light MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF 2017 Owners Manual (in English)

4–80
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE
  The direction indicators do not work
when the hazard warning lights are
on.
  Check local regulations about the use
of hazard warning lights while the
vehicle is being towed to verify that
it is not in violation of the law.
  If the brake pedal is depressed
while driving on slippery roads, the
emergency stop signal system could
operate causing all the turn and lane
change signals to À ash. Refer to
Emergency Stop Signal System on
page 4-84 .
  While the emergency stop signal
system is operating, all the direction
indicators automatically À ash rapidly
to caution the driver of a vehicle
following behind your vehicle of a
sudden braking situation. Refer to
Emergency Stop Signal System on
page 4-84 .
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4–81
When Driving
Brake
B r a k e S y s t e m
Foot Brake
This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off, ¿ nd a safe place to stop:
Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more effort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause longer
stopping distances or even an accident.
Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills:
Driving with your foot continuously on
the brake pedal or steadily applying the
brakes for long distances is dangerous.
This causes overheated brakes,
resulting in longer stopping distances
or even total brake failure. This could
cause loss of vehicle control and a
serious accident. Avoid continuous
application of the brakes.
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.
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4–83
When Driving
Brake
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever upwards, then press
the release button. While holding the
button, lower the parking brake lever all
the way down to the released position.
Button
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-42 .
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer as soon as possible.
WARNING
Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult
an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Brake Assist
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the brake
pedal with greater force, the brake assist
system provides braking assistance, thus
enhancing braking performance.
When the brake pedal is depressed hard or
depressed more quickly, the brakes apply
more¿ rmly.
NOTE

 When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly,
the pedal will feel softer but the
brakes will apply more ¿ rmly. This
is a normal effect of the brake assist
operation and does not indicate a
malfunction.
  When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, a
motor/pump operation noise may be
heard. This is a normal effect of the
brake assist and does not indicate a
malfunction.
  The brake assist equipment does not
supersede the functionality of the
vehicle's main braking system.
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4–85
When Driving
Brake
WARNING
Do not rely completely on Hill Launch
Assist (HLA):
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is an
auxiliary device for accelerating from
a stop on a slope. The system only
operates for about two 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 con¿ rm the safety around the
vehicle before starting to drive the
vehicle.
NOTE
  Hill Launch Assist (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.
  Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does
not operate if the parking brake is
applied, the vehicle has not stopped
completely, or the clutch pedal is
released.
  While Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is
operating, the brake pedal may feel
stiff and vibrate, however, this does
not indicate a malfunction.
  Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate while the TCS/DSC indicator
light is illuminated.
 Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on
page 4-42 .

 Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
turn off even if the DSC OFF switch
is pressed to turn off the TCS/DSC.
 (Automatic Transmission) Although the Hill Launch Assist
(HLA) does not operate during idling
stop, the vehicle roll prevention
function operates to prevent vehicle
roll.
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4–86
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue to
depress the brake pedal without pumping
the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-42 .
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow,
and hydroplaning (reduced tyre friction
and road contact because of water on
the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
  Braking distances may be longer
on loose surfaces (snow or gravel,
for example) which usually have a
hard foundation. A vehicle with a
normal braking system may require
less distance to stop under these
conditions because the tyres will
build up a wedge of surface layer
when the wheels skid.
  The sound of the ABS operating may
be heard when starting the engine
or immediately after starting the
vehicle, however, it does not indicate
a malfunction.
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4–87
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Traction Control System
(TCS)
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.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-42 .
WARNING
Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) 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
tyre friction and road contact because
of water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
Use snow tyres or tyre 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 4-89 ).
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 À ashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
NOTE
  In addition to the indicator light
À ashing, a slight labouring sound
will come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS/DSC is
operating properly.
  On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
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4–88
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive manoeuvring,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-86 ) and TCS
(page 4-87 ).
DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-42 .
WARNING
Do not rely on the Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe driving:
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning (reduced
tyre friction and road contact because
of water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
CAUTION
  The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
 


 Use tyres of the correct size
speci¿ ed for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
 


 Use tyres of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
 


 Do not mix worn tyres. 

 The DSC may not operate correctly
when tyre chains are used or a
temporary spare tyre is installed
because the tyre diameter changes.
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 À ashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
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4–89
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
DSC OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
It also illuminates when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off.
Refer to DSC OFF Switch on page 4-89 .
If the light remains illuminated and
the TCS/DSC is not switched off, take
your vehicle to an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer. The DSC may have a
malfunction.
DSC OFF Switch
Press the DSC OFF switch to turn off the
TCS/DSC. The DSC OFF indicator light
in the instrument cluster will illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS/
DSC back on. The DSC OFF indicator
light will turn off.
NOTE
  When 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 dif¿ cult.
When this happens, turn off the TCS/
DSC.
  If the TCS/DSC is off when the
engine is turned off, it automatically
activates when the ignition is
switched ON.
  Leaving the TCS/DSC on will
provide the best traction.
  If the DSC OFF switch is pressed
and held for 10 seconds or more,
the DSC OFF switch malfunction
detection function operates and the
DSC system activates automatically.
The DSC OFF indicator light
turns off while the DSC system is
operative.
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4–92
When Driving
i-ELOOP
i-ELOOP Indicator Light/Control
Status Display
T h e d r i v e r i s n o t i¿ ed of the i-ELOOP
power generating status and the vehicle
conditions by the i-ELOOP indicator light
(green) and the control status display.
i-ELOOP indicator light (green)
(vehicles with Type B instrument
cluster)
The light turns on during power
generation.
Control status display (vehicles with
type B/type C audio)
The i-ELOOP power generating status is
displayed in the centre display.
Refer to Control Status Display on page
4-94 .
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4–98
When Driving
Drive Selection
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 cancelled.
  Depending on the driving conditions
when sport mode is selected, the
vehicle may perform shift-down or
slightly accelerate.
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
indicationÀ ashes to notify the driver.
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