2002 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA Owners Manual

8-7
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Emission control and related systems
The ignition and fuel systems are highly important to the emission control system and to
efficient engine operation. Don’t tamper with them.
All inspections and adjustments must be made by a qualified technician. We strongly
recommend that all servicing related to these systems be done by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Scheduled Maintenance (Except North America)
NOTE
• After the described period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
• As the result of visual examination or functional measurement of a system
’s
operation (performance), correct, clean, or replace as required. (Inspect, and if
necessary replace the air filter)
J07L(02MY).book Page 7 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-8
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.)
R : Replace
T: Tighten
L : Lubricate
*1: Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.
*2: Replacement of the timing belt is required at every 100,000 km {60,000 miles}. Failure to replace the timing belt may result in damage to the engine.
*3: If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the engine oil and oil filter more often than recommended intervals.
a) Driving in dusty conditions.
b) Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
c) Driving for long period in cold temperatures or driving regularly at short distance only.
*4: If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, inspect and if necessary, clean or replace the air filter more often than the recommended intervals.
*5: If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving)
or if the vehicle is operated in extremely humid climates, change the brake fluid annually.
*6: This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper blades), and power windows.
Maintenance
Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 121824 30 36 42485460667278849096
× 1000 Km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
(× 1000 Miles) (6) (12) (18) (24) (30) (36) (42) (48) (54) (60) (66) (72) (78) (84) (90) (96)
Engine valve clearance Inspect every 100,000 km (60,000 miles) or 60 months
Drive belts
*1IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
Engine timing belt*2Replace every 100,000 km (60,000 miles)
Engine oil*3RRRR R R RRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter*3RRRR R R RRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system II I IIIII
Engine coolant Replace every 2 years
Idle speed II I IIIII
Air filter
*4IR I RIRIR
Fuel filter R RRR
Fuel lines and hoses II I IIIII
Spark plugs R R RRR
Evaporative system II I IIIII
E.G.R. system II I IIIII
All electrical system
*6 II I IIIII
Head light alignment I I III
Brake pedals and clutch pedals IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connections II I IIIII
Clutch fluid IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*5I I IR I I IRI I IRI I IR
Parking brake IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit and hoses II I IIIII
Disc brakes IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
J07L(02MY).book Page 8 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-9
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.)
R: Replace
T: Tig hten
L :Lubricate
Maintenance
Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 121824303642485460667278849096
× 1000 Km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
(× 1000 Miles) (6) (12) (18) (24) (30) (36) (42) (48) (54) (60) (66) (72) (78) (84) (90) (96)
Power steering fluid and lines IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and gear
housing IIIIIIII
Steering linkages, tie rod ends
and arms IIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil RR
Rear differential oil RR
Front and rear suspension and
ball joints IIII
Automatic transmission fluid
level IIII III
Automatic transmission fluid RRR
Wheel nuts TTTTTTTT
Drive shaft dust boots IIII
Bolts and nuts on chassis and
body TTTTTTTT
Exhaust system heat shields IIII
Tire (including spare tire)(with
inflation pressure adjustment) IIIIIIII
Hinges and catches LLLLLLLL
Road test IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
J07L(02MY).book Page 9 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-10
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Owner Maintenance
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.

When Refueling
• Brake and clutch fluid level (page 8-17)
• Engine coolant level (page 8-15)
• Engine oil level (page 8-13)
• Washer fluid level (page 8-22)


At Least Monthly
• Tire inflation pressures (page 8-28)


At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
• Automatic transmission fluid level (page 8-20)
• Power steering fluid level (page 8-19)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
• Air filter (page 8-23)
• Engine coolant (page 8-15)
• Engine oil (page 8-14)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
J07L(02MY).book Page 10 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-11
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions
only for items easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 8-2), several procedure can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If
you’re unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Owner Maintenance Precautions
Maintenance Procedures:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You can
be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedure. If you lack
sufficient knowledge and experience or the proper tools and equipment to do the
work, have it done by a qualified technician.
Running the Engine:
Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even more
dangerous when you wear jewelry or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
Therefore, if you must run the engine while working under the hood, make certain
that you remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and
all neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or
cooling fan.
Electrical Fan and Engine Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the ignition switch in the ON position is dangerous. The
cooling fan could come on unexpectedly even when the engine isn’ t running. You
could be seriously injured by the fan. Turn the ignition switch off and remove the key
from the ignition switch when you inspect the engine.
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 11 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Engine Compartment Overview
Fuse blockEngine oil-filler cap Cooling system cap Power steering fluid filler cap/dipstick Air filterClutch fluid reservoir
(Only for manual
transmission model)
Automatic transmission fluid-level dipstick
(Only for automatic transmission model)
Engine oil dipstickBrake fluid reservoir
Washer fluid reservoir
(TypeA)
The battery is in the trunk
ngine coolant
eservoir Washer fluid reservoir (TypeB)
J07L(02MY).book Page 12 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-13
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Recommended Oil
Oil container labels provide important
information.
The quality designation SG, SH, SJ,
SL,

or ILSAC
must be on the label.
Engine oil viscosity, or thickness, has an
effect on fuel economy and cold-weather
operation (starting and oil flow).
Low-viscosity engine oils can provide
improved fuel economy and cold-weather
performance.
But high-temperature weather conditions
require higher-viscosity engine oils for
satisfactory lubrication. When choosing an oil, consider the
temperature range your vehicle will
operate in before the next oil change.
Then select the recommended viscosity
from this chart.
Energy conserving oils are recommended.
A chief contribution they make to fuel
economy is reducing the amount of fuel
necessary to overcome engine friction.


Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert it fully.
Engine Oil
SAEFORGASOLINEENGINES10W-30
(ILSAC)
–30 –20–100 1020304050
–20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
5W-30
10W-30
Using oils of viscosity besides those
recommended for specific temperature
ranges could result in engine damage.
CAUTION
Full
Low OK
J07L(02MY).book Page 13 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
5. Pull it out again and examine the level. It’s OK between L and F.
But if it ’s near at or below L, add
enough oil to bring the level to F.
6. Make sure the O-ring is positioned properly before reinserting the
dipstick.
The distance between L and F on the
dipstick represents the following:

Changing Engine Oil and Filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Please act responsibly
—protect the
environment and take used oil to a
recycling facility. Ask your dealer or a
service station for information. Changing engine oil
1. Warm up the engine for a few minutes
and turn it off. Remove the oil-filler
cap.
2. Remove the drain plug and drain the oil into a suitable container.
3. Replace the plug tightly after the oil has thoroughly drained.
4. Fill the engine with new oil to the F mark on the dipstick.
5. Securely replace the oil-filler cap.
6. Start the engine and inspect around the drain plug for leaks.
7. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan.
Don
’t add engine oil over F. This may
cause engine damage.
L (US qt, Imp qt) 0.8 (0.85, 0.70)
Handling Used Engine Oil:
Continuous contact with used engine
oil is dangerous. It could cause skin
cancer. Always wash with soap and
water immediately after changing oil
and filter.
CAUTION
WARNING
Checking or Changing Engine Oil:
Hot engine oil is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, the engine
oil becomes very hot. You could be
seriously burned. Don ’t check or
change the engine oil when the
engine is hot.
WARNING
Tighten
Loosen
Drain plug
J07L(02MY).book Page 14 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM