Black plate (286,1)
Engine Coolant
qInspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
Hot Engine:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become very
hot. You could be burned. Carefully
inspect the engine coolant in the
coolant reservoir, but do not open it.
Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS
HOT.
Electrical Fan and Engine
Inspection:
Working near the electrical cooling
fan when it is running is dangerous.
You could be hit by the fan and
seriously injured. Turn off the ignition
switch and make sure the fan is not
running before attempting to work
near the electrical cooling fan.
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.
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a
preset temperature, an electrical cooling
fan turns on. It will continue running
for about 10 minutes after the ignition
switch is turned to off.
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year ―at the beginning of the
winter season ―and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool.
If it's at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page286
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (287,1)
CAUTION
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
q Changing Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
CAUTION
lUse only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant's effectiveness.
lDon't add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
lThe engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
lDO NOT USE coolants Containing
Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
These coolants could damage the
cooling system.
lDO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol
with the coolant. This could damage
the cooling system.
lDon't use a solution that contains
more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
NOTE
If the “FL22 ”mark is shown on or near
the cooling system cap, use FL22 type
engine coolant. If engine coolant other
than FL22 type is used, the engine
coolant must be replaced earlier than
the specified replacement interval
indicated in the scheduled maintenance
(page 8-3).
Except FL22 type
For mixture percentage:
Protection Volume
Antifreeze solution Deminera-
lized water
Above _
16°C (3°F) 35% 65%
Above _
26°C ( _
15°F) 45% 55%
Above _
40°C ( _
40°F) 55% 45%
FL22 type
FL22 type engine coolant concentration is
factory adjusted. Use the product as it is
without diluting it.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-19
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page287
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (288,1)
To change coolant
WARNING
Removing the Cooling System Cap:
Removing the cooling system cap
while the engine is running or hot is
dangerous. This might lead to cooling
system and engine damage and could
result in serious injury from escaping
hot coolant or steam. Turn off the
engine and wait until it's cool. Even
then, be very careful when removing
the cap. Wrap a thick cloth around the
cap and slowly turn it
counterclockwise to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you're sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap―still
using a cloth ―turn the cap, and
remove it.
1. Make sure the engine is not running and it has cooled.
2. Remove the cooling system cap.
Tighten Tighten
Loosen Loosen
3. Remove the radiator drain plug and
drain the coolant into a suitable
container. Properly dispose of the used
coolant. 4. Flush out the system with running
water.
5. Drain the system completely. Insert and tighten the plug. Add as much
ethylene-glycol-based coolant mixture
and water (or undiluted FL22) as
necessary to provide freezing and
corrosion protection.
6. In extremely cold climates, add the mixture percentage recommended in
the coolant mixture percentage table.
7. Run the engine at idle with the cooling system cap off. Slowly add additional
coolant if necessary.
8. At this point, wait until the engine reaches normal operating temperature;
then depress the accelerator two or
three times. Add more coolant, if
necessary, until the system is full.
9. Install the cooling system cap. Inspect all connections for leaks. Inspect the
level in the coolant reservoir one more
time and verify that the coolant level is
between the F and L marks.
8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page288
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (369,1)
qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Item Capacity
Engine oil With oil filter
replacement
4.3 L (4.5 US qt, 3.7 Imp qt)
Without oil filter
replacement 3.9 L (4.1 US qt, 3.4 Imp qt)
Coolant 7.5 L (7.9 US qt, 6.5 Imp qt)
Manual transmission oil 5-speed transmission
2.0 L (2.10 US qt, 1.7 Imp qt)
6-speed transmission 2.1 L (2.2 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission fluid 7.4 L (7.8 US qt, 6.5 Imp qt)
Rear differential oil 0.7 L (0.7 US qt, 0.6 Imp qt)
Fuel tank 48 L (12 US gal, 10 Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipstick or reservoir gauges.
q Dimensions
Item Model
Overall length 4,425 mm (174.2 in), 4,430 mm*(174.4 in)
Overall width 1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Overall height 1,340 mm (52.8 in)
Front tread 1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Rear tread 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Wheelbase 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
* With license plate holder
q Weights
Item Weight
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,396 kg (3,078 lbs)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Front
714 kg (1,574 lbs)
Rear 682 kg (1,504 lbs)
qAir Conditioner
Gas complies with SAE J639 Maximum operating charge
HFC134a (R-134a) 0.45 kg (15.87 oz)
Specifications
10-5
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page369
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (375,1)
C
Clock ................................................. 6-24
Convertible Top ................................ 3-40
Cruise Control ................................... 5-19
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-40
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-37
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-53
DefrosterRear window .............................. 5-56
Detachable Hardtop .......................... 3-45
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-28
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7 Automatic transmission .............. 5-18
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-9
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-24
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-25
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-26
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-24
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-21Flooded engine ........................... 7-21
Jump-starting .............................. 7-22
Push-starting .............................. 7-26
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-27
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
E
Engine Coolant ....................................... 8-18
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-5
Hood release .............................. 3-38
Oil .............................................. 8-15
Overheating ................................ 7-19
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-14
Engine Coolant Overheating ................................ 7-19
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-35
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-50
F
Flasher Hazard warning .......................... 5-57
Headlights .................................. 5-52
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3 Changing .................................... 7-13
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit ................................................ 7-6
Tool storage .................................. 7-5
Fluids Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance .................... 8-11
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-54
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-5
Fuel Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-37
Gauge ......................................... 5-36
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Index
11-3
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page375
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F