2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA Owners Manual

6 –63 Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care Repairing Damage to the FinishDeep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.
CAUTION If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced,
make sure the body shop applies anti-
corrosion materials to all parts, both
repaired and new. This will prevent
them from rusting.
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 luster. 
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 anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating
and cause discoloration or paint
deterioration. Underbody Maintenance Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and wheel
housings with lukewarm or cold water at
the end of each winter. Try also to do this
every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt.
It will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped there
will cause rusting.
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.
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6 –64 Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care Aluminum Wheel MaintenanceA protective coating is provided over the
aluminum 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 discolor
or stain the aluminum wheels.
NOTE 
Do not use a wire brush or any abrasive
cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent
on aluminum 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)
MaintenanceThe convertible top is made of a special
high-grade material, but if it's not taken
good care of, hardening, staining, and
loss of luster 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.
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 trunk.

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
gasoline. Otherwise, they may cause
discoloration or stains.
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6 –65 Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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). 
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.
Drain filter cleaning procedure
Drain filter
NOTE
If leaves or other matter block the drain
filter, water may enter the vehicle.
Clean the drain filter at least once a year. 1. Check the position of the drain filter
with your hand from behind the bow.
Drain filterBow
2. Remove the drain filter while pressing
the tab.
3. Remove leaves and other matter
accumulated in the drain filter.
4. Reinstall the drain filter in the reverse
order of the removal procedure.
CAUTION When installing the drain filter, make
sure that the drain filter is securely
attached to its designated position by
pushing it until the tab locks. Water
may enter the vehicle if the drain
filter is not secured to its designated
position.
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6 –66 Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care Convertible Top (Retractable
Fastback) MaintenanceWashing
To help protect the retractable fastback's
finish, use a soft cloth or sponge to wash
it.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the finish 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
finish.
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 finish. 
Do not use abrasive wax. This may
damage the protective coating and
discolor 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 roof Drainage
outlet
Rear window
NOTE
If leaves or other foreign matter block
the drainage outlets, water may enter the
cabin. Clean the drainage outlets at least
once a year.
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6 –67 Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care1. Continue pressing the retractable
fastback switch in the open direction
until the rear roof is raised up from the
fully closed position.
Refer to Opening the Roof on page
3 - 45 .
2. Remove your finger from the
retractable fastback switch after the
rear roof is raised up.
3. Make sure the drainage outlets are
visible.

Drainage
outlet
Rear roof links
4. Switch the ignition OFF.
WARNING Verify that the ignition is switched off:
Closing the roof with the ignition
not switched off is dangerous as the
motors could turn on suddenly and
cause injury resulting from hands
or fingers being pinched in the
mechanism. 5. Remove leaves and other foreign
matter accumulated in the drainage
outlet.
CAUTION When cleaning the drainage outlets,
be careful not to touch the roof links
or the framework of the rear roof.
Otherwise, you could get injured.
Roof links Rear roof
6. After cleaning is finished, continue
pressing the retractable fastback switch
in the close direction to close the rear
roof.
Refer to Closing the Roof on page
3 - 45 .

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6 –68 Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care Plastic Part Maintenance 
When cleaning the plastic lenses of the
lights, do not use gasoline, kerosene,
rectified spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolor or damage the
surfaces resulting in a significant loss
in functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, flush with water
immediately. 
If plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fluids such as
gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery
fluid, it could cause discoloration,
staining, or paint peeling. Wipe off any
such chemical agents or fluids 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. 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
fire.
NOTE 
Do not wipe the interior using alcohol,
chlorine bleach, or organic solvents
such as thinner, benzene, and gasoline.
Otherwise, it may cause discoloration
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
discoloration, 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.
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6 –69 Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
*Some models.WARNING If a seat belt appears frayed or has
abrasions, have it replaced by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer:
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 difficult to clean them later, and it may
affect the smooth retracting of the seat
belt.
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.
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6 –70 Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care 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 coloring. If the cabin temperature
becomes hot, the vinyl may deteriorate
and adhere to the genuine leather.
Plastic Part Maintenance
CAUTION Do not use polishing agents.
Depending on the product ingredients,
they could cause discoloration, stains,
cracks or peeling of the coating. Instrument Panel Top
Maintenance 1. Wipe the soiled area 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.
Panel Maintenance If a panel becomes soiled, wipe it off with
a soft cloth soaked in clean water and
thoroughly wrung out.
If some areas require further cleaning, use
the following procedure:
1. Wipe the soiled area 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
Be particularly careful when cleaning
shiny surface panels and metallic parts
such as plating as they can be scratched
easily.
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