2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA Owners Manual

6 –31 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Brake/Clutch Fluid Inspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid
Level
WARNING If the brake/clutch fluid level is low, have
the brakes inspected:
A low brake/clutch fluid level is
dangerous.
A low level could indicate brake lining
wear or a brake system leak which
could cause the brakes to fail and lead
to an accident.
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept between the
MAX and MIN lines.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have
the brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. Washer Fluid Inspecting Washer Fluid Level
WARNING Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result in
an accident.
Using Washer Fluid Without Anti-freeze
Protection in Cold Weather:
Operating your vehicle in temperatures
below 4 degrees C (40 degrees F)
using washer fluid without anti-freeze
protection is dangerous as it could
cause impaired windshield vision and
result in an accident. In cold weather,
always use washer fluid with anti-
freeze protection.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict the
use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
which are commonly used as anti-freeze
agents in washer fluid. A washer fluid with
limited VOC content should be used only
if it provides adequate freeze resistance
for all regions and climates in which the
vehicle will be operated.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 31 2016/08/11 20:29:44

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

6 –33 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Wiper BladesCAUTION 
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 gasoline, kerosene, 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 windshield above the rain
sensor is touched. 
If the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth. 
If the windshield 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 fingers
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 windshield 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. Replacing Windshield Wiper
Blades When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, do not try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
NOTE
When raising both windshield wiper arms,
raise the driver's side wiper arm first.
When lowering the wiper arms, slowly
lower the wiper arm from the passenger's
side first while supporting it with your
hand. Forcefully lowering the wiper arms
could damage the wiper arm and blade,
and may scratch or crack the windshield.
(Type A)
1. Raise the wiper arm.
2. Open the clip and slide the blade
assembly in the direction of the arrow.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 33 2016/08/11 20:29:44

6 –34 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance 3. Tilt the blade assembly and remove it
from the arm.
CAUTION To prevent damage to the windshield
let the wiper arm down easily, do not
let it slap down on the windshield.
4. Pull down the blade rubber and slide it
out of blade holder.
5. Remove the metal stiffeners from each
blade rubber and install them in the
new blade. CAUTION 
Do not bend or discard the stiffeners. You
need to use them again. 
If the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade's wiping efficiency could be
reduced.
So do not use the driver's side metal
stiffeners on the passenger's side, or vice
versa. 
Be sure to reinstall the metal stiffeners in
the new blade rubber so that the curve
is the same as it was in the old blade
rubber.
6. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
(Type B)
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade
assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 34 2016/08/11 20:29:45

6 –35 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
CAUTION To prevent damage to the windshield
let the wiper arm down easily, do not
let it slap down on the windshield.
2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull
until the tabs are free of the metal
support. Metal support
Ta b
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from each
blade rubber and install them in the
new blade. CAUTION 
Do not bend or discard the stiffeners. You
need to use them again. 
If the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade's wiping efficiency could be
reduced.
So do not use the driver's side metal
stiffeners on the passenger's side, or vice
versa. 
Be sure to reinstall the metal stiffeners in
the new blade rubber so that the curve
is the same as it was in the old blade
rubber.
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 35 2016/08/11 20:29:45

6 –36 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
BatteryWARNINGWash hands after handling the battery and related accessories:
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Read the following precautions carefully before using the battery or inspecting
to ensure safe and correct handling:
Always wear eye protection when working near the battery:
Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID
which could cause blindness if splashed into your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode.
Wear eye protection and protective gloves to prevent contact with battery fluid:
Spilled battery fluid is dangerous.
Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets in eyes,
or on the skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with water for 15
minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention.
Always keep batteries out of the reach of children:
Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid could cause serious
injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin.
Keep flames and sparks away from open battery cells and do not allow metal
tools to contact the positive ( ) or negative ( ) terminal of the battery when working
near a battery. Do not allow the positive (
) terminal to contact the vehicle body:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. Keep all flames including
cigarettes and sparks away from open battery cells.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 36 2016/08/11 20:29:45

6 –37 Maintenance and Care
Owner MaintenanceKeep all flames, including cigarettes, and sparks away from open battery cells:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries.
NOTE
Before performing battery maintenance, remove the battery cover.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 37 2016/08/11 20:29:45

6 –38 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
cables and charge the battery every six
weeks.
Battery ReplacementContact an Authorized Mazda Dealer for a
battery replacement purchase. Key Battery Replacement If the buttons on the transmitter are
inoperable and the operation indicator
light does not flash, the battery may be
dead.
Replace with a new battery before the
transmitter becomes unusable.
CAUTION 
Make sure the battery is installed
correctly. Battery leakage could occur if it
is not installed correctly. 
When replacing the battery, be careful
not to touch any of the internal circuitry
and electrical terminals, bend the
electrical terminals, or get dirt in the
transmitter as the transmitter could be
damaged. 
There is the danger of explosion if the
battery is not correctly replaced. 
Dispose of used batteries according to
the following instructions. 
Insulate the plus and minus terminals
of the battery using cellophane or
equivalent tape. 
Never disassemble. 
Never throw the battery into fire or
water. 
Never deform or crush. 
Replace only with the same type battery
(CR2025 or equivalent).
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 38 2016/08/11 20:29:46