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4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ........................................ 4-2Fuel Requirements .................................................................... 4-2
Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-3
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-4
Before Starting the Engine ........................................................... 4-5 Before Getting In ...................................................................... 4-5
After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-5
Driving Tips ................................................................................... 4-6 Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-6
Money-Saving Suggestions ...................................................... 4-6
Hazardous Driving .................................................................... 4-7
Floor Mat .................................................................................. 4-8
Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-8
Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-9
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-10
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-11
Driving on Uneven Road ........................................................ 4-12
Towing ......................................................................................... 4-13 Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-13
4-1
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Trailer Towing
The Mazda MX-5 is not designed for
towing. Never tow a trailer with your
Mazda MX-5.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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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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Tool Storage
Tools are stored in the locations illustrated in the diagram.
Power retractable hardtop
emergency tool bag
Tool bag
ropeGlove boxLug wrench
Jack
Jack Lever
eyebolt
hexagonal
wrench
Some models.
Instant Mobility System (IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair Kit
Trunk room
Towing/Tiedown eyelet
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
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NOTElBefore 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.
lVerify that the covers are securely installed.
Push-Starting
Do not push-start your Mazda.
WARNING
Never tow a vehicle to start it:Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured.
CAUTION
Do not push-start a vehicle that has
a manual transmission. It can
damage the emission control system.
NOTE
You can't start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
7-24
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
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Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
drive wheels (rear wheels) off the ground.
If excessive damage or other conditions
prevent this, use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
CAUTION
Do not tow the vehicle pointed
forward with driving wheels on the
ground. This may cause internal
damage to the transmission.
CAUTION
Do not tow with sling-type
equipment. This could damage your
vehicle. Use wheel-lift or flatbed
equipment.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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Tiedown Hooks
CAUTION
Do not use the front and rear
tiedown eyelets for towing the
vehicle.
The have been designed only for
securing the vehicle to a transport
vessel during shipping.
Using the eyelets for any other
purpose could result in the vehicle
being damaged.
qTiedown Hooks
1. Remove the tiedown eyelet, lug
wrench, and jack lever from the trunk
(page 7-5).
2. Wrap the jack lever with a soft cloth to prevent damage to a painted bumper,
and open the cap located on the front or
rear bumper.
Front
Type A
Type B
Rear
CAUTION
Ø Do not use excessive force as it
may damage the cap or scratch
the painted bumper surface.
Ø The rear bumper cover cannot be
removed completely. Attempting
to forcefully remove the rear
bumper cover could result in it
being damaged.
NOTE
Remove the front bumper cover completely and
store it so as not to lose it.
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet using the lug wrench.
7-26
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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Front
Lug wrench
Rear
Lug wrench
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedowneyelet.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying down
the vehicle. Make sure that the
tiedown eyelet is securely tightened
to the bumper.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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