2003 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA maintenance schedule

8-9
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
I:Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
T: Tig hten
L: Lubricate
EXHAUST EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHASSIS and BODY
*5If 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.
*6This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper
blades), and power windows.
Maintenance Interval
(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
E.G.R. system IIIIIIII
All electrical system
*6 IIIIIIII
Head light alignment IIIII
Brake pedals and clutch pedals IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections IIIIIIII
Clutch fluid IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*5I I IRI I IRI I IRI I IR
Parking brake IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit and hoses IIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
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
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 9 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

8-10
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
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
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 10 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.It’s OK between L and F.
But if it ’s near 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
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 14 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
If it’s at or near LOW, add enough coolant
to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to FULL.
Do not overfill.
If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Changing Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3). For mixture percentage:
To change coolant
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.
•
Use only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant
’s effectiveness.
• Don
’t add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
• The engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
• DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. DO NOT MIX alcohol
or methanol with the coolant. This
could damage the cooling system.
• Don
’t use a solution that contains
more than 60 % antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
CAUTION
CAUTION
Protection Vo l u m e
Antifreeze solution Wa t e r
Above −
16° C (3° F) 35% 65%
Above −
26° C (−
15° F) 45% 55%
Above −
40° C (−
40° F) 55% 45%
Removing the Cooling System Cap:
Removing the cooling system cap or
drain plug while the engine is
running or hot is dangerous. This
might lead to cooling system and
engine damage and could result in
serious injury from escaping hot
coolant or steam. Turn off the engine
and wait until it ’s cool. Even then, be
very careful when removing the cap
or drain plug. Wrap a thick cloth
around it and slowly turn it
counterclockwise to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you ’re sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap — still
using a cloth — turn the cap, and
remove it.
WARNING
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 16 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

8-24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
2. Lift off the air filter cover and remove the filter.
3. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a damp cloth.
4. Clean or replace the filter.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Replace the filter according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3). Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
Air filter cover
Air filter
Wiper Blades
Hot waxes applied by automatic car
washes have been known to affect the
cleanability of windows.
To prevent damage to the wiper blades,
don’t use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near
them.
CAUTION
CAUTION
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 24 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

11-4
Index
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
I
IgnitionKeys
............................................ 3-2
Switch
......................................... 5-2
Immobilizer System
......................... 3-28
Indicator Lights
................................ 5-22
Cruise set
.................................. 5-28
Headlight high-beam
................ 5-28
O/D OFF
................................... 5-28
Instrument Cluster
........................... 5-17
Interior Care
..................................... 8-48
Interior Light
.................................... 6-37
J
Jump-Starting ................................... 7-13
K
Keyless Entry System ........................ 3-3
Keys
................................................... 3-2
L
Label Information ............................ 10-2
Lane-Change Signals
....................... 5-31
Light Bulbs Replacement
............................. 8-31
Specifications
........................... 10-6
Lighter
.............................................. 6-38
Lighting Control
.............................. 5-30
Lubricant Quality
............................. 10-4
M
Maintenance Introduction
................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance
precautions
................................ 8-11
Owner maintenance
schedule
.................................... 8-10
Scheduled
.................................... 8-3
Manual Transmission Operation
........ 5-8
Recommendations for shifting
....5-9
Mesh Pocket
..................................... 6-41
Meters and Gauges
........................... 5-17
Mirrors Outside mirrors
......................... 3-31
Rearview mirror
........................ 3-32
Money-Saving Suggestions
................ 4-6
O
Odometer and Trip Meter ................ 5-18
Outside Mirrors
................................ 3-31
Overhead Light
................................ 6-37
Overheating
...................................... 7-11
Overloading
...................................... 4-10
P
Paint Damage ................................... 8-41
Parking Brake
..................................... 5-5
Parking in an Emergency
................... 7-2
Power Door Locks
............................. 3-8
Power Steering
................................. 5-13
Fluid
.......................................... 8-19
Power Windows
............................... 3-13
Push-Starting
.................................... 7-15
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 4 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM