2006 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 service

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Jump-Starting
The battery is in the trunk.
Jump-starting is dangerous if done incorrectly. So follow the procedure carefully. If you
feel unsure about jump-starting, we strongly recommend that you have a competent service
technician do the work.
WARNING
Follow These Precautions Carefully:
To ensure safe and correct handling of the battery, read the following precautions
carefully before using the battery or inspecting it.
Eye Protection:
Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC
ACID which could cause blindness if splashed into your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas
produced during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to
explode. Always wear eye protection when working near the battery.
Spilled Battery Fluid:
Spilled battery fluid is dangerous.
Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets
in eyes, skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with water for
15 minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention. Wear eye
protection and protective gloves to prevent contact with battery fluid.
Children and Batteries:
Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid could cause
serious injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin. Always keep batteries out of the
reach of children.
7-22
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F

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Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
rear wheels off the ground. If excessive
damage or other conditions prevent this,
use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
CAUTION
Don't tow the vehicle pointed forward
with driving wheels on the ground. This
may cause internal damage to the
transmission.
CAUTION
Don't tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage your vehicle. Use
wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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Form No.8U35-EA-05F

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Introduction
Be extremely careful and prevent injury to yourself and others or damage to your vehicle
when using this manual for inspection and maintenance.
If you're unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you to have a reliable
and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are best for your vehicle.
Without this expertise and the parts that have been designed and made especially for your
Mazda, inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient servicing may result in problems. This
could lead to vehicle damage or an accident and injuries.
For expert advice and quality service, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The owner should retain evidence that proper maintenance has been performed as
prescribed.
Claims against the warranty resulting from lack of maintenance, as opposed to defective
materials or authorized Mazda workmanship, will not be honored.
Any auto repair shop using parts equivalent to your Mazda's original equipment may
perform maintenance.But we recommend that it always be done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer using genuine Mazda parts.
8-2
Maintenance and Care
Introduction
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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 brakesIIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*3Inspect annually
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front and rear suspension and ball joints I I
Manual transmission oilR
Rear differential oilR
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLL
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
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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 levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wearIIIIIIIIIIII
Flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*3Inspect annually
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension and ball joints I I
Manual transmission oil R R
Rear differential oil R R
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
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
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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 8-15)
lWasher fluid level (page 8-22)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-29)
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
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Owner Maintenance Precautions
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions only
for items that are easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 8-2), several procedures can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If
you're unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and fluids. Please
dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Maintenance Procedures:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You can
be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures. If you lack
sufficient knowledge and experience or the proper tools and equipment to do the work,
have it done by a qualified technician.
Running the Engine:
Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even more
dangerous when you wear jewelry or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
Therefore, if you must run the engine while working under the hood, make certain
that you remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and
all neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or
cooling fan which may turn on unexpectedly.
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.
8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
Full
OK
Low
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.
It's OK between Low and Full.
But if it's near or below Low, add
enough oil to bring the level to Full.
CAUTION
Don't add engine oil over Full. This
may cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is
positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
The distance between Low and Full on the
dipstick represents the following:
Oil capacity
L (US qt, Imp qt) 0.75 (0.79, 0.66)
qChanging Engine Oil and Filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Please act responsibly―protect the
environment and take used oil to a
recycling facility. Ask your dealer or a
service station for information.
WARNING
Handling Used Engine Oil:
Continuous contact with used engine
oil is dangerous. It could cause skin
cancer. Always wash with soap and
water immediately after changing oil
and filter.
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.
8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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