2017 MAZDA MX5 MIATA engine coolant

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

4 –11 When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
Meters and Gauges Type A
Type B
Steering Switch (With Multi-information Display)
(Without Multi-information Display)Instrument Cluster
Speedometer .......................................................................................................... page 4-12
Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector .................................................... page 4-12
Tachometer ............................................................................................................ page 4-13
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..................................................................... page 4-13
Fuel Gauge ............................................................................................................ page 4-14
Dashboard Illumination ......................................................................................... page 4-15
Outside Temperature Display ................................................................................ page 4-15
Cruise Control Set Vehicle Speed Display ............................................................ page 4-16
Trip Computer and INFO Switch .......................................................................... page 4-16
Multi-information Display and INFO Switch ....................................................... page 4-18
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 11 2016/08/11 20:28:42

4 –13 When Driving
Instrument Cluster and DisplayNOTE 
(Vehicles with type B audio)
If the fuel economy data is reset using
the fuel economy monitor, or trip A
is reset using the trip meter when the
function which synchronizes the fuel
economy monitor and the trip meter is
on, the fuel economy data and trip A are
reset simultaneously.
Refer to Fuel Economy Monitor on page
4-69 . 
Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles). 
The trip record will be erased when: 
The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected). 
The vehicle is driven over 9999.9 km
(mile).
TachometerThe tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute (rpm).
CAUTION Do not run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage. Striped zone
Red zone NOTE
When the tachometer needle enters the
STRIPED ZONE, this indicates to the
driver that the gears should be shifted
before entering the RED ZONE.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge (Without Multi-information
Display) Indicates engine coolant temperature.
CAUTION If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light (red) turns on, there is
a possibility of overheating. Park the
vehicle in a safe place immediately
and take appropriate measures. If the
vehicle continues to be driven, it could
cause damage to the engine.
Refer to Overheating on page 7-27 .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 13 2016/08/11 20:28:44

4 –14 When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display NOTE 
The temperature unit (Centigrade/
Fahrenheit) of the engine coolant gauge
display changes in conjunction with
the temperature unit of the outside
temperature display.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9 .
During normal driving, the engine
coolant temperature stabilizes at
100 °C (210 °F) or less, and the gauge
indicates a range lower than 100 °C
(210 °F). 
If the engine load increases and the
engine coolant temperature exceeds
100 °C (210 °F), the gauge indicates the
engine coolant temperature. Fuel Gauge (Without Multi-
information Display) The fuel gauge shows approximately
how much fuel is remaining in the tank
when the ignition is switched ON. We
recommend keeping the tank over 1/4 full. Full
1/4 Full
Empty
If the low fuel warning light illuminates or
the fuel level is very low, refuel as soon as
possible.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-26 .
NOTE 
After refueling, it may require some
time for the indicator to stabilize. In
addition, the indicator may deviate
while driving on a slope or curve since
the fuel moves in the tank. 
The display indicating a quarter or less
remaining fuel has more segments to
show the remaining fuel level in greater
detail. 
The direction of the arrow ( ) indicates
that the fuel-filler lid is on the left side
of the vehicle.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 14 2016/08/11 20:28:44

4 –16 When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.Changing the Temperature Unit of the
Outside Temperature Display
The outside temperature unit can be
switched between Celsius and Fahrenheit
using the following procedure.
(Vehicles with Type B)
Settings can be changed by operating the
center display screen.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-9 .
(Vehicles without Type B)
1. Press the INFO switch with the ignition
switched off and continue pressing the
INFO switch for 5 seconds or longer
while switching the ignition ON. The
outside temperature display flashes.
2. Press the INFO switch to change the
outside temperature unit.
3. Press and hold the INFO switch for
3 seconds or longer while the outside
temperature display is flashing. The
outside temperature display illuminates.
NOTE
When the temperature unit indicated in the
outside temperature display is changed,
the temperature unit indicated in the
engine coolant gauge display changes in
conjunction with it.
Cruise Control Set Vehicle Speed
Display (Without Multi-
information Display) *
The vehicle speed preset using the cruise
control is displayed. Trip Computer and INFO Switch
(Without Multi-information
Display) The following information can be selected
by pressing the INFO switch with the
ignition switched ON. 
Approximate distance you can travel on
the available fuel 
Average fuel economy 
Current fuel economy 
Average vehicle speed
If you have any problems with your trip
computer, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Distance-to-empty mode
This mode displays the approximate
distance you can travel on the remaining
fuel based on the fuel economy.
The distance-to-empty will be calculated
and displayed every second.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 16 2016/08/11 20:28:44

4 –18 When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.Multi-information Display and INFO Switch *
INFO switchMulti-information Display
The multi-information display indicates the following information. 
Odometer 
Trip meter 
Engine coolant temperature gauge 
Fuel gauge 
Outside temperature 
Distance-to-empty 
Average fuel economy 
Current fuel economy 
Maintenance Monitor 
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) Display 
Cruise Control Display 
Compass Display 
Roof Operation Display 
Warning message
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 18 2016/08/11 20:28:45

4 –19 When Driving
Instrument Cluster and DisplayThe screen content changes each time the INFO switch is pressed .
Press the INFO switch Press the INFO switchPress the INFO switch Press the INFO switch
Press the INFO switchEngine Coolant
Temperature Gauge,
Maintenance Monitor,
Outside Temperature,
Odometer, Fuel Gauge Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge,
Compass,
Distance-to-empty,
Outside Temperature,
Odometer, Fuel GaugeWarning message,
Outside
Temperature,
Odometer, Fuel
GaugeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gauge,
Trip Meter A, Average
Fuel Economy, Current
Fuel Economy, Outside
Temperature,
Odometer, Fuel Gauge
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge,
Trip Meter B, Average
Fuel Economy, Current
Fuel Economy, Outside
Temperature,
Odometer, Fuel Gauge *1
*2
*1: Displayed only when a warning occurs.
*2: Displayed only while vehicle is being driven.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 19 2016/08/11 20:28:45

4 –21 When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display Engine Coolant Temperature
GaugeDisplays the engine coolant temperature.
The blue gauge indicates that the engine
coolant temperature is low, and the red
gauge indicates that the engine coolant
temperature is high and overheating.
CAUTION If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light (red) turns on, there is
a possibility of overheating. Park the
vehicle in a safe place immediately
and take appropriate measures. If the
vehicle continues to be driven, it could
cause damage to the engine.
Refer to Overheating on page 7-27 .
NOTE 
The temperature unit (Centigrade/
Fahrenheit) of the engine coolant gauge
display changes in conjunction with
the temperature unit of the outside
temperature display.
Refer to Personalization Features on
page 9-9 .
During normal driving, the engine
coolant temperature stabilizes at
100 °C (210 °F) or less, and the gauge
indicates a range lower than 100 °C
(210 °F). 
If the engine load increases and the
engine coolant temperature exceeds
100 °C (210 °F), the gauge indicates the
engine coolant temperature. Fuel Gauge The fuel gauge shows approximately
how much fuel is remaining in the tank
when the ignition is switched ON. We
recommend keeping the tank over 1/4 full. Full
1/4 Full
Empty
If the fuel level is low, ( ) and ( ) turn an
amber color. Refuel as soon as possible.
Refer to Taking Action on page 7-41 .
NOTE 
After refueling, it may require some
time for the indicator to stabilize. In
addition, the indicator may deviate
while driving on a slope or curve since
the fuel moves in the tank. 
The display indicating a quarter or less
remaining fuel has more segments to
show the remaining fuel level in greater
detail. 
The direction of the arrow ( ) indicates
that the fuel-filler lid is on the left side
of the vehicle.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 21 2016/08/11 20:28:46