Page 269 of 378

Black plate (269,1)
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3 Scheduled Maintenance (North America) ................................. 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (Except North America) ..................... 8-8
Owner Maintenance .................................................................... 8-11 Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................. 8-11
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-12
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-14
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-15
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-18
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-21
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-22
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-22
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-23
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-24
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-25
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-27
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-30
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-35
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-43
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-48 How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-48
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-50
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-54
8-1
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page269
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 272 of 378
Black plate (272,1)
qSchedule 1
Maintenance Interval Number 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
ENGINE
Drive belts (tension) I
Engine valve clearance Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy,
adjust
Engine oil RRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine coolant FL22 type
*1Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years
Others Replace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years; after that,
every 2 years
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter CC R C
Fuel lines and hoses
*2II
Hoses and tubes for emission*2I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page272
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 274 of 378

Black plate (274,1)
qSchedule 2
Maintenance Interval Number 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
ENGINE
Drive belts (tension) I
Engine valve clearance Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy,
adjust
Engine oil Puerto Rico Replace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
Others
RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine coolant FL22 type
*1Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years
Others Replace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years; after that,
every 2 years
Engine coolant level IIIIIIIIIIII
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter Puerto Rico
CRCR
Others C C R C
Fuel lines and hoses
*2II
Hoses and tubes for emission*2I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs USA Replace every 96,000 km (60,000 miles)
Others Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page274
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 276 of 378
Black plate (276,1)
Scheduled Maintenance (Except North America)
NOTE
lAfter the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
lAs the result of visual examination or functional measurement of a system's operation
(performance), correct, clean, or replace as required. (Inspect, and if necessary replace
the air filter)
Emission control and related systems
The ignition and fuel systems are highly important to the emission control system and to
efficient engine operation. Don't tamper with them.
All inspections and adjustments must be made by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
8-8
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page276
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 278 of 378

Black plate (278,1)
Maintenance
IntervalNumber 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
Tire
(with inflation pressure adjust-
ment) IIIIIIII
Flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*6Inspect annually
Chart symbols
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
T: Tighten
C: Clean
Remarks
*1 If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the engine oil and oil filter more often
than recommended intervals.
a) Driving in dusty conditions
b) Extended periods of idling or low speed operation
c) Driving for long period in cold temperatures or driving regularly at short distance only
*2 Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.
*3 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.
*4 If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, clean and if necessary, replace the air filter more often than the recommended intervals.
*5 If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving) or if the vehicle is operated in extremely humid climates, change the brake fluid annually.
*6 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.
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page278
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:5 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 279 of 378

Black plate (279,1)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-21)
lEngine coolant level (page 8-18)
lEngine oil level (page 8-16)
lWasher fluid level (page 8-22)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-30)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lPower steering fluid level (page 8-22)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
lAir filter (page 8-24)
lEngine coolant (page 8-18)
lEngine oil (page 8-16)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-11
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page279
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