2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF Owners Manual (in English)

6–53
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
The paintwork on your Mazda represents
the latest technical developments in
composition and methods of application.
Environmental hazards, however, can
harm the paint's protective properties, if
proper care is not taken.
Here are some examples of possible
damage, with tips on how to prevent them.
Etching Caused by Acid Rain or
Industrial Fallout
Occurrence
Industrial pollutants and vehicle emissions
drift into the air and mix with rain or dew
to form acids. These acids can settle on a
vehicle's¿ nish. As the water evaporates,
the acid becomes concentrated and can
damage the ¿ nish.
And the longer the acid remains on the
surface, the greater the chance is for
damage.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its ¿ nish according to
the instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you
suspect that acid rain has settled on your
vehicle's¿ nish.
Damage Caused by Bird Dropping,
Insects, or Tree Sap
Occurrence
Bird droppings contain acids. If these
are not removed they can eat away the
clear and colour base coat of the vehicle's
paintwork.
When insects stick to the paint surface and
decompose, corrosive compounds form.
These can erode the clear and colour base
coat of the vehicle's paintwork if they are
not removed.
Tree sap will harden and adhere
permanently to the paint ¿ nish. If you
scratch the sap off while it is hard, some
vehicle paint could come off with it.
Prevention
It is necessary to have your Mazda washed
and waxed to preserve its ¿ nish according
to the instructions in this section. This
should be done as soon as possible.
Bird droppings can be removed with a soft
sponge and water. If you are travelling and
these are not available, a moistened tissue
may also take care of the problem. The
cleaned area should be waxed according to
the instructions in this section.
Insects and tree sap are best removed with
a soft sponge and water or a commercially
available chemical cleaner.
Another method is to cover the affected
area with dampened newspaper for one to
two hours. After removing the newspaper,
rinse off the loosened debris with water.
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6–54
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Water Marks
Occurrence
Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can
contain harmful minerals such as salt and
lime. If moisture containing these minerals
settles on the vehicle and evaporates, the
minerals will concentrate and harden to
form white rings. The rings can damage
your vehicle's ¿ nish.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its ¿ nish according to
the instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you ¿ nd
water marks on your vehicle's ¿ nish.
Paint Chipping
Occurrence
Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown
in the air by another vehicle's tyres hits
your vehicle.
How to avoid paint chipping
Keeping a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead reduces the chances
of having your paint chipped by À ying
gravel. NOTE
  The paint chipping zone varies
with the speed of the vehicle. For
example, when travelling at 90 km/h
(56 mph), the paint chipping zone is
50 m (164 ft).
  In low temperatures a vehicle's ¿ nish
hardens. This increases the chance of
paint chipping.
  Chipped paint can lead to rust
forming on your Mazda. Before this
happens, repair the damage by using
Mazda touch-up paint according
to the instructions in this section.
Failure to repair the affected area
could lead to serious rusting and
expensive repairs.
Follow all label and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read all warnings and cautions.
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6–55
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Maintaining the Finish
W a s h i n g
CAUTION
  When the wiper lever is in the
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 or wiped with a
cloth.
 


 If the windscreen is struck with a
hand or other object from either
outside or inside the vehicle.
  Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windscreen when the wiper lever is
in the
position and the ignition
is switched ON as ¿ ngers could be
pinched or the wipers and wiper
blades damaged when the wipers
activate automatically.
 If you are going to clean the
windscreen, be sure the wipers are
turned off completely (when it is
most likely that the engine is left
running) this is particularly important
when clearing ice and snow.
 
 Do not spray water in the engine
compartment. Otherwise, it could
result in engine-starting problems or
damage to electrical parts.
  When washing and waxing the
vehicle, be careful not to apply
excessive force to any single area of
the vehicle bonnet. Otherwise, you
could dent the vehicle.
CAUTION
  Do not use automatic car washing
machines and car washing devices
using high water pressure.
  Make sure that the fuel À ap is closed
and lock the doors. Otherwise, the
fuelÀ ap may be forcefully opened by
water pressure causing damage to the
vehicle or fuel À ap.
To help protect the ¿ nish from rust
and deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.
If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.
Scratches occur on the paint surface when:
 


 The vehicle is washed without ¿ rst
rinsing off dirt and other foreign matter.
 


 The vehicle is washed with a rough, dry,
or dirty cloth.
 


 The vehicle is washed at a car wash that
uses brushes that are dirty or too stiff.
 


 Cleansers or wax containing abrasives
are used.
NOTE
  Mazda is not responsible for
scratches caused by automatic car
washes or improper washing.
  Scratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint ¿ nishes.
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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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6–57
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Paint Damage Touch-up
Repair damage to the ¿ nish caused by
stone chipping, damage during parking
etc., by using Mazda touch-up paint before
rust begins to form. First, remove the dirt
and grease with a clean soft cloth.
If rust has already begun to form:
1. Remove rust completely with
sandpaper.
2. Wipe with a clean soft cloth.
3. Apply rust preventive primer to the
area.
4. After drying it completely, apply a
suitable top coat material to the area.
Of course there will be no problem if
you assign the work to an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
Cavity Protection
Cavities are treated for protection at the
factory, but additional protective treatment
after the vehicle has been put into use will
extend the life of the body.
We recommend that you consult an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer concerning this additional
precaution.
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 lustre.
 


 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 anodised aluminium parts. This
may result in damage to the protective
coating and cause discolouration or
paint deterioration.
Undercoating
This special coating is applied to the
critical parts of the underside to protect
vehicles from damage caused by
chemicals or stones. This coating is liable
to be damaged with time. Check this
coating periodically.
Should repairs be necessary, consult
an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer. They are well
informed on how repairs should be made.
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6–58
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Aluminium Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminium wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
CAUTION
Do not use any detergent other than mild
detergent. Before using any detergent,
verify the ingredients. Otherwise, the
product could discolour or stain the
aluminium wheels.
NOTE
  Do not use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminium
wheels. They may damage the
coating.
  Always use a sponge or soft cloth to
clean the wheels.
 Rinse the wheels thoroughly with
lukewarm or cold water. Also, be
sure to clean the wheels after driving
on dusty or salted roads to help
prevent corrosion.
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
Maintenance
The convertible top is made of a special
high-grade material, but if it's not taken
good care of, hardening, staining, and
loss of lustre will result. Maintain it under
these guidelines.
Washing
Do not wait until the convertible top gets
really dirty before cleaning it. Dirt that's
there too long will cause deterioration.
1. Before washing, remove dust and
coarse particulate with a soft brush.
2. Gently clean the convertible top with
a synthetic neutral detergent, lots of
water, and a soft brush.
3. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water to
remove all the soap.
4. Wipe it as dry as you can before the
water dries on it.
5. Then allow it to dry completely before
lowering it.
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6–59
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
CAUTION
  Automatic and high-pressure car
washes are harmful to a convertible
top. Avoid them.
  Do not spray water directly on the
area where the window glass and
the convertible top meet. This would
probably cause water to enter the
cabin.
  Do not spray water directly on
the seam area of the body and the
convertible top as it could result in
water penetrating the cabin and boot.
  Some leather treatment products can
ruin the convertible top's gloss. Be
careful of the one you choose.
  Test on an inconspicuous, small
corner of the convertible top if you
are not sure.
  Do not wipe the convertible top
using alcohol, chlorine bleach, or
organic solvents such as thinner,
benzene, or petrol. Otherwise, they
may cause discolouration or stains.
  Do not get any car wax on the
convertible top.
 If you do, remove it with a good
leather cleaner or mild detergent
(about 5% solution).
CAUTION
  Too much treatment on the
convertible top can be as
damaging as too little. Follow the
manufacturer's directions.
 Do not overdo it!   Let the convertible top dry
completely before lowering after
applying treatment or dressing.
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6–60
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Drain ¿ lter cleaning procedure
Drain filter
NOTE
If leaves or other matter block the drain
¿ lter, water may enter the vehicle.
Clean the drain ¿ lter at least once a year.
1. Check the position of the drain ¿ lter
with your hand from behind the bow.
Drain filter Bow
2. Remove the drain ¿ lter while pressing
the tab.
3. Remove leaves and other matter
accumulated in the drain ¿ lter.
4. Reinstall the drain ¿ lter in the reverse
order of the removal procedure.
CAUTION
When installing the drain ¿ lter, make
sure that the drain ¿ lter is securely
attached to its designated position by
pushing it until the tab locks. Water may
enter the vehicle if the drain ¿ lter is not
secured to its designated position.
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