2016 MAZDA MX5 MIATA Fuel

6–63
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Repairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.
CAUTION
If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced,
make sure the body shop applies anti-
corrosion materials to all parts, both
repaired and new. This will prevent
them from rusting.
Bright-Metal Maintenance
 Use tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
 To prevent corrosion on bright-
metal surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
 During cold weather or in coastal areas,
cover bright-metal parts with a coating
of wax or preservative heavier than
usual. It would also help to coat them
with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or
some other protective compound.
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating
and cause discoloration or paint
deterioration.
Underbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and wheel
housings with lukewarm or cold water at
the end of each winter. Try also to do this
every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt.
It will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped there
will cause rusting.
WARNING
Dry off brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal:Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
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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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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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7–29
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.

Emergency release
leve r
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If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models.
SignalWarning
Electric Vacuum Pump Warning
Light The light turns on if the electric vacuum pump system has a problem. Hav\
e your vehicle
inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
ABS Warning Light
If the ABS warning light stays on while you're driving, the ABS control unit has detected a
system malfunction. If this occurs, your brakes will function normally a\
s if the vehicle had
no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs, it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
The brake assist system does not operate while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
Check Engine Light
If this light illuminates while driving, the vehicle may have a problem.\
It is important to
note the driving conditions when the light illuminated and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The check engine light may illuminate in the following cases:
The fuel tank level being very low or approaching empty.The engine's electrical system has a problem.The emission control system has a problem.The fuel-filler cap is missing or not tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on, or it flashes continuously , do not drive at high speeds
and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Automatic
Transmission
Warning Light
*
The light illuminates when the transmission has a problem.
CAUTION
If the automatic transmission warning light illuminates, the transmission has an electrical problem. Continuing to drive your Mazda in this condition could cause
damage to your transmission. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly
illuminates or does not illuminate at all when the ignition is switched \
ON. If any of these
occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not operate
in an accident.
WARNING
Never tamper with the air bag/pretensioner systems and always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform all servicing and repairs:
Self-servicing or tampering with the systems is dangerous. An air bag/pretensioner
could accidentally activate or become disabled causing serious injury or death.
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If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
Taking Action
Take the appropriate action and verify that the warning light turns off.
SignalWarning Action to be taken
Low Fuel Warning LightThe light turns on when the remaining fuel
is about 9.0 L (2.3 US gal, 1.9 Imp gal).
NOTE
The light illumination timing may vary
because fuel inside the fuel tank moves
around according to the driving conditions
and the vehicle posture.
Add fuel.
Check Fuel Cap Warning Light
If the check fuel cap warning light
illuminates while driving, the fuel-filler cap
may not be installed properly.
Stop the engine and reinstall the fuel-filler
cap.
Refer to Fuel-Filler Cap on page
3-26
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Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Warranty
Outside the United States/Canada
Government regulations in the United States/Canada require that automobiles meet specific
emission regulations and safety standards. Therefore, vehicles built for use in the United
States/Canada may differ from those sold in other countries.
The differences may make it difficult or even impossible for your vehicle to receive
satisfactory servicing in other countries. We strongly recommend that you NOT take your
Mazda outside the United States/Canada.
United States
However, in the event that you are moving to Canada permanently, Mazda vehicles built
for use in the United States could be eligible for exportation to Canada with specific vehicle
modifications to comply with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
Canada
However, in the event that you are moving to the United States permanently, Mazda vehicles
built for use in Canada could be eligible for exportation to the United States with specific
vehicle modifications to comply with the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (FMVSS).
NOTE
The above is applicable for a permanent import/export situation and not \
related to travelers
on vacation.
You may have the following problems if you do take your vehicle outside o\
f the United
States/Canada:
 Recommended fuel may be unavailable. Any kind of leaded fuel or low-octane fuel will
affect vehicle performance and damage the emission controls and engine. Proper repair facilities, tools, testing equipment, and replacement part\
s may not be
available.
Please refer to your Manufacturer's Warranty Booklet for more information.
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8–17
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Warranty
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign Country (Except
United States and Canada)
Registering your vehicle in a foreign country may be problematic depending on whether it
meets the specific emission and safety standards of the country in which the vehicle will be
driven. Consequently, your vehicle may require modifications at personal expense in order
to meet the regulations.
In addition, you should be aware of the following issues:
Satisfactory vehicle servicing may be difficult or impossible in another country.
The fuel specified for your vehicle may be unavailable.
Parts, servicing techniques, and tools necessary to maintain and repair \
your vehicle may be
unavailable.
There might not be an Authorized Mazda Dealer in the country you plan to take your
vehicle.
The Mazda warranty is valid only in certain countries.
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