Page 99 of 378
Black plate (99,1)
lBefore lowering or raising the
convertible top, stop in a safe place off
the right-of-way and park on a level
surface.
lMake sure nothing is on the convertible
top or near the back window when
raising or lowering the convertible top.
Even small objects may interfere and
cause damage.
lWhen lowering the convertible top,
make sure objects inside the vehicle
aren't blown away by the wind.
lSecure all loose objects inside before
driving with the convertible top down.
lTo help prevent burglary or vandalism
and to ensure that the passenger
compartment stays dry, close the
convertible top securely and lock both
doors when leaving the vehicle.
lDon't drive through an automatic car
wash; it may damage the convertible
top.
lDon't raise or lower the convertible top
when the temperature is below 5 °C
(41 °F) ; this will damage the
convertible top material.
lDon't lower the convertible top when
it's wet. If the convertible top dries
while folded, it will deteriorate and
shrink.
lLowering the convertible top while it's
wet can also cause water to drip into
the passenger compartment.
lDon't raise or lower the convertible top
when the wind is strong; the wind
could damage the convertible top.
qLowering the Convertible Top
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Fully open the left and right windows.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Make sure there are no objects which
have been placed in the area where the
convertible top is to be retracted.
WARNING
Objects in the Convertible Top Storage
Area:
Putting heavy or sharp objects in the
convertible top storage area is
dangerous.
During a sudden stop or collision, they
can become projectiles that might hit
and injure passengers.
Do not place heavy or sharp objects in
the convertible top storage area.
5. Pull the top latch outward by pressing the unlock button to detach the lock.
Make sure the lock is detached.
Unlock button
Top latch
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
3-41
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page99
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 100 of 378
Black plate (100,1)
6. Standing outside of the vehicle, holdthe convertible top along the center
edge and pull it toward the vehicle rear.
Center edge
NOTE
To lower the convertible top from inside
the vehicle, use the convertible top's
handles.
Convertible top's
handles
7. Continue to move the convertible top
rearward while pressing the rear glass
lightly with your hand.
8. After the convertible top has beenfolded down, press the back end of the
folded down convertible top until a
click sound is heard, then the front end.
Lightly rock the retracted convertible
top to make sure it is securely locked.
9. Raise the windblocker if it is needed.
NOTE
The windblocker reduces the amount of
wind coming into the cabin from behind
when driving with the convertible top
opened.
Refer to Windblocker on page 6-43.
3-42
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page100
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 101 of 378
Black plate (101,1)
qRaising the Convertible Top
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Fully open the left and right windows.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Pull the unlock lever outward to
disengage the lock.
Unlock lever
5. Standing outside of the vehicle, holdthe convertible top along the center
edge and pull it towards the vehicle
front.
Center edge
NOTE
To raise the convertible top from inside
the vehicle, use the convertible top's
handles.
Convertible top's
handles
6. Sitting in a seat, grasp the convertible
top's handles, and press the convertible
top against the windshield.
Move the top latch slowly to make sure
the anchor engages with the striker,
then push the top latch upward until a
click sound is heard.
Striker
Anchor
Convertible top's
handles
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
3-43
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page101
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 102 of 378
Black plate (102,1)
CAUTION
Driving with the convertible top not
fully locked could damage the
convertible top.
If the red indicator is visible on the
unlock button, the convertible top is not
locked. After locking the convertible
top, verify that the red indicator is not
visible.
Locked position
Unlocked position Red indicator
NOTE
Make sure the convertible top is
securely locked by pushing up on it. If
it still sounds loose (rattles) after being
locked by the top latch, have it
inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer. 7. Connect the rear window defroster
coupler if it has been disconnected.
qTaking Care of the Top
Refer to Convertible Top Maintenance
(page 8-53) for information on taking care
of the convertible top.
3-44
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page102
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 103 of 378
Black plate (103,1)
Detachable Hardtop (Canada)í
Top latch assemblySide latch assembly
Rear deck latch
Rear deck stud
Rear window defroster coupler
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
3-45íSome models.
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page103
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 104 of 378
Black plate (104,1)
qDetachable Hardtop Precautions
WARNING
Standing in a Moving Vehicle:
Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on
the convertible top storage area or
center console when the vehicle is
moving is a dangerous way to ride.
During a sudden maneuver or
collision you could be seriously
injured or even killed.
Sit in the seat with the seat belt on
when the vehicle is moving.
Hardtop and Rollover Accidents:
Rollover accidents on a hardtop
vehicle are dangerous. The hardtop is
not as strong as a regular steel roof.
Rollover accidents could dislodge or
crush the hardtop and cause serious
injuries or even death, just as with no
top or the convertible top.
Always drive safely and observe the
speed limit.
Fastening Mechanisms:
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanisms. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the
hardtop.
lWhen removing or installing the
hardtop, make sure the operation is
performed by 2 persons.
lBefore removing or installing the
hardtop, be sure you are parked out of
traffic in a flat area near the location
your hardtop is to be stored.
lWhen removing the hardtop, make sure
objects inside the vehicle aren't blown
away by the wind.
lSecure all loose objects inside before
driving with the hardtop removed.
lDon't drive through an automatic car
wash; it may damage the hardtop.
lDon't remove or install the hardtop
when the wind is strong; the wind
could damage the hardtop.
lBefore removing the hardtop, lower the
antenna.
lRemoving the hardtop while it's wet
can cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.
qRemoving the Detachable Hardtop
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Remove the antenna if it is installed. Refer to Antenna on page 6-10.
3-46
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page104
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 105 of 378
Black plate (105,1)
4. Push the unlock button and fullyrelease the top latch.
Unlock button
Top latch
5. Remove the seat belts from the belt guides.
Belt guide
6. Slide the seats forward.Refer to Seat Slide on page 2-2.
7. Fold the seatbacks forward. Refer to Seat Recline on page 2-3. 8. Pull the levers and fully release the side
latches.
Side latch
Lever
9. After the side latches are fully released,
release the lever.
10. Lift the side latches while pulling the lever. Make sure the hooks are fully
released.
Side
latch
Lever Hook
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
3-47
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page105
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 106 of 378
Black plate (106,1)
11. Disconnect the cord.
12. Slide the hardtop rearward whilepressing down on the rear deck
latches to unlock the latches.
Hardtop
Rear deck latch
13. Lift the hardtop straight off the bodyto prevent damage to the rear deck
latches and studs.
Hardtop
Rear deck stud
14. Set the belt guides and the seats backto their original positions.
15. Disconnect the hardtop rear window defroster coupler (A) from the coupler
(B), and remove the convertible top
rear window defroster coupler (C)
from its holder (D).
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
16. Connect the convertible top's rear
window defroster coupler (C) to the
coupler (B).
(C)
(B)
3-48
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page106
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
