Page 467 of 499

Ve h i c l e L o a d i n g
WA R N I N G
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to tow a
trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehic le, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its desi gn rating capability. Properly lo ading your vehicle will provide
maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading yo ur vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle' s weight ratings, from the
vehicle's Safety Certification La bel and Tire and Load Information Label:
WA R N I N G
Overloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious consequences
in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's suspension system can cause
spring or shock absorber failure, brake failu re, handling or steering problems, irregular tire
wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive an d control. It also increases the distance
required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail completely, particularly
on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a combination of the size of the tire, its load
range, and corresponding inflation pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe th e vehicle's weight ratings from the vehicle's
Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-36
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old
2020-8-28 13:50:01
Page 468 of 499

Base Curb Weight is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all
standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight is the weight of your new vehicle when you picked it up from y our
dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.
PAYLOAD
Payload is the combination weight of cargo and passengers that the veh icle is designed to
carry. The maximum payload for your vehicle can be found on the Tire and Load
Information label on t he driver's door frame or door pillar. Look for “THE COMBINATION
WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED XXX kg or XXX
lbs” for your maximum payload. The payload listed on the tire l abel is the maximum
payload for the vehicle as built by the assembly plant. If any aftermarket or dealer installed
equipment has been installed on the vehicle, the weight of the equipment must be subtracted
from the payload listed on the tire label in order to be accura te.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-37
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01
Page 469 of 499
SAMPLE
CARGO
Cargo Weight includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight, including c argo and
optional equipment.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-38
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01
Page 470 of 499

The cargo weight limit decreases depending on the number of vehicle occupants. The cargo
weight limit can be calculated by subtracting the total weight of the vehicle occupants from
the “combination weight of occupants and cargo should never exc eed” value on the tire
label.
Examples: Based on a single occupant weight of 68 kg (150 lbs), and a value of 385 kg (849
lbs) for the “combination weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed”:
The cargo weight limit with on e occupant is 385 kg (849 lbs) - 68 kg (150 lbs) = 317 kg
(699 lbs)
The cargo weight limit with two occupants is 385 kg (849 lbs) - (68 × 2) kg ( (150 × 2)
lbs) = 249 kg (549 lbs)
If the weight of the occupant increases, the cargo weight limit decreases by that much.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight) is the total weight placed on each axle (front and rear) -
including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable weight that can be carried
by a single axle (front or rear). These numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label located on the driver's door frame or door pillar. The total load on
each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
GVW
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) is the Vehicle Curb Weight cargo passengers.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-39
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01
Page 471 of 499
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable weight of the fully
loaded vehicle (including all options, equipment, passengers an d cargo). The GVWR is
shown on the Safety Compliance C ertification Label located on the driver's door
frame or door pillar. The GVW must never exceed the GVWR.
SAMPLE
WA R N I N G
Never Exceed Axle Weight Rating Limits:
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits is dangerous and could
result in death or serious injury as a result of substandard vehicle handling, performance,
engine, transmission and/or structural damage , serious damage to the vehicle, or loss of
control.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-40
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01
Page 472 of 499

Always keep the vehicle within the axle weight rating limits.
GCW
GCW (Gross Combination Weight) is the weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW).
GCWR (Gross Combinat ion Weight Rating) is the maximum allo wable weight of the
vehicle - including all cargo and passengers - that the vehicle can handle without risking
damage. The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
WARNING
Never Exceed GVWR or GAWR Specifications:
Exceeding the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label is dangerous. Exceeding
any vehicle rating limitation could result in a serious accident, injury, or damage to the
vehicle.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the originals because
they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires with a higher
limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Never exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification label.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-41
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01
Page 473 of 499

Steps for Determining the Correct Load Limit
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit-
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers t hat will be riding in your
vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo an d luggage load capacity. For
example, if the “XXX” amount equ als 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 - 750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loa ded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage lo ad capacity calculated
in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towi ng a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-42
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01
Page 488 of 499

▼We i g h t s
U.S.A. and Canada
Item We i gh t
Soft top model Hardtop model
Manual
transmission Automatic
transmission Manual
transmission Automatic
transmission
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,245 kg
(2,745 lbs) 1,265 kg
(2,789 lbs) 1,298 kg
(2,862 lbs) 1,312 kg
(2,892 lbs)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Front
628 kg
(1,384 lbs) 642 kg
(1,415 lbs) 636 kg
(1,402 lbs) 644 kg
(1,420 lbs)
Rear 620 kg
(1,367 lbs) 626 kg
(1,380 lbs) 664 kg
(1,464 lbs) 670 kg
(1,477 lbs)
Mexico
Item We i gh t
Soft top model Hardtop model
Manual transmis‐ sion Automatic trans‐
mission
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) To t a l
1,242 kg
(2,738 lbs) 1,293 kg
(2,851 lbs) 1,305 kg
(2,877 lbs)
Front 627 kg (1,382 lbs) 634 kg (1,398 lbs) 639 kg (1,409 lbs)
Rear 615 kg (1,356 lbs) 659 kg (1,453 lbs) 666 kg (1,468 lbs)
GAW (Permissible axle load) Front
630 kg (1,389 lbs) 634 kg (1,398 lbs) 639 kg (1,409 lbs)
Rear 615 kg (1,356 lbs) 659 kg (1,453 lbs) 666 kg (1,468 lbs)
Specifications
Specifications
9-7
MX-5_8JS9-EA-20K_Edition1_old 2020-8-28 13:50:01