stop start MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2017 User Guide

4 –7 When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
CAUTION If the KEY warning light (red)
illuminates, or the push button start
indicator light (amber) flashes, this
could indicate a problem with the
engine starting system. This may
prevent the engine from starting or
from switching the ignition to ACC or
ON. Have your vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
NOTE 
Under the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) flashes after
the push button start is pressed. This
informs the driver that the push button
start will not switch to ACC even if it is
pressed from off. 
The key battery is dead. 
The key is out of operational range. 
The key is placed in areas where it is
difficult for the system to detect the
signal (page 3-7 ).
A key from another manufacturer
similar to the key is in the
operational range. 
(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.
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 indicator 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.
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4 –8 When Driving
Start/Stop Engine 8. After starting the engine, let it idle for
about ten seconds.NOTE 
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. 
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. Verify that the push button start
indication light (green) flashes.
4. Touch the push button start using the
backside of the key (as shown) while
the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes.

Transmitter
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4 –9 When Driving
Start/Stop EngineNOTE
When touching the push button start using
the backside of the key as shown in the
illustration, touch the push button start
with the lock switch side of the key facing
up.
5. Verify that the push button start
indicator 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 indicator light (amber) flashes.
In this case, 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 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. 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.
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4 –10 When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
Turning the Engine Off WARNINGDo not stop the engine while the vehicle
is moving:
Stopping the engine while the vehicle
is moving for any reason other than in
an emergency is dangerous. Stopping
the engine while the vehicle is moving
will result in reduced braking ability
due to the loss of power braking, which
could cause an accident and serious
injury.
1. Stop the vehicle completely.
2. (Manual transmission)
Shift into neutral and set the parking
brake.
(Automatic transmission)
Shift the selector lever to the P position
and set the parking brake.
3. Press the push button start to turn off
the engine. The ignition position is off.
CAUTION When leaving the vehicle, make sure
the push button start is off. NOTE 
The cooling fan in the engine
compartment could turn on for a few
minutes after the ignition is switched
from ON to OFF, whether or not the
A/C is on or off, to cool the engine
compartment quickly. 
When the push button start is pressed
from ON to ACC or OFF, the KEY
indicator light (green) may flash for
approximately 30 seconds indicating
that the remaining battery power of the
key is low.
Replace with a new battery before the
key becomes unusable.
Refer to Key Battery Replacement on
page 6-38 . 
(Automatic transmission)
If the engine is turned off while the
selector lever is in a position other than
P, the ignition switches to ACC.
Emergency Engine Stop Continuously pressing the push button
start or quickly pressing it any number of
times while the engine is running or the
vehicle is being driven will turn the engine
off immediately. The ignition switches to
ACC.
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4 –33 When Driving
TransmissionNOTE
The gear shift indicator turns off when the
following operations are performed. 
The vehicle is stopped. 
The vehicle is put in neutral. 
The vehicle is driven in reverse. 
The clutch is not fully engaged when
accelerating from a stop. 
The clutch pedal remains depressed for
2 seconds or longer while driving.
Recommendations for ShiftingUpshifting
For normal acceleration, Mazda
recommends these shift points: Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 23 km/h (14 mph)
2 to 3 39 km/h (24 mph)
3 to 4 53 km/h (33 mph)
4 to 5 61 km/h (38 mph)
5 to 6 77 km/h (48 mph)
For cruising, Mazda recommends these
shift points: Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 11 km/h (7 mph)
2 to 3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3 to 4 42 km/h (26 mph)
4 to 5 55 km/h (34 mph)
5 to 6 66 km/h (41 mph) Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traffic
or on a steep upgrade , downshift before
the engine starts to overwork. This reduces
the chance of stalling and gives better
acceleration when you need more speed.
On a steep downgrade , downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
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4 –35 When Driving
Transmission Shift Position Indication
The selector position is indicated when the
ignition is switched ON.
Gear position indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear is displayed.
Warning LightThe warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-26 .
Transmission Ranges 
The shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates. Refer to
Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-26 . 
The selector lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transmission and prevents the
rear wheels from rotating.
WARNING Always set the selector lever to P and set
the parking brake:
Only setting the selector lever to the
P position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle is dangerous.
If P fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident. CAUTION 
Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is
moving can damage your transmission. 
Shifting into a driving gear or reverse
when the engine is running faster than
idle can damage the transmission.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete
stop before shifting to or from R, except
under rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 3-53 ).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
WARNING If the engine is running faster than idle,
do not shift from N or P into a driving
gear:
It's dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine
is running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move suddenly,
causing an accident or serious injury.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot
be applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury.
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4 –36 When Driving
Transmission
CAUTION Do not shift into N when driving
the vehicle. Doing so can cause
transmission damage.
NOTE
Apply the parking brake or depress the
brake pedal before moving the selector
lever from N to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 6-gear sequence.
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position. Gears
can be shifted up or down by operating the
selector lever. Refer to Manual Shift Mode
on page 4-37 .
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
automatically controls the transmission
shift points to best suit the road conditions
and driver input. This improves driving
feel. The transmission may switch to AAS
mode when driving up and down slopes,
cornering, driving at high elevations,
or depressing the accelerator pedal
quickly while the selector lever is in the
D position. Depending on the road and
driving conditions/vehicle operations, gear
shifting could be delayed or not occur,
however, this does not indicate a problem
because the AAS mode will maintain the
optimum gear position. Shift-Lock System The shift-lock system prevents shifting out
of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
NOTE 
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P. 
The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P.
Shift-Lock Override If the selector lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure, continue
to hold down the brake pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped flat head
screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.

C ove r
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
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4 –64 When Driving
Brake
WARNINGDo 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 confirm 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 4-26 . 
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
turn off even if the DSC OFF switch is
pressed to turn off the TCS/DSC.
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4 –65 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 4-26 .
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 tire 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 tires 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 –106 When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
CAUTION 
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle
start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement
or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly. 
To avoid false readings, the system samples for a little while before indicating a problem. As
a result it will not instantaneously register a rapid tire deflation or blow out.
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