2004 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA maintenance

8-39
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Fuse panel (Driver’s side)
DESCRIPTION FUSE
RATING PROTECTED
COMPONENT
1 AD FAN 20A Add fan motor,
Magnet clutch
2 HEAD.LH 15A Headlights (LH)
3 HEAD.RH 15A Headlights (RH)
4 —— —
5ST.SIG 7.5A Instrument
cluster, Cruise
control
*
6
—— —
7 CIGAR 20A Cigar lighter
8 RADIO 10A Audio
*
9 F.FOG 15AFog lights*
10 TAIL 15A Taillights, Front
parking lights,
Side-marker
lights
11 ENGINE 15A Engine control
system
12 METER 15A Instrument
cluster
DESCRIPTIONFUSE
RATING PROTECTED
COMPONENT
13 TURN 7.5A Tu r n s ig n a l
lights
14 A/B 10A Supplemental
restraint system,
Antilock brake
system
*
15 WIPER 20A
Windshield
wipers and
washer
16 P.WIND 30A Power windows
17 A/C 7.5A Air conditioner
*
18 HAZARD 10ATu r n s ig n a l
lights
19 D.LOCK 10A Power door
lock
*
20 AUDIO 20A
Audio amp*
21 DEFOG 15A Rear defroster
22 ROOM 10AInterior light,
Auto antenna,
Warning buzzers
*Some models.
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 39 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-40
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Appearance Care
The paintwork on your Mazda represents
the latest technical developments in
composition and methods of application.
Environmental hazards, however, can
harm the paint’s protective properties, if
proper care is not taken.
Here are some examples of possible
damage, with tips on how to prevent them.

Etching Caused by Acid Rain or
Industrial Fallout
Occurrence
Industrial pollutants and vehicle
emissions drift into the air and mix with
rain or dew to form acids. These acids can
settle on a vehicle
’s finish. As the water
evaporates, the acid becomes concentrated
and can damage the finish.
And the longer the acid remains on the
surface, the greater the chance is for
damage.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according to
the instructions in this section. These
steps should be taken immediately after
you suspect that acid rain has settled on
your vehicle ’s finish.

Damage Caused by Bird
Dropping, Insects, or Tree Sap
Occurrence
Bird droppings contain acids. If these
aren
’t removed they can eat away the clear
and color base coat of the vehicle ’s
paintwork.
When insects stick to the paint surface
and decompose, corrosive compounds
form. These can erode the clear and color
base coat of the vehicle ’s paintwork if
they are not removed.
Tree sap will harden and adhere
permanently to the paint finish. If you
scratch the sap off while it is hard, some
vehicle paint could come off with it.
Prevention
It is necessary to have your Mazda
washed and waxed to preserve its finish
according to the instructions in this
section. This should be done as soon as
possible.
Bird droppings can be removed with a soft
sponge and water. If you are traveling and
these are not available, a moistened tissue
may also take care of the problem. The
cleaned area should be waxed according
to the instructions in this section.
Insects and tree sap are best removed with
a soft sponge and water or a commercially
available chemical cleaner.
Another method is to cover the affected
area with dampened newspaper for one to
two hours. After removing the newspaper,
rinse off the loosened debris with water.
How to Minimize
Environmental Paint
Damage
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 40 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-41
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Water Marks
Occurrence
Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can
contain harmful minerals such as salt and
lime. If moisture containing these
minerals settles on the vehicle and
evaporates, the minerals will concentrate
and harden to form white rings. The rings
can damage your vehicle’
s finish.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according to
the instructions in this section. These
steps should be taken immediately after
you find water marks on your vehicle ’s
finish.

Paint Chipping
Occurrence
Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown
in the air by another vehicle
’s tires hits
your vehicle.
How to avoid paint chipping
Keeping a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead reduces the chances of
having your paint chipped by flying
gravel.
NOTE
• The paint chipping zone varies with
the speed of the vehicle. For
example, when traveling at 90 km/h
(56 mph), the paint chipping zone is
50 m (164 ft).
• In low temperatures a vehicle
’s
finish hardens. This increases the
chance of paint chipping.
• Chipped paint can lead to rust
forming on your Mazda. Before this
happens, repair the damage by using
Mazda touch-up paint according to
the instructions in this section.
Failure to repair the affected area
could lead to serious rusting and
expensive repairs.
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 41 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-42
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Follow all
label and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read all warnings and cautions.

Maintaining the Finish
Wa s h i n g
To help protect the finish from rust and
deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.
If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.
Scratches occur on the paint surface
when:
• The vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign
matter.
• The vehicle is washed with a rough,
dry, or dirty cloth.
• The vehicle is washed at a car wash
that uses brushes that are dirty or too
stiff.
• Cleansers or wax containing abrasives
are used. To minimize scratches on the vehicle
’s
paint finish:
• Rinse off any dirt or other foreign
matter using lukewarm or cold water
before washing.
• Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
• Rub gently when washing or drying the
vehicle.
• Take your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained.
• Don
’t use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
Exterior Care
NOTE
• Mazda is not responsible for
scratches caused by automatic car
washes or improper washing.
• Scratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint finishes.
•Don
’t use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or
anodized aluminum parts. This may
damage the protective coating; also,
cleaners and detergents may
discolor or deteriorate the paint.
• To prevent damaging the antenna,
retract it before entering a car wash
facility or passing beneath a low
overhead clearance.
CAUTION
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8-43
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material from
the underside of the fenders, and make
sure the drain holes in the lower edges of
the doors and rocker panels are clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the finish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Don’t allow soap
to dry on the finish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming. Wa x i n g
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.
Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.

Repairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance is
normal.
WARNING
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas even if
the rest of the vehicle doesn
’t need it.
If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced, make
sure the body shop applies anti-
corrosion materials to all parts, both
repaired and new. This will prevent
them from rusting.
CAUTION
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 43 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-44
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Bright-Metal Maintenance
• Use tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
• To prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
• During cold weather or in coastal
areas, cover bright-metal parts with a
coating of wax or preservative heavier
than usual. It would also help to coat
them with noncorrosive petroleum jelly
or some other protective compound.


Underbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try also to
do this every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt. It
will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped
there will cause rusting.
Don
’t use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating and
cause discoloration or paint
deterioration.
CAUTION
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance is
normal.
WARNING
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 44 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-45
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Aluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.

Convertible Top Maintenance
The convertible top is made of a special
high-grade material, but if it
’s not taken
good care of, hardening, staining, and loss
of luster will result. Maintain it under
these guidelines.
Wa s h i n g
Don ’t wait until the top gets really dirty
before cleaning it. Dirt that ’s there too
long will cause deterioration.
1. Before washing, remove dust and coarse particulate with a soft brush.
2. Gently clean the top with a synthetic neutral detergent, lots of water, and a
soft brush.
3. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water to remove all the soap.
4. Wipe it as dry as you can before the water dries on it.
5. Then allow it to dry completely before lowering it.
NOTE
•Don
’t use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminum
wheels. They may damage the
coating.
• Only use a mild soap or neutral
detergent and always use a sponge
or soft cloth to clean the wheels.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or
cold water. Also, be sure to clean
the wheels after driving on dusty or
salted roads. This helps prevent
corrosion.
• Avoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.
• If your aluminum wheels lose
luster, wax the wheels.
•Automatic and high-pressure car
washes are harmful to a convertible
top. Avoid them.
• Don
’t spray water directly on the
area where the window glass and
the top meet. This would probably
cause water to enter the cabin.
CAUTION
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 45 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-46
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Appearance(Polyvinyl only)
Dress the top once a month after washing
and drying it well. For best results, use a
water-based leather treatment or vinyl top
dressing. This will help maintain good
appearance and material condition of the
top.

Detachable Hardtop
Maintenance*
Wa s h i n g
To help protect the hardtop
’s finish, use a
soft cloth or sponge to wash it.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the finish if they are not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles. Thoroughly rinse with lukewarm or cold
water. Don
’t allow soap to dry on the
finish.
Waxing
Wax the hardtop when water no longer
beads on the paint. Always wash and dry
it before waxing.
•
Some leather treatment products
can ruin the top
’s gloss. Be careful
of the one you choose.
• Test on an inconspicuous, small
corner of the top if you are not sure.
• Don
’t get any car wax on the top.
If you do, remove it with a good
leather cleaner.
• Too much treatment on the top can
be as damaging as too little. Follow
the manufacturer
’s directions.
Don ’t overdo it!
• Let the top dry completely before
lowering after applying treatment or
dressing.
CAUTION
•Don
’t use an automatic car wash.
• Don
’t use strong soap, chemical
detergents, or hot water, and don ’t
wash the hardtop in direct sunlight
or when the surface is warm.
• Wiping off dust or dirt with a dry
cloth will scratch the finish.
• Don
’t use abrasive wax. This may
damage the protective coating and
discolor or deteriorate the paint.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas.
CAUTION
CAUTION
*Some models.
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 46 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM