Black plate (308,1)
CAUTION
Don't use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
or strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-
plated or anodized aluminum parts.
This may result in damage to the
protective coating and cause
discoloration or paint deterioration.
qUnderbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try also
to do this every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt.It
will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped
there will cause rusting.
WARNING
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
Dry the brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance is normal.
qAluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
NOTE
lDon't use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminum
wheels. They may damage the
coating.
lOnly use a mild soap or neutral
detergent and always use a sponge or
soft cloth to clean the wheels.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or
cold water. Also, be sure to clean the
wheels after driving on dusty or
salted roads. This helps prevent
corrosion.
lAvoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.
lIf your aluminum wheels lose luster,
wax the wheels.
8-50
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page308
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (331,1)
11. Tread wear, traction and temperature grades
12. Max. permissible inflation pressure
13. SAFETY WARNING
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an explanation
of the various components of that tire size and load index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
P
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
NOTE
If your tire size does not begin with a letter this may mean it is designated by either
ETRTO (European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire
Manufacturing Association).
215
“215”is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the
width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
65
“65”is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
R
“R”is the tire construction symbol. R indicates“Radial ply construction”.
15
“15”is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
95
“95”is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each
tire can support.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-19
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page331
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (362,1)
A
Accessory Socket .............................. 6-43
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-14
Advanced Key ..................................... 3-2
Advanced key maintenance ......... 3-5
Advanced key suspend
function ...................................... 3-17
Auxiliary key .............................. 3-16
Locking, unlocking with request
switch ........................................... 3-8
Opening the trunk lid with request
switch ......................................... 3-10
Operation range ............................ 3-7
Remote control function ............. 3-14
Service ......................................... 3-6
Air Bag Systems ............................... 2-26
Air Filter ............................................ 8-24
Antenna ............................................. 6-10
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ......... 5-7
Warning light ............................... 5-7
Appearance Care ............................... 8-46
Audio System ................................... 6-10
Audio control switch .................. 6-36
Audio Set ................................... 6-19
Operating tips for audio
system ........................................ 6-10
Safety certification ..................... 6-38
Automatic Transmission
Driving tips ................................ 5-18
Manual shift mode ..................... 5-14
Shift-lock system ....................... 5-13
Transmission ranges ................... 5-12
B
Battery
Emergency starting .................... 7-21
Maintenance ............................... 8-27
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds
Ignition key reminder ................. 5-50
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-50
Seat belt warning beep ............... 5-50
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep ............................................ 5-50
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-6
After getting in ............................. 4-6
Before getting in .......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication .............................. 8-23
Bottle Holder ..................................... 6-41
Brake/Clutch
Fluid ........................................... 8-21
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..... 5-7
Foot brake .................................... 5-5
Pad wear indicator ........................ 5-8
Parking brake ............................... 5-5
Warning light ............................... 5-6
Break-In Period ................................... 4-7
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-34
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-5
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-3
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-15
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions ......... 2-15
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-23
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
11-2
Index
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page362
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (363,1)
C
Clock ................................................. 6-24
Convertible Top ................................ 3-40
Cruise Control ................................... 5-19
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-40
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-36
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-52
Defroster
Rear window .............................. 5-55
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-28
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7
Automatic transmission .............. 5-18
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-9
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-24
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-25
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-26
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-24
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-21
Flooded engine ........................... 7-21
Jump-starting .............................. 7-22
Push-starting .............................. 7-26
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-27
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
E
Engine
Coolant ....................................... 8-18
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-5
Hood release .............................. 3-38
Oil .............................................. 8-15
Overheating ................................ 7-19
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-14
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-19
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-34
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-48
F
Flasher
Hazard warning .......................... 5-56
Headlights .................................. 5-51
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit ................................................ 7-6
Changing .................................... 7-13
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-5
Fluids
Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance .................... 8-11
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-53
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-5
Fuel
Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-37
Gauge ......................................... 5-35
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Index
11-3
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page363
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (364,1)
F
Fuses ................................................. 8-41
Panel description ........................ 8-43
Replacement ............................... 8-41
G
Glove Box ............................... 6-41, 6-42
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 5-56
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-8
Headlights
Control ....................................... 5-51
Flashing ...................................... 5-52
High-low beam .......................... 5-52
On reminder ............................... 5-51
Hood Release .................................... 3-38
Horn .................................................. 5-56
I
Ignition
Switch .......................................... 5-2
Immobilizer System
(with Advanced Key) ........................ 3-45
Immobilizer System
(without Advanced Key) ................... 3-48
Indicator Lights ................................. 5-37
Cruise ......................................... 5-49
DSC OFF .................................... 5-48
Headlight high-beam .................. 5-47
Security ...................................... 5-47
Shift position .............................. 5-48
TCS/DSC ................................... 5-48
Turn-signal/hazard warning ....... 5-49
Instrument Cluster ............................. 5-32
Interior Care ...................................... 8-52
I
Interior Lights ................................... 6-39
J
Jump-Starting .................................... 7-22
K
Keyless Entry System ....................... 3-23
L
Label Information ............................. 10-2
Lane-Change Signals ........................ 5-53
Light Bulbs
Replacement ............................... 8-34
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Lighting Control ............................... 5-51
Lubricant Quality .............................. 10-4
M
Maintenance
Introduction .................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance
precautions ................................. 8-12
Owner maintenance schedule ..... 8-11
Scheduled ..................................... 8-3
Manual Transmission Operation ......... 5-9
Recommendations for shifting.... 5-10
Mesh Pocket ..................................... 6-42
Mirrors
Outside mirrors .......................... 3-53
Rearview mirror ......................... 3-54
Money-Saving Suggestions ................ 4-7
11-4
Index
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page364
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (365,1)
O
Odometer and Trip Meter .................. 5-33
Outside Mirrors ................................. 3-53
Overhead Lights ................................ 6-39
Overheating ....................................... 7-19
Overloading ...................................... 4-12
P
Paint Damage .................................... 8-46
Parking Brake ..................................... 5-5
Parking in an Emergency .................... 7-2
Power Door Locks ............................ 3-29
Power Steering .................................. 5-19
Fluid ........................................... 8-22
Power Windows ................................ 3-35
Push-Starting ..................................... 7-26
R
Rear Window Defroster .................... 5-55
Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-54
Recreational Towing ......................... 7-30
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country ............................................. 9-13
Rocking the Vehicle ............................ 4-9
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................. 9-38
S
Seat Belt System
3-point type .................................. 2-8
Automatic locking ........................ 2-7
Belt minder ................................. 2-13
Caution label ................................ 2-9
Emergency locking ...................... 2-7
Extender ..................................... 2-12
Pregnant women .......................... 2-6
Pretensioner and load limiting .... 2-10
Seat belt precautions .................... 2-5
warning light/beep ..................... 2-13
Seats .................................................... 2-2
Security System
Immobilizer system
(with advanced key) ................... 3-45
Immobilizer system
(without advanced key) .............. 3-48
Theft-deterrent system ............... 3-51
Service Publications .......................... 9-40
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ................ 7-5
Specifications .................................... 10-4
Speedometer ...................................... 5-33
SRS Air Bags
How the Air Bags Work ............. 2-36
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-4
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-53
Horn ........................................... 5-56
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-41
Back trim storage box ................ 6-42
Glove box ................................... 6-41
Mesh pocket ............................... 6-42
Seat side box .............................. 6-42
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-39
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-34
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-51
Index
11-5
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page365
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Black plate (366,1)
T
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-28
Tire Information ................................ 9-18
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-27
System error activation .............. 5-29
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-28
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-30
Tires
Flat Tire ........................................ 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-29
Replacement ............................... 8-31
Rotation ...................................... 8-30
Snow tires .................................. 4-10
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-5
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-16
Tool ..................................................... 7-5
Towing
Description ................................. 7-27
Emergency towing ..................... 7-27
Hook .......................................... 7-28
Recreational towing ................... 7-30
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-23
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-23
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-33
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-31
Trunk Light ....................................... 6-39
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-53
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-39
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Light
KEY Warning Light
(Red)/KEY Indicator Light
(Green) ....................................... 5-46
Warning Lights ................................. 5-37
ABS ............................................ 5-39
Air bag system ........................... 5-41
Automatic transmission .............. 5-44
Brake system .............................. 5-39
Charging system ......................... 5-40
Check engine .............................. 5-41
Door-ajar .................................... 5-43
Flat tire ....................................... 5-45
Low fuel ..................................... 5-42
seat belt ...................................... 5-42
Seat belt pretensioner system ..... 5-41
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-44
Warranty .............................................. 9-9
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-22
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-32
Windblocker ...................................... 6-43
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-35
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-55
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-54
Blades replacement .................... 8-25
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
11-6
Index
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page366
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F