2009 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA POWER RETRACTABLE HARDTOP engine overheat

Black plate (146,1)
Floor Mat
WARNING
Make sure the floor mats are hooked
on the retention pins to prevent them
from bunching up under the foot
pedals:Using a floor mat that is not secured
is dangerous as it will interfere with
the accelerator and brake pedal
operation, which could result in an
accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on
top of the other, on the driver's side: Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
In using a heavy duty floor mat for
winter use always remove the
original floor mat.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its eyelets are inserted
over the pointed end of the retention
posts.
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle:When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is
dangerous. The spinning tire could
overheat and explode. This could
cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure,
and tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (158,1)
WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop:Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more effort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause
longer stopping distances or even an
accident.
Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills: Driving with your foot continuously
on the brake pedal or steadily
applying the brakes for long
distances is dangerous. This causes
overheated brakes, resulting in
longer stopping distances or even
total brake failure. This could cause
loss of vehicle control and a serious
accident. Avoid continuous
application of the brakes.
Dry brakes that have become wet by
driving very slowly and applying the
brakes lightly until brake performance
is normal: Driving with wet brakes is
dangerous. Increased stopping
distance or the vehicle pulling to one
side when braking could result in a
serious accident. Light braking will
indicate whether the brakes have
been affected.
qParking Brake
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
put the key or start knob to LOCK
position, set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with an
automatic transmission or in 1 or R
with a manual transmission:
It is important to place the key or
start knob in the LOCK position even
if you are not removing the key from
the ignition or leaving the vehicle.
Leaving the key in other positions
will disable some of the vehicle
security systems and run the battery
down.
Leaving the driver's seat without
putting the ignition switch in LOCK
position, setting the parking brake
and shifting the shift lever to P with
an automatic transmission, or to 1 or
R with a manual transmission is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur. This could
cause an accident.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
linings or pads.
NOTE
For parking in snow, refer to Winter Driving
(page 4-9) regarding parking brake use.
5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (172,1)
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on theload weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power
steering system.
5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (190,1)
Automatic Transmission
Red zone
CAUTION
Do not run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine
damage.
qEngine Coolant Temperature Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle is near H, it indicates
overheating.
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-18).
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is remaining in the tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
We recommend keeping the tank over 1/4
full. When the low fuel warning light
illuminates or when the needle is near E,
refuel as soon as possible.
Low fuel
warning light
NOTElAfter refueling, it may require some time for
the needle to stabilize. In addition, the
needle may deviate while driving on a slope
or curve since the fuel moves in the tank.
lThe direction of the arrow () shows that
the fuel-filler lid is on the left side of the
vehicle.
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (225,1)
CAUTION
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy
traffic, closely monitor the
temperature gauge (page 5-38).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off (page 7-18).
NOTE
lWhen maximum cooling is desired, set the
temperature control dial to the extreme cold
position and set the air intake selector to
the recirculated air mode, then turn the fan
control dial fully clockwise.
lIf warmer air is desired at floor level, set
the mode selector dial at the
or
position and adjust the temperature control
dial to maintain maximum comfort.
lThe air to the floor is warmer than air to
the face (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the extreme hot or cold
position).
q Ventilation
1. Set the mode selector dial to theor
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the outside air mode.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
qWindshield Defrosting and Defogging
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
WARNING
Do not defog the windshield using the
position with the temperature
control set to the cold position: Using the
position with the
temperature control set to the cold
position is dangerous as it will cause
the outside of the windshield to fog
up. Your vision will be hampered,
which could lead to a serious
accident. Set the temperature control
to the hot or warm position when
using the
position.
NOTE
lFor maximum defrosting, set the
temperature control dial to the extreme hot
position and turn the fan control dial fully
clockwise.
lIf warm air is desired at the floor, set the
mode selector dial to the
position.lIn the,,orposition, the air
conditioner is automatically turned on
(however, the indicator light does not
illuminate) and the outside air mode is
automatically selected to defrost the
windshield.
In the
orposition, the outside air
mode cannot be changed to the recirculated
air mode.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-9
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Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (301,1)
7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ............................................................. 7-2Parking in an Emergency .......................................................... 7-2
Flat Tire ......................................................................................... 7-3 Flat Tire
í.................................................................................. 7-3
Tool Storage .............................................................................. 7-5
Instant Mobility System (IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit
í.......................................................................................... 7-7
Changing a Tire ....................................................................... 7-13
Overheating ................................................................................. 7-18 Overheating ............................................................................. 7-18
Emergency Starting .................................................................... 7-20 Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-20
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-21
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-24
Emergency Towing ..................................................................... 7-25 Towing Description ................................................................. 7-25
Tiedown Hooks ....................................................................... 7-26
Recreational Towing ............................................................... 7-28
7-1íSome models.
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Form No.8Z78-EA-08K

Black plate (318,1)
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
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.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine: Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a preset
temperature, an electrical cooling fan turns
on. It will continue running for about 10
minutes after the ignition switch is turned to
off.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the
engine temperature will increase.
Stop the engine and call an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating, then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level. If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
7-18
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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Black plate (319,1)
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Cooling system cap
Coolant reservoir
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-20).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the
cooling system inspected. The engine
could be seriously damaged unless
repairs are made. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-19
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Form No.8Z78-EA-08K