2018 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA ECU

NOTE
Changing the coolant should be done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year―at the beginning of the
winter season―and before traveling where
temperatures may drop below freezing.

Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.

The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the FULL and LOW
marks on the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.

Coolant reservoir
Cooling fan
Cooling system cap
If it is at or near LOW, add enough coolant
to the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to FULL.
Securely tighten the coolant reservoir tank
cap after adding coolant.
CAUTION
 Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
If the “FL22” mark is shown on or near
the cooling system cap, use of FL-22 is
recommended when replacing engine
coolant. Using engine coolant other than
FL-22 may cause serious damage to the
engine and cooling system.

If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-25
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

▼Battery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
Keep it securely mounted.
Keep the top clean and dry.
Keep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with
petroleum jelly or
terminal grease.
Rinse off spilled electrolyte immediately
with a solution of water and baking
soda.
If the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables and charge the battery every six
weeks.
▼ Battery Replacement
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer for a
battery replacement purchase.
Key Battery Replacement
If the buttons on the transmitter are
inoperable and the operation indicator
light does not flash, the battery may be
dead.
Replace with a new b
attery before the
transmitter becomes unusable.
CAUTION
 Make sure the battery is installed
correctly. Battery leakage could occur if it
is not installed correctly.
 When replacing the battery, be careful
not to touch any of the internal circuitry
and electrical terminals, bend the
electrical terminals, or get dirt in the
transmitter as the transmitter could be
damaged.
 There is the danger of explosion if the
battery is not correctly replaced.
 Dispose of used batteries according to
the following instructions.
 Insulate the plus and minus terminals
of the battery using cellophane or
equivalent tape.
 Never disassemble.
 Never throw the battery into fire or
water.
 Never deform or crush.
 Replace only with the same type battery
(CR2025 or equivalent).
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-33
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

Fuses
Your vehicle's electrical system is
protected by fuses.

If any lights, accessories, or controls do
not work, inspect the appropriate circuit
protector. If a fuse has blown, the inside
element will be melted.

If the same fuse blows again, avoid using
that system and consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
▼ Fuse Replacement
Replacing the fuses on
the vehicle's left
side
If the electrical system does not work, first
inspect the fuses on the vehicle's left side.

1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,
and other switches are off.
2. Open the fuse panel cover.
3. Pull the fuse straight out with the fuse puller provided on the fuse block
located in the engine compartment.
4. Inspect the fuse and replace it if it isblown.
Normal Blown
5. Insert a new fuse of the same
amperage rating, and make sure it fits
tightly. If it does not fit tightly, have an
expert install it. We recommend an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If you have no spare fuses, borrow one
of the same rating from a circuit not
essential to vehicle operation, such as
the AUDIO or OUTLET circuit.
CAUTION
Always replace a fuse with a genuine
Mazda fuse or equivalent of the same
rating. Otherwise you may damage the
electric system.
6. Reinstall the cover and make sure that it is securely installed.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-49
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

Replacing the fuses under the hood
If the headlights or other electrical
components do not work and the fuses in
the cabin are normal, inspect the fuse
block under the hood. If a fuse is blown, it
must be replaced. Follow these steps:

1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,and other switches are off.
2. Remove the fuse block cover.
NOTE
If the lock is forcefully opened, the fuse
block cover may come in contact with
the frame when it is removed and
become scratched.
When removing the cover, remove it
slowly according to the following
procedure.
1. Disengage the rear lock by pressing down on the front tab with
your fingers.
2. Remove the front tab while slightly
lifting the front of the cover.
3. Remove the cover while lifting itand sliding it to the rear.
3. If any fuse but the MAIN fuse isblown, replace it with a new one of the
same amperage rating .
Normal
Blown
WARNING
Do not replace the main fuse by
yourself. Have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer perform the replacement:
Replacing the fuse by yourself is
dangerous because the MAIN fuse is a
high current fuse. Incorrect
replacement could cause an electrical
shock or a short circuit resulting in a
fire.
4. Reinstall the cover and make sure that it is securely installed.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-50
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

2. Remove the drain filter while pressingthe tab.
3. Remove leaves and other matteraccumulated in the drain filter.
4. Reinstall the drain filter in the reverse order of the removal procedure.
CAUTION
When installing the drain filter, make sure
that the drain filter is securely attached to
its designated position by pushing it until
the tab locks. Water may enter the vehicle if
the drain filter is not secured to its
designated position.
▼ Convertible Top (Retractable
Hardtop) Maintenance
Wa s h i n g
To help protect the retractable hardtop's
finish, use a soft cloth or sponge to wash
it.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the finish if
they are not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
CAUTION
 Do not use an automatic car wash.
 Do not spray water directly on the area
where the window glass and the
retractable hardtop meet. This would
probably cause water to enter the cabin.
 Do not use strong soap, chemical
detergents, or hot water, and do not
wash the retractable hardtop in direct
sunlight or when the surface is warm.
Thoroughly rinse with lukewarm or cold
water. Do not allow soap to dry on the
finish.
Waxing
Wax the retractable hardtop when water no
longer beads on the paint. Always wash
and dry it before waxing.
CAUTION
 Wiping off dust or dirt with a dry cloth
will scratch the finish.
 Do not use abrasive wax. This may
damage the protective coating and
discolor or deteriorate the paint.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take off
the wax. Rewax these areas.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
6-61
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

▼Plastic Part Maintenance
CAUTION
Do not use polishing agents.
Depending on the product ingredients,
they could cause discoloration, stains,
cracks or peeling of the coating.
▼Instrument Panel Top Maintenance
1. Wipe the soiled area with a soft cloth
soaked in a mild detergent (approx.
5%) diluted with water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using
a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
▼Panel Maintenance
If a panel becomes soiled, wipe it off with
a soft cloth soaked in clean water and
thoroughly wrung out.
If some areas require further cleaning, use
the following procedure:
1. Wipe the soiled area with a soft cloth
soaked in a mild detergent (approx.
5 %) diluted with water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
NOTE
Be particularly careful when cleaning
shiny surface panels and metallic parts
such as plating as they can be scratched
easily.
▼Cleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with an
oily, greasy, or waxy film, clean them with
glass cleaner. Follow
the directions on the
container.
CAUTION
 Do not scrape or scratch the inside of the
window glass. It could damage the
thermal filaments.
 When washing the inside of the window
glass, use a soft cloth dampened in
lukewarm water, gently wiping the
thermal filaments.
Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the thermal filaments.
▼ Cleaning the Floor Mats
Rubber floor mats should be cleaned with
mild soap and water only.
WA R N I N G
Do not use rubber cleaners, such as tire
cleaner or tire shine, when cleaning rubber
floor
mats:
Cleaning the rubber floor mats with rubber
cleaning products makes the floor mats
slippery.
This may cause an accident when
depressing the accelerator, brake, or clutch
(Manual transmission) pedal or when
getting in or out of the vehicle.
After removing the floor mats for
cleaning, always reinstall them securely
(page 3-51).
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
6-66
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

▼Jack*
To remove the jack
1. Remove the cover.

2. Turn the wing bolt and jack screwcounterclockwise.

Wing bolt
Jack screw
To secure the jack
1. Insert the wing bolt into the jack withthe jack screw pointing back and turn
the wing bolt clockwise to temporarily
tighten it.
2. Turn the jack screw clockwise.
Wing bolt
Jack screw
3. Turn the wing bolt completely tosecure the jack.
NOTE
If the jack is not completely secured, it
could rattle while driving. Make sure
the jack screw is sufficiently tightened.
4. Insert the cover tabs and install the cover.
NOTE
Verify that the cover is securely
installed.
Maintenance
Always keep the jack clean.
Make sure the moving parts are kept
free from dirt or rust.
Make sure the screw thread is
adequately lubricated.
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
7-4*Some models.
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2 2017-10-31 14:07:27

6. Shake the sealant bottle to mix thecontents. Then extend the injection
hose.
Injection hose
CAUTION
Do not shake the bottle excessively.
Otherwise, the sealant could spray out
of the injection hose, and if the sealant
contacts clothing or other objects, you
may not be able to remove it.
NOTE
The sealant hardens easily and
injecting it will be difficult under cold
weather conditions (0 °C (32 °F) or
below). Warm the sealant inside the
vehicle to facilitate injection.
7. Pull out the air compressor hose and
the air compressor plug from the air
compressor.
Compressor hose
8. Install the air compressor hose whichwas pulled out of the air compressor to
the injection valve of the bottle.
Compressor hose Injection hose
Injection
valve
CAUTION
Make sure that the air compressor
switch is off before inserting the air
compressor hose to the injection valve
of the bottle. If the air compressor hose
is not installed to the injection valve of
the bottle securely, the sealant may
leak.
9. Remove the valve cap from the valve of the flat tire, install the injection hose
to the tire valve, turn the sleeve to the
right, and tighten it.
Valve cap
Valve Injection hose
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
7-7
MX-5_8GF7-EA-17J_Edition2
2017-10-31 14:07:27