RON MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2023 Owners Manual

Thank you for choosing a Mazda. We at Mazda design and build vehicles with complete
customer satisfaction in mind.

To help ensure enjoyable and trouble-free operation of your Mazda, read this manual
carefully and follow its recommendations.

An Authorized Mazda Dealer knows your vehicle best. So when maintenance or service is
necessary, that's the place to go.

Our nationwide network of Mazda professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best
possible service.

We assure you that all of us at Mazda have an ongoing interest in your motoring pleasure
and in your full satisfaction with your Mazda product.
Mazda Motor Corporation
HIROSHIMA, JAPAN

Important Notes About This Manual
Keep this manual in the tr unk as a handy reference for the safe and enjoyable use of your Mazda. Should you
resell the vehicle, leave this ma nual with it for the next owner.

All specifications and descriptions are accurate at the time of printing. Because impr ovement is a constant goal
at Mazda, we reserve the right to ma ke changes in specifications at any time without notice and without obliga ‐
tion.

Air Conditioner and the Environment
Your Mazda's genuine air conditioner is filled with a refrigerant that has been found not to damage the earth's
ozone layer. If the air conditione r does not operate properly, cons ult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Perchlorate
Certain components of this vehicle su ch as [air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, lithium batteries,…] may
contain Perchlorate Material-- Special handling may a pply for service or vehicle end of life disposal. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

Please be aware that this manual applies to all mode ls, equipment and options. As a result, you may find
some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.

©2022 Mazda Motor CorporationAugust 2022 (Print1)
A Word to Mazda Owners
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24

Seat Precautions
WA R N I N G
Make sure the adjustable components of a seat are locked in place:
Adjustable seats and seatbacks that are not securely locked are dangerous. In a sudden stop
or collision, the seat or seatback could move, causing injury. Make sure the adjustable
components of the seat are locked in place by attempting to slide the seat forward and
backward and rocking the seatback.
Never allow children to adjust a seat:
Allowing children to adjust a seat is dangerous as it could result in serious injury if a child's
hands or feet become caught in the seat.
Do not drive with the seatback unlocked:
All of the seatbacks play an important role in your protection in a vehicle. Leaving the
seatback unlocked is dangerous as it can a llow passengers to be ejected or thrown around
and baggage to strike occupants in a sudden stop or collision, resulting in severe injury. After
adjusting the seatback at any time, even when there are no other passengers, rock the
seatback to make sure it is locked in place.
Adjust a seat only when the vehicle is stopped:
If the seat is adjusted while the vehicle is being driven, the seating posture may become
unstable and the seat could move unexpectedly resulting in injury.
Do not modify or replace the seats:
Modifying or replacing the seats such as repl acing the upholstery or loosening any bolts is
dangerous. The seats contain air bag components essential to the supplemental restraint
system. Such modifications could damage the supplemental restraint system and result in
serious injury. Consult an Author ized Mazda Dealer if there is any need to remove or reinstall
the seats.
Do not drive with damaged seats:
Driving with damaged seats, such as seat cushions torn or damaged down to the urethane, is
dangerous. A collision, even one not strong enough to inflate the air bags, could damage the
seats which contain essential air bag components. If there was a subsequent collision, an air
bag may not deploy which could lead to injuri es. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
inspect the seats, seat belt pretensioners and air bags after a collision.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
2-2
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24

Seat
▼Adjusting the Driver's Seat
Using the driving position set up procedure recommended by Mazda allows you to maintain
a relaxed posture, drive the vehicle for longer periods without feeling tired, and make quick
operations naturally.
Also, you can be assured of a clear view in the forward direction to help you drive more
safely and comfortably.
The adjustments for the driving position recommended by Mazda are done using the
following procedures.
1. Moving the steering wheel and s
eat to their default positions.
2. Adjusting the seatback angle.
3. Adjusting the seat position forward and back.
4. Adjusting the steering wheel position.
Seat Slide
To move a seat forward or backward, raise the lever and slide the seat to the desired position
and release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original position and the seat is locked in place by
attempting to push it forward and backward.
Height Adjustment for Fr ont Edge of Seat Bottom
To adjust the height for front edge of the seat bottom, rotate the dial to the desired position.
Seat Recline
To change the seatback angle, lean forward slightly while raising the lever. Then lean back
to the desired position and release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original pos ition and the seatback is locked in place by
attempting to push it forward and backward.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
2-5
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24

▼Pregnant Women and Persons wi
th Serious Medical Conditions
Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific
recommendations.
The lap belt should be worn SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OVER THE HIPS.
The shoulder belt should be worn across your shoulder properly, but never across the
stomach area.
Persons with serious medical conditions also should wear seat belts. Check with your doctor
for any special instructions regarding specific medical conditions.
▼Emergency Locking Mode
When the seat belt is fastened, it will
always be in the emergency locking mode.
In the emergency locking mode , the belt remains comfortable on the occupant and the
retractor will lock in position during a collision.
If the belt is locked and cannot be pulled out, retract the belt once, and then try pulling it out
slowly. If this fails, pull the belt strongly 1 time and loosen, then pull it out again slowly.
(Seat Belt with Auto matic Locking Mode)
When the seat belt is fastened, it will always be in the emergency locking mode until it is
switched to automatic locking mode by pulling it all the way out to its full length. If the belt
feels tight and hinders comfortable movement while the vehicle is stopped or in motion, it
may be in the automatic locking mode because the belt has been pulled too far out. To return
the belt to the more comfortable emergency lo cking mode, wait until the vehicle has stopped
in a safe, level area, retract the belt fully to convert it back to emergency locking mode and
then extend it around you again.
▼ Automatic Locking Mode*
Always use the automatic locking mode to keep
the child-restraint system from shifting to
an unsafe position in the event of an accident. To enable seat belt automatic locking mode,
pull it all the way out and connect it as instructed on the child-restraint system. It will retract
down to the child-restra int system and stay locked on it. See the section on child restraint
(page 2-21).
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
*Some models.2-15
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24

Seat Belt Pretensioner andLoad Limiting Systems
For optimum protection, the driver and
front passenger seat belts are equipped
with pretensioner and load limiting
systems. For both these systems to work
properly you must wear the seat belt
properly.
Pretensioners:
When a collision is detected, the
pretensioners deploy simultaneously with
the air bags.
For deployment details, refer to the SRS
Air Bag Deployment Criteria (page
2-46).
The seat belt retractors remove slack
quickly as the air bags are expanding. Any
time the air bags and seat belt
pretensioners have fired they must be
replaced.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Taking Action on page 7-40.
Refer to Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Beep on page 7-48.
In addition, the preten sioner system for the
passenger, like the front and side
passenger air bag, is designed to only
deploy when the passenger occupant
classification sensor detects a passenger
sitting on the passenger's seat.
For details, refer to the passenger occupant
classification sensor (page 2-49).

Load limiter:
The load limiting system releases belt
webbing in a controlled manner to reduce
belt force on the occupant's chest. While
the most severe load on a seat belt occurs
in frontal collisions, the load limiter has an
automatic mechanical function and can
activate in any accident mode with
sufficient occupant movement.
Even if the pretensioners have not fired,
the load limiting function must be checked
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WA R N I N G
Wear seat belts only as recommended in
this owner's manual:
Incorrect positioning of the driver and
passenger seat belts is dangerous. Without
proper positioning, the pretensioner and
load limiting systems cannot provide
adequate protection in an accident and
this could result in serious injury. For more
details about wearing seat belts, refer to
"Fastening the seat belts" (page 2-16).
Have your seat belts changed immediately
if the pretensioner or load limiter has been
expended:
Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
immediately inspect the seat belt
pretensioners and air ba gs after any collision.
Like the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners
and load limiters will only function once and
must be replaced after any collision that
caused them to deploy. A seat belt with an
expended pretensioner or load limiter is still
better than wearing no seat belt at all;
however, if the seat belt pretensioners and
load limiters are not replaced, the risk of
injury in a collision will increase.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
2-18
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24

Do not modify the components or wiring,
or use electronic testing devices on the
pretensioner system:
Modifying the components or wiring of the
pretensioner system, including the use of
electronic testing devices is dangerous. You
could accidentally activate it or make it
inoperable which would prevent it from
activating in an accident. The occupants or
repairers could be seriously injured.
Properly dispose of the pretensioner
system:
Improper disposal of the pretensioner
system or a vehicle with non-deactivated
pretensioners is dangerous. Unless all
safety procedures are followed, injury could
result. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
safely dispose of the pretensioner system or
scrap a pretensioner system equipped
vehicle.
NOTE
The pretensioner system may not
operate depending on the type of the
collision. For details, refer to the SRS
Air Bag Deployment Criteria (page
2-46).
Some smoke (non-toxic gas) will be
released when the air bags and
pretensioners deploy. This does not
indicate a fire. This gas normally has no
effect on occupants, however, those with
sensitive skin may experience light skin
irritation. If residue from the
deployment of the air bags or the
pretensioner system gets on the skin or
in the eyes, wash it off as soon as
possible.
Seat Belt Extender
If your seat belt is not long enough, even
when fully extended, a seat belt extender
may be available to you at no charge from
your Authorized Mazda Dealer.
This extender will be only for you and for
the particular vehicle and seat. Even if it
plugs into other seat belts, it may not hold
in the critical moment of a crash.
When ordering an extender, only order one
that provides the necessary additional
length to fasten the seat belt properly.
Please contact your Authorized Mazda
Dealer for more information.
WA R N I N G
Do not use a seat belt extender unless it is
necessary:
Using a seat belt extender when not
necessary is dangerous. The seat belt will
be too long and not fit properly. In an
accident, the seat belt will not provide
adequate protection and you could be
seriously injured. Only use the extender
when it is required to fasten the seat belt
properly.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
2-19
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24

Child-Restraint Precautions
Mazda strongly urges the use of child-restraint systems for children small enough to use
them.

You are required by law to use a child-restraint system for children in the U.S. and Canada.
Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety
of children riding in your vehicle.

Whatever child-restraint system you consider, please pick the appropriate one for the age
and size of the child, obey the law and follow the instructions that come with the individual
child-restraint system.

A child who has outgrown child-restraint syst ems should use seat belts, both lap and
shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer to the center of
the vehicle.

A rear-facing child-res traint system should NEVER be used on the passenger seat with the
air bag system activated.

To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the passenger air bag, the
passenger occupant classification sensor work as a part of the supplemental restraint system.
This system deactivates the passenger front and side air bags and also the passenger seat belt
pretensioner system when the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.

When an infant or small child sits on the passenger seat, the 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 illuminates.

For more details, refer to "Passenger oc cupant classification sensor" (page 2-49).

WA R N I N G
Use the correct size child-restraint system:
For effective protection in ve hicle accidents and sudden stop s, a child must be properly
restrained using a seat belt or child-restraint system depending on age and size. If not, the
child could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-21
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and always keep the child-restraint system buckled
down:
An unsecured child-restraint system is dangerous. In a sudden stop or a collision it could move
causing serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Make sure any child-restraint
system is properly secured in place according to the child-restraint system manufacturer's
instructions. When not in use, remove it from the vehicle or fasten it with a seat belt.
Always secure a child in a proper child-restraint system:
Holding a child in your arms while the vehicle is moving is extremely dangerous. No matter
how strong the person may be, he or she cannot hold onto a child in a sudden stop or collision
and it could result in serious injury or death to the child or other occupants. Even in a
moderate accident, the child may be exposed to air bag forces that could result in serious
injury or death to the child, or the child may be slammed into an adult, causing injury to both
child and adult.
Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light is illuminated when
using a child-restraint system:
Seating a child in a child-restraint system that is installed on the passenger seat with the
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light not illuminated is extremely dangerous. In an
accident, an air bag could inflate and cause serious injuries or even death to the child seated
in the child-restraint system. Always make sure the passenger air bag deactivation indicator
light is illuminated.
Refer to Passenger Occupant Classification System on page 2-49.
(Except Mexico)
Vehicles with a passenger air bag have the fo llowing warning label. The warning label is
displayed in compliance with regulations.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-22
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24

(Mexico)
NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front
of it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.
Vehicles with a passenger air bag have the following warning label. The warning label
reminds you not to put a rear-facing child-restrai nt system on the passenger seat at any time.

Before installing child-restraint system on the passenger seat, move the passenger seat as far
back as possible:
In a collision, the force of a deploying air bag could cause serious injury or death to the child.
Seating a child in a child-restraint system on the passenger seat is dangerous under certain
conditions:
Your vehicle is equipped with passenger occupant
classification sensor. Even with the
passenger occupant classification sensor, if you must use the passenger seat to seat a child,
using a child-restraint system on the passenger seat under the following conditions increases
the danger of the passenger air bag deploying and could result in serious injury or death to
the child.
 The passenger air bag deactivation indicator ligh t does not illuminate when seating a child
in the child-restraint system.
 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.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-23
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24

Do not allow a child or anyone to lean over to or against the side window of a vehicle with
side air bags:
It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over to or against the side window, the area of the
front passenger seat, the front window pillars an d the roof edge along both sides from which
the side air bags deploy, even if a child-restraint system is used. The impact of inflation from a
side air bag could cause serious injury or deat h to an out of position child. Furthermore,
leaning over to or against the door could block the side air bags and eliminate the
advantages of supplemental pr otection. Because the front seats are equipped with front air
bags, the rear seat is always a better location for children. Take special care not to allow a
child to lean over to or against the side window , even if the child is seated in a child-restraint
system.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used in this
way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be crushed
together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more than one person at a
time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly restrained.
Always use a child-restraint system designed for use without a tether or the ISOFIX/LATCH
*1
lower anchor:
Using a child-restraint system that requires a tether or the ISOFIX/LATCH
*1 lower anchor is
dangerous. Your Mazda does not have a ch ild-restraint tether or the ISOFIX/LATCH
*1 lower
anchor. The child-restraint system cannot be pr operly secured. In a collision, it could move
and injure other occupants as well as result in serious injuries or death to the child.
*1 ISOFIX (Mexico)/LATCH (Except Mexico)
CAUTION
A seat belt or child-restraint system can beco me very hot in a closed vehicle during warm
weather. To avoid burning yourself or a child, check them before you or your child touches
them.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-24
MX-5_8LE7-EA-22K_Edition1_old 2022-8-4 8:12:24