Black plate (131,1)
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don't spin the wheels at more
than 56 km/h (35 mph), and don't
allow anyone to stand behind a wheel
when pushing the vehicle.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-18.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze ―but don't use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-22).
lDon't use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page131
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (150,1)
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transmission vehicle by operating
the shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the rear wheels
much like a manual transmission when
more control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
NOTE
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the “M ”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates. Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Shift position
indicator
Gear position
indicator
NOTE
lIf the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the
gear position indicator will flash
twice to signal that the gears cannot
be shifted down.
lIf the automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) temperature becomes too
high, there is the possibility that the
transmission will switch to automatic
shift mode, canceling manual shift
mode and turning off the gear
position indicator illumination. This
is a normal function to protect the
AT. After the ATF temperature has
decreased, the gear position indicator
illumination turns back on and
driving in manual shift mode is
restored.
Shifting
You can shift gears up and down by
operating the shift lever or the steering
shift switches.
5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page150
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:3 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
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
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
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
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
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
Black plate (369,1)
qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Item Capacity
Engine oil With oil filter
replacement
4.3 L (4.5 US qt, 3.7 Imp qt)
Without oil filter
replacement 3.9 L (4.1 US qt, 3.4 Imp qt)
Coolant 7.5 L (7.9 US qt, 6.5 Imp qt)
Manual transmission oil 5-speed transmission
2.0 L (2.10 US qt, 1.7 Imp qt)
6-speed transmission 2.1 L (2.2 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission fluid 7.4 L (7.8 US qt, 6.5 Imp qt)
Rear differential oil 0.7 L (0.7 US qt, 0.6 Imp qt)
Fuel tank 48 L (12 US gal, 10 Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipstick or reservoir gauges.
q Dimensions
Item Model
Overall length 4,425 mm (174.2 in), 4,430 mm*(174.4 in)
Overall width 1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Overall height 1,340 mm (52.8 in)
Front tread 1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Rear tread 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Wheelbase 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
* With license plate holder
q Weights
Item Weight
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,396 kg (3,078 lbs)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Front
714 kg (1,574 lbs)
Rear 682 kg (1,504 lbs)
qAir Conditioner
Gas complies with SAE J639 Maximum operating charge
HFC134a (R-134a) 0.45 kg (15.87 oz)
Specifications
10-5
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition4 Page369
Thursday, October 6 2005 11:6 AM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F