2016 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 tow

6–35
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the windshield
let the wiper arm down easily, don't let
it slap down on the windshield.
2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull
until the tabs are free of the metal
support.
Metal support
Ta b
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from each
blade rubber and install them in the
new blade.
CAUTION
 Do not bend or discard the stiffeners. You
need to use them again. If the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade's wiping efficiency could be
reduced.
So don't use the driver's side metal
stiffeners on the passenger's side, or vice
versa. Be sure to reinstall the metal stiffeners in
the new blade rubber so that the curve
is the same as it was in the old blade
rubber.
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
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6–64
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Plastic Part Maintenance
 When cleaning the plastic lenses of the
lights, do not use gasoline, kerosene,
rectified spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolor or damage the
surfaces resulting in a significant loss
in functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, flush with water
immediately. If plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fluids such as
gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery
fluid, it could cause discoloration,
staining, or paint peeling. Wipe off any
such chemical agents or fluids using a
soft cloth immediately. High water temperature and high water
pressure car washers are available
depending on the type of high pressure
car washer device. If the car washer
nozzle is put too close to the vehicle or
aimed at one area for an extended period
of time, it could deform plastic parts or
damage the paint. Do not use wax containing compounds
(polish). Otherwise, it could result in
paint damage. In addition, do not use an electrical or
air tool to apply wax. Otherwise, the
frictional heat generated could result
in deformation of plastic parts or paint
damage.
Interior Care
WARNING
Do not spray water in the cabin:
Splashing water on electrical parts
such as the audio unit and switches
is dangerous as it could cause a
malfunction or a fire.
Dashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They will damage and discolor
the dashboard. If these solutions get on the
dashboard, wipe them off immediately.
CAUTION
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
Instrument panel top
 When cleaning, it is recommended that
you use a clean towel dampened in a
mild detergent to remove soiling. If the surface is rubbed harshly, it could
result in the surface being damaged
leaving white scratch marks.
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7–1*Some models.
7If Trouble Arises
Helpful information on what to do if a problem arises with the vehicle.
Parking in an Emergency ..................................................................7-2
Parking in an Emergency ..............................................................7-2
Flat Tire........................................................................\
.......................7-3
Tool Storage ........................................................................\
..........7-3
Emergency Flat Tire Repair Kit ....................................................7-5
Changing a Tire ........................................................................\
...7-16
Battery Runs Out ........................................................................\
.....7-23
Jump-Starting ........................................................................\
......7-23
Emergency Starting ........................................................................\
.7-26
Starting a Flooded Engine ...........................................................7-26
Push-Starting ........................................................................\
.......7-26
Overheating ........................................................................\
..............7-27
Overheating ........................................................................\
.........7-27
When Fuel-Filler Lid Cannot be Opened ......................................7-29
When Fuel-Filler Lid Cannot be Opened ....................................7-29
Emergency Towing ........................................................................\
...7-30
Towing Description .....................................................................7-30
Tiedown Hooks* ........................................................................\
..7-31
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds ...........................7-33
If a Warning Light Turns On or Flashes......................................7-33
Message Indicated on Display ....................................................7-43
Warning Sound is Activated ........................................................7-45
When Trunk Lid Cannot be Opened ..............................................7-49
When Trunk Lid Cannot be Opened ...........................................7-49
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7–2
If Trouble Arises
Parking in an Emergency
Parking in an Emergency
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning flasher and
all the turn signals will flash. The hazard
warning indicator lights in the instrument
cluster flash simultaneously.
NOTE
 The turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning lights are on. Check local regulations about the use of
hazard warning lights while the vehicle
is being towed to verify that it is not in
violation of the law.
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7–26
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Starting
Starting a Flooded Engine
If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. If the engine does not start within
five seconds on the first try, wait ten
seconds and try again.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the accelerator all the way and
hold it there.
4. Depress the clutch pedal (Manual
transmission) or the brake pedal
(Automatic transmission), then
press the push button start. If the
engine starts, release the accelerator
immediately because the engine will
suddenly rev up.
5. If the engine fails to start, crank it
without depressing the accelerator.
If the engine still does not start using
the above procedure, have your vehicle
inspected by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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 cannot start a vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing it.
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7–30
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
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
When towing with the rear wheels on the
ground, release the parking brake.
CAUTION
 Do not tow the vehicle pointed
backward with driving wheels on the
ground. This may cause internal damage
to the transmission.
 Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage your vehicle. Use
wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.
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7–31
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
*Some models.
Tiedown Hooks*
CAUTION
Do not use the front and rear tiedown
eyelets for towing the vehicle.
They 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.
Tiedown Hooks
1. Remove the tiedown eyelet and the lug
wrench from the luggage compartment
(page 7-3).
2. Wrap a flathead screwdriver or similar
tool with a soft cloth to prevent damage
to a painted bumper, and open the cap
located on the front or rear bumper.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
Do not use excessive force as it may
damage the cap or scratch the painted
bumper surface.
NOTE
Remove the cap completely and store it so
as not to lose it.
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet
using the lug wrench or equivalent.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Front

Lug wrench
T iedo wn e yelet
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7–32
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
Rear

Lug wrench
T iedo wn e yelet
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedown
eyelet.
CAUTION
If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying the
vehicle. Make sure that the tiedown
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
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