Page 162 of 366

Black plate (162,1)
Trip meter
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to“0.0”by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.
NOTE
lOnly the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
lThe trip record will be erased when:
lThe power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
lThe vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
qTachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Red zone
CAUTION
Don't run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
qEngine Coolant Temperature Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle is near H, it indicates
overheating.
5-34
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page162
Monday, April 18 2005 4:18 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 163 of 366

Black plate (163,1)
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page
7-19).
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Low fuel
warning light
NOTE
The direction of the arrow () shown
that the fuel-filler lid is on the left side
of the vehicle.
qEngine Oil Pressure Gauge
Normal range
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
within the normal range.
If the needle on the gauge doesn't move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3.
If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-15). If it's low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn't move, have
your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-35
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page163
Monday, April 18 2005 4:18 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 165 of 366
Black plate (165,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-39
Charging System Warning Light 5-40
Check Engine Light 5-41
ABS Warning Light 5-39
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-41
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-42
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep 5-42
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-37
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page165
Monday, April 18 2005 4:18 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 169 of 366

Black plate (169,1)
CAUTION
Don't continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated because the engine could
stop unexpectedly.
qCheck Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
lThe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
lThe engine's electrical system has a
problem.
lThe emission control system has a
problem.
lThe fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on or
flashes continuously, do not drive at high
speeds and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
qAir Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Light
If the air bag/seat belt pretensioner system
is normal, the warning light illuminates
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position or after the engine is cranked.
After about 6 seconds it goes out.
A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes,
constantly illuminates or doesn't
illuminate at all when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position. If any of
these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible. The system
may not work in an accident.
WARNING
Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform all servicing and repairs.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page169
Monday, April 18 2005 4:18 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 170 of 366

Black plate (170,1)
qLow Fuel Warning Light
Low fuel
warning light
This warning light signals that the fuel
tank will soon be empty.
Refuel as soon as possible.
qSeat Belt Warning Light/Beep
The seat belt warning light illuminates
and a beep sound will be heard if the
driver's seat belt is not fastened when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
Conditions of operation
Condition Result
The driver's seat belt is not
fastened when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position.The warning light
flashes and a beep
sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened while the warning
light and the beep sound are
activated.The warning light
turns off and the beep
sound stops.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position.The warning light will
not illuminate and the
beep sound will not be
heard.
Belt minder
NOTE
The belt minder can be deactivated.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
deactivate and restore the seat belt
minder.
Driver's seat
The belt minder is a supplemental
warning to the seat belt warning function.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the warning light/beep
operates to give you further reminders
according to the chart below.
ConditionVehicle speed
Between 0―20
km/h
(0―12 mph)20 km/h
(12 mph) or
more
Seat belt
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened: Unfastened: Illuminated: Flashing: Beep
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period (90 seconds) has passed.
5-42
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page170
Monday, April 18 2005 4:18 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 249 of 366
Black plate (249,1)
Starting a Flooded Engine
If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. Depress the accelerator all the way and
hold it there.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold it there―for up to 10
seconds. If the engine starts, release the
key and accelerator immediately
because the engine will suddenly rev
up.
3. If the engine fails to start, crank it
without depressing the accelerator―for
up to 10 seconds.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
7-21
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page249
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 262 of 366
Black plate (262,1)
qSchedule 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
ENGINE
Drive belts (tension) I
Engine valve clearanceAudible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy,
adjust
Engine oilRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine coolantFL22 type
*1Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years
OthersReplace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years; after that,
every 2 years
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter C C 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_Edition1 Page262
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 264 of 366

Black plate (264,1)
qSchedule 2
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
ENGINE
Drive belts (tension) I
Engine valve clearanceAudible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy,
adjust
Engine oilPuerto Rico Replace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
OthersRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine coolantFL22 type
*1Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years
OthersReplace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years; after that,
every 2 years
Engine coolant levelIIIIIIIIIIII
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filterPuerto RicoCRCR
Others C C R C
Fuel lines and hoses
*2II
Hoses and tubes for emission*2I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugsUSA Replace every 96,000 km (60,000 miles)
Others Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lightsIIIIIIIIIIII
8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page264
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F