2021 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF engine coolant

Engine Compartment Overview
Windshield washer fluid reservoirBrake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Engine oil dipstick
Battery
Fuse blockCooling system cap
Engine coolant reservoir
Engine oil-filler cap
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Engine Coolant
▼Inspecting Coolant Level
WA R N I N G
Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the engine has
been running, parts of the engine
compartment can become very hot. You
could be burned. Carefully inspect the
engine coolant in the coolant reservoir, but
do not open it.
Pull over to a safe location, then switch
the ignition off and make sure the fan is
not running before attempting to work
near the cooling fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it is
running is dangerous. The fan could
continue running indefinitely even if the
engine has stopped and the engine
compartment temperature is high. You
could be hit by the fan and seriously
injured.
Do not remove either cooling
system cap when the engine and radiator
are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot out
under pressure and cause serious injury.
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 protec tion and to bring the
level to FULL.
Securely tighten the c oolant reservoir tank
cap after adding coolant.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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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.
Brake/Clutch Fluid
▼ Inspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid Level
WA R N I N G
If the brake/clutch fluid level is low, have
the brakes inspected:
A low brake/clutch
fluid level is dangerous.
A low level could indicate brake lining wear
or a brake system leak which could cause
the brakes to fail and lead to an accident.
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept between the
MAX and MIN lines.
The level norm ally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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▼Plastic Part Maintenance
When cleaning the plastic lenses of the
lights, do not use g
asoline, kerosene,
rectified spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolor or damage the
surfaces resulting in a significant loss in
functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, flush with water
immediately.
If plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fluids such as
gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery
fluid, it could cause discoloration,
staining, or paint peeling. Wipe off any
such chemical agents or fluids using a
soft cloth immediately.
High water temperature and high water
pressure car washers are available
depending on the type of high pressure
car washer device. If the car washer
nozzle is put too close to the vehicle or
aimed at one area for an extended period
of time, it could deform plastic parts or
damage the paint.
Do not use wax containing compounds
(polish). Otherwise , it could result in
paint damage.
In addition, do not use an electrical or
air tool to apply wax. Otherwise, the
frictional heat generated could result in
deformation of plastic parts or paint
damage.
Interior Care
WA R N I N G
Do not spray water into the vehicle cabin:
Spraying water into the vehicle cabin is
dangerous as electrical devices such as the
audio and switches could get wet resulting
in a malfunction or vehicle fire.
NOTE
Do not wipe the interior using alcohol,
chlorine bleach, or organic solvents
such as thinner, benzene, and gasoline.
Otherwise, it may cause discoloration or
stains.
Rubbing hard with a stiff brush or cloth
may cause damage.
If the vehicle interior becomes soiled by
any of the following, wipe it off
immediately using a soft cloth.
Leaving it uncleaned could cause
discoloration, stains, cracks, or peeling of
the coating, and it will make it hard to
wipe off later.
Beverage or fragrance
Grease or oil
Soiling
▼ Seat Belt Maintenance
1. Clean the soiled area by lightly
dabbing it 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.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating or the high engine coolant
temperature warning light turns on, the
vehicle loses power, or you hear a loud
knocking or pinging noise, the engine is
probably too hot.
WARNING
Pull over to a safe location, then switch
the ignition off and make sure the fan is
not running before attempting to work
near the cooling fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it is
running is dangerous. The fan could
continue running indefinitely even if the
engine has stopped and the engine
compartment temperature is high. You
could be hit by the fan and seriously
injured.
Do not remove either cooling
system cap when the engine and radiator
are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot out
under pressure and cause serious injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating or the high engine coolant
temperature warning light turns on:

1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from the engine
compartment.

If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Do not go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.

If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine
until it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
If Trouble Arises
Overheating
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6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level. If it is low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.

If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Coolant reservoir
Cooling fan
Cooling system cap
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
6-22).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
If Trouble Arises
Overheating
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SignalWarning
(Red)
High Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Indication/Warning
Light The light flashes when the engine coolant temperature is extrem
ely high, and illumi‐
nates when the engine coolant temperature increases further.
Handling Procedure
Flashing light
Drive slowly to reduce engine l oad until you can find a safe place to stop the vehicle
and wait for the engine to cool down.
Illuminated light
This indicates the possibility of overheating. Park the vehicle in a safe place immedi‐
ately and stop the engine.
Refer to Overheating on page 7-27.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle with the high engi ne coolant temperature warning light illumi‐
nated. Otherwise, it could resu lt in damage to the engine.
Power Steering Mal‐
function Indication*
The message is displayed if the electric power steering has a m alfunction.
If the message is displayed, stop the vehicle in a safe place a nd do not operate the
steering wheel. There is no probl em if the message in the display turns off after a
while. Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer if the message is dis played continuously.
NOTE
If the message is displayed, the power steering will not operate normally. In this
case, the steering wheel can still be op erated, however, the operation may feel
heavy compared to normal, or the steer ing wheel could vibrate when turning.
Repeatedly jerking the steering wheel left and right while the vehicle is stopped or
moving extremely slowly will cause the power steering system to go into protective
mode which will make the steerin g feel heavy, but this does not indicate a problem.
If this occurs, park the vehicle safely and wait several minutes for the system to
return to normal.
Power Steering Mal‐ function Indicator
Light
*
The light illuminates/flashes if the electric power steering ha s a malfunction.
If the light illuminates/flashes, stop the vehicle in a safe pl ace and do not operate the
steering wheel. There is no problem if the light turns off afte r a while. Contact an Au‐
thorized Mazda Dealer if the lig ht illuminates/flashes continuously.
NOTE
If the indicator light illuminates/flashes, the power steering will not operate nor‐
mally. If this happens, the steering wheel can still be operated, however, the opera‐
tion may feel heavy compared to normal , or the steering wheel could vibrate when
turning.
Repeatedly jerking the steering wheel left and right while the vehicle is stopped or
moving extremely slowly will cause the power steering system to go into protective
mode which will make the steerin g feel heavy, but this does not indicate a problem.
If this occurs, park the vehicle safely and wait several minutes for the system to
return to normal.
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
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Message Indicated on Display
If a message is displayed in the center display, take appropriate action (in a calm manner)
according to the displayed message.

(Display example)
▼ Stop Vehicle in Safe Place Immediately
If the following messages are dis
played in the center display , a vehicle system may be
malfunctioning. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Display Indicated Condition
Displays if the engine coolant temperature has increased excess ively.
Displays if the charging system has a malfunction.
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
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