2008 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA POWER RETRACTABLE HARDTOP engine

Black plate (298,1)
qSchedule
Maintenance
Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
×1000 miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Engine valve clearance Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy, adjust
Engine oil
*1RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter*1RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Drive belts*2IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Cooling system I I I I I I I I
Engine coolant FL22 type
*3R
Others Replace every 2 years
Air filter
*4CCRCCRCC
Fuel filter Replace every 60,000 km (37,500 miles)
Fuel lines and hoses I I I I I I I I
Spark plugs Replace every 100,000 km (62,500 miles)
Evaporative system (if installed) I I I I I I I I
Battery electrolyte level and
specific gravity IIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I I I I I I
Brake fluid
*5IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
Parking brake IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit (Brake booster)
and hoses IIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power steering fluid, lines, hoses
and connections IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I I I I I I I
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil R R
Front and rear suspension, ball
joints and wheel bearing axial play IIIIIIII
Driveshaft dust boots I I I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 80,000 km (50,000 miles)
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T T T T T T T
Body condition
(for rust, corrosion and perforation) Inspect annually
Tire rotation Rotate every 10,000 km (6,250 miles)
8-16
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page298
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (299,1)
MaintenanceInterval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
×1000 miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Tires
(with inflation pressure adjustment) IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*6Inspect annually
Chart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
T: Tighten
C: Clean
Remarks:
*1 If the vehicle is operated primarily under any of the following conditions, replace the engine oil and oil filter
more often than the recommended intervals.
a) Driving in dusty conditions.
b) Extended periods of idling or low speed operation
c) Driving for long period in cold temperatures or driving regularly at short distance only
*2 Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.
*3 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.
*4 If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, clean and if necessary, replace the air filter more often than the recommended intervals.
*5 If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving) or if the vehicle is operated in extremely humid climates, replace the brake fluid annually.
*6 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
8-17
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page299
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (300,1)
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 8-25)lEngine coolant level (page 8-23)lEngine oil level (page 8-22)lWasher fluid level (page 8-26)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-33)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lPower steering fluid level (page 8-26)
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.
lEngine coolant (page 8-23)lEngine oil (page 8-21)
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page300
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (301,1)
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
Do not perform maintenance work if you lack sufficient knowledge and experience or
the proper tools and equipment to do the work. Have maintenance work done by a
qualified technician:Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You
can be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures.
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: 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.
Turn off the ignition switch and make sure the fan is not running before attempting
to work near the cooling fan: Working near the cooling fan when it is running is dangerous. The fan could
continue running indefinitely even if the engine has stopped and the engine
compartment temperature is high. You could be hit by the fan and seriously injured.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-19
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page301
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (302,1)
Engine Compartment Overview
Engine oil dipstick
Engine oil filler cap
Brake fluid reservoir / Clutch
fluid reservoir (only for manual
transmission model)
Washer fluid reservoir Cooling system capBattery
Engine coolant reservoir Power steering fluid cap
Air filter Fuse block
8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page302
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (303,1)
Engine Oil
NOTE
Changing the engine oil should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qRecommended Oil
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline
Engines ”by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark
symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards
and fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC),
comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
5W-20
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
–20
5040
30
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
Except U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil. If SAE 5W-20
engine oil is not available in your market. Use
SAE 5W-30 engine oil. Mexico
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-21
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page303
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (304,1)
The quality designation SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label.
5W-20
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
–20
5040
30
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
q
Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan.
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)
8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page304
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (305,1)
Engine Coolant
qInspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become
very hot. You could be burned.
Carefully inspect the engine coolant
in the coolant reservoir, but do not
open it.
Turn off the ignition switch and
make sure the fan is not running before
attempting to work near the cooling
fan: Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan
could continue running indefinitely
even if the engine has stopped and
the engine compartment temperature
is high. You could be hit by the fan
and seriously injured.
Do not remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot: When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury.
NOTE
Changing the coolant should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year ―at the beginning of the
winter season ―and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool.
If it's at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-23
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page305
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F