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 –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
6 –11 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled MaintenanceCanada residents 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 R R R R 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.
Engine coolant level I I I I I I I I I I I I
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter I I I I I I I I I I I I
Replace every 56,000 km (35,000 miles) or 3 years.
Fuel lines and hoses *2
I I I
Hoses and tubes for emission *2
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 Inspect every 24,000 km (15,000 miles) or 1 years.
Manual transmission oil Replace every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 2 years.
Tire (Rotation) *3
Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles).
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear *3
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 *4
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.
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) *5
Inspect annually.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 11 2016/08/11 20:29:39
6 –14 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance Schedule 1 Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers, whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 11 0 120
ENGINE
Drive belts I I I
Engine oil & filter R R R R R R R R R R R R
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I I
Engine coolant *1
Replace at first 200,000 km or 10 years; after that, every
100,000 km or 5 years
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter R R R R R R
Fuel lines and hoses I *2
I *2
I
Hoses and tubes for emission I *2
I *2
I
Fuel filter Replace every 60,000 km
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs I I I I I I I I I I I I
Replace every 120,000 km
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I I I I
Brake and clutch fluid level I I I I I I I I I
Brake fluid R R R
Disc brakes I I I I I I I I I I I I
Manual transmission oil R
Tire (Rotation) *3
Rotate every 10,000 km
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear *3
I I I I I I I I I I I I
Steering operation and linkages I I I I I I I I I I I I
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play I I I I I I
Rear differential oil *4
Driveshaft dust boots I I I I I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T T T T T
Exhaust system and heat shields I I I I I I
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) *5
Inspect annually.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 14 2016/08/11 20:29:40
6 –16 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance Schedule 2 Maintenance 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
ENGINE
Drive belts I
Engine oil & filter R R R R R R R R R R R R
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I
Engine coolant *1
Replace at first 200,000 km or 10 years; after that, every
100,000 km or 5 years
Engine coolant level I I I I I I I I I I I I
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter C R C R C R
Fuel lines and hoses I *2
Hoses and tubes for emission I *2
Fuel filter Replace every 60,000 km
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs I I I I I I
Replace every 120,000 km
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
Brake fluid R
Disc brakes I I I I I I
Manual transmission oil R
Tire (Rotation) *3
Rotate every 10,000 km
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear *3
I I I I I I
Steering operation and linkages I I I I I I
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play I I I
Rear differential oil *4
Driveshaft dust boots I I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T T
Exhaust system and heat shields I I I
All locks and hinges L L L L L L
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 16 2016/08/11 20:29:40
6 –18 Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance (Cont.) Maintenance 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
ENGINE
Drive belts I I
Engine oil & filter R R R R R R R R R R R R
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolant *1
Replace at first 200,000 km or 10 years; after that, every
100,000 km or 5 years
Engine coolant level I I I I I I I I I I I I
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter C R C R C R
Fuel lines and hoses I *2
I
Hoses and tubes for emission I *2
I
Fuel filter Replace every 60,000 km
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs I I I I I I
Replace every 120,000 km
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
Brake fluid R R
Disc brakes I I I I I I
Manual transmission oil R R
Tire (Rotation) *3
Rotate every 10,000 km
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear *3
I I I I I I
Steering operation and linkages I I I I I I
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play I I I
Rear differential oil *4
Driveshaft dust boots I I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T T
Exhaust system and heat shields I I I
All locks and hinges L L L L L L
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 18 2016/08/11 20:29:41