2006 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 tow

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

Black plate (284,1)
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the
blade rubber and install them in new
blades.
CAUTION
lDon't bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
lIf the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade's wiping efficiency could
be reduced.
So don't use the driver's side metal
stiffeners on the passenger's side, or
vice versa.
lBe sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was in
the old blade rubber.4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page284
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (286,1)
WARNING
Keep Flames Away:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. Keep all flames including
cigarettes and sparks away from open battery cells. When working near a battery, do
not allow metal tools to contact the positive (
) or negative () terminal of the
battery. Do not allow the positive (
) terminal to contact the vehicle body.
Battery-Related Explosion:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. Keep all flames, including
cigarettes, and sparks away from open battery cells.
NOTE
lRemove the battery cover before
performing battery maintenance.
Battery cover
NOTE
lBefore installing the battery cover,
make sure both of the cables
connecting the negative battery
terminal (right side of battery) are
connected with the cables routed
toward the right and back of the
battery as shown in the figure.
8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page286
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (341,1)
qSafety Practices
The way you drive has a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety. So cultivate
good driving habits for your own benefit.
lObserve posted speed limits
lAvoid fast starts, stops and turns
lAvoid potholes and objects on the road
lDo no run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking
CAUTION
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you suspect your tire
or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your speed. Drive with caution until
you can safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is under-
inflated or damaged, deflate it, remove the tire and rim and replace it with your spare
tire. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest vehicle or tire
dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-29
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page341
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (344,1)
SAMPLE
CARGO
Cargo Weightincludes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight, including cargo and
optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load or king pin weight is also part of
cargo weight.
The cargo weight limit decreases depending on the number of vehicle occupants. The cargo
weight limit can be calculated by subtracting the total weight of the vehicle occupants from
the“combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed”value on the tire label.
9-32
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page344
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (347,1)
GCW
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)is the weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW) plus the
weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)is the maximum allowable weight of the
vehicle and the loaded trailer - including all cargo and passengers - that the vehicle can
handle without risking damage. (Important: The towing vehicle's braking system is rated
for operation at GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 1,500 lbs).The GCW must
never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weightis the highest possible weight of a fully loaded trailer
the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only mandatory options, no cargo (internal or
external), a tongue load of 10_
15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15_
25%
(fifth-wheel trailer), and driver only (150 lbs).Consult your dealership (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide provided by your dealership) for more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth-Wheel King Pin Weightrefers to the amount of the weight that a
trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples:For a 5000 lb conventional trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a
proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lbs. For an 11,500 lb fifth-wheel trailer, multiply by
0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to 2,875 lbs.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-35
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page347
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (349,1)
Steps for Determining the Correct Load Limit:
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:
(1) Locate the statement“The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs”on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the“XXX”amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs. (1400_
750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from your trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo
and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-37
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page349
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (351,1)
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada)
Canadian customers who wish to report a safety-related defect to Transport Canada, Defect
Investigations and Recalls, may telephone the toll free hotline 1-800-333-0510, or contact
Transport Canada by mail at: Transport Canada, ASFAD, Place de Ville Tower C, 330
Sparks Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0N5.
For additional road safety information, please visit the Road Safety website at:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/menu.htm
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects
9-39
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page351
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F