sensor MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2017 User Guide

2 –37 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
* Some models.Passenger Occupant Classification System *
First, please read "Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precaut ions" (page 2-24 )
carefully.
Passenger Occupant Classification SensorYour vehicle is equipped with a passenger occupant classification sensor as a part of the
supplemental restraint system. This sensor is equipped in the passenger's seat cushion. This
sensor measures the electrostatic capacity of the passenger's seat. The SAS unit is designed
to prevent the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system from
deploying if the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on.
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the passenger air bag, the system
deactivates the passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt pretensioner system
when the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns o n. Refer to the following table
for the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illumination conditions.
This system shuts off the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system,
so make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on according to the
following table.
The air bag/seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible malfunction. If this
happens, the passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner system will not
deploy.
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
This indicator light turns on to remind you that the passenger front and side air bags and seat
belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
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2 –38 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags If the passenger occupant classification sensor is normal, the i ndicator light turns on when
the ignition is switched ON. The light turns off after a few seconds. Then, the indicator light
turns on or is off under the following conditions: Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart
Condition detected by
the passenger occupant
classification system Passenger air bag
deactivation indicator
light Passenger front and
side air bags Passenger seat belt
pretensioner system
Empty (Not occupied) On Deactivated Deactivated
A child is seated in a child-
restraint system *1
On Deactivated Deactivated
Adult *2
Off Ready Ready
*1 The occupant classification sensor may not detect a child seated on the seat, in a child-restraint system, or a
junior seat depending on the child's physical size and seated posture.
*2 If a smaller adult sits on the passenger seat, the sensors might detect the person as being a child depending on
the person's physique.
If the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not turn on when the ignition
is switched ON and does not turn on as indicated in the passeng er air bag deactivation
indicator light on/off condition chart, do not allow an occupant to sit in the passenger seat
and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not work
properly in an accident.
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2 –39 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
WARNING Do not allow an occupant in the passenger's seat to sit with a posture which makes
it difficult for the passenger occupant classification sensor to detect the occupant
correctly:
Sitting in the passenger's seat with a posture which makes it difficult for the passenger
occupant classification sensor to detect the occupant correctly is dangerous. If the
passenger occupant classification sensor cannot detect the occupant sitting on the
passenger's seat correctly, the passenger front and side air bags and pretensioner system
may not operate (non-deploy) or they may operate (deploy) accidentally. The passenger
will not have the supplementary protection of the air bags or the accidental operation
(deployment) of the air bags could result in serious injury or death.
Under the following conditions, the passenger occupant classification sensor cannot
detect a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat correctly and the deployment/non-
deployment of the air bags cannot be controlled as indicated in the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light on/off condition chart. For example: 
A passenger is seated as shown in the following figure:
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2 –40 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags 
Luggage or other items placed under the passenger seat or between the passenger
seat and driver seat that push up the passenger seat bottom. 
An object, such as a seat cushion, is put on the passenger's seat or between the
passenger's back and the seatback. 
A seat cover is put on the passenger's seat. 
Luggage or other items are placed on the seat with the child in the child-restraint
system. 
The seat is washed. 
Liquids are spilled on the seat. 
The passenger seat is moved backward, pushing into luggage or other items placed
behind it. 
Luggage or other items are placed between the passenger seat and driver seat. 
An electric device is put on the passenger's seat. 
An additional electrical device, such as a seat warmer is installed to the surface of the
passenger seat.
The passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner systems will deactivate if
the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light turns on.
CAUTION 
To assure proper deployment of the front air bag and to prevent damage to the sensor in
the seat cushion: 
Do not place sharp objects on the seat cushion or leave heavy luggage on them. 
Do not spill any liquids on the seats or under the seats. 
To allow the sensors to function properly, always perform the following: 
Adjust the seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks
with seat belts worn properly. 
If you place your child on the passenger seat, secure the child-restraint system properly
and slide the passenger seat as far back as possible.
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2 –42 Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
Constant MonitoringThe following components of the air bag systems are monitored by a diagnostic system: 
Crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit) 
Front air bag sensors 
Air bag modules 
Side crash sensors 
Air bag/Seat belt pretensioner system warning light 
Seat belt pretensioners 
Related wiring
(With Passenger Occupant Classification System) 
Passenger air bag deactivation indicator light 
Passenger occupant classification sensor 
Passenger occupant classification module
The diagnostic module continuously monitors the system's readiness. This begins when the
ignition is switched ON and continues while the vehicle is bein g driven.
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3 –22 Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions Fuel RequirementsVehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
This vehicle will perform best with fuel listed in the table. Fuel Octane Rating *
(Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel
91 [(R M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
*
U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gaso line station pumps.
Regular unleaded fuel with an octane rating from 87 to 90 (91 t o 95 RON) can be used, but
this will reduce performance slightly, such as reduced engine output, and engine knocking.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) will negativel y affect the emission control
system performance and could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
CAUTION 
USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead to
deterioration of the emission control system and or failures. 
This vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol by
volume. Damage to the vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this recommendation, or
if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any kind if your vehicle engine
is performing poorly. 
Never add fuel system additives, otherwise the emission control system could be damaged.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compo unds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10 %. Gasoline conta ining alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name "Gasohol".
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not be
covered by the warranty. 
Gasohol containing more than 10 % ethanol. 
Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol. 
Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
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3 –30 Before Driving
Mirrors NOTE 
Do not use glass cleaner or suspend
objects on or around the light sensor.
Otherwise, light sensor sensitivity
will be affected and may not operate
normally.

Light sensor
For information regarding the 3 buttons
( , , ) on the auto-dimming
mirror.
Refer to HomeLink Wireless Control
System on page 4-57 .
The auto-dimming function is canceled
when the ignition is switched ON and
the shift/selector lever is in reverse (R).
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4 –1 *Some models.4 When 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
................ 4-10
Instrument Cluster and Display ...... 4-11
Meters and Gauges
....................... 4-11
Multi-information Display and INFO
Switch *
......................................... 4-18
Warning/Indicator Lights
............. 4-26
Transmission ...................................... 4-31
Manual Transmission
Operation
...................................... 4-31
Automatic Transmission
Controls
........................................ 4-34
Switches and Controls ...................... 4-45
Lighting Control
........................... 4-45
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
.... 4-50
Windshield Wipers and Washer
... 4-51
Rear Window Defogger
............... 4-55
Horn
............................................. 4-56
Hazard Warning Flasher
............... 4-57
HomeLink Wireless Control
System *
......................................... 4-57
Brake .................................................. 4-61
Brake System
............................... 4-61
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) *
........... 4-63 ABS/TCS/DSC ................................... 4-65
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
..... 4-65
Traction Control System (TCS)
... 4-66
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ... 4-67
Fuel Economy Monitor ..................... 4-69
Fuel Economy Monitor *
............... 4-69
Drive Selection ................................... 4-71
Drive Selection *
........................... 4-71
Power Steering ................................... 4-73
Power Steering ............................. 4-73
i-ACTIVSENSE ................................. 4-74
i-ACTIVSENSE *
.......................... 4-74
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)
System *
......................................... 4-85
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) *
....................................... 4-92
Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC) *
........................................... 4-95
Radar Sensors (Rear) *
.................. 4-98
Cruise Control ................................. 4-100
Cruise Control *
........................... 4-100
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4 –30 When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.Signal Indicator Lights Page
(Green) *
High Beam Control System (HBC) Indicator Light 4-78*
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF Indicator Light *1
4-90*
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) OFF Indicator
Light *1
4-82
(White/Amber) Cruise Main Indication/Indicator Light 4-101
(Green) Cruise Set Indication/Indicator Light 4-101
*1 The light turns on when the ignition is switched on for an operation check, and turns off a few seconds later or
when the engine is started. If the light does not turn on or remains turned on, have the vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Wrench Indication/Indicator
Light *
Type A instrument cluster
Perform maintenance in accordance with
the message.
Type B instrument cluster
When the ignition is switched ON, the
wrench indicator light is illuminated and
then turns off after a few seconds.
The wrench indicator light is illuminated
when the preset maintenance period
arrives. Verify the content and perform
maintenance.
Refer to Maintenance Monitor on page
6-20 . Low Engine Coolant Temperature
Indicator Light (Blue)
The light illuminates continuously when
the engine coolant temperature is low and
turns off after the engine is warm.
If the low engine coolant temperature
indicator light remains illuminated after
the engine has been sufficiently warmed
up, the temperature sensor could have
a malfunction. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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4 –47 When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models.Auto-light control *
When the headlight switch is in the position and the ignition is switched ON, the light
sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the headlights,
other exterior lights and dashboard illumination on or off.
CAUTION 
Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windshield. Otherwise
the light sensor will not operate correctly. 
The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands and
scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the position and the
ignition is switched ON as fingers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades could be
damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off completely when it is particularly tempting to leave the
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE 
The headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination may not turn off
immediately even if the surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor
determines that it is night time if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several
minutes such as inside long tunnels, traffic jams inside tunnels , or in indoor parking lots.
In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the position.
The dashboard illumination can be adjusted by rotating the knob in the instrument cluster.
Also, the day/night mode can be changed by rotating the knob until a beep sound is heard.
To adjust the brightness of the dashboard illumination:
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-15 .
The sensitivity of the auto-light control may be changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9 .
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