3 –51 Before Driving
Driving Tips
Break-In Period No special break-in is necessary, but a
few precautions in the first 1,000 km
(600 miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of the vehicle.
Do not race the engine.
Do not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
Do not drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods of
time.
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
Avoid full-throttle starts.
Saving Fuel and
Protection of the
Environment How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save fuel and
reduce CO2.
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
Avoid fast starts.
Drive at lower speeds.
Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking).
Follow the maintenance schedule
(page 6-4 ) and have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer perform inspections and
servicing.
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
Slow down on rough roads.
Keep the tires properly inflated.
Do not carry unnecessary weight.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Keep windows closed at high speeds.
Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING Never stop the engine when going down
a hill:
Stopping the engine when going
down a hill is dangerous. This causes
the loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 51 2016/08/11 20:28:38
3 –54 Before Driving
Driving Tips
Drive slowly. Braking performance
can be adversely affected if snow or
ice adheres to the brake components. If
this situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
Snow TiresUse snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm 2
, 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WARNINGUse only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION Check local regulations before using
studded tires. Tire Chains Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
Chains may affect handling.
Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns.
Avoid locked-wheel braking.
Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the rear tires only.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as
tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's
instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile).
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 54 2016/08/11 20:28:39
4 –106 When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
CAUTION
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle
start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement
or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
To avoid false readings, the system samples for a little while before indicating a problem. As
a result it will not instantaneously register a rapid tire deflation or blow out.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 106 2016/08/11 20:29:05
4 –107 When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring SystemNOTE
Because this system detects slight changes in tire conditions, the timing of the warning may
be faster or slower in the following cases:
The size, manufacturer, or the type of tires is different from the specification.
The size, manufacturer, or the type of a tire is different from the others, or the level of tire
wear is excessively different between them.
A run-flat tire, studless tire, snow tire, or tire chains are used.
An emergency tire is used (The tire pressure monitoring system warning light may flash
and then continue illuminating).
A tire is repaired using the emergency flat tire repair kit.
The tire pressure is excessively higher than the specified pressure, or the tire pressure is
suddenly lowered for some reason such as a tire burst during driving.
The vehicle speed is lower than about 15 km/h (9.3 mph) (including when the vehicle is
stopped), or the drive period is shorter than 5 minutes.
The vehicle is driven on an extremely rough road or a slippery, icy road.
Hard steering and rapid acceleration/deceleration are repeated such as during aggressive
driving on a winding road.
Load on the vehicle is applied to a tire such as by loading heavy luggage to one side of
the vehicle.
System initialization has not been implemented with the specifie d tire pressure.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 107 2016/08/11 20:29:05
4 –10 8 When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Tire Pressure Monitoring System
InitializationIn the following cases, system
initialization must be performed so that the
system operates normally.
A tire pressure is adjusted.
Tire rotation is performed.
A tire or wheel is replaced.
The battery is replaced or completely
drained.
The tire pressure monitoring system
warning light is illuminated.
Initialization method
1. Park the car in a safe place and firmly
apply the parking brake.
2. Let the tires cool, then adjust the tire
pressure of all four (4) tires to the
specified pressure indicated on the tire
pressure label located on the driver's
door frame (door open).
Refer to Tires on page 9-8 .
3. Switch the ignition ON.
4. Press and hold the tire pressure
monitoring system set switch and
verify that the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light in the instrument
cluster flashes twice and a beep sound
is heard once. CAUTION If the system initialization is performed
without adjusting the tire pressure,
the system cannot detect the normal
tire pressure and it may not illuminate
the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light even if a tire pressure is
low, or it may illuminate the light even
if the pressures are normal.
Adjust the tire pressure on all four
tires and initialize the system when
the warning light is turned on. If the
warning light turns on for a reason
other than a flat tire, the tire pressure
of all four tires may have decreased
naturally.
The system initialization will not be
performed if the switch is pressed while
the vehicle is being driven.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 108 2016/08/11 20:29:06
6 –5 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance Schedule 1U.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents - Engine oil flexible maintenance interval
Use when the maintenance monitor for “Oil Change” is set to “Flexible”. For details,
see maintenance monitor. (page 6-20 )Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first.
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 km 16 32 48 64 80 96 11 2 128
×1000 miles 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
ENGINE
Drive belts I I
Engine oil & filter *1
Replace when wrench indicator light is ON. (Max interval: 12
months/16,000 km (10,000 miles))
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine coolant *2
Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years.
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter Replace when any equivalent timing of replacing engine oil.
(Max interval: 36 months/60,000 km (37,500 miles))
Fuel lines and hoses *3
I I I I
Hoses and tubes for emission *3
I I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles).
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I I
Disc brakes I I I I I I I I
Manual transmission oil Replace every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years.
Tire (Rotation) *4
Rotate when any equivalent timing of replacing engine oil.
(Max interval: 8,000 km (5,000 miles))
Steering operation and linkages I I I I
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play I I I I
Rear differential oil *5
Driveshaft dust boots I I I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T T T
Exhaust system and heat shields I I
Emergency flat tire repair kit (if installed) *6
Inspect annually.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 5 2016/08/11 20:29:37
6 –7 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled MaintenanceU.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents - Fixed maintenance interval
Use when the maintenance monitor for “Oil Change” is set to “Fixed”. For details, see
maintenance monitor. (page 6-20 )Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first.
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
ENGINE
Drive belts I
Engine oil & filter R R R R R R R R
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine coolant *1
Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years.
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter R
Fuel lines and hoses *2
I I
Hoses and tubes for emission *2
I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles).
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Disc brakes I I I I
Manual transmission oil R
Tire (Rotation) *3*4
Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles).
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play I I
Rear differential oil *5
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years.
Emergency flat tire repair kit (if installed) *6
Inspect annually.
Chart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
T: Tighten
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 7 2016/08/11 20:29:38
6 –9 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance Schedule 2U.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents - Severe driving conditions maintenance interval 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
ENGINE
Drive belts I I
Engine oil & filter Flexible *1
Replace when wrench indicator light is ON. (Max interval: 12
months/16,000 km (10,000 miles))
Fixed R R R R R R R R R R R R
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine coolant *2
Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years.
Engine coolant level I I I I I I I I I I I I
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter *3
Replace when any equivalent timing of replacing engine oil.
(Max interval: 36 months or 60,000 km (37,500 miles))
Fuel lines and hoses *4
I I I
Hoses and tubes for emission *4
I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights I I I I I I I I I I I I
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I
Brake and clutch fluid level I I I I I I I I I I I I
Disc brakes I I I I
I I
Manual transmission oil Replace every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 2 years.
Tire (Rotation) *5
Rotate when any equivalent timing of replacing engine oil.
(Max interval: 8,000 km (5,000 miles))
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear *5
I I I I I I I I I I I I
Steering operation and linkages I I I
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play I I I
Rear differential oil *6
Driveshaft dust boots I I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T T
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 9 2016/08/11 20:29:38