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
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
