6 –22 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Owner Maintenance PrecautionsThe owner or a qualified service technician should make these ve hicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
When Refueling
Brake and clutch fluid level (page 6-31 )
Engine coolant level (page 6-29 )
Engine oil level (page 6-28 )
Washer fluid level (page 6-31 )
At Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 6-41 )
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical ability
and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
Engine coolant (page 6-29 )
Engine oil (page 6-27 )
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions only
for items that are easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 6-2 ), several procedures can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
Refer to Introduction (page 6-2 ) for owner's responsibility in protecting your investment.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If you
are unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of w aste oil and fluids. Please
dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 22 2016/08/11 20:29:41
6 –28 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance Except U.S.A., Canada, and Puerto Rico
Use SAE 5W-30 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine friction.
For maintenance service, Mazda
recommends Mazda Genuine Parts and
Castrol ®
(Mexico only).
(ILSAC)
(Mexico)
Use SAE 5W-30 engine oil. If SAE 5W-30
engine oil is not available, use SAE 5W-20
engine oil. The quality designation SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label. 80
60
4020
0–40 –20 30
100 4020
100
–10–20
–30–40
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 oil pan.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
MINMAX
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 overfill the engine oil. This may
cause engine damage.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 28 2016/08/11 20:29:43
6 –32 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing. Body Lubrication All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood 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 hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 32 2016/08/11 20:29:44
7 –34 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds Signal Warning
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 Indication/
Warning Light If the warning light illuminates while driving, it indicates a malfunction 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 driving:
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 pan.
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.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 34 2016/08/11 20:30:02
9 –5 Specifications
Specifications Capacities(Approximate Quantities) Item Capacity
Engine oil With oil filter replacement 4.3 L (4.5 US qt, 3.8 Imp qt)
Without oil filter replacement 4.1 L (4.3 US qt, 3.6 Imp qt)
Coolant Manual transmission 6.0 L (6.3 US qt, 5.3 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission 5.9 L (6.2 US qt, 5.2 Imp qt)
Manual transmission oil 2.0 L (2.1 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission fluid 7.2 L (7.6 US qt, 6.3 Imp qt)
Rear differential oil 0.6 L (0.6 US qt, 0.5 Imp qt)
Fuel tank 45.0 L (11.9 US gal, 9.90 Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.
DimensionsU.S.A. and Canada Item Vehicle specification
Soft top model Retractable fastback model
Overall length 3,915 mm (154.1 in) 3,915 mm (154.1 in)
Overall width 1,735 mm (68.3 in) 1,735 mm (68.3 in)
Overall height 16 inch wheel vehicle 1,235 mm (48.6 in) —
17 inch wheel vehicle 1,240 mm (48.8 in) 1,245 mm (49.0 in)
Front tread 1,495 mm (58.9 in) 1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Rear tread 1,505 mm (59.3 in) 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Wheelbase 2,310 mm (90.9 in) 2,310 mm (90.9 in)
Mexico Item Vehicle specification
Soft top model Retractable fastback model
Overall length 3,915 mm (154.1 in) 3,915 mm (154.1 in)
Overall width 1,735 mm (68.3 in) 1,735 mm (68.3 in)
Overall height 16 inch wheel vehicle 1,225 mm (48.2 in) —
17 inch wheel vehicle 1,230 mm (48.4 in) 1,235 mm (48.6 in)
Front tread 1,495 mm (58.9 in) 1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Rear tread 1,505 mm (59.3 in) 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Wheelbase 2,310 mm (90.9 in) 2,310 mm (90.9 in)
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 5 2016/08/11 20:30:21
10 –5Inspecting Engine Oil Level ............... 6-28
Inspecting Washer Fluid Level ............ 6-31
Instrument Cluster
............................... 4-11
Interior Care
........................................ 6-68
Cleaning the floor mats
................. 6-71
Cleaning the window interiors
...... 6-71
Instrument panel top maintenance ... 6-70
Leather upholstery maintenance
... 6-69
Panel maintenance
......................... 6-70
Plastic part maintenance
................ 6-70
Seat belt maintenance
.................... 6-68
Upholstery maintenance
................ 6-69
Vinyl upholstery maintenance
....... 6-69
Interior Lights
Overhead light
............................. 5-132
J Jack ....................................................... 7-4
Jump-Starting
...................................... 7-23
K Key Left-in-trunk Warning Beep (With the
advanced keyless function)
................. 7-50
Key Left-in-vehicle Warning Beep (With
the advanced keyless function)
........... 7-50
Key Removed from Vehicle Warning
Beep
.................................................... 7-50
Key Suspend Function
.......................... 3-7
Keyless Entry System
........................... 3-3
Keys
...................................................... 3-2
Key suspend function
...................... 3-7
Transmitter
...................................... 3-4
L Label Information ................................. 9-2
Lane-Change Signals
.......................... 4-50
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
............................................... 4-79
LDWS switch
................................ 4-82
Lane Departure Warning sound
.......... 7-51 Leaving Home Light
........................... 4-49
Light Bulbs
Replacement
.................................. 6-45
Specifications
.................................. 9-7
Lighting Control .................................. 4-45
Lights-on Reminder
............................ 7-48
Lubricant Quality
.................................. 9-4
M Maintenance
Information
...................................... 6-2
Scheduled
........................................ 6-4
Maintenance Monitor
.......................... 6-20
Manual Transmission Operation
......... 4-31
Recommendations for shifting
...... 4-33
Message Indicated in Multi-information
Display
................................................ 7-45
Message Indicated on Display
............ 7-46
Meters and Gauges
.............................. 4-11
Mirror Defogger
.................................. 4-56
Mirrors
Outside mirrors .............................. 3-28
Rearview mirror
............................ 3-29
Multi-information Display
.................. 4-18
Average fuel economy
................... 4-23
Compass Display
........................... 4-24
Cruise control set vehicle speed
display
........................................... 4-24
Current fuel economy
.................... 4-23
Distance-to-empty
......................... 4-22
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
............................................ 4-21
Fuel gauge
..................................... 4-21
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS) Display
........................... 4-24
Maintenance monitor
.................... 4-23
Odometer and trip meter
............... 4-20
Outside temperature display
.......... 4-22
Retractable Fastback Operation
Display
.......................................... 4-24
Warning (display indication)
......... 4-25Inde x
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 5 2016/08/11 20:30:24