Page 289 of 366

Black plate (289,1)
CAUTION
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern or studs only from front to rear,
not from side to side. Tire performance
will be weakened if rotated from side to
side.
CAUTION
Limited-Slip Differential system;
don't use the following:
lTires not of the designated size
lTires of different sizes or types at the
same time
lTires not sufficiently inflated
If these instructions aren't followed, the
rotation of the left and right wheels will
be different and will thus apply a
constant load on the limited-slip
differential.
This will cause a malfunction.
qReplacing a Tire
WARNING
Worn Tires:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
Always use tires that are in good
condition.
CAUTION
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be damaged.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
lWhen tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the sidewalls are
used, the system may not function
correctly even with a genuine wheel.
Refer to System Error Activation on
page 5-29.
lBe sure to install the tire pressure
sensors whenever tires or wheels are
replaced. Refer to Tires and Wheels
on page 5-30.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator
will appear as a solid band across the
tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
New treadTread wear indicator
Worn tread
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-31
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page289
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 290 of 366

Black plate (290,1)
You should replace it before the band is
across the entire tread.
qReplacing a Wheel
WARNING
Using a Wrong-Sized Wheel:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be affected, leading to loss of
control and an accident. Always use
wheels of the correct size on your
vehicle.
CAUTION
lA wrong-sized wheel may adversely
affect:
lTire fitlWheel and bearing lifelGround clearancelSnow-chain clearancelSpeedometer calibrationlHeadlight aimlBumper heightlTire Pressure Monitoring SystemlLimited-Slip Differential System
l(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
lWhen replacing/repairing the tires
or wheels or both, have the work
done by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer, or the tire pressure sensors
may be damaged.
lThe wheels equipped on your
Mazda are specially designed for
installation of the tire pressure
sensors. Do not use non-genuine
wheels, otherwise it may not be
possible to install the tire pressure
sensors.
NOTE
Be sure to install the tire pressure
sensors whenever tires or wheels are
replaced. Refer to Tires and Wheels on
page 5-30.
When replacing a wheel, make sure the
new one is the same as the original factory
wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset.
8-32
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page290
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 291 of 366
Black plate (291,1)
Proper tire balancing provides the best
riding comfort and helps reduce tread
wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
vibration and uneven wear, such as
cupping and flat spots.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-33
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page291
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 292 of 366
Black plate (292,1)
Light Bulbs
High-mount brake light
License plate lights
Trunk light
Reverse lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights / Taillights
Side-marker lights
Overhead light
Head lights (High beam)
Parking light
Fog lights
Headlights (Low beam)
Front turn signal lights
Side-marker lightsSome models.
8-34
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page292
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 293 of 366

Black plate (293,1)
WARNING
Xenon Fusion Bulb Replacement:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Do not replace the xenon
fusion bulbs yourself. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer when the
replacement is necessary.
Handling Halogen Bulbs:
When a halogen bulb breaks, it is
dangerous. These bulbs contain
pressurized gas. If one is broken, it
will explode and serious injuries could
be caused by the flying glass.
If the glass portion is touched with
bare hands, body oil could cause the
bulb to overheat and explode when lit.
Never touch the glass portion of the
bulb with your bare hands and always
wear eye protection when handling or
working around halogen bulbs.
Children and Halogen Bulbs:
Playing with a halogen bulb is
dangerous. Serious injuries could be
caused by dropping a halogen bulb or
breaking it some other way.
Always keep halogen bulbs out of the
reach of children.
qReplacing Exterior Light Bulbs
Replacing the headlight bulbs
1. Make sure the headlight switch is off.
2. Lift the hood and find the high and low
beam bulbs in the rear of the headlight
body.
The outboard bulb is the LOW beam,
and the inboard one is the HIGH beam.
High-beam bulbs
1. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise, and carefully pull it
backward.
2. Disconnect the socket and bulb
assembly from the electrical connector
by pressing the tab on the connector
with your finger and pulling it.
3. Install the new socket and bulb
assembly in the reverse order of
removal.
NOTE
Use the protective cover and carton of
the replacement bulb to dispose of the
old bulb promptly out of the reach of
children.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-35
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page293
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 294 of 366

Black plate (294,1)
Low-beam bulbs
(Xenon fusion bulbs)
You cannot replace the low beam bulbs by
yourself.
The bulbs must be replaced at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Halogen bulbs)
1. If you are changing the right headlight
bulb, start the engine, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the left, and turn
off the engine. If you are changing the
left headlight bulb, turn the steering
wheel to the right.
2. Turn the screws counterclockwise and
remove them.
3. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainers counterclockwise and remove
them, then remove the mudguard.
Removal
Installation
4. Disconnect the electrical connector
from the bulb by pulling it to the rear.
5. Pull off the sealing cover.
6. Unhook the bulb retaining spring.
7. Swing the retaining spring out and
away to free the headlight bulb.
8. Carefully remove the socket and bulb
assembly by pulling it straight back.
8-36
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page294
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 295 of 366

Black plate (295,1)
9. Remove the headlight bulb from the
socket.
10. Install the new socket and bulb
assembly in the reverse order of
removal.
NOTE
lUse the protective cover and carton
for the replacement bulb to dispose
of the old bulb promptly and out of
the reach of children.
lWhen reinstalling the sealing cover,
make sure
faces up.
Front fog light bulbsí
1. If you are changing the right Front fog
light bulb, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the left,
and turn off the engine. If you are
changing the left Front fog light bulb,
turn the steering wheel to the right.2. Turn the screws counterclockwise and
remove them.
3. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainers counterclockwise and remove
them, then remove the mudguard.
Removal
Installation
4. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise, and carefully pull it
backward.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-37íSome models. MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page295
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F
Page 296 of 366

Black plate (296,1)
5. Disconnect the socket and bulb
assembly from the electrical connector
by pressing the tab on the connector
with your finger and pulling it.
6. Install the new socket and bulb
assembly in the reverse order of
removal.
Front turn signal lights
1. If you are changing the right front turn
signal light bulb, start the engine, turn
the steering wheel all the way to the
left, and turn off the engine. If you are
changing the left front turn signal light
bulb, turn the steering wheel to the
right.
2. Turn the screws counterclockwise and
remove them.
3. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainers counterclockwise and remove
them, then remove the mudguard.
Removal
Installation
4. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
5. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
6. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Parking lights
1. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
8-38
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page296
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F