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
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page261
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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 (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
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page295
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:25 AM
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
Black plate (298,1)
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-22ABS ............................................ 5-25
Air bag system ........................... 5-25
Brake system .............................. 5-23
Charging system ......................... 5-24
Check engine .............................. 5-24
Immobilizer system .................... 5-26
Low fuel ..................................... 5-26
Seat belt ...................................... 5-26
Seat belt pretensioner system ..... 5-25
Warranty .............................................. 9-9
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-25
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-33
Windblocker ...................................... 6-71
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-15
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-32
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-32 Blades replacement .................... 8-27
Winter Driving .................................. 4-10
11-6
Index
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Form No.8T72-EA-04G