Page 257 of 366
Black plate (257,1)
Lug wrenchRear
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedown
eyelet.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying down the
vehicle. Make sure that the tiedown
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
7-29
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page257
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 258 of 366
Black plate (258,1)
Recreational Towing
An example of“recreational towing”is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
“Towing Description”(page 7-27) and
“Tiedown Hooks”(page 7-28) and
carefully follow the instructions.
7-30
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page258
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 259 of 366

Black plate (259,1)
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 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 ........................................................................................ 8-29
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-34
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-41
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-46
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-46
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-48
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-52
8-1
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page259
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 260 of 366

Black plate (260,1)
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
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page260
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 261 of 366
Black plate (261,1)
Scheduled Maintenance (North America)
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
apply.
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 (Canada and Puerto Rico residents follow Schedule 2).
lRepeated short-distance driving
lDriving in dusty conditions
lDriving with extended use of brakes
lDriving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
lDriving on rough or muddy roads
lExtended periods of idling or low-speed operation
lDriving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
NOTE
After the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-3
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page261
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 263 of 366

Black plate (263,1)
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 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
8-5
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page263
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