2003 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA Owners Manual

7-17
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Tiedown Hooks-Front

Tiedown Hooks-Rear
An example of
“ recreational towing ” is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
“ Towing Description ” (page 7-16) and
“ Tiedown Hooks ” (page 7-17) and
carefully follow the instructions.
Tiedown Hooks
Don't use the tiedown hooks under the
front and rear for towing.
They are designed ONLY for tying
down the vehicle when it's being
transported. Using them for towing
will damage the bumper.
CAUTION
Recreational Towing
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7-18
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
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8-1
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction ................................................................................. 8- 2
Introduction ............................................................................. 8- 2
Scheduled Maintenance .............................................................. 8- 3
Scheduled Maintenance (North America) ............................... 8- 3
Scheduled Maintenance (Except North America) ................... 8- 7
Owner Maintenance .................................................................... 8-10
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................. 8-10
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-11
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-12
Engine Oil ................................................................................ 8-13
Engine Coolant ........................................................................ 8-15
Brake Fluid .............................................................................. 8-17
Clutch Fluid ............................................................................. 8-18
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ...................................... 8-20
Washer Fluid ............................................................................ 8-22
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-23
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-23
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-24
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-26
Tires ......................................................................................... 8-27
Light Bulbs .............................................................................. 8-31
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-37
Appearance Care ......................................................................... 8-41
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage ..................... 8-41
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-43
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-48
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8-2
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Introduction
Be extremely careful and prevent injury to yourself and others or damage to your vehicle
when using this manual for inspection and maintenance.
If you’re unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you to have a reliable
and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are best for your vehicle.
Without this expertise and the parts that have been designed and made especially for your
Mazda, inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient servicing may result in problems. This
could lead to vehicle damage or an accident and injuries.
For expert advice and quality service, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The owner should retain evidence that proper maintenance has been performed as
prescribed.
Claims against the warranty resulting from lack of maintenance, as opposed to defective
materials or authorized Mazda workmanship, will not be honored.
Any auto repair shop using parts equivalent to your Mazda ’s original equipment may
perform maintenance. But we recommend that it always be done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer using genuine Mazda parts.
Introduction
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8-3
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Scheduled Maintenance
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
apply.
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 (Canada and Puerto Rico residents follow Schedule 2).
•Repeated short-distance driving
• Driving in dusty conditions
• Driving with extended use of brakes
• Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
• Driving on rough or muddy roads
• Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
• Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
Scheduled Maintenance (North America)
NOTE
After the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
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8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Schedule 1
I:
Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
CHASSIS and BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if equipped)
*According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your
emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or mileage period to ensure long-term reliability.
Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers
(miles), whichever comes first)Months 6 12182430364248
× 1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
× 1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
Engine valve clearance I
Engine timing belt Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Drive belt (tension) II
Engine oil RRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 72,000km (45,000miles) or 36 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Idle speed II
Air filter CCRC
Fuel lines and hoses
*II
Hoses and tubes for emission
*I
Spark plugs RR
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Disc brakes II
Steering operation and linkages II
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil R
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body II
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLL
Refrigerant amount IIII
Compressor operation IIII
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8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Schedule 2
I:
Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
C: Clean
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
*According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your
emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or mileage period to ensure long-term reliability. Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers (miles),
whichever comes first) Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
× 1000 km 8 1624324048566472808896
× 1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Engine valve clearance I
Engine timing belt Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Drive belts (tension) II
Engine oil Puerto Rico
Replace every 5,000km (3,000miles) or 3 months
others RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 72,000km (45,000miles) or 36 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant level IIIIIIIIIIII
Idle speed II
Air filter CCRC
Fuel lines and hoses
*II
Hoses and tubes for emission*I
Spark plugs RR
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
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8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
CHASSIS and BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM(if equipped) Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers (miles),
whichever comes first) Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
× 1000 km 8 1624324048566472808896
× 1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Brake and clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages II
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil RR
Rear differential oil RR
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body IIII
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Refrigerant amount IIII
Compressor operation IIII
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