Page 265 of 378
Black plate (265,1)
Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
rear wheels off the ground. If excessive
damage or other conditions prevent this,
use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
CAUTION
Don't tow the vehicle pointed forward
with driving wheels on the ground. This
may cause internal damage to the
transmission.
CAUTION
Don't tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage your vehicle. Use
wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
7-27
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page265
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 268 of 378
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
Page 273 of 378

Black plate (273,1)
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Disc brakes IIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*3Inspect annually
Steering operation and linkages II
Front and rear suspension and ball joints II
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil R
Driveshaft dust boots II
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLL
Chart symbols
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean
Remarks
*1 Use FL22 type coolant in vehicles with the inscription “FL22 ”on the radiator cap itself or the surrounding
area. Use FL22 when replacing the coolant.
*2 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-5
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page273
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 275 of 378

Black plate (275,1)
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*3Inspect annually
Steering operation and linkages II
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension and ball joints II
Manual transmission oil RR
Rear differential oil RR
Driveshaft dust boots II
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Chart symbols
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean
Remarks
*1 Use FL22 type coolant in vehicles with the inscription “FL22 ”on the radiator cap itself or the surrounding
area. Use FL22 when replacing the coolant.
*2 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-7
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page275
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 277 of 378

Black plate (277,1)
qSchedule
Maintenance
Interval 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 ×1000miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Engine valve clearance Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy, adjust
Engine oil
*1RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter*1RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Drive belts*2IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Cooling system IIIIIIII
Engine coolant FL22 type
*3R
Others Replace every 2 years
Air filter
*4CCRCCRCC
Fuel filter Replace every 60,000 km (37,500 miles)
Fuel lines and hoses IIIIIIII
Spark plugs Replace every 100,000 km (62,500 miles)
Evaporative system (if installed) IIIIIIII
Battery electrolyte level and
specific gravity IIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connections IIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*5IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
Parking brake IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit (Brake booster)
and hoses IIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power steering fluid, lines, hoses
and connections IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages IIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil R R
Front and rear suspension and
ball joints IIII
Driveshaft dust boots IIII
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 80,000 km (50,000 miles)
Bolts and nuts on chassis and
body TTTTTTTT
Body condition
(for rust, corrosion and perfora-
tion) Inspect annually
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-9
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page277
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 282 of 378
Black plate (282,1)
Engine Compartment Overview
Engine oil dipstick
Engine oil filler cap
Brake fluid reservoir / Clutch
fluid reservoir (only for manual
transmission model)
Washer fluid reservoir Cooling system capBattery
Engine coolant reservoir Power steering fluid cap
Air filter Fuse block
8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page282
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 358 of 378
Black plate (358,1)
SAMPLE
WARNING
Exceeding Axle Weight Rating Limits:
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits is dangerous and
could result in death or serious injury as a result of substandard vehicle handling,
performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, or loss of control.
Always keep the vehicle within the axle weight rating limits.
9-34
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page358
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:6 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 368 of 378

Black plate (368,1)
Specifications
qEngine
Item Specification
Type DOHC-16V in-line, 4-cylinder
Bore×Stroke 87.5 × 83.1 mm (3.44 × 3.27 in)
Displacement 1,999 ml (1,999 cc, 122.0 cu in)
Compression ratio 10.8
qElectrical System
Item Model
Battery 12V-36AH/5HR
Alternator 12 V - 100 A
Starter 12 V - 1.4 kW
Spark-plug number L3G2 18 110
*1, L3Y1 18 110
Spark-plug gap 1.25 ―1.35mm (0.050 ―0.053 in)
*1 ex factory
CAUTION
When cleaning the iridium plugs, do not use a wire brush. The fine particulate coating on
the iridium alloy and platinum tips could be damaged.
q Lubricant Quality
Lubricant type and classification
Engine oil Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-15.
Manual transmission oil Any temperature
API Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 75W-90
Above 10°C (50°F) API Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 80W-90
Automatic transmission fluid JWS3309
Power steering fluid ATF M-III or equivalent (e.g. Dexron® II)
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
Rear differential oil API Service GL-5
SAE
90
80W-90
75W-90
*
* Not available from Mazda
10-4
Specifications
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page368
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:6 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F