Black plate (191,1)
Meters and Gauges
Speedometer ...................................................................................................... page 5-38
Odometer, Trip Meter, Average Fuel Economy Display, Outside Temperature Display
and Selector ....................................................................................................... page 5-38
Tachometer ........................................................................................................ page 5-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .................................................................. page 5-40
Fuel Gauge ........................................................................................................ page 5-40
Dashboard Illumination ..................................................................................... page 5-41
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge ................................................................................ page 5-41
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-37
MX-5_8BR3-EA-10F_Edition3 Page191
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (194,1)
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 7-19).
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is remaining in the tank when
the ignition is switched ON.
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 () indicates
that the fuel-filler lid is on the left side of
the vehicle.
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
MX-5_8BR3-EA-10F_Edition3 Page194
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Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (323,1)
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
Switch the ignition to off 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 is switched 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:
Do not 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 reservoir level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-19
MX-5_8BR3-EA-10F_Edition3 Page323
Wednesday, March 2 2011 5:27 PM
Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (354,1)
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.
Switch the ignition to off 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.
8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8BR3-EA-10F_Edition3 Page354
Wednesday, March 2 2011 5:27 PM
Form No.8BR3-EA-10F
Black plate (449,1)
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-4
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-3
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-20
Child RestraintChild restraint precautions ......... 2-18
Child-restraint system installation
position ...................................... 2-23
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-27
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-6
Convertible Top Power Retractable Hardtop ........ 3-48
Soft Top ...................................... 3-43
Cruise Control ................................... 5-22
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-81
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-41
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-58
Defroster Rear window .............................. 5-61
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-30
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-10
Driving on Uneven Road .................. 4-12
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-6 Automatic transmission .............. 5-21
Break-in period ............................ 4-6
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-10
Driving on uneven road ............. 4-12
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-7
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-8
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
D
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-27DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-28
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-28
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-27
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-21Flooded engine ........................... 7-21
Jump-starting .............................. 7-22
Push-starting .............................. 7-25
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-26
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine Coolant ....................................... 8-20
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-4
Hood release .............................. 3-42
Oil .............................................. 8-18
Overheating ................................ 7-19
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-17
Engine Coolant Overheating ................................ 7-19
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-40
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-4
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-52
F
Flasher Hazard warning .......................... 5-62
Headlights .................................. 5-57
Index
11-3
MX-5_8BR3-EA-10F_Edition3 Page449
Wednesday, March 2 2011 5:28 PM
Form No.8BR3-EA-10F