2006 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA tow

Black plate (268,1)
Recreational Towing
An example of“recreational towing ”is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
“ Towing Description ”(page 7-27) and
“ Tiedown Hooks ”(page 7-28) and
carefully follow the instructions.
7-30
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page268
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (292,1)
Air Filter
CAUTION
Don't drive without an air filter. This
could result in excessive engine wear.
This air filter may be cleaned with
compressed air and reused, or replaced,
depending on its condition. Unless it is
very dirty, simply shake it to remove
foreign particles. Each time you inspect it,
wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a
damp cloth.
q Replacing the Air Filter
NOTE
If the vehicle is operated in very dusty
or sandy areas, replace the filter more
often than recommended intervals.
1. Make sure the ignition switch is turned off.
2. Unfasten the clamps.
3. Lift off the air filter cover and remove the filter.
Air filter cover
Air filter
4. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a damp cloth.
5. Clean or replace the filter.
6. Install in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the filter element so that the
bottom edge surface with the printed
part number is visible and pointed
towards the front of the vehicle.
Replace the filter according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
8-24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page292
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (294,1)
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from theblade rubber and install them in new
blades.
CAUTION
lDon't bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
lIf the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade's wiping efficiency could
be reduced.
So don't use the driver's side metal
stiffeners on the passenger's side, or
vice versa.
lBe sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was in
the old blade rubber. 4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page294
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (297,1)
NOTE
lRemove the battery cover before
performing battery maintenance.
Battery cover
lBefore installing the battery cover,
make sure both of the cables
connecting the negative battery
terminal (right side of battery) are
connected with the cables routed
toward the right and back of the
battery as shown in the figure.
qBattery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
lKeep it securely mounted.
lKeep the top clean and dry.
lKeep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-29
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page297
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:6 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (353,1)
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used on the road. It is
recommended that tires generally be replaced when they are 6 years or older. Heat
caused by hot climates or frequent high loading conditions can accelerate the aging
process. Regarding the manufacturing week and year is indicated with 4 digit. Refer to
The tire labeling on page 9-18.
qSafety Practices
The way you drive has a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety. So cultivate
good driving habits for your own benefit.
lObserve posted speed limits
lAvoid fast starts, stops and turns
lAvoid potholes and objects on the road
lDo no run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking
CAUTION
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you suspect your tire
or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your speed. Drive with caution until
you can safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is under-
inflated or damaged, deflate it, remove the tire and rim and replace it with your spare
tire. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest vehicle or tire
dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-29
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page353
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:6 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (354,1)
Vehicle Loading
NOTE
This vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or trailer, to keep
your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating capability, with or without a trailer.
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle design performance.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's Safety
Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's suspension
system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure, handling or steering
problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the distance
required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail completely,
particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a combination of the
size of the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Base Curb Weight is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all
standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.
9-30
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page354
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:6 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (356,1)
SAMPLE
CARGO
Cargo Weightincludes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight, including cargo and
optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load or king pin weight is also part of
cargo weight.
The cargo weight limit decreases depending on the number of vehicle occupants. The cargo
weight limit can be calculated by subtracting the total weight of the vehicle occupants from
the “combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed ”value on the tire label.
9-32
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page356
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:6 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (359,1)
GCW
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)is the weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW) plus the
weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable weight of the
vehicle and the loaded trailer - including all cargo and passengers - that the vehicle can
handle without risking damage. (Important: The towing vehicle's braking system is rated
for operation at GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 1,500 lbs). The GCW must
never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight is the highest possible weight of a fully loaded trailer
the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only mandatory options, no cargo (internal or
external), a tongue load of 10 _
15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15 _
25%
(fifth-wheel trailer), and driver only (150 lbs). Consult your dealership (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide provided by your dealership) for more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth-Wheel King Pin Weight refers to the amount of the weight that a
trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples: For a 5000 lb conventional trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a
proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lbs. For an 11,500 lb fifth-wheel trailer, multiply by
0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to 2,875 lbs.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-35
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page359
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:6 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F