Mazda MX-5 PRHT (2015 year). Instruction - part 9

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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 your Mazda.

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.

Money-Saving Suggestions

How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.

Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.

Avoid fast starts.

Keep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-4) 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.

4-6

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

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Hazardous Driving

WARNING

Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:

Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident.

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.

When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:

Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.

Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.

If your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Do not hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.

If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels.

For more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels.

NOTE

Use snow chains only on the rear wheels.

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

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Floor Mat

WARNING

Make sure the floor mats are hooked
on the retention pins to prevent them
from bunching up under the foot
pedals:

Using a floor mat that is not secured
is dangerous as it will interfere with
the accelerator and brake pedal
operation, which could result in an
accident.

Do not install two floor mats, one on
top of the other, on the driver's side:

Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
In using a heavy duty floor mat for
winter use always remove the
original floor mat.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.

When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its eyelets are inserted
over the pointed end of the retention
posts.

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.

4-8

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

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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
perform the following precautions:

Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-22.

Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.

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 8-25).

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.

Snow left on the windshield is
dangerous as it could obstruct vision.
Remove snow before driving.

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.

Braking performance can be adversely
affected if snow or ice adheres to the
brake equipment. If this situation
occurs, drive the vehicle slowly,
releasing the accelerator pedal and
lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.

qSnow Tires

Use snow tires on all four wheels

Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm

, 4.3 psi)

more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver's door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.

WARNING

Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels:

Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result
in an accident.

CAUTION

Check local regulations before using
studded tires.

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

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NOTE

If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tires with
steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls (page
5-34).

qTire Chains

Check local regulations before using tire
chains.

CAUTION

Ø Chains may affect handling.

Ø Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30

mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.

Ø Drive carefully and avoid bumps,

holes, and sharp turns.

Ø Avoid locked-wheel braking.

Ø Do not use chains on roads that

are free of snow or ice. The tires
and chains could be damaged.

Ø Chains may scratch or chip

aluminum wheels.

NOTE

If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tire chains.

Install the chains on the rear tires only.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.

Installing the chains

1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as

tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer's instructions.

2. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2

―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).

Driving In Flooded Area

WARNING

Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
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.

4-10

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

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Overloading

WARNING

Be careful not to overload your vehicle:

The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your 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 your load by weighing
the items (or people) before putting
them in the vehicle.

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

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Driving on Uneven Road

Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.

Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:

Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle

Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle

Your vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use
care and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.

4-12

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

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Trailer Towing

Your Mazda is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.

Before Driving Your Mazda

Towing

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Driving Your Mazda

Explanation of instruments and controls.

Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2

...................................................................... 5-22

Traction Control System (TCS)

........................................... 5-26

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

........................................ 5-27

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

......................................... 5-30

Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-36

Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-36

Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-41

Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-41
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-53

Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-54

Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-54
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-56
Fog Lights

............................................................................ 5-56

Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-57
Rear Window Defogger .......................................................... 5-58
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-59
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-59
HomeLink Wireless Control System

.................................... 5-60

5-1

Some models.

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Ignition Switch

Auxiliary key (with advanced key)

NOTE

When starting the engine using the advanced
key, refer to Starting the Engine (page 3-11).

When starting the engine with the
auxiliary key, perform the following
procedure.

1. Remove the auxiliary key from the

advanced key (page 3-18).

2. Make sure the start knob is in the OFF

position.

3. Remove the start knob by pulling it

outward while pressing the buttons on
both the left and right sides.

4. Insert the auxiliary key in the ignition

switch.

qIgnition Switch Positions

With advanced
key

Without advanced
key

OFF

The power supply to electrical devices is
turned off. Only in this position can the
key be removed.

5-2

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

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WARNING

Do 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.

Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition to OFF, set the
parking brake and make sure the shift
lever is in P (automatic transmission) or
in 1st gear or R (manual transmission):

It is important to switch the ignition
to OFF even if you are not removing
the key from the ignition or leaving
the vehicle. Leaving the key in other
positions will disable some of the
vehicle security systems and run the
battery down.
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition to OFF, setting
the parking brake and shifting the
shift lever to P (automatic
transmission) or to 1st gear or R
(manual transmission) is dangerous.
Unexpected vehicle movement could
occur. This could cause an accident.

ACC (Accessory)

In this position, some electrical
accessories will operate.

This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. Some indicator
lights/warning lights should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-41).

NOTE

When the ignition is switched ON, the sound of
the fuel pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not indicate an
abnormality.

START

The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key. It
then returns to the ON position.

qIgnition Key Reminder

If the ignition is switched off or the
ignition is switched to ACC with the key
inserted, a continuous beep sound will be
heard when the driver's door is opened.

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

5-3

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Starting the Engine

NOTE

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. Occupants should fasten their seat

belts.

2. Make sure the parking brake is on.

3. Depress the brake pedal.

4. (Manual transmission)

Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the clutch pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(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 unless the clutch is
depressed sufficiently.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the shift lever is
not in P or N.

5. Switch the ignition to START and hold

(up to 10 seconds at a time) until the
engine starts.

CAUTION

Do not try the starter for more than
10 seconds at a time. If the engine
stalls or fails to start, wait 10 seconds
before trying again. Otherwise, you
may damage the starter and drain
the battery.

6. After starting the engine, let it idle for

about 10 seconds.

NOTE

In extremely cold weather or after the
vehicle has not been driven in several days,
let the engine warm up without operating
the accelerator.

Whether the engine is cold or warm, it
should be started without 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 7-20).

5-4

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

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Turning the Engine Off

WARNING

Do not stop the engine while the
vehicle is moving:

1. Stop the vehicle completely.

2. (Manual transmission)

Shift into neutral.
(Automatic transmission)
Shift the shift lever to the P position.

3. Switch the ignition from ON to OFF.

CAUTION

When leaving the vehicle, make sure
the ignition is switched 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.

Brake System

qFoot Brake

Your Mazda has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.

Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

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WARNING

Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop:

Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more effort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause
longer stopping distances or even an
accident.

Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills:

Driving with your foot continuously
on the brake pedal or steadily
applying the brakes for long
distances is dangerous. This causes
overheated brakes, resulting in
longer stopping distances or even
total brake failure. This could cause
loss of vehicle control and a serious
accident. Avoid continuous
application of the brakes.

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:

CAUTION

Ø Do not drive with your foot held

on the clutch pedal or brake pedal,
or hold the clutch pedal depressed
halfway unnecessarily. Doing so
could result in the following:

The clutch and brake parts will
wear out more quickly.

The brakes can overheat and
adversely affect brake
performance.

Ø Always depress the brake pedal

with the right foot. Applying the
brakes with the unaccustomed left
foot could slow your reaction time
to an emergency situation
resulting in insufficient braking
operation.

Ø Wear shoes appropriate for driving

in order to avoid your shoe
contacting the brake pedal when
depressing the accelerator pedal.

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Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

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qParking Brake

WARNING

Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition to OFF, set the
parking brake and make sure the shift
lever is in P (automatic transmission) or
in 1st gear or R (manual transmission):

CAUTION

Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
parts.

NOTE

For parking in snow, refer to Winter Driving
(page 4-9) regarding parking brake use.

Setting the parking brake

Depress the brake pedal and then firmly
pull the parking brake lever fully upwards
with sufficient force to hold the vehicle in
a stationary position.

Releasing the parking brake

Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever upwards, then press
the release button. While holding the
button, lower the parking brake lever all
the way down to the released position.

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

5-7

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