3 –22 Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions Fuel RequirementsVehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
This vehicle will perform best with fuel listed in the table. Fuel Octane Rating *
(Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel
91 [(R M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
*
U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gaso line station pumps.
Regular unleaded fuel with an octane rating from 87 to 90 (91 t o 95 RON) can be used, but
this will reduce performance slightly, such as reduced engine output, and engine knocking.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) will negativel y affect the emission control
system performance and could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
CAUTION
USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead to
deterioration of the emission control system and or failures.
This vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol by
volume. Damage to the vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this recommendation, or
if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any kind if your vehicle engine
is performing poorly.
Never add fuel system additives, otherwise the emission control system could be damaged.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compo unds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10 %. Gasoline conta ining alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name "Gasohol".
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not be
covered by the warranty.
Gasohol containing more than 10 % ethanol.
Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.
Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 22 2016/08/11 20:28:32
3 –25 Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap WARNING When removing the fuel-filler cap,
loosen the cap slightly and wait for any
hissing to stop, then remove it:
Fuel spray is dangerous. Fuel can
burn skin and eyes and cause illness
if ingested. Fuel spray is released
when there is pressure in the fuel tank
and the fuel-filler cap is removed too
quickly.
Before refueling, stop the engine, and
always keep sparks and flames away
from the filler neck:
Fuel vapor is dangerous. It could be
ignited by sparks or flames causing
serious burns and injuries.
Additionally, use of the incorrect fuel-
filler cap or not using a fuel-filler cap
may result in a fuel leak, which could
result in serious burns or death in an
accident.
Do not continue refueling after the fuel
pump nozzle shuts off automatically:
Continuing to add fuel after the
fuel pump nozzle has shut off
automatically is dangerous because
overfilling the fuel tank may cause
fuel overflow or leakage. Fuel overflow
and leakage could damage the vehicle
and if the fuel ignites it could cause a
fire and explosion resulting in serious
injury or death. CAUTION Always use only a genuine Mazda fuel-
filler cap or an approved equivalent,
available at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer. The wrong cap can result in
a serious malfunction of the fuel and
emission control systems. It may also
cause the check engine light in the
instrument cluster to illuminate.
Fuel-Filler Lid When the fuel-filler lid end is pressed with
the doors unlocked, the fuel-filler lid rises.
The fuel-filler lid operates in conjunction
with the door locking/unlocking
mechanism.
Make sure to lock both the doors when
leaving the vehicle.
Refer to Door Locks on page 3-10 .
To close, press the fuel-filler lid until a
click sound is heard.
NOTE
Lock the doors after closing the fuel lid.
If the fuel lid is closed after locking the
doors, the fuel lid cannot be locked.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 25 2016/08/11 20:28:33
4 –5 When Driving
Start/Stop EngineON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The indicator light
(amber) turns off. (The indicator light
(amber) illuminates when the ignition
is switched ON and the engine is not
running.)
Some indicator lights/warning lights
should be inspected before the engine is
started (page 4-18 ).
NOTE
When the push button start is pressed to
ON, the sound of the fuel pump motor
operating near the fuel tank can be heard.
This does not indicate an abnormality.
Starting the Engine WARNING Radio waves from the key may affect
medical devices such as pacemakers:
Before using the key near people who
use medical devices, ask the medical
device manufacturer or your physician
if radio waves from the key will affect
the device.
NOTE
The key must be carried because the key
carries an immobilizer chip that must
communicate with the engine controls at
short range.
The engine can be started when the
push button start is pressed from off,
ACC, or ON.
The push button start system functions
(function which can start the engine
by only carrying the key) can be
deactivated to prevent any possible
adverse effect on a user wearing a
pacemaker or other medical device. If
the system is deactivated, you will be
unable to start the engine by carrying
the key. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for details. If the push button
start system functions have been
deactivated, you can start the engine by
following the procedure indicated when
the key battery goes dead.
Refer to Engine Start Function When
Key Battery is Dead on page 4-8 .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 5 2016/08/11 20:28:41
4 –7 When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
CAUTION If the KEY warning light (red)
illuminates, or the push button start
indicator light (amber) flashes, this
could indicate a problem with the
engine starting system. This may
prevent the engine from starting or
from switching the ignition to ACC or
ON. Have your vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
NOTE
Under the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) flashes after
the push button start is pressed. This
informs the driver that the push button
start will not switch to ACC even if it is
pressed from off.
The key battery is dead.
The key is out of operational range.
The key is placed in areas where it is
difficult for the system to detect the
signal (page 3-7 ).
A key from another manufacturer
similar to the key is in the
operational range.
(Forced engine starting method)
If the KEY warning light (red)
illuminates, or the push button start
indicator light (amber) flashes, this
could indicate that the engine may not
start using the usual starting method.
Have your vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. If this occurs, the engine can
be force-started. Press and hold the
push button start until the engine starts.
Other procedures necessary for starting
the engine, such as having the key in the
cabin, and depressing the clutch pedal
(manual transmission) or the brake
pedal (automatic transmission) are
required.
When the engine is force-started,
the KEY warning light (red) remains
illuminated and the push button
start indicator light (amber) remains
flashing.
(Automatic transmission)
When the selector lever is in the neutral
(N) position, the KEY indicator light
(green) and the push button start
indicator light (green) do not illuminate.
7. Press the push button start after both
the KEY indicator light (green) in the
instrument cluster and the push button
start indicator light (green) illuminate.
NOTE
After starting the engine, the push
button start indicator light (amber)
turns off and the ignition switches to the
ON position.
After pressing the push button start and
before the engine starts, the operation
sound of the fuel pump motor from near
the fuel tank can be heard, however, this
does not indicate a malfunction.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 7 2016/08/11 20:28:41
6 –57 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
*Some models.DESCRIPTION FUSE
RATING PROTECTED COMPONENT
18 A/C MAG 7.5 A Air conditioner
19 AT PUMP
H/L HI 20 A Transmission control system *
20 AT 15 A Transmission control system *
21 D LOCK 25 A Power door locks
22 H/L RH 20 A Headlight (RH)
23
ENG
B2 7.5 A Engine control system
24 TAIL 20 A Taillights, License plate lights, Parking lights
25 DRL 15 A —
26 ROOM 25 A Overhead light
27 FOG 15 A —
28 H/CLEAN 20 A —
29 STOP 10 A Brake lights
30 HORN 15 A Horn
31 H/L LH 20 A Headlight (LH)
32 ABS/DSC S 30 A ABS, Dynamic stability control system
33 HAZARD 15 A Hazard warning flashers, Turn signal lights
34 FUEL PUMP 15 A Fuel system
35
ENG B3 5 A —
36 WIPER 20 A Windshield wipers
37
CABIN
B 50 A For protection of various circuits
38 — — —
39 — — —
40 ABS/DSC M 50 A ABS, Dynamic stability control system
41 EVVT
A/R PUMP 20 A Engine control system
42 EVPS 30 A Brake control system
43 FAN1 30 A Cooling fan
44 FAN2 40 A —
45 ENG.MAIN 40 A Engine control system
46 EPS 60 A Power steering system
47 DEFOG 30 A Rear window defogger
48 IG2 30 A For protection of various circuits
49 INJECTOR 30 A Engine control system
50 HEATER 40 A Air conditioner
51 — — —
52 — — —
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 57 2016/08/11 20:29:50
7 –36 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models. Contact Authorized Mazda Dealer and Have Vehicle InspectedIf any of the following warning lights or the indicator light t urns on/flashes, the system may
have a malfunction. Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have your vehicle inspected. Signal Warning
Master Warning
Indication/Warning
Light *
Type A instrument cluster
(Master warning indication)
Displays when notification of the system malfunctions is require d.
Check the message indicated in the display and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Master warning light)
The master warning light displays when a warning message occurs.
This indicates a malfunction with the vehicle system. Check the message indicated in the
display and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
For details, refer to the explanations for the warning/indicato r lights, in the warning/
indicator lights section, which match the symbol in the upper part of the display.
If a message is not indicated in the display, operate the INFO switch to display the
“Warning” screen.
Refer to Message Indicated in Multi-information Display and INF O switch on page 4-18 .
Type B instrument cluster
The light illuminates continuously if any one of the following occurs. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There is a malfunction in the battery management system.
There is a malfunction in the brake switch.
Electric Vacuum
Pump Warning
Light The light turns on if the electric vacuum pump system has a problem. Have your vehicle
inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
ABS Warning Light If the ABS warning light stays on while you're driving, the ABS control unit has detected a
system malfunction. If this occurs, your brakes will function normally as if the vehicle had
no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs, it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
The brake assist system does not operate while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
Check Engine Light If this light illuminates while driving, the vehicle may have a problem. It is important to
note the driving conditions when the light illuminated and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The check engine light may illuminate in the following cases:
The engine's electrical system has a problem.
The emission control system has a problem.
The fuel tank level being very low or approaching empty.
The fuel-filler cap is missing or not tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on, or it flashes continuously , do not drive at high speeds
and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 36 2016/08/11 20:30:03