2008 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA POWER RETRACTABLE HARDTOP Owners Manual

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qDetachable Hardtop Precautions
WARNING
Sit in the seat with the seat belt
correctly fastened when the vehicle is
moving:
Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on
the deck or center console when the
vehicle is moving is a dangerous way
to ride. During a sudden maneuver or
collision you could be seriously
injured or even killed.
Always drive safely and observe the
speed limit: Rollover accidents on a hardtop
vehicle are dangerous. The hardtop is
not as strong as a regular steel roof.
Rollover accidents could dislodge or
crush the hardtop and cause serious
injuries or even death, just as with no
top or the convertible top.
Always keep your hands and fingers
away from the fastening mechanisms
when moving the hardtop: It is dangerous to place your hands
or fingers near the fastening
mechanisms. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism.
lWhen removing or installing the
hardtop, make sure the operation is
performed by 2 adults.
lBefore removing or installing the
hardtop, be sure you are parked out of
traffic in a flat area near the location
your hardtop is to be stored.
lWhen removing the hardtop, make sure
objects inside the vehicle are not blown
away by wind.
lSecure all loose objects inside before
driving with the hardtop removed.
lDo not drive through an automatic car
wash as it could damage the hardtop.
lDo not remove or install the hardtop in
a strong wind as it could damage the
hardtop or cause an unexpected
accident.
lBefore removing the hardtop, remove
the antenna.
lRemoving the hardtop while it's wet
can cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.
qRemoving the Detachable Hardtop
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Remove the antenna if it is installed. Refer to Antenna on page 6-9.
4. Push the unlock button and fully release the top latch.
Unlock button
Top latch
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5. Remove the seat belts from the beltguides.
Belt guide
6. Slide the seats forward.
Refer to Seat Slide on page 2-2.
7. Fold the seatbacks forward. Refer to Seat Recline on page 2-2.
8. Pull the levers and fully release the side latches.
Side latch
Lever
9. After the side latches are fully released,
release the lever. 10. Lift the side latches while pulling the
lever. Make sure the hooks are fully
released.
Side
latch
Lever Hook
11. Disconnect the rear window defroster
cord connector from the plug on the
inside of the hardtop.
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12. Slide the hardtop rearward whilepressing down on the rear deck
latches to unlock the latches.
Hardtop
Rear deck latch
13. Lift the hardtop straight off the bodyto prevent damage to the rear deck
latches and studs.
Hardtop
Rear deck stud
WARNING
Be careful of the windshield's edges
when getting into or out of the vehicle:
Not being careful of the windshield's
edges when getting into or out of the
vehicle is dangerous. The
windshield's edges could scratch and
cause injuries.
CAUTION
ØBe careful not to strike the body
with any of the protruding
hardtop latches.
Ø Use extreme care when carrying
the hardtop to prevent scratching
or other damage to it.
NOTE
Points to remember when storing the
detachable hardtop.
lDo not place the hardtop on a hard surface,
such as concrete or asphalt. Place it on a
cushioning material, such as an old
blanket.
lBe sure the top and side latches are locked.lDo not lean the hardtop against a wall or
stand it in an unstable way.
lStore the hardtop in a dry clean area, and
cover it with a soft material, such as an old
blanket.
14. Return the belt guides and the seatbacks to their original positions.
15. Disconnect the hardtop rear window defroster coupler (A) from the coupler
(B), and remove the convertible top
rear window defroster coupler (C)
from its holder (D).
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
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16. Connect the convertible top's rearwindow defroster coupler (C) to the
coupler (B).
(C)
(B)
qInstalling the Detachable Hardtop
CAUTION
Do not attempt to install the hardtop
with the convertible top also up.
Lower the convertible top before
installing the hardtop, otherwise
damage will occur to the convertible
top.
NOTE
lBe sure to place the convertible top latches
in the locked position.
lConfirm that the rear window defroster
coupler is disconnected. Also make sure the
convertible top is completely lowered
before installing the hardtop.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Remove the antenna if it is installed. Refer to Antenna on page 6-9. 4. Remove the seat belts from the belt
guides.
Belt guide
5. Slide the seats forward.
Refer to Seat Slide on page 2-2.
6. Fold the seatbacks forward. Refer to Seat Recline on page 2-2.
7. Connect the rear window defroster coupler.
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NOTE
Connect the convertible top's rear window
defroster coupler into the holder so that it does
not rattle.
8. Make sure the top latch and the sidelatches on the hardtop are unlocked.
Top latch
assembly
Side latch
assembly
9. Align the rear deck latches with therear deck studs and set the hardtop
squarely onto the body.
Hardtop
Rear deck stud
10. Slide the hardtop forward while pressing down on the rear deck
latches to lock the latches, and then
verify that they are secure by
attempting to lift the rear of the
hardtop.
Hardtop
Rear deck latch
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CAUTION
ØBe careful not to strike the body
with any of the protruding
hardtop latches.
Ø The rear defogger grid and the
defogger cord could be damaged
when removing or installing the
hardtop. Make sure the rear
defogger grid isn't folded and the
defogger cord isn't caught
between the vehicle's body and the
hardtop.
11. Make sure the striker for the top latch is securely engaged with the anchor
before pushing the top latch lever.
Rotate the lever of the top latch with
the palm of your hand until the top
latch is locked.
Striker
Anchor
12. Pull the levers and fully release theside latches.
Side latch
Lever
13. Make sure the hooks are engaged.
Lift the side latches with the palm of
your hand until the latches are locked.
Side
latch
Hook
CAUTION
After installation, verify that all
latches are secure. Operating the
vehicle with unlocked latches may
cause hardtop damage or loss.
14. Set the belt guides and the seats back to their original positions.
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15. Connect the rear window defrostercord connector to the plug on the
inside of the hardtop.
NOTE
If the hardtop rattles even when all latches are
secure, drive slowly and contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer for inspection.
qDetachable Hardtop Appearance
Care
Refer to Hardtop Maintenance (page
8-55) for information on detachable
hardtop appearance care.
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Convertible Top (Power Retractable Hardtop)í
The power retractable hardtop opens/closes electrically by operating switches in the
vehicle. When opening/closing the hardtop, the hardtop, deck and window glass operate
together. The hardtop is stored in the storage area under the deck.
Top latch assembly
Close switchOpen switchDeck
Indicator light
Hardtop
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