Black plate (226,1)
MaintenanceInterval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
×1000 miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake pedals and clutch pedals I I I IIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I I I I I I
Clutch fluid I I IIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*6IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
Parking brake I I I IIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit and hoses I I I I I I I I
Disc brakes I I IIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power steering fluid and lines I I I IIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and gear housing I I I I I I I I
Steering linkages, tie rod ends and
arms IIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil RR
Front and rear suspension and ball
joints IIII
Automatic transmission fluid level I I I I I I I I
Drive shaft dust boots IIII
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T T T T T T T
Body condition
(for rust, corrosion and perforation)
(except Australian model) Inspect annually
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page226
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (227,1)
MaintenanceInterval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
×1000 miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 80,000 km (50,000 miles)
Tire (including spare tire)
(with inflation pressure adjustment) IIIIIIII
Chart symbols
I:
Inspect: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
C: Clean
T: Tighten
Remarks
*1 Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.
*2 Replacement of the timing belt is required at every 100,000 km {62,500 miles}. Failure to replace the timing
belt may result in damage to the engine.
*3 If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the engine oil and oil filter more often than recommended intervals.
a) Driving in dusty conditions.
b) Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
c) Driving for long period in cold temperatures or driving regularly at short distance only.
*4 If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, inspect and if necessary, clean or replace the air filter more often than the recommended intervals.
*5 This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper blades), and power windows.
*6 If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving) or if the vehicle is operated in extremely humid climates, change the brake fluid annually.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-11
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
Black plate (237,1)
qAdding Brake Fluid
WARNING
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.
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
CAUTION
lBrake fluid will damage painted
surfaces. If brake fluid does get on a
painted surface, wipe it off
immediately.
lUsing 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.
Clutch Fluid
q Inspecting Clutch Fluid Level
Inspect the level in the clutch fluid
reservoir regularly. It should be kept at
MAX.
qAdding Clutch Fluid
WARNING
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.
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-21
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G
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
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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