2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF oil

6–19
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Vehicle Engine Control Unit Reset Procedure
NOTE
This procedure is intended for vehicles with the engine oil À exible maintenance setting
selected.
After replacing the engine oil, have a repair shop such as an Authorised Mazda Repairer
perform the initialization (engine oil data resetting) of the recorded value. If the value
recorded by the computer is not initialized, the wrench indicator light may not turn off or it
may turn on earlier than normal.
NOTE
The initialization (engine oil data resetting) of the recorded value can be performed using
the following procedure:
1. Switch the ignition OFF.
2. Switch the ignition ON with the selector pressed, and press and hold the selector for
about 5 seconds until the master warning light
À ashes. 
Selector
3. After the master warning light À ashes for several seconds, the initialization is
completed.
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6–20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal
operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes
for the oil to return to the sump.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
MIN MAX
OK
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.
The level is normal if it is between the
MIN and MAX marks.
If it is near or below MIN, add enough
oil to bring the level to MAX.
CAUTION
Do not over¿ ll the engine oil. This may
cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is
positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
7. Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Engine Coolant
Inspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
Do not use a match or live À ame 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.
Pull over to a safe location, then
switch the ignition 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 inde¿ nitely 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.
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6–24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and bonnet hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the bonnet's secondary latch
keeps the bonnet from opening when the
primary latch is released.
Wiper Blades
CAUTION
  Hot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the wiper's ability to clean windows.
  To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, do not use petrol, paraf¿ n,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
  When the wiper lever is in the
AUTO position and the ignition is
switched ON, the wipers may move
automatically in the following cases:
 


 If the windscreen above the rain
sensor is touched.
 


 If the windscreen above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth.
 


 If the windscreen is struck with a
hand or other object.
 


 If the rain sensor is struck with a
hand or other object from inside
the vehicle.
  Be careful not to pinch hands or
¿ ngers as it may cause injury, or
damage the wipers. When washing or
servicing the vehicle, make sure the
wiper lever is in the OFF position.
Contamination of either the windscreen or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
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6–56
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint¿ nish:




 Rinse off any dirt or other foreign matter
using lukewarm or cold water before
washing.
 


 Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
 


 Rub gently when washing or drying the
vehicle.
 


 Take your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained.
 


 Do not use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
or strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-
plated or anodised aluminium parts. This
may damage the protective coating; also,
cleaners and detergents may discolour or
deteriorate the paint.
Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt,
mud, and other foreign material from the
underside of the wings, and make sure the
drain holes in the lower edges of the doors
and rocker panels are clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits
can damage the ¿ nish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow
soap to dry on the ¿ nish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.
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.
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the ¿ nish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its lustre.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.
Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for
metallic, mica, and solid colours.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the
sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas even if
the rest of the vehicle does not need it.
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6–61
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Convertible Top (Retractable
Fastback) Maintenance
W a s h i n g
To help protect the retractable fastback's
¿ nish, use a soft cloth or sponge to wash
it.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the ¿ nish if they are not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
CAUTION
  Do not use an automatic car wash. 
 Do not spray water directly on the
area where the window glass and the
retractable fastback meet. This would
probably cause water to enter the
cabin.
  Do not use strong soap, chemical
detergents, or hot water, and do not
wash the retractable fastback in
direct sunlight or when the surface is
warm.
Thoroughly rinse with lukewarm or cold
water. Do not allow soap to dry on the
¿ nish.
Waxing
Wax the retractable fastback when water
no longer beads on the paint. Always wash
and dry it before waxing.
CAUTION
  Wiping off dust or dirt with a dry
cloth will scratch the ¿ nish.

 Do not use abrasive wax. This may
damage the protective coating and
discolour or deteriorate the paint.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas.
Drainage outlet cleaning procedure
There are drainage outlets on the left and
right of the lower side of the rear window.
Rear roofDrainage
outlet
Rear window
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6–63
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
6. After cleaning is ¿ nished, continue
pressing the retractable fastback switch
in the close direction to close the rear
roof.
Refer to Closing the Roof on page
3-52 . Plastic Part Maintenance
 












 When cleaning the plastic lenses of
the lights, do not use petrol, paraf¿ n,
recti¿ ed spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolour or damage the
surfaces resulting in a signi¿ cant loss
in functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, À ush with water
immediately.
 


 If plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or À uids such as petrol,
oil, engine coolant, or battery À uid, it
could cause discolouration, staining,
or paint peeling. Wipe off any such
chemical agents or À uids 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.
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6–64
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Interior Care
WARNING
Do not spray water into the vehicle
cabin:
Spraying water into the vehicle cabin
is dangerous as electrical devices such
as the audio and switches could get wet
resulting in a malfunction or vehicle
¿ re.
NOTE

 Do not wipe the interior using
alcohol, chlorine bleach, or organic
solvents such as thinner, benzene,
and petrol. Otherwise, it may cause
discolouration or stains.
  Rubbing hard with a stiff brush or
cloth may cause damage.
If the vehicle interior becomes soiled
by any of the following, wipe it off
immediately using a soft cloth.
Leaving it uncleaned could cause
discolouration, stains, cracks, or peeling
of the coating, and it will make it hard to
wipe off later.
 


 Beverage or fragrance



 Grease or oil



 Soiling
Seat Belt Maintenance
1. Clean the soiled area by lightly dabbing
it with a soft cloth soaked in a mild
detergent (approx. 5%) diluted with
water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using
a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
3. Before retracting seat belts which have
been pulled out for cleaning, dry them
off thoroughly and make sure there is
no remaining moisture on them.
WARNING
If a seat belt appears frayed or has
abrasions, have it replaced by an
Authorised Mazda Repairer:
If a seat belts is used under such a
condition, it cannot function at its full
capacity which could result in serious
injury or death.
Use a mild detergent to remove soiling
from a seat belt:
If organic solvents are used for
cleaning the seat belts or they become
stained or bleached, there is the
possibility of them becoming weakened
and as a result, they may not function
at their full capacity which could cause
serious injury or death.
NOTE
Clean seat belts diligently if they get
dirty. Leaving them uncleaned will make
it dif¿ cult to clean them later, and it may
affect the smooth retracting of the seat
belt.
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6–65
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
*Some models.
Vinyl Upholstery Maintenance
Remove dust and dirt from the vinyl
upholstery using a brush or vacuum.
Remove soiling from vinyl upholstery
using a leather and vinyl upholstery
cleaner.
Upholstery Maintenance
1. Clean the soiled area by lightly dabbing
it with a soft cloth soaked in a mild
detergent (approx. 5%) diluted with
water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using
a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
NOTE
Rubbing the interior side of the soft top
vigorously with a stiff brush or cloth
may cause damage.
Leather Upholstery Maintenance *
1. Remove dust and sand using a vacuum
cleaner.
2. Wipe off the soiled area with a soft
cloth and a suitable, special cleaner or
a soft cloth soaked in a mild detergent
(about 5%) diluted with water.
3. Wipe off the remaining detergent using
a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
4. Remove moisture with a dry, soft cloth
and allow the leather to further dry in
a well-ventilated, shaded area. If the
leather gets wet such as from rain,
remove the moisture and dry it as soon
as possible.
NOTE
  Because genuine leather is a natural
material, its surface is not uniform
and it may have natural scars,
scratches, and wrinkles.
  To maintain the quality for as long
as possible, periodical maintenance,
about twice a year, is recommended.
  If the leather upholstery comes into
contact with any of the following,
clean it immediately.
 Leaving it uncleaned could cause
premature wear, mold, or stains.
 


 Sand or dirt



 Grease or oil, such as hand cream



 Alcohol, such as in cosmetic or
hair dressing items
 
 If the leather upholstery gets wet,
promptly remove moisture with a
dry cloth. Remaining moisture on the
surface may cause deterioration such
as hardening and shrinkage.
  Exposure to direct sunlight for long
periods may cause deterioration
and shrinkage. When parking the
car under direct sunlight for long
periods, shade the interior using
sunshades.
  Do not leave vinyl products on
the leather upholstery for long
periods. They may affect the leather
quality and colouring. If the cabin
temperature becomes hot, the vinyl
may deteriorate and adhere to the
genuine leather.
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