Black plate (317,1)
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.
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_8CM3-EA-12F_Edition2 Page317
Friday, August 31 2012 1:46 PM
Form No.8CM3-EA-12F
Black plate (346,1)
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.
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 leave items in the engine compartment: After you have finished checking or doing servicing in the engine compartment, do
not forget and leave items such as tools or rags in the engine compartment.
Tools or other items left in the engine compartment could cause engine damage or a
fire leading to an unexpected accident.
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8CM3-EA-12F_Edition2 Page346
Friday, August 31 2012 1:46 PM
Form No.8CM3-EA-12F
Black plate (441,1)
qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Item Capacity
Engine oil With oil filter
replacementU.S.A. and
Canada6-speed manual
transmission
4.55 L (4.81 US qt, 4.00 Imp qt)
Except 6-speed manual
transmission 4.45 L (4.70 US qt, 3.92 Imp qt)
Except U.S.A. and Canada 4.55 L (4.81 US qt, 4.00 Imp qt)
Without oil filter replacement 4.05 L (4.28 US qt, 3.56 Imp qt)
Coolant U.S.A. and
Canada5-speed manual transmission 7.3 L (7.7 US qt, 6.4 Imp qt)
6-speed manual transmission 7.6 L (8.0 US qt, 6.7 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission
7.2 L (7.6 US qt, 6.3 Imp qt)
Except U.S.A.
and Canada 6-speed manual transmission 7.6 L (8.0 US qt, 6.7 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission
7.5 L (7.9 US qt, 6.6 Imp qt)
Manual transmission oil 5-speed transmission
2.0 L (2.1 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
6-speed transmission 2.1 L (2.2 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission fluid 7.4 L (7.8 US qt, 6.5 Imp qt)
Rear differential oil 0.7 L (0.7 US qt, 0.6 Imp qt)
Fuel tank 48.0 L (12.7 US gal, 10.6 Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.
q Dimensions
Item Vehicle specification
Overall length With license plate holder
4,032 mm (158.7 in)
Without license plate holder 4,013 mm (158.0 in)
Overall width 1,720 mm (67.7 in)
Overall height Soft top
1,245 mm (49.0 in)
Hardtop 1,255 mm (49.4 in)
Front tread 1,490 mm (58.7 in)
Rear tread 1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Wheelbase 2,330 mm (91.7 in)
qWeights
(Manual transmission)
Item Weight
Without power retractable hardtop With power retractable
hardtop
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,396 kg (3,078 lbs) 1,416 kg (3,122 lbs)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Front 714 kg (1,574 lbs) 714 kg (1,574 lbs)
Rear 682 kg (1,504 lbs) 702 kg (1,548 lbs)
Specifications
10-5
MX-5_8CM3-EA-12F_Edition2 Page441
Friday, August 31 2012 1:46 PM
Form No.8CM3-EA-12F
Black plate (450,1)
S
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-4
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-73Horn ........................................... 5-60
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-83 Back trim storage box ................ 6-83
Glove Compartment ................... 6-83
Mesh pocket ............................... 6-84
Seat side box .............................. 6-83
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-81
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-38
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-71
Tiedown Hook .......................................... 7-27
Tire Information ................................ 9-24
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-29
System error activation .............. 5-33
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-31
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-34
Tires Flat Tire ........................................ 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-32
Replacement ............................... 8-34
Rotation ...................................... 8-33
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Specifications ............................. 10-7
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-22
Tool ..................................................... 7-5
Tool Storage ........................................ 7-5
T
Towing
Description ................................. 7-26
Emergency towing ..................... 7-26
Hook .......................................... 7-27
Recreational towing ................... 7-29
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-25
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-25
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-37
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-33 Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-35
Trunk Light ....................................... 6-81
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-57
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-81
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-41 ABS ............................................ 5-44
Air bag system ........................... 5-45
Automatic transmission .............. 5-46
Brake system .............................. 5-43
Charging system ......................... 5-45
Check engine .............................. 5-45
Door-ajar .................................... 5-46
Flat tire ....................................... 5-49
KEY ............................................ 5-49
Low fuel ..................................... 5-46
Malfunction ................................ 5-43
Seat belt ...................................... 5-46
Seat belt pretensioner system ..... 5-45
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-47
11-6
Index
MX-5_8CM3-EA-12F_Edition2 Page450
Friday, August 31 2012 1:47 PM
Form No.8CM3-EA-12F