firmly until the engine has completely
started.
2. (Manual transmission)
Continue to depress the clutch pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
3. Make sure that the push button start
indication light (green) flashes.
4. Align the center area of the emblem onthe transmitter with the center area of
the push button start while the push
button start indicator light (green)
flashes.

Push
button
start
Indicator light
Key Emblem
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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5. Make sure that the push button startindicator light (green) turns on.
6. Press the push button start to start the
engine.
NOTE
The engine cannot be started unless
the clutch pedal is fully depressed
(manual transmission) or the brake
pedal is fully depressed (automatic
transmission).
If there is a malfunction with the
push button start function, the push
button start indica tor light (amber)
flashes. In this ca se, the engine may
start, however, have the vehicle
checked at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
If the push button start indicator
light (green) does not illuminate,
perform the operation from the
beginning again. If it does not
illuminate, have the vehicle checked
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
To switch the ignition position
without starting the engine, perform
the following operations after the
push button start indicator light
(green) turns on.
1. Release the clutch pedal (manual transmission) or brake pedal
(automatic transmission).
2. Press the push button start to
switch the ignition position. The
ignition switches in the order of
ACC, ON, and off each time the
push button start is pressed. To
switch the ignition position
again, perform the operation
from the beginning.
▼Emergency Operation for Starting
the Engine
If the KEY warning ligh
t (red) illuminates,
or the push button start indicator light
(amber) flashes, this could indicate that
the engine may not s tart using the usual
starting method (for vehicles with a type A
instrument cluster (page 4-27), messages
are displayed in the instrument cluster).
Have your vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. If this occurs , the engine can be
force-started. Press and hold the push
button start until the engine starts. Other
procedures necessary for starting the
engine such as having the key in the cabin,
and depressing the clutch pedal (manual
transmission) or the brake pedal
(automatic transmission) are required.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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