
7 –16 If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
Changing a TireWARNINGBe sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure someone.
No person should place any portion
of their body under a vehicle that is
supported by a jack.
Never allow anyone inside a vehicle
supported by a jack:
Allowing someone to remain in
a vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury.
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
1. Park on a hard, level surface off the
right-of-way and firmly set the parking
brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Reverse (R) or 1, and
turn off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack and tool (page
7-3 ). 6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the tire to be changed. When blocking
a wheel, place a tire block both in front
and behind the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or wood
blocks of sufficient size if possible to hold
the tire in place.
Removing a Tire 1. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn each, but do
not remove any lug nuts until the tire
has been raised off the ground.
2. Place the jack on the ground.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 16 2016/08/11 20:29:59

7 –26 If Trouble Arises
Emergency Starting
Starting a Flooded Engine If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. If the engine does not start within
five seconds on the first try, wait ten
seconds and try again.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the accelerator all the way and
hold it there.
4. Depress the clutch pedal (Manual
transmission) or the brake pedal
(Automatic transmission), then
press the push button start. If the
engine starts, release the accelerator
immediately because the engine will
suddenly rev up.
5. If the engine fails to start, crank it
without depressing the accelerator.
If the engine still does not start using the
previous procedure, have your vehicle
inspected by an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Push-Starting Do not push-start your Mazda.
WARNING Never tow a vehicle to start it:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be injured.
CAUTION Do not push-start a vehicle that has a
manual transmission. It can damage
the emission control system.
NOTE
You cannot start a vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing it.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 26 2016/08/11 20:30:00

7 –27 If Trouble Arises
Overheating
OverheatingIf the high engine coolant temperature
warning light turns on, the vehicle loses
power, or you hear a loud knocking or
pinging noise, the engine is probably too
hot.
WARNING Pull over to a safe location, then
switch the ignition off and make sure
the fan is not running before attempting
to work near the cooling fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan could
continue running indefinitely even if
the engine has stopped and the engine
compartment temperature is high. You
could be hit by the fan and seriously
injured.
Do not remove either cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light turns on:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Do not go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it is low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 27 2016/08/11 20:30:01

7 –30 If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
Towing Description We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary
to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
drive wheels (rear wheels) off the ground.
If excessive damage or other conditions
prevent this, use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
When towing with the rear wheels on the
ground, release the parking brake. CAUTION
Do not tow the vehicle pointed
backward with driving wheels on the
ground. This may cause internal damage
to the transmission.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage your vehicle. Use
wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 30 2016/08/11 20:30:01

7 –37 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models.Signal Warning
Automatic
Transmission
Indication/Warning
Light *
The indication/light illuminates when the transmission has a problem.
CAUTION If the automatic transmission warning indication/light illuminates, the transmission
has an electrical problem. Continuing to drive your Mazda in this condition could cause
damage to your transmission. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
(Illuminate)
TCS/DSC Indicator
Light If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC or the brake assist system may have a malfunction and
they may not operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Air Bag/Seat Belt
Pretensioner System
Warning Light A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly
illuminates or does not illuminate at all when the ignition is switched ON. If any of these
occur, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. The system may not operate
in an accident.
WARNING Never tamper with the air bag/pretensioner systems and always have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer perform all servicing and repairs:
Self-servicing or tampering with the systems is dangerous. An air bag/pretensioner
could accidentally activate or become disabled causing serious injury or death.
(Flashing)
Tire Pressure
Monitoring System
Warning Light *
If the tire pressure monitoring system has a malfunction, the tire pressure warning light
flashes. Have your vehicle checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light illuminates or flashes, or the tire
pressure warning beep sound is heard, decrease vehicle speed immediately and avoid
sudden maneuvering and braking:
If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light illuminates or flashes, or the tire
pressure warning beep sound is heard, it is dangerous to drive the vehicle at high
speeds, or perform sudden maneuvering or braking. Vehicle drivability could worsen
and result in an accident.
To determine if you have a slow leak or a flat, pull over to a safe position where you can
check the visual condition of the tire and determine if you have enough air to proceed
to a place where air may be added and the system monitored again by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer or a tire repair station.
Do not ignore the TPMS Warning Light:
Ignoring the TPMS warning light is dangerous, even if you know why it is illuminated.
Have the problem taken care of as soon as possible before it develops into a more
serious situation that could lead to tire failure and a dangerous accident.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 37 2016/08/11 20:30:03

7 –58 If Trouble Arises
When the Roof Cannot be Closed NOTE
This procedure is for manually closing the roof as an emergency measure. After closing
the roof manually, electric operation is not possible until the system is restored by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Using a flashlight will facilitate the procedure.
Manual closingBefore closing manually
WARNINGVerify that the ignition is switched off
before manually operating the roof:
Manually 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.
1. Park on a hard, level surface off the
right-of-way and firmly set the parking
brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an
automatictransmission in Park (P), a
manual transmission in Neutral.
3. Switch the ignition off while depressing
the brake pedal.
4. Turn on the hazard warning flasher if it
is needed. Tool preparation
Take out the five tools stored in the seat
side box.
Refer to Seat Side Box on page 5-138 .Wire Gear
(tool kit) Rope
L-shaped
he xagonal wrench
(Small) L-shaped
hexagonal wrench
(Large)
Opening the rear roof
CAUTION
When turning the bolt, cover the front
roof using a cloth. The front roof may
be damaged if the L-shaped hexagonal
wrench contacts it.
Because the clearance with the stored
front roof is narrow, be careful not to let
the L-shape hexagonal wrench contact
the roof when turning the bolt.
NOTE
Moving the seats as far forward as
possible and folding the seatbacks forward
will facilitate the procedure.
Refer to Seat Operation on page 2-4 .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 58 2016/08/11 20:30:09

8 –40 Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.) SAMPLE
WARNINGNever Exceed Axle Weight Rating Limits:
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits is dangerous and could
result in death or serious injury as a result of substandard vehicle handling, performance,
engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the vehicle, or loss of
control.
Always keep the vehicle within the axle weight rating limits.
GCW
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 40 2016/08/11 20:30:18

9 –4 Specifications
Specifications
Specifications Engine Item Specification
Type DOHC-16V in-line, 4-cylinder
Bore × Stroke 83.5 × 91.2 mm (3.29 × 3.59 in)
Displacement 1,997.6 ml (1,997.6 cc)
Compression ratio 13.0
Electrical System Item Classification
Battery 12V-45Ah/20HR
Spark-plug number Mazda Genuine spark plug *1
PE5R-18-110 or PE5S-18-110
*1 The spark plugs provide the SKYACTIV-G its optimum performance. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for
details.
CAUTION When cleaning the iridium plugs, do not use a wire brush. The fine particulate coating on
the iridium alloy and platinum tips could be damaged.
Lubricant Quality Lubricant Classification
Engine oil Refer to Recommended Oil on page 6-27 .
Coolant FL-22 type
Manual transmission oil Mazda Original Long Life Gear Oil IS *1
Automatic transmission fluid Mazda Genuine JWS3309
Rear differential oil Mazda Long Life Hypoid Gear Oil SG1
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
*1 Mazda Original Long Life Gear Oil IS is superior oil for optimu m shift-feel. Using Mazda Original Long Life
Gear Oil IS is recommended.
If Mazda Original Long Life Gear Oil IS cannot be obtained, use standard oil (API Service GL-4 (SAE 75W-
90)). However, shifting in very low temperatures may become difficult.
NOTE
Refer to Introduction on (page 6-2 ) for owner's responsibility in protecting your
investment.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 4 2016/08/11 20:30:21