engine MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2017 Owner's Manual

3 –51 Before Driving
Driving Tips
Break-In Period No special break-in is necessary, but a
few precautions in the first 1,000 km
(600 miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of the vehicle. 
Do not race the engine. 
Do not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time. 
Do not drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods of
time. 
Avoid unnecessary hard stops. 
Avoid full-throttle starts.
Saving Fuel and
Protection of the
Environment How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save fuel and
reduce CO2. 
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving. 
Avoid fast starts. 
Drive at lower speeds. 
Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking). 
Follow the maintenance schedule
(page 6-4 ) and have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer perform inspections and
servicing. 
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary. 
Slow down on rough roads. 
Keep the tires properly inflated. 
Do not carry unnecessary weight. 
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. 
Keep the wheels in correct alignment. 
Keep windows closed at high speeds. 
Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING Never stop the engine when going down
a hill:
Stopping the engine when going
down a hill is dangerous. This causes
the loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident.
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3 –53 Before Driving
Driving Tips
Rocking the Vehicle WARNING 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
from 1 (D) to R. 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
6-29 . 
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 6-27 ).
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 6-31 ).
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. 
Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
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3 –55 Before Driving
Driving Tips
Driving In Flooded Area WARNING 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.
CAUTION Do not drive the vehicle on flooded
roads as it could cause short circuiting
of electrical/electronic parts, or
engine damage or stalling from
water absorption. If the vehicle has
been immersed in water, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. Overloading WARNING Be careful not to overload your vehicle:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of the vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident
or vehicle damage. You can estimate
the weight of the load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle.
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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 –4 When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
Ignition Switch Push Button Start PositionsThe 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 after about
25 minutes. Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start indicator
light (amber) also turns off.
In this position the steering wheel is
locked.
WARNING 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) 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) 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.
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4 –5 When Driving
Start/Stop EngineON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The indicator light
(amber) turns off. (The indicator light
(amber) illuminates when the ignition
is switched ON and the engine is not
running.)
Some indicator lights/warning lights
should be inspected before the engine is
started (page 4-18 ).
NOTE
When the push button start is pressed to
ON, the sound of the fuel pump motor
operating near the fuel tank can be heard.
This does not indicate an abnormality.
Starting the Engine WARNING Radio waves from the key may affect
medical devices such as pacemakers:
Before using the key near people who
use medical devices, ask the medical
device manufacturer or your physician
if radio waves from the key will affect
the device.
NOTE 
The key must be carried because the key
carries an immobilizer chip that must
communicate with the engine controls at
short range. 
The engine can be started when the
push button start is pressed from off,
ACC, or ON. 
The push button start system functions
(function which can start the engine
by only carrying the key) can be
deactivated to prevent any possible
adverse effect on a user wearing a
pacemaker or other medical device. If
the system is deactivated, you will be
unable to start the engine by carrying
the key. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for details. If the push button
start system functions have been
deactivated, you can start the engine by
following the procedure indicated when
the key battery goes dead.
Refer to Engine Start Function When
Key Battery is Dead on page 4-8 .
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4 –6 When Driving
Start/Stop Engine 
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 instrument cluster and the
push button start indicator light (green)
illuminate.

Indicator light
Push button start
KEY indicator light
(green)/ KEY

warning light (red)
NOTE 
If the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes, make sure that the key is
being carried. 
If the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes with the key being
carried, touch the key to the push
button start and start the engine. Refer
to Engine Start Function When Key
Battery is Dead on page 4-8 .
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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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