2004 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA maintenance

8-15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Check the oil level and fill to the F mark if
necessary.
Oil capacity (General reference only,
refer to Specifications section for
capacities.)
Changing oil filter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer should do the work.

Inspecting Coolant Level
NOTE
• The indicated engine oil capacities
are for general reference purposes
only. When adding or changing oil,
verify the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick.
• Use only specified engine oil (page
10-4).
Engine Coolant
Hot Engine:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become very
hot. You could be burned. Carefully
inspect the engine coolant in the
coolant reservoir, but do not open it.
Do not use a match or live flame in
the engine compartment. DO NOT
ADD COOLANT WHEN THE
ENGINE IS HOT.
Cooling Fan and Engine
Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the
ignition switch in the ON position is
dangerous. The cooling fan could
turn 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.
Cooling System Cap:
When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Don’ t remove the
cooling system cap when the engine
and radiator are hot.
WARNING
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8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year—at the beginning of the
winter season —and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the FULL and LOW
marks on the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.
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:
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.
CAUTION
• 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.
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%
CAUTION
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8-17
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
To change coolant
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
2. Only when the engine is cool, remove the radiator drain plug and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
Properly dispose of the used coolant.
3. Flush out the system with running water. 4. Drain the system completely. Insert
and tighten the plug. Add as much
ethylene-glycol-based coolant and
water as necessary to provide freezing
and corrosion protection.
5. In extremely cold climates, add the amount recommended in the coolant
manufacturer ’s instructions.
6. Run the engine at idle with the cooling system cap off. Slowly add additional
coolant if necessary.
7. At this point, wait until the engine reaches normal operating temperature;
then depress the accelerator two or
three times. Add more coolant, if
necessary, until the system is full.
8. Install the cooling system cap. Inspect all connections for leaks. Inspect the
level in the coolant reservoir one more
time.
Removing the Cooling System Cap:
Removing the cooling system cap
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. Wrap a thick cloth around
the cap 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
Tighten
Loosen
Tighten Loosen
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8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Inspecting Brake Fluid Level
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake linings. If it
is excessively low, have the brake system
inspected by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.

Adding Brake Fluid
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
Brake Fluid
Spilled Brake Fluid:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Brake fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on yourself or on the
engine.
Low Brake Fluid Levels:
Low brake fluid levels are dangerous.
Low levels could signal brake lining
wear or a brake system leak. Your
brakes could fail and cause an
accident. If you find a low fluid level,
have the brakes inspected.
• Brake fluid will damage painted
surfaces. If brake fluid does get on
a painted surface, wipe it off
immediately.
• Using nonspecified brake fluids
(page 10-4) will damage the system.
Mixing different fluids will also
damage it.
If the brake system frequently
requires new fluid, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
CAUTION
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8-19
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Inspecting Clutch Fluid Level
Inspect the level in the clutch fluid
reservoir regularly. It should be kept at
MAX.

Adding Clutch Fluid
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
Clutch Fluid
Spilled Clutch Fluid:
Spilled clutch fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Clutch fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire. Be careful not to
spill clutch fluid on yourself or on the
engine.
WARNING
• Clutch fluid will damage painted
surfaces. If clutch fluid does get on
a painted surface, wipe it off
immediately.
• Using nonspecified clutch fluids
(page 10-4) will damage the system.
Mixing different fluids will also
damage it.
If the clutch system frequently
requires new fluid, it should be
inspected. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer immediately.
NOTE
Low clutch fluid level may signal a
fluid leak. If you find a low fluid level,
have the clutch inspected.
CAUTION
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8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Inspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
Inspect the fluid level at each engine oil
change. Add fluid if necessary; it does not
require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between the H and
L marks.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
1. Park on a level surface, well off the
right-of-way, and set the parking brake
firmly.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool. 3. Remove the filler cap and attached
dipstick.
4. Wipe them clean and put them back.
5. Remove again and inspect the level.
6. It must be between H and L. Add fluid if necessary.
Don ’t overfill.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
To avoid damage to the power steering
pump, don ’t operate the vehicle for
long periods when the power steering
fluid level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid
(page 10-4).
CAUTION
Full
Low
OK
Loosen
Tighten
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8-21
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Inspecting Automatic
Transmission Fluid Level
The automatic transmission fluid level
should be inspected regularly. Measure it
as described below.
The volume of fluid changes with the
temperature. For that reason, it is best to
examine the level after having driven the
vehicle for 15 minutes. If necessary,
however, it can also be inspected without
driving when the outside temperature is
above 20
°C (70 °F).
1. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake firmly.
2. Idle the engine. Push down on the brake pedal.
3. Move the shift lever through all ranges and set it at P. 4. With the engine still idling, pull out the
dipstick, wipe it clean.
5. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure it is fully seated.
6. Pull the dipstick out and read the fluid level.
The proper fluid level is marked on the
dipstick as follows.
Fluid hot scale
When checking the fluid level at normal
operating temperature, the fluid level
should be within the FULL and LOW
marks on the dipstick.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF)
• Low fluid level causes transmission
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and
transmission malfunction.
• Use specified fluid (page 10-4). A
nonspecified fluid could result in
transmission malfunction and
failure.
• The vehicle should not be driven if
the fluid level is below the bottom
of the dipstick and the outside
temperature is above 20
°C (70° F),
or if evident automatic transmission
fluid leaks are found.
CAUTION
Sudden Vehicle Movement:
Shifting the shift lever without first
depressing the brake pedal is
dangerous. The vehicle could move
suddenly and cause an accident.
Make sure the brake pedal is applied
before shifting the shift lever.
WARNING
FULL
LOW Fluid
cold
scale
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8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Fluid cold scale
When the vehicle has not been driven but
the engine is idling, and the outside
temperature is above 20°C (70 °F), the
fluid level should be close to, but not
above, the bottom notch on the dipstick.
Fully insert the dipstick. When adding
fluid, inspect with the dipstick to make
sure it doesn ’t pass full.

Inspecting Washer Fluid Level
NOTE
Use the cold scale as a reference.
NOTE
Inspect the fluid on both sides of the
dipstick in a well lit area for an
accurate reading.
Washer Fluid
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the
windshield, affect your visibility, and
could result in an accident. Use only
windshield washer fluid or plain
water in the reservoir.
Using Washer Fluid Without Anti-
freeze Protection in Cold Weather:
Operating your vehicle in
temperatures below 4 degrees C (40
degrees F) using washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection is dangerous as
it could cause impaired windshield
vision and result in an accident. In
cold weather, always use washer fluid
with anti-freeze protection.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict
the use of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), which are commonly used as
anti-freeze agents in washer fluid. A
washer fluid with limited VOC content
should be used only if it provides
adequate freeze resistance for all
regions and climates in which the
vehicle will be operated.
WARNING
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 22 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM