2016 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 Owners Manual (in English)

7–27
If Trouble Arises
Overheating
Overheating
If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light illuminates, 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 either 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 high engine coolant temperature
warning light illuminates:
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 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 level.
If it is low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
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7–28
If Trouble Arises
Overheating
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Coolant reservoir
Cooling fan
Cooling system cap
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
6-29).
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.
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7–29
If Trouble Arises
When Fuel-Filler Lid Cannot be Opened
When Fuel-Filler Lid
Cannot be Opened
If the battery is dead, the fuel-filler lid
cannot be opened.
In this case, the fuel-filler lid can be
opened by taking care of the dead battery
situation.
Refer to Jump-Starting on page 7-23.
If the fuel-filler lid cannot be opened
even if the dead battery situation has been
resolved, the electrical system may have a
malfunction.
In this case, the fuel-filler lid can be
opened using the following procedure as
an emergency measure.
1. Open the trunk lid.
Refer to Opening and Closing the
Trunk Lid on page 3-19.
2. Pull the center section of the plastic
fastener and remove the fasteners.

3. Partially peel back the cover inside the
trunk, then pull the emergency release
lever.

Emer gency release
le ve r
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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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7–33
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
If a Warning Light Turns On or Flashes
If any warning light turns on/flashes, take appropriate action for each light. There is no
problem if the light turns off, however if the light does not turn off or turns on/flashes again,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Vehicles with type B audio)
The warning contents can be verified on the audio.
1. If the warning light is turned on, select icon on the home screen to display the
application screen.
2. Select “Warning Guidance” to display the current warnings.
3. Select the applicable warning to view the warning details.
Stop Vehicle in Safe Place Immediately
If any of the following warning lights turns on, the system may have a m\
alfunction. Stop the
vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
SignalWarning
Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning/Warning light inspection
The light illuminates when the parking brake is applied with the ignitio\
n switched to START or ON. It turns off when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the brake warning light remains illuminated even though the parking b\
rake is released, the brake fluid may be low or there could be a problem with the brake system. Park the vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Do not drive with the brake system warning light illuminated. Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the brakes inspected as soon as possible:Driving with the brake system warning light illuminated is dangerous. It indicates that your brakes may not work at all or that they could completely fail at any time. If this light remains illuminated, after checking that the parking brake is fully released, have the brakes inspected immediately.
CAUTION
In addition, the effectiveness of the braking may diminish so you may need to depress the brake pedal more strongly than normal to stop the vehicle.
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7–34
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
SignalWarning
Electronic Brake Force Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution control unit determines that \
some components are operating incorrectly, the control unit may illuminate the brake system warning light and the ABS warning light simultaneously. The problem is likely to be the electronic brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning light and brake warning light illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the brakes inspected as soon as possible:Driving when the brake system warning light and ABS warning light are illuminated simultaneously is dangerous.When both lights are illuminated, the rear wheels could lock more quickly in an emergency stop than under normal circumstances.
Charging System Warning Light
If the warning light illuminates while driving, it indicates a malfuncti\
on of the alternator or of the charging system.Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving when the charging system warning light is illuminated because the engine could stop unexpectedly.
Engine Oil Warning Light
This warning light indicates low engine oil pressure.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil pressure is low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive engine damage.If the light illuminates or the warning indication is displayed while dr\
iving:
1.Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way on level ground.2.Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil p\
an.3.Inspect the engine oil level 6-28. If it's low, add the appropriate amount of engine oil while being careful not to overfill.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil level is low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive engine damage.4.Start the engine and check the warning light.
If the light remains illuminated even though the oil level is normal or \
after adding oil, stop the engine immediately and have your vehicle towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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