Black plate (261,1)
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.
WARNING
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.
Waxing
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.
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.
q 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.
CAUTION
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.
qBright-Metal Maintenance
lUse tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
lTo prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
lDuring 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.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-45
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (262,1)
CAUTION
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.
qUnderbody 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.
WARNING
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.
q Aluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
NOTE
lDon't use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminum
wheels. They may damage the
coating.
lOnly 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.
lAvoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.
lIf your aluminum wheels lose luster,
wax the wheels.
8-46
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page262
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (264,1)
CAUTION
lDon't use an automatic car wash.
lDon't use strong soap, chemical
detergents, or hot water, and don't
wash the hardtop in direct sunlight or
when the surface is warm.
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.
CAUTION
lWiping off dust or dirt with a dry
cloth will scratch the finish.
lDon'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.
Interior Care
q Dashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They'll damage and discolor it.
If these solutions get on the dashboard,
wipe them off immediately.
CAUTION
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
qCleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leatherí
Real leather isn't uniform and may have
scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it
with a leather cleaner or mild soap.
If the leather gets wet from rain, remove
the moisture as soon as possible and dry
in a shaded area.
If the seats get wet, promptly remove
moisture with a dry cloth and allow it to
further dry in a shaded area.
If moisture is not removed, it will cause
hardening and shrinkage of the leather.
Do not leave vinyl products on the seats
for long periods as they may affect the
leather quality and coloring.
8-48
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Appearance Care
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page264
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (290,1)
qLight Bulbs
Exterior light
Light bulb Category
Wattage ECE R SAE
Headlights High beam 60 HB3
―
Low beam 51 HB4 ―
Front turn signal lights/Parking lights 27/8 ―#1157NA
Fog lights
í55 H11 ―
Side-marker lights 3.8 ―#194
Rear turn signal lights 21 WY21W ―
Brake lights/Taillights 21/5 W21/5W #7443
High-mount brake light 21 P21W ―
Reverse lights 21 W21W #7440
License plate lights/Trunk lights 5 W5W ―
Interior light
Light bulb Wattage
Overhead light 8
q Tires
NOTE
The tires have been optimally matched with the chassis of your vehicle.
When replacing tires, Mazda recommends that you replace tires of the same type
originally fitted to your vehicle. For details, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Check the tire pressure label for tire size and inflation pressure. Refer to Tire Inflation
Pressure on page 8-31.
Standard tire Tire size Inflation pressure
Front Rear
195/50 R15 82V 180 kPa (1.8 kgf/cm
2, 26 psi)180 kPa (1.8 kgf/cm2, 26 psi)
205/45 R16 83W
205/40 R17 80W 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm
2, 29 psi) 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2, 32 psi)
Temporary spare tire
Tire size Inflation pressure
T115/70 D14 88M 420 kPa (4.2 kgf/cm
2, 60 psi)
T105/70 D15 85M
10-6íSome models.
Specifications
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page290
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (294,1)
A
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-12
Air Bag Systems ............................... 2-20
Air Conditioning SystemGas specifications ...................... 10-5
Air Filter ............................................ 8-26
Antenna ............................................... 6-9
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ......... 5-7 Warning light ............................... 5-7
Appearance Care ............................... 8-42
Ashtray .............................................. 6-68
Audio System ..................................... 6-9 Audio set (Type A) ..................... 6-19
Audio set (Type B) ..................... 6-43
Operating tips for audio system .... 6-9
Safety certification ..................... 6-66
Automatic Transmission Driving tips ................................ 5-13
Fluid ........................................... 8-23
Overdrive ................................... 5-12
Shift-lock override ..................... 5-12
Shift-lock system ........................ 5-11
Transmission ranges ................... 5-10
B
BatteryEmergency starting .................... 7-13
Maintenance ............................... 8-29
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds Ignition key reminder ................. 5-28
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-28
Seat belt warning beep ............... 5-28
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-7 After getting in ............................. 4-7
Before getting in .......................... 4-7
Body Lubrication .............................. 8-26
B
Brake Fluid ........................................... 8-20
Brakes Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..... 5-7
Foot brake .................................... 5-4
Pad wear indicator ........................ 5-8
Parking brake ............................... 5-5
Warning light ............................... 5-6
Break-In Period ................................... 4-8
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-34
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-6
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-4
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-13
Center Console .................................. 6-70
Child Restraint Child restraint precautions ......... 2-13
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-18
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-68
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Clutch Fluid ........................................... 8-21
Convertible Top ................................ 3-20
Cruise Control ................................... 5-14
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-69
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-21
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-31
Defroster Rear window .............................. 5-33
Detachable Hardtop .......................... 3-25
11-2
Index
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (295,1)
D
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ......................................... 3-9
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-12
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-8Automatic transmission .............. 5-13
Break-in period ............................ 4-8
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-12
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-9
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-8
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-9
Turbocharged vehicles ............... 4-13
Winter driving ............................ 4-10
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-13Flooded engine ........................... 7-13
Jump-starting .............................. 7-13
Push-starting .............................. 7-15
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-16
Emission Control System .................... 4-4
Engine Coolant ....................................... 8-18
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-6
Hood release .............................. 3-18
Oil .............................................. 8-15
Overheating ................................ 7-11
Starting ......................................... 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-14
Engine Coolant Overheating ................................ 7-11
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-20
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-6
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-44
F
Flasher Hazard warning .......................... 5-34
Headlights .................................. 5-29
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3 Changing ...................................... 7-5
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Fluids Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance ................... 8-12
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-30
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-4
Front seats ........................................... 2-2
Fuel Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-17
Gauge ......................................... 5-20
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Fuses ................................................. 8-38 Panel description ........................ 8-40
Replacement ............................... 8-38
G
Glove Box ......................................... 6-70
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 5-34
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-9
HeadlightsControl ....................................... 5-29
Flashing ...................................... 5-29
High-low beam .......................... 5-29
On reminder ............................... 5-29
Hood Release .................................... 3-18
Horn .................................................. 5-33
Index
11-3
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (296,1)
I
IgnitionSwitch .......................................... 5-2
Immobilizer System .......................... 3-31
Indicator Lights ................................. 5-22
Cruise set .................................... 5-27
Headlight high-beam .................. 5-27
O/D OFF .................................... 5-27
Turn-signal/hazard warning ....... 5-27
Instrument Cluster ............................. 5-18
Interior Care ...................................... 8-48
Interior Light ..................................... 6-67
J
Jump-Starting .................................... 7-13
K
Keyless Entry System ......................... 3-3
L
Label Information ............................. 10-2
Lane-Change Signals ........................ 5-30
Light Bulbs Replacement ............................... 8-34
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Lighter ............................................... 6-68
Lighting Control ............................... 5-29
Lubricant Quality .............................. 10-4
M
Maintenance ........................................ 8-2 Introduction .................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance
precautions ................................. 8-13
Owner maintenance schedule ..... 8-12
Scheduled ..................................... 8-3
Manual Transmission Operation ......... 5-8 Recommendations for shifting ..... 5-9
Mesh Pocket ..................................... 6-71
Mirrors Outside mirrors .......................... 3-34
Rearview mirror ......................... 3-34
Money-Saving Suggestions ................ 4-8
O
Odometer and Trip Meter .................. 5-19
Outside Mirrors ................................. 3-34
Overhead Light ................................. 6-67
Overheating ....................................... 7-11
Overloading ...................................... 4-12
P
Paint Damage .................................... 8-42
Parking Brake ..................................... 5-5
Parking in an Emergency .................... 7-2
Power Door Locks ............................ 3-10
Power Steering .................................. 5-14 Fluid ........................................... 8-22
Power Windows ................................ 3-15
Push-Starting ..................................... 7-15
R
Rear Window Defroster .................... 5-33
Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-34
Recreational Towing ......................... 7-17
11-4
Index
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (297,1)
R
Rocking the Vehicle ............................ 4-9
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................. 9-16
Seat Belt System3-point type .................................. 2-7
Automatic locking ........................ 2-6
Emergency locking ...................... 2-5
Extender ..................................... 2-10
Pregnant women .......................... 2-5
Pretensioner and load limiting ..... 2-8
Seat belt precautions .................... 2-4
Warning beep ............................. 2-12
Warning light .............................. 2-11
Seats Front seat ...................................... 2-2
Security System Immobilizer system .................... 3-31
Service Publications .......................... 9-18
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ................ 7-3
Specifications .................................... 10-4
Speedometer ...................................... 5-19
SRS Air Bags Air bag system description ......... 2-26
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions ................................. 2-20
Warning light ............................. 2-28
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-3
Steering Wheel Horn ........................................... 5-33
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-70 Center console ............................ 6-70
Glove box ................................... 6-70
Mesh pocket ............................... 6-71
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-67
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-20
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-32
Tiedown Hook .......................................... 7-17
Tires Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-31
Replacement ............................... 8-32
Rotation ...................................... 8-31
Snow tires .................................. 4-10
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................. 4-11
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-14
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing Description ................................. 7-16
Emergency towing ..................... 7-16
Recreational towing ................... 7-17
Trailer towing ............................. 4-14
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-14
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-19
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-11
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-13
Trunk Release Handle ....................... 3-14
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-30
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-67
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
Index
11-5
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G