2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF battery capacity

3–62
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at high speed,
and do not allow anyone to stand
behind a wheel when pushing the
vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tyre could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tyre damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever
from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tyre
chains, window scraper, À ares, a small
shovel, jumper leads, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer to check the
following:
 


 Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
  Refer to Engine Coolant on page
6-20 .
 


 Inspect the battery and its leads. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
 


 Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-17 ).
 


 Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
 


 Use washer À uid made with antifreeze—
but do not use engine coolant antifreeze
for washer À uid (page 6-23 ).
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6–30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Battery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
 


 Keep it securely mounted.



 Keep the top clean and dry.



 Keep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly or
terminal grease.
 


 Rinse off spilled electrolyte immediately
with a solution of water and baking
soda.
 


 If the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
leads and charge the battery every six
weeks.
Inspecting Electrolyte Level
A low level of electrolyte À uid will cause
the battery to discharge quickly.
Upper level
Lower level
Inspect the electrolyte level at least once
a week. If it is low, remove the caps and
add enough distilled water to bring the
level between the upper and lower level
(illustration).
Do not over¿ ll.
Examine the speci¿ c gravity of the
electrolyte with a hydrometer, especially
during cold weather. If it is low, recharge
the battery.
Battery Recharging
NOTE
  Before performing maintenance or
recharging the battery, turn off all
accessories and stop the engine.
  To disconnect the battery, remove the
negative lead ¿ rst. Install it last when
connecting the battery.
  Be sure to remove the caps before
recharging the battery.
 (With i-stop system) Do not quick-charge the battery.




 If the battery quickly discharges
because, for example, the lights were
left on too long with the engine off,
slow-charge it as required by battery
size and charger capacity.
 


 If the battery gradually discharges
because of high electric load while the
vehicle is being used, recharge it as
required by battery size and charger
capacity.
Battery Replacement
Contact an Authorised Mazda Repairer for
a battery replacement purchase.
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