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1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Reverse (R) or 1, and
turn off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire
(page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a block both in front and behind
the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or
wood blocks of sufficient size to hold
the tire in place.
qRemoving a Flat Tire
1. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn each, but
don't remove any lug nuts until the tire
has been raised off the ground.
2. Place the jack under the jacking
position closest to the tire being
changed.
Jacking position
7-6
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
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Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
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.
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
6. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-11
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Push-Starting
WARNING
Towing a Vehicle to Start It:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured. Never tow a vehicle to start it.
You can't start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
CAUTION
You shouldn't push-start a vehicle that
has a manual transmission. It can
damage the emission control system.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
7-15
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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) ..................... 8-8
Owner Maintenance .................................................................... 8-11
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................. 8-11
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-12
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-13
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-14
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-17
Brake Fluid ............................................................................. 8-19
Clutch Fluid ............................................................................ 8-20
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ..................................... 8-22
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-24
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-25
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-25
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-26
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-28
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-29
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-33
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-37
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-41
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-41
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-43
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-47
8-1
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Owner Maintenance Schedule
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.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-19)
lEngine coolant level (page 8-17)
lEngine oil level (page 8-15)
lWasher fluid level (page 8-24)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-30)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lAutomatic transmission fluid level (page 8-22)
lPower steering fluid level (page 8-21)
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.
lAir filter (page 8-25)
lEngine coolant (page 8-17)
lEngine oil (page 8-15)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-11
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Engine Compartment Overview
Fuse block
Engine oil-filler cap
Cooling system cap
Power steering fluid filler cap/dipstickAir filterClutch fluid reservoir
(Only for manual
transmission model) Automatic transmission fluid-level dipstick
(Only for automatic transmission model)
Engine oil dipstick
Brake fluid reservoir Washer fluid reservoir
(TypeA)
Engine coolant
reservoirWasher fluid reservoir (TypeB)
The battery is in the trunk
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-13
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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.Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF)
qInspecting 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).
CAUTION
lLow fluid level causes transmission
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and
transmission malfunction.
lUse specified fluid (page 10-4). A
nonspecified fluid could result in
transmission malfunction and failure.
lThe 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.
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.
8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Specifications
qEngine
Item Specification
Type DOHC-16V in-line, 4-cylinder
Bore×Stroke 83.0 mm × 85.0 mm (3.3 × 3.4 in)
Displacement 1,840 ml (1,840 cc, 112.2 cu in)
Compression ratioMX-5/Miata 10.0
MAZDASPEED MX-5 9.5
qElectrical System
Item Specification
Battery Maintenance-free, 12V-32AH/5HR
Alternator 12 V - 80 A
Starter 12 V - 1.0 kW
Spark-plug numberMX-5/MiataBP01 18 110
*, BP02 18 110*,
BP03 18 110, BP04 18 110
MAZDASPEED MX-5 BP8K 18 110
*
Spark-plug gapMX-5/Miata 1.0―1.1mm (0.040―0.043 in)
MAZDASPEED MX-5 0.7―0.8mm (0.027―0.031 in)
* ex factory
qLubricant Quality
Lubricant Classification
Engine oil Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-14.
Manual transmission oilAny temperatureAPI Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 75W-90
Above 10°C (50°F)API Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 80W-90
Automatic transmission fluid ATF M-III or equivalent (e.g. Dexron® III)
Rear differential oilAPI Service GL-5
SAE 90
Power steering fluid ATF M-III or equivalent (e.g. Dexron® III)
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
10-4
Specifications
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