wheel MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2016 Owner's Manual

4–56
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 Lights on page 4-16.
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 tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
Use snow tires or tire 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 4-58).
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 flashes.
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
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
 In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging 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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4–57
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 maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-55) and TCS
(page 4-56).
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 Lights on page 4-16.
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 tire 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 tires of the correct size specified
for your Mazda on all four wheels. Use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all four
wheels.
 Do not mix worn tires.
 The DSC may not operate correctly when
tire chains are used or a temporary spare
tire is installed because the tire 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 flashes.
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
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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4–61
When Driving
Drive Selection
*Some models.
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 enhance\
d. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely make maneuve\
rs such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION
Do not use the sport mode when driving on slippery 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
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4–63
When Driving
Power Steering
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 Lights on page
4-16.
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.
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4–65
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)*
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the hea\
dlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel af\
ter the headlights have
been turned on.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-16.
NOTE
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/inopera\
ble
using the personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9.
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4–69
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)*
The LDWS system 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 deviating from its lane, it notifies
the driver by flashing the LDWS warning light and activating the LDWS warning beep.
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow li\
nes.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-84.
Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)
LDWS warning light
The warning light illuminates when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-16.
WARNING
Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions,
resulting in an accident.
 Driving on roads with tight curves. Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
The functions of the LDWS have limitations:
Always stay on course using the steering wheel and drive with care. The system is not
designed to compensate for a driver’s lack of caution and if you rely too much on the
LDWS it could lead to an accident. The driver is responsible for assuring lane changes and
other maneuvers. Always pay attention to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling
and the vehicle’s surroundings.
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4–70
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension. If the vehicle height or the damping force of the
suspensions is changed, the LDWS may not operate correctly.
NOTE
 If your vehicle deviates from its traffic lane, the LDWS operates (warning sound and
indicator light). Steer the vehicle adequately to drive the vehicle to \
the center of the lane. When the turn signal lever is operated for a lane change, the LDWS warni\
ng is
automatically canceled. The LDWS warning becomes operable when the turn \
signal lever
is returned and the system detects the white or yellow lines.
 If the steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brake pedal is operated abr\
uptly and the
vehicle moves close to a white or yellow line, the system determines tha\
t the driver is
making a lane change and the LDWS warning is automatically canceled.
 The LDWS may not operate during the period immediately after the vehicle\
has deviated
from its lane and the LDWS has operated, or the vehicle deviates from its lane repeatedly
within a short period of time.
 The LDWS does not operate if it does not detect the white or yellow lines of the traffic
lane.
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4–73
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Auto cancel warning
When the following operations are
performed, the LDWS determines that
the driver intends to make a lane change
and the LDWS warning is canceled
automatically. The LDWS is enabled
automatically after the driver performs the
operation.
 The steering wheel is operated abruptly. The brake pedal is depressed abruptly. The accelerator pedal is depressed
abruptly. The turn signal lever is operated (after
the turn signal lever is returned, the
LDWS may not operate for about 3
seconds which is the period of time
required to make a lane correction).
NOTE
After about 60 seconds have elapsed with
the turn signal lever left operating, the
LDWS warning may operate if the vehicle
is close to a white or yellow line.
Canceling the System
Press the LDWS switch to cancel the
LDWS. The LDWS OFF indicator light
turns on.
LDWS Warning
If the system determines that there is the
possibility of a lane departure, the LDWS
warning beep activates and the LDWS
warning light flashes. Operate the steering
wheel appropriately and steer the vehicle
to the center of the lane.
NOTE
 If the LDWS warning sound is set to
rumble*1, the sound will be heard from
the vehicle speaker on the side which
the system determined the vehicle may
be deviating from its lane.
 It may be difficult to hear the LDWS
warning beep depending on the
surrounding conditions such as outside
noise.
 The volume of the LDWS warning sound
can be changed.
Refer to Personalization Featur es on
page 9-9. The type of warning sound (rumble*1/
beep) on the LDWS can be changed.
Refer to Personalization Featur es on
page 9-9.
*1 A rumble strip is a series of grooves
in the road pavement surface
positioned at specific intervals,
and when the vehicle passes over
it a vibration and rumble sound is
produced which alerts the driver
that the vehicle is departing from the
lane.
The rumble sound is a reproduction
of the sound which occurs when a
vehicle passes over a rumble strip.

Rumble
Groove
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4–88
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
 The detection ability of the radar sensors (rear) has limitations. In the following cases,
the detection ability may lower and the system may not operate normally.
 The rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) has become deformed. Snow, ice or mud adheres to the radar sensors (rear) on the rear bumper. Under bad weather conditions such as rain, snow and fog.
 Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
 Stationary objects on a road or a road side such as small, two-wheeled vehicles,
bicycles, pedestrians, animals, and shopping carts. Vehicle shapes which do not reflect radar waves well such as empty trailers with a low
vehicle height and sports cars.
 Vehicles are shipped with the direction of the radar sensors (rear) adjusted for each
vehicle to a loaded vehicle condition so that the radar sensors (rear) detect approaching
vehicles correctly. If the direction of the radar sensors (rear) has deviated for some
reason, have the vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
 For repairs or replacement of the radar sensors (rear), or bumper repairs, paintwork,
and replacement near the radar sensors, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Turn off the system while pulling a trailer or while an accessory such as\
a bicycle carrier
is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the radio waves emitted by the radar will\

be blocked causing the system to not operate normally.
 The radar sensors are regulated by the relevant radio wave laws of the country in which
the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle is driven abroad, authorization from the country in
which the vehicle is driven may be required.
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4–93
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
*Some models.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System*
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors the air pressure of all\
four tires. If
the air pressure of one or more tires is too low, the system warns the driver by indicating the
tire pressure monitoring system warning light in the instrument cluster \
and operating a beep
sound. The system monitors the tire pressures indirectly using the data sent from the ABS
wheel speed sensors.
To allow the system to operate correctly, the system needs to be initialized with the specified
tire pressure (value on the tire pressure label). Follow the procedure\
and perform the
initialization.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System Initialization on page 4-96.
The warning light flashes when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-16.
ABS wheel speed sensor
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