Mazda MX-5 RF (2017 year). Instruction - part 9

3–60

Before Driving

Driving Tips

 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.

 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 tyre 
speed could cause the tyres to skid. This 
could lead to loss of vehicle control and 
an accident. 

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

 

 Be cautious and allow extra distance for 

braking.

 

 Avoid sudden braking and sudden 

manoeuvring.

 

 Do not pump the brakes. Continue to 

press down on the brake pedal.



  Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS) 

on page  4-86 .

 

 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.

/:A



3–61

Before Driving

Driving Tips

 Floor  Mat

We recommend the use of Genuine 
Mazda

À oor mats.

 WARNING

 Make sure the 

À oor mats are secured 

with the grommets or the retainers to 
prevent them from bunching up under 
the foot pedals (Driver's side): 
 Using  a 

À oor mat that is not secured is 

dangerous as it will interfere with the 
accelerator and brake pedal operation 
(driver's side), which could result in an 
accident.
 Only use a 

À oor mat which conforms 

to the shape of the 

À oor on the driver's 

side and make sure it is oriented 
correctly. 
 Secure  the 

À oor mat using the 

grommets or retainers. 
 There are various ways to secure 

À oor 

mats depending on the type used, 
therefore secure the mat according to 
the type. 
 After installing the 

À oor mat, make 

sure that it does not slide from side 
to side or back and forth, and that 
there is suf

¿ cient clearance with the 

accelerator and brake pedals on the 
driver's side. 
 After removing the 

À oor mat for 

cleaning or some other reason, always 
securely reinstall it while paying 
attention to the precautions just 
mentioned.

 WARNING

 Do not install two 

À oor mats, one on 

top of the other, on the driver's side: 
 Installing  two 

À oor mats, one on top 

of the other, on the driver's side is 
dangerous as the retention pins can 
only keep one 

À oor mat from sliding 

forward.
 Loose 

À oor mat(s) will interfere with 

the foot pedals and could result in an 
accident.
 If using an all weather mat for winter 
use always remove the original 

À oor 

mat.

  When  setting  a 

À oor mat, position the 

À oor mat so that its grommets or retainers 
are inserted over the pointed end of the 
retention posts.

/:A



3–62

Before Driving

Driving Tips

 Rocking  the  Vehicle

 WARNING

 Do not spin the wheels at high speed, 
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 tyre could overheat and 
explode. This could cause serious 
injuries.

 CAUTION

 Too much rocking may cause engine 
overheating, transmission failure, and 
tyre 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  tyre 
chains, window scraper, 

À ares, a small 

shovel, jumper leads, and a small bag of 
sand or salt.
  Ask an expert repairer, we recommend an 
Authorised Mazda Repairer to check the 
following:

 

 Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the 

radiator.



  Refer to Engine Coolant on page 

 6-20 .

 

 Inspect the battery and its leads. Cold 

reduces battery capacity.

 

 Use an engine oil appropriate for the 

lowest ambient temperatures that the 
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-17 ).

 

 Inspect the ignition system for damage 

and loose connections.

 

 Use washer 

À uid made with antifreeze—

but do not use engine coolant antifreeze 
for washer 

À uid (page  6-23 ).

/:A



3–63

Before Driving

Driving Tips

 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 windscreen is dangerous 
as it could obstruct vision. In 
addition, if the vehicle is driven with 
snow accumulated on the bonnet, 
the active bonnet system may not 
activate normally in an emergency. 

 

  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 windscreen. 

 

  Never use warm or hot water for 

removing snow or ice from windows 
and mirrors as it could result in the 
glass cracking. 

 

  Drive slowly. Braking performance 

can be adversely affected if 
snow or ice adheres to the brake 
components. 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. 

 Snow  Tyres

 WARNING

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

 NOTE

 If your vehicle is equipped with the tyre 
pressure monitoring system (vehicle 
with run-

À at tyres), the system may not 

function correctly when using tyres with 
steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls 
(page   4-146 ). 

  Use snow tyres on all four wheels

    Do not exceed the maximum permissible 
speed for your snow tyres or legal speed 
limits.

  Europe

    When snow tyres are used, select the 
speci

¿ ed size and pressure (page  9-8 ).

/:A



3–64

Before Driving

Driving Tips

 Tyre  Chains

            Check  local  regulations  before  using  tyre 
chains.

 CAUTION

 

  Chains may affect handling. 

 

  Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 

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

 

  Drive carefully and avoid bumps, 

holes, and sharp turns. 

 

  Avoid locked-wheel braking. 

 

  Do not use chains on roads that are 

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

 

  Chains may scratch or chip 

aluminium wheels. 

 NOTE

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

  Install the chains on the rear tyres only.
  Do not use chains on the front tyres.

  Tyre chain selection (Europe)

    Mazda  recommends  hexagon  type 
steel ring chains. Select the proper type 
according to your tyre size.

 Tyre  size 

 Tyre  chain 

 195/50R16 

 Hexagon  type 

 205/45R17 

 Hexagon  type 

 NOTE

 Although Mazda recommends hexagon 
type steel ring chains, all chains within 
the installation speci

¿ cations may be 

used.

/:A



3–65

Before Driving

Driving Tips

  Installation  speci

¿ cation (Europe)

    When installing tyre chains, the distance 
between the tyre tread and the chain must 
be within the prescribed limits in the 
following table.

 Distance [Unit: mm (in)] 

 A 

 B 

 MAX 11 (0.43) 

 MAX 11 (0.43) 

Side view

Cross section view

Tyre

A

B

  Installing  the  chains

     1.   Secure the chains on the rear tyres 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 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 

À ooded 

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 expert 
repairer, we recommend an Authorised 
Mazda Repairer. 

/:A



3–66

Before Driving

Towing

      Towing  Caravans  and 
Trailers

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

/:A



4–1

*Some models.

4–1

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 ................  4-11 
  i-stop 

*

   ...........................................  4-13 

  Instrument Cluster and Display ......  4-24 

  Meters  and  Gauges .......................  4-24 
  Multi-information Display and INFO 
Switch

*

   .........................................  4-33 

  Warning/Indicator  Lights  .............  4-42 

  Transmission ......................................  4-48 

  Manual  Transmission 
Operation ......................................  4-48 
  Automatic  Transmission 
Controls ........................................  4-51 

  Switches  and  Controls  ......................  4-63 

  Lighting  Control ...........................  4-63 
  Rear  Fog  Light 

*

   ............................  4-70 

  Turn and Lane-change Signals .....  4-71 
  Windscreen  Wipers  and 
Washer ..........................................  4-72 
  Headlight  Washer 

*

  ........................  4-77 

  Rear  Window  Defogger  ...............  4-77 
  Horn  .............................................  4-79 
  Hazard  Warning  Flasher ...............  4-79 

  Brake  ..................................................  4-81 

  Brake  System  ...............................  4-81 
  Emergency Stop Signal System ...  4-84 
  Hill  Launch  Assist  (HLA)  ............  4-84 

  ABS/TCS/DSC ...................................  4-86 

  Antilock Brake System (ABS) .....  4-86 
  Traction Control System (TCS) ...  4-87 
  Dynamic  Stability  Control 
(DSC) ...........................................  4-88 

  i-ELOOP  ............................................  4-90 

  i-ELOOP 

*

   .....................................  4-90 

  Fuel  Economy  Monitor .....................  4-93 

  Fuel  Economy  Monitor 

*

  ...............  4-93 

  Drive  Selection ...................................  4-97 

  Drive  Selection 

*

   ...........................  4-97 

  Power  Steering...................................  4-99 

  Power  Steering  .............................  4-99 

/:A



4–2

*Some models.

  i-ACTIVSENSE...............................  4-100 

  i-ACTIVSENSE 

*

........................  4-100 

  Adaptive Front Lighting System 
(AFS)

*

   ........................................  4-102 

  High Beam Control System 
(HBC)

*

........................................  4-103 

  Lane  Departure  Warning  System 
(LDWS)

*

   ....................................  4-106 

  Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) 
System

*

  .......................................  4-112 

  Rear  Cross  Traf

¿ c Alert 

(RCTA) 

*

   .....................................  4-119 

  Adjustable  Speed  Limiter 

*

   .........  4-122 

  Forward  Sensing  Camera 
(FSC)

*

  .........................................  4-129 

  Radar  Sensors  (Rear) 

*

   ................  4-132 

  Cruise  Control  .................................  4-134 

  Cruise  Control 

*

  ...........................  4-134 

  Tyre  Pressure  Monitoring 
System ..............................................  4-140 

  Tyre Pressure Monitoring System 
(Vehicle with Conventional 
Tyres) 

*

   ........................................  4-140 

  Tyre Pressure Monitoring System 
(Vehicle with Run-

À at Tyres) 

*

  ....  4-144 

  Parking  Sensor  System  ...................  4-148 

  Parking  Sensor  System 

*

   .............  4-148 

/:A



MEMO

4–3

/:A



4–4

When Driving

Start/Stop Engine

      Ignition  Switch

 Push Button Start Positions

    The 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. 

 NOTE

(Locked steering wheel)
 If the push button start indicator light 
(green) is 

À ashing and the beep sound 

is heard, this indicates that the steering 
wheel is not unlocked. To unlock the 
steering wheel, press the push button 
start while moving the steering wheel 
left and right. 

/:A



4–5

When Driving

Start/Stop Engine

   ACC   (Accessory)

    Some  electrical  accessories  will  operate 
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
  In this position the steering wheel is 
unlocked.

 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. 

   ON 

    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 4-42 ).

 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. 

/:A



4–6

When Driving

Start/Stop Engine

 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 expert repairer, we 
recommend an Authorised Mazda 
Repairer 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  4-9 . 

 

  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 

puri

¿ cation and does not indicate any 

parts defect. 

   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 

¿ rmly until the engine has completely 
started.

   5.    (Manual transmission)
   

Continue to press the clutch pedal 
¿ rmly 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 suf

¿ ciently. 

(Automatic transmission)
 The starter will not operate if the 
selector lever is not in P or N and the 
brake pedal is not depressed suf

¿ ciently. 

/:A



4–7

When Driving

Start/Stop Engine

   6.   Verify that the KEY indicator light 

(green) in the instrument cluster and the 
push button start indicator light (green) 
illuminate.

KEY indicator light 
(green)/ KEY             
warning light (red)

Indicator light

Push button start

 NOTE

 

  If the push button start indicator light 

(green)

À ashes, make sure that the 

key is being carried. 

 

  If the push button start indicator light 

(green)

À ashes 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  4-9 . 

 CAUTION

 If the KEY warning light (red) 
illuminates, or the push button start 
indicator light (amber) 

À ashes, 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 expert repairer, 
we recommend an Authorised Mazda 
Repairer as soon as possible. 

 NOTE

 

  Under the following conditions, the 

KEY warning light (red) 

À ashes 

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 dif

¿ cult for the system to detect 

the signal (page 3-8 ).

 

  A key from another manufacturer 

similar to the key is in the 
operational  range.   

/:A



4–8

When Driving

Start/Stop Engine

 NOTE

 

(Forced engine starting method)



  If the KEY warning light (red) 

illuminates, or the push button start 
indicator light (amber) 

À ashes, this 

could indicate that the engine may 
not start using the usual starting 
method. Have your vehicle inspected 
at an expert repairer, we recommend 
an Authorised Mazda Repairer 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 
À ashing. 

 

(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. 

/:A



4–9

When Driving

Start/Stop Engine

   8.   After starting the engine, let it idle 

for about ten seconds (Prohibited in 
Germany).

 NOTE

 

(Germany)



  Drive immediately after starting the 

engine. However do not use high 
engine speeds until reaching the 
operating temperature. 

 

  Whether the engine is cold or warm, 

it should be started without the use of 
the accelerator. 

 

  If the engine does not start the 

¿ rst 

time, refer to Starting a Flooded 
Engine under Emergency Starting. 
If the engine still does not start, 
have your vehicle inspected by an 
Authorised Mazda Repairer (page 
 7-23 ). 

 

(Manual transmission vehicle with 
i-stop function)



  If the engine has stopped due to 

stalling, it can be restarted by 
depressing the clutch pedal within 3 
seconds of the engine stopping. 



  The engine cannot be restarted even 

if the clutch pedal is depressed under 
the following conditions: 

 

  The driver's door is open.

 

  The driver's seat belt is unfastened.

 

  The clutch pedal is not released 

completely after the engine stalled.

 

  The clutch pedal is depressed with 

the engine not stopped completely.   

 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. 

/:A