wheel MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2017 Owner's Manual

4 –56 When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models. Mirror Defogger *
The mirror defoggers defrost the outside
mirrors.
The mirror defoggers operate in
conjunction with the rear window
defogger.
To turn on the mirror defoggers, switch
the ignition ON and press the rear window
defogger switch (page 4-55 ).
Manual Climate Control Indicator light
Fully Automatic Climate Control Indicator light Horn To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
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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 –66 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 4-26 .
WARNINGDo 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 4-68 ).
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 –67 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 4-65 ) and TCS
(page 4-66 ).
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 4-26 .
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 –71 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 enhanced. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely mak e maneuvers 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 –73 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 Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-26 .
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 –75 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) *
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS) automatically adjusts the headlight beams to the
left or right in conjunction with the operation of the steering wheel after the headlights have
been turned on.
A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-26 .
NOTE
The Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) function can be switched to operable/inoperable
using the personalization function.
Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-9 .
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4 –79 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
*Some models.Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) *
The LDWS system notifies the driver that the vehicle may be devi ating 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 devia ting from its lane, it notifies
the driver by flashing the LDWS warning light and activating the LDWS warning beep, and
by the multi-information display (vehicles with multi-information display).
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow lines.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-95 . Forward Sensing Camera
(FSC)
The warning light illuminates when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-26 .
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 –80 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 warning 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 abruptly and the
vehicle moves close to a white or yellow line, the system determines that 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 ye llow lines of the traffic
lane.
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4 –83 When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSEAuto 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 SystemPress the LDWS OFF switch to cancel the
LDWS. The LDWS OFF indicator light
turns on.
Vehicle lane display (vehicles with
multi-information display)
The vehicle lane lines are no longer
indicated in the multi-information display
when the LDWS is canceled. NOTE
When the ignition is switched OFF, the
LDWS becomes operational the next time
the ignition switched 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.
For vehicles equipped with the multi-
information display and the active driving
display, the color of the lane line in the
direction which the system determined
that the vehicle may be deviating from its
lane changes from white to amber and the
vehicle lane line flashes.
Indication on display
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