2018 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 Owners Manual (in English)

▼Back Trim Storage Box
Small items can be stored in the back trim
storage box.
(Soft top model)
(Hardtop model)
To use the back trim storage box
1. Slide the seat all the way forward and
fold the seatback forward.
Refer to Seat Operation on page 2-4.
2. Remove the lids.
When finished, return the seat to its
original position a nd secure it. After
returning the seat to its original position,
make sure the seat is secured by
attempting to lightly move it forward and
backward.
CAUTION
Do not forcefully push objects into the back
trim storage box. Otherwise, the box could
be damaged.
Interior Features
Interior Equipment
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Windblocker
This windblocker reduces rear wind blast
into the cabin when driving with the
convertible top down.
(Soft top model)
Windblocker
(Hardtop model)
Windblocker
Interior Features
Interior Equipment
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6Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Essential Information........................6-2 Introduction.................................. 6-2
Scheduled Maintenance.................... 6-4 Scheduled Maintenance (U.S.A.,
Canada, and Puerto Rico)............. 6-4
Scheduled Maintenance
(Mexico)..................................... 6-10
Maintenance Monitor................. 6-15
Owner Maintenance........................ 6-17 Owner Maintenance
Precautions................................. 6-17
Hood........................................... 6-19
Engine Compartment
Overview.................................... 6-21
Engine Oil...................................6-22
Engine Coolant........................... 6-24
Brake/Clutch Fluid ..................... 6-26
Washer Fluid............................... 6-26
Body Lubrication...... .................. 6-27
Wiper Blades.............................. 6-28
Battery........................................ 6-31
Key Battery Replacement........... 6-33
Tires............................................ 6-36
Light Bulbs................................. 6-40
Fuses........................................... 6-49
Appearance Care............................. 6-54
Exterior Care.............................. 6-54
Interior Care................................6-64
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Introduction
Be careful not to hurt yourself when inspecting your vehicle, replacing a tire, or doing some
kind of maintenance such as car washing.
In particular, wear thick work gloves such as cotton gloves when touching areas that are
difficult to see while inspecting or working on your vehicle. D oing inspections or
procedures with your bare hands could cause injury.

If you are unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you to have a reliable
and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are b est for your vehicle.
Without this expertise and the parts that have been designed an d made especially for your
Mazda, inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient servicing may r esult in problems. This
could lead to vehicle damage or an accident and injuries.

For expert advice and quality service, consult an Authorized Ma zda Dealer.

To continue warranty eligibility and to protect your investment , it is your responsibility to
properly maintain your vehicle according to factory recommended schedules outlined in this
manual. As part of this you mu st keep your maintenance records, receipts, repair orders and
any other documents as evidence this maintenance was performed. You must present these
documents, should any warranty coverage disagreement occur. Fai lure to do so can result in
your warranty being voided ei ther in whole or in part.

This evidence may consist of the following:
The Mazda Scheduled Maintenance Record, refer to the Warranty B ooklet, must be
completely filled out showing mileage, repair order number, dat e for each service, and
signed by a qualified automotive service technician who service vehicles.
Original copies of repair orders or other receipts that include the mileage and date the
vehicle was serviced. Each receipt should be signed by a qualified automotive service
technician.
For self maintenance, a statement that you completed the mainte nance yourself,
displaying mileage and the date t he work was performed. Also, receipts for the
replacement parts (fluid, filters , etc.) indicating the date and mileage must accompany this
statement.

Maintenance and Care
Essential Information
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NOTE
If you elect to perform maintenance yourself or have your vehicle serviced at a location
other than an Authorized Mazda Dealer, Mazda requires that all fluids, parts and materials
must meet Mazda standards for durability and performance as described in this manual.

Claims against the warranty resulting from lack of maintenance, as opposed to defective
materials or authorized Mazda wo rkmanship, will not be honored.

Any auto repair shop using parts equivalent to your Mazda's ori ginal equipment may
perform maintenance. But we recommend that it always be done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer using ge nuine Mazda parts.
Selecting “Maintenance Monitor” enables the system to notify yo u of your vehicle's
approaching inspection/servicing period (page 6-15).

The malfunction diagnosis connector is designed exclusively for connecting the specially
designed device to perform on-board diagnosis.
Do not connect any devices other than the specially designed ma lfunction diagnosis devices
for servicing. If any device othe r than the malfunction diagnosis device is connected, it may
affect the vehicle's electrical devices or lead to damage such as battery depletion.
Malfunction
diagnosis
connector
Maintenance and Care
Essential Information
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Scheduled Maintenance (U.S.A., Canada, and Puerto
Rico)
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
(severe driving conditions)apply.
Repeated short-distance driving
Driving in dusty conditions
Driving with extended use of brakes
Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are us ed
Driving on rough or muddy roads
Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humi d climates
Driving in extremely hot conditions
Driving in mountainous conditions continually
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2. (Canada residents follow Sc hedule 2.)
Vehicles using Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance
Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance is available for U.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents whose
vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditio ns apply:
Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation such as police car, taxi or driving
school car
Driving in dusty conditions
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 with engine oil fixed mainte nance.

Once engine oil flexible maintena nce is selected, the vehicle calculates the remaining oil life
based on engine operating conditions. The vehicle lets you know when an oil change is due
by illuminating the wrench indicator light in the instrument cl uster. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1,000 km (600 mile) or 15 days. Ref er page 6-15 for the details.
Mazda Genuine 0W-20 Oil and Castrol
® 0W-20 Oil are require d to achieve optimum
performance.
NOTE
Please ensure that the Flexible Oil Maintenance Setting is reset after each Oil and Filter
replacement.
For maintenance guidelines beyond the miles/months listed, follow the maintenance
intervals provided in the Scheduled Maintenance Tables.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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▼Schedule 1
U.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents
- Engine oil flexible maintenance interval
Use when the maintenance monitor for “Oil Change” is set to “Fl exible”. For details,
see maintenance monitor. (page 6-15)
Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first.
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15
22.53037.54552.560
Drive belts II
Engine oil & filter
*1Replace when wrench indicator light is ON. (Max interval:12 months/12,000 km (7,500 miles))
Engine coolant
*2Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years.
Air filter Replace when any equivalent tim
ing of replacing engine oil.
(Max interval:36 months/60,000 km (37,500 miles))
Fuel lines and hoses
*3IIII
Hoses and tubes for emission
*3II
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles).
Brake lines, hoses and connections II II
Disc brakes IIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil Replace every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years.
Tire (Rotation) Rotate when any equivalent tim
ing of replacing engine oil.
(Max interval:12,000 km (7,500 miles))
Steering operation and linkages II II
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play IIII
Rear differential oil
*4
Driveshaft dust boots II II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body TTTT
Exhaust system and heat shields II
Emergency flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*5Inspect annually.
Chart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, re pair, adjust, fill up, or replac e if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean
T: Tighten
D: Drain
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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Remarks:
*1 The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year or within 12,000 km (7,500 miles) since last
engine oil and filter change. Re set the engine oil data whenever replacing the engine oil regardless of the
message/wrench indicator light display.
*2 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.
*3 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. H owever, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long -term reliability.
*4 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.*5 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with ne w one before the expiration dat e.
▼Schedule 2
U.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents - Severe driving conditions ma
intenance interval
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first.
Months 6 1218243036424854606672
×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
Drive belts II
Engine oil & filter Flexible
*1Replace when wrench indicator light is ON. (Max interval: 12
months/12,000 km (7,500 miles))
Fixed RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine coolant
*2Replace 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 IIIIIIIIIIII
Air filter
*3Replace when any equivalent tim ing of replacing engine oil.
(Max interval: 36 months or 60,000 km (37,500 miles))
Fuel lines and hoses
*4III
Hoses and tubes for emission
*4I
Spark plugs Replace every 12 0,000 km (75,000 miles).
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections II I
Brake and clutch fluid level I I I I I I I I I I I I
Disc brakes IIIIII
Manual transmission oil Replace every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) o r 2 years.
Tire (Rotation) Rotate when any equivalent tim
ing of replacing engine oil.
(Max interval: 8,000 km (5,000 miles))
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages II I
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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