3 –53 Before Driving
Driving Tips
Rocking the Vehicle WARNING Do not spin the wheels at more than
56 km/h (35 mph), 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 tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
CAUTION Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire 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 tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page
6-29 .
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-27 ).
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
Use washer fluid made with antifreeze—
but do not use engine coolant antifreeze
for washer fluid (page 6-31 ).
NOTE
Do not use the parking brake in freezing
weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift
to P with an automatic transmission and
to 1 or R with a manual transmission.
Block the rear wheels.
Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
Do not open or close the soft top when
the temperature is 5 °C (41 °F) or less.
The material of the soft top could be
damaged by freezing.
Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 53 2016/08/11 20:28:39
6 –6 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance Chart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
T: Tighten
Remarks:
*1 The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year o r within 16,000 km (10,000 miles) since last
engine oil and filter change. The system must be reset whenever replacing the engine oil regardless of the
message/wrench indicator light display.
*2 Use of FL-22 is recommended when replacing engine coolant. Usin g engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine and cooling system.
*3 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*4 The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) initialization must be performed so that the system operates
normally (if equipped).
*5 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.
*6 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when perf orming the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 6 2016/08/11 20:29:37
6 –8 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance Remarks:
*1 Use of FL-22 is recommended when replacing engine coolant. Usin g engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine and cooling system.
*2 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 To equalize tread wear for maintaining good performance in handling and braking, rotate the tires every 12,000
km (7,500 miles). However Mazda recommends to rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles) to help increase tire life
and distribute wear more evenly.
*4 The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) initialization must be performed so that the system operates
normally (if equipped).
*5 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.
*6 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when perf orming the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 8 2016/08/11 20:29:38
6 –10 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first.
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
All locks and hinges L L L L L L L L L L L L
Washer fluid level I I I I I I I I I I I I
Emergency flat tire repair kit (if installed) *7
Inspect annually.
Chart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
T: Tighten
Remarks:
*1 Engine oil flexible maintenance is available for U.S.A. and Puer to Rico residents whose vehicle is operated
mainly where none of the following conditions apply.
Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation such as polic e car, taxi or driving school car
Driving in dusty conditions
If any do apply, follow fixed maintenance.
The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year o r within 16,000 km (10,000 miles) since last
engine oil and filter change. Reset the engine oil data whenever replacing the engine oil regardless of the
message/wrench indicator light display.
*2 Use of FL-22 is recommended when replacing engine coolant. Usin g engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine and cooling system.
*3 If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, clean and if necessary, replace the air filter more often
than the recommended intervals.
*4 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*5 The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) initialization must be performed so that the system operates
normally (if equipped).
*6 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.
*7 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when perf orming the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 10 2016/08/11 20:29:38
6 –12 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance Chart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
T: Tighten
Remarks:
*1 Use of FL-22 is recommended when replacing engine coolant. Usin g engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine and cooling system.
*2 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) initialization must be performed so that the system operates
normally (if equipped).
*4 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.
*5 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when perf orming the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 12 2016/08/11 20:29:39
6 –15 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled MaintenanceChart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
T: Tighten
Remarks:
*1 Use of FL-22 is recommended when replacing engine coolant. Usin g engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine and cooling system.
*2 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) initialization must be performed so that the system operates
normally (if equipped).
*4 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.
*5 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when perf orming the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 15 2016/08/11 20:29:40
6 –17 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled MaintenanceMaintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers, whichever comes first
Months 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36
×1000 km 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Washer fluid level I I I I I I
Emergency flat tire repair kit (if installed) *5
Inspect annually.
Chart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean
T: Tighten
Remarks:
*1 Use of FL-22 is recommended when replacing engine coolant. Usin g engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine and cooling system.
*2 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) initialization must be performed so that the system operates
normally (if equipped).
*4 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.
*5 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when perf orming the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 17 2016/08/11 20:29:40
6 –19 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled MaintenanceMaintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers, whichever comes first
Months 39 42 45 48 51 54 57 60 63 66 69 72
×1000 km 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 11 0 11 5 120
Washer fluid level I I I I I I
Emergency flat tire repair kit (if installed) *5
Inspect annually.
Chart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean
T: Tighten
Remarks:
*1 Use of FL-22 is recommended when replacing engine coolant. Usin g engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine and cooling system.
*2 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) initialization must be performed so that the system operates
normally (if equipped).
*4 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.
*5 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when perf orming the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 19 2016/08/11 20:29:41