Mazda MX-5 RF (2017 year). Manual — part 7

3–28

Before Driving

Fuel and Emission

Fuel-Filler Cap

To remove the fuel-

¿ ller cap, turn it

anticlockwise.
Attach the removed cap to the inner side
of the fuel

À ap.

To close the fuel-

¿ ller cap, turn it

clockwise until a click is heard.

Open

Close

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3–29

Before Driving

Steering Wheel

Steering Wheel

WARNING

Never adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving:
Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous. Moving
it can very easily cause the driver
to abruptly turn to the left or right.
This can lead to loss of control or an
accident.

Steering Wheel Adjustment

To change the angle of the steering wheel:

1. Stop the vehicle, and then pull down

the lock release lever under the steering
column.

Lock release lever

2. Tilt the steering wheel to the desired

positions, then push the lever up to lock
the column.

3. Attempt to push the steering wheel

up and down to make sure it's locked
before driving.

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3–30

Before Driving

Mirrors

*Some models.

Mirrors

Before driving, adjust the inside and
outside mirrors.

Outside Mirrors

WARNING

Be sure to look over your shoulder
before changing lanes:
Changing lanes without taking
into account the actual distance of
the vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears.

NOTE

(Driver's Side Wide Angle Mirror

*

)

The wide angle mirror has two

curvatures on its surface separated
by a region line into outer and
inner regions. The inner region is
a standard convex mirror whereas
the outer region allows for a wider
range of visibility within the same
sweep. This combination allows for
better assurance when making lane
changes.

Region line

The perceived distance of objects

in the outer and inner regions of
the wide angle mirror is different.
Objects appearing in the outer region
are actually further away than they
are in the inner region.

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3–31

Before Driving

Mirrors

Power mirror adjustment

The ignition must be switched to ACC or
ON position.

To adjust:

1. Rotate the mirror switch to the left or

right to choose the left or right side
mirror.

2. Press the mirror switch in the

appropriate direction.

Centre position

Mirror switch

After adjusting the mirror, lock the
control by rotating the switch to the centre
position.

Folding mirror

WARNING

Always return the outside mirrors to
the driving position before you start
driving:
Driving with the outside mirrors folded
in is dangerous. Your rear view will
be restricted, and you could have an
accident.

Manually fold the outside mirror rearward
until it is

À ush with the vehicle.

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3–32

Before Driving

Mirrors

Rearview Mirror

WARNING

Do not stack cargo or objects higher
than the seatbacks:
Cargo stacked higher than the
seatbacks is dangerous. It can block
your view in the rearview mirror, which
might cause you to hit another car
when changing lanes.

Rearview mirror adjustment

Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to centre on the scene through the rear
window.

NOTE

For the manual antidazzle mirror,
perform the adjustment with the
antidazzle lever in the day position.

Reducing glare from headlights

Manual antidazzle mirror

Push the antidazzle lever forward for day
driving. Pull it back to reduce glare of
headlights from vehicles at the rear.

Antidazzle lever

Day

Night

Auto-dimming mirror

The auto-dimming mirror automatically
reduces the glare of headlights from
vehicles at the rear when the ignition is
switched ON.

Press the ON/OFF button to cancel the
auto-dimming function. The indicator light
will turn off.
To reactivate the auto-dimming function,
press the ON/OFF button . The indicator
light will illuminate.

ON/OFF button

Indicator light

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3–33

Before Driving

Mirrors

NOTE

Do not use glass cleaner or suspend
objects on or around the light sensor.
Otherwise, light sensor sensitivity
will be affected and may not operate
normally.

Light sensor

The auto-dimming function is cancelled
when the ignition is switched ON and
the shift/selector lever is in reverse (R).

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3–34

Before Driving

Windows

Power Windows

The ignition must be switched ON for the
power windows to operate.

WARNING

Make sure the opening is clear before
closing a window:
Closing a power window is dangerous.
A person's hands, head, or even neck
could be caught by the window and
result in serious injury or even death.
This warning applies especially to
children.

Never allow children to play with power
window switches:
Power window switches that are not
locked with the power window lock
switch would allow children to operate
power windows unintentionally, which
could result in serious injury if a
child's hands, head or neck becomes
caught by the window.

CAUTION

To prevent burning out the fuse and
damaging the power window system, do
not open or close both windows at once.

NOTE

A power window may no longer open/
close if you continue to press the switch
after opening/closing the power window.
If the power window does not open/
close, wait a moment and then operate
the switch again.

Operating the Power Windows

NOTE

The passenger window can be

operated with each door switch when
the power window lock switch on
the driver's door is in the unlocked
position (page 3-36 ).

The passenger window can also be

operated using the master control
switches on the driver's door.

Master control switches

Driver's window

Passenger's window

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3–35

Before Driving

Windows

Normal opening/closing

To open the window to the desired
position, lightly hold down the switch.
To close the window to the desired
position, lightly pull up the switch.

Master control switches

Driver's window

Open

Close

Open

Close

Auto-opening

To fully open the window automatically,
press the switch completely down.

To stop the window partway, pull or press
the switch in the opposite direction and
then release it.

NOTE

The power window cannot be fully
closed while the door is open.

Power window system initialization
procedure

If the battery was disconnected during
vehicle maintenance, or for other reasons
(such as a switch continues to be operated
after the window is open/closed), the
window will not fully open automatically.
Resetting of the automatic function can
be performed using the master control
switches or each passenger door switch.
The power window auto function reset
procedure can be done on both door
switches. The power window auto function
will only resume on the power window
that has been reset.

1. Close the doors and the convertible top.
2. Switch the ignition ON.
3. Make sure that the power window lock

switch located on the driver's door is
not depressed.

4. Press the switch and fully open the

window.

5. Pull up the switch to fully close the

window and continue holding the
switch for about 2 seconds after the
window fully closed.

6. Repeat Steps 4-5 for the passenger

power window while seated in the
passenger seat.

7. Make sure that the power windows

operate correctly using the door
switches.

After the system has been re-initialized,
passenger window can be fully opened
automatically using the master control
switches.

If the automatic power window operation
does not operate normally while the doors
or convertible top are opened/closed, reset
it using the previous procedures.

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3–36

Before Driving

Windows

Engine-off power window operation

The power window can be operated for
about 40 seconds after the ignition is
switched from ON to off with both doors
closed. If any door is opened, the power
window will stop operating.

NOTE

For engine-off operation of the power
window, the switch must be held up
¿ rmly throughout window closure
because the auto-closing function will
be inoperable.

Power Window Lock Switch

This feature prevents the passenger's
power window from operating. Keep
this switch in the locked position while
children are in the vehicle.
Locked position (button depressed):
Only the driver's power window can be
operated.
Unlocked position (button not
depressed):
Both power windows on each door can be
operated.
(With door-lock switch)

Lock position

Unlock position

(Without door-lock switch)

Lock position

Unlock position

NOTE

When the power window lock switch
is in the locked position, the light on
the passenger power window switch
turns off. The light may be dif

¿ cult

to see depending on the surrounding
brightness.

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3–37

Before Driving

Convertible Top (Soft Top)

Convertible Top (Soft Top)

Top latch assembly

Convertible top's handles

Convertible top

Convertible Top Precautions

WARNING

Sit in the seat with the seat belt correctly fastened when the vehicle is moving:
Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on the convertible top storage area or centre console
when the vehicle is moving is a dangerous way to ride. During a sudden manoeuvre or
collision you could be seriously injured or even killed.

Always keep your hands and

¿ ngers away from the fastening mechanisms when moving

the convertible top:
It is dangerous to place your hands or

¿ ngers near the fastening mechanisms. Your

hands or

¿ ngers could be caught and injured by the mechanism.

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3–38

Before Driving

Convertible Top (Soft Top)

CAUTION

Remove leaves or other matter that may accumulate on and around the convertible top.

If leaves or other matter block the drain

¿ lter, water may enter the vehicle. Clean the

drain

¿ lter at least once a year.

Refer to Convertible Top Maintenance on page 6-58 .

Before opening the convertible top, make sure the rear window defogger switch

is turned off. Otherwise the heat generated from the defogger could damage the
convertible top and the internal material.

Before lowering or raising the convertible top, stop in a safe place off the right-of-way

and park on a level surface.

Make sure nothing is on the convertible top or near the back window when raising or

lowering the convertible top.

Even small objects may interfere and cause damage.

Do not drive through an automatic car wash; it may damage the convertible top.

Do not raise or lower the convertible top when the temperature is below 5 °C (41 °F) ;

this will damage the convertible top material.

Do not lower the convertible top when it's wet. If the convertible top dries while

folded, it will deteriorate and mold.

Lowering the convertible top while it's wet can also cause water to drip into the

passenger compartment.

Do not raise or lower the convertible top in a strong wind as it could damage the

convertible top or cause an unexpected accident.

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3–39

Before Driving

Convertible Top (Soft Top)

NOTE

The power windows go down automatically in conjunction with the convertible top

opening/closing. However, this is a function for improving the operability, and it
does not mean there is a problem. If the vehicle battery is disconnected for vehicle
maintenance or other reasons, the power windows will not go down automatically.
If the power windows do not go down, the automatic open/close mechanism for the
windows must be reset.

Refer to Operating the Power Windows on page 3-34 .

The windblocker reduces the amount of wind coming into the cabin from behind when

driving with the convertible top opened.

Refer to Windblocker on page 5-133 .

When lowering the convertible top, make sure objects inside the vehicle are not blown

away by the wind.

Secure all loose objects inside before driving with the convertible top down.

To help prevent burglary or vandalism and to ensure that the passenger compartment

stays dry, close the convertible top securely and lock both doors when leaving the
vehicle.

The soft top is made of high quality material and if it is not maintained correctly, the

material could harden, becomes stained, or have an uneven gloss.

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3–40

Before Driving

Convertible Top (Soft Top)

Lowering the Convertible Top

CAUTION

Do not sit on the folded convertible top.
Otherwise, the convertible top could
be damaged or you may fall off and be
injured.

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. If the engine is running, turn it off.
3. Make sure there are no objects which

have been placed in the area where the
convertible top is to be retracted.

4. With the lock release button depressed

forward, pull back the top latch lever to
unlock it.

Top latch

Lock release button

5. Remove the striker from the anchor.

Anchor

Striker

NOTE

If the power windows do not go down
automatically, fully open the windows or
open the doors.

6. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold

the convertible top along the front edge
and pull it toward the vehicle rear.

Front edge

NOTE

To lower the convertible top from inside
the vehicle, use the convertible top's
handles.

Convertible top's handles

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3–41

Before Driving

Convertible Top (Soft Top)

7. Move the convertible top rearward and

fold it while pressing the rear glass
lightly with your hand.

8. With the back end of the convertible

top pressed, press the front end until a
latch sound is heard.

Lightly rock the retracted convertible
top to make sure it is securely locked.

Raising the Convertible Top

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. If the engine is running, turn it off.
3. Pull up the unlock lever to disengage

the lock.

Unlock Lever

4. Standing outside of the vehicle, hold

the convertible top along the front edge
and pull it towards the vehicle front.

Front edge

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3–42

Before Driving

Convertible Top (Soft Top)

NOTE

If the power windows do not go

down automatically, fully open the
windows or open the doors.

To raise the convertible top from

inside the vehicle, use the convertible
top's handles.

Convertible top's handles

5. Sitting in a seat, grasp the convertible

top's handles, and press the convertible
top against the windscreen.

Make sure the striker engages with the
anchor, move the top latch slowly, and
then push the top latch upward until a
latch sound is heard.

Convertible top's handles

Striker

Anchor

CAUTION

Driving with the convertible top

not fully locked could damage the
convertible top.

If the red indicator is visible on the

lock release button, the convertible
top is not locked. After locking the
convertible top, verify that the red
indicator is not visible.

Locked position

Unlocked position

Red indicator

Do not spray water directly near the

seam of the window and convertible
top when

À ushing away dirt on the

soft top with water. Otherwise, water
may enter the vehicle.

Refer to Convertible Top

Maintenance on page 6-58 .

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3–43

Before Driving

Convertible Top (Soft Top)

NOTE

The convertible top may be

constricted if it is left retracted for
a long period. Therefore, if the top
has become constricted, it may be
dif

¿ cult to hook the top latch striker

to the anchor.

Make sure the convertible top is

securely locked by pushing up on it.
If it still sounds loose (rattles) after
being locked by the top latch, have
it inspected at an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.

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