2006 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA maintenance

Black plate (285,1)
Changing engine oil
WARNING
Checking or Changing Engine Oil:
Hot engine oil is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, the engine
oil becomes very hot. You could be
seriously burned. Don't check or
change the engine oil when the engine
is hot.
1. Warm up the engine for a few minutes and turn it off. Remove the oil-filler
cap.
2. Remove the drain plug and drain the oil into a suitable container.
3. Replace the plug tightly after the oil has thoroughly drained.
4. Fill the engine with new oil to the Full mark on the dipstick.
5. Securely reinstall the oil-filler cap.
Drain plug Forward
TightenLoosen
6. Start the engine and inspect around the
drain plug for leaks.
7. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan. Check the oil level and fill to the Low
mark if necessary.
With oil filter replacement
Oil capacity (reference only)
L (US qt, Imp qt) 4.3 (4.5, 3.7)
Without oil filter replacement
Oil capacity (reference only)
L (US qt, Imp qt) 3.9 (4.1, 3.4)
NOTE
lThe indicated engine oil capacities
are for general reference purposes
only. When adding or changing oil,
verify the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick.
lUse only specified engine oil (page
10-4).
Changing oil filter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer should do the work.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-17
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Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

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
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
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
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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
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (289,1)
Brake/Clutch Fluid
qInspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qAdding Brake/Clutch 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/Clutch Fluid Levels:
Low brake/clutch 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 and clutch
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 and clutch fluid will damage
painted surfaces. If brake or clutch
fluid does get on a painted surface,
wipe it off immediately.
lUsing nonspecified brake and clutch
fluids (page 10-4) will damage the
systems. Mixing different fluids will
also damage them.
If the brake/clutch system frequently
requires new fluid, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-21
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Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (290,1)
Power Steering Fluid
qInspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the power steering
pump, don't operate the vehicle for long
periods when the power steering fluid
level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid
(page 10-4).
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine off
and cold. Add fluid if necessary; it does
not require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Washer Fluid
q Inspecting Washer Fluid Level
WARNING
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result
in an accident. Use only windshield
washer fluid or plain water in the
reservoir.
Using Washer Fluid Without Anti-
freeze Protection in Cold Weather:
Operating your vehicle in
temperatures below 4 degrees C (40
degrees F) using washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection is dangerous as
it could cause impaired windshield
vision and result in an accident. In
cold weather, always use washer fluid
with anti-freeze protection.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict
the use of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), which are commonly used as
anti-freeze agents in washer fluid. A
washer fluid with limited VOC content
should be used only if it provides
adequate freeze resistance for all
regions and climates in which the
vehicle will be operated.
8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (291,1)
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing.
Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-23
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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