2022 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF tow

Tiedown Hooks*
CAUTION
Do not use the front and rear tiedown
eyelets for towing the vehicle.
They have been designed only for securing
the vehicle to a transport vessel during
shipping.
Using the eyelets for any other purpose
could result in the vehicle being damaged.
▼Tiedown Hooks
1. Remove the tiedown eyelet and the lug
wrench from the luggage compartment
(page 7-3).
2. Wrap a flathead screwdriver or similar tool with a soft cloth to prevent
damage to a painted bumper, and open
the cap located on the front or rear
bumper.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
Do not use excessive force as it may
damage the cap or scratch the painted
bumper surface.
NOTE
Remove the cap completely and store it
so as not to lose it.
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet using the lug wrench or equivalent.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Front
Lug wrench
Tiedown eyelet
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
*Some models.7-31
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

Rear
Lug wrench
Tiedown eyelet
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedown eyelet.
CAUTION
If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying the
vehicle. Make sure that the tiedown
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
7-32
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

SignalWarning
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution System Wa r n i n g If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some compo‐
nents are operating incorrectly, the cont rol unit may illuminate the brake system
warning light and the ABS warning light si multaneously. The problem is likely to be
the electronic brake force distribution system.
WA R N I N G
Do not drive with both the ABS warning light and brake warning light illuminated.
Have the vehicle towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the brakes inspected as
soon as possible:
Driving when the brake system warning li ght and ABS warning light are illuminated
simultaneously is dangerous.
When both lights are illuminate d, the rear wheels could lock more quickly in an emer‐
gency stop than under normal circumstances.
Charging System Warn ‐
ing Indication/Warning Light If the warning light illuminates while drivin
g, it indicates a malfunction of the alter‐
nator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the ro ad and park off the right-of -way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving when the charging system warning light is illuminated be‐
cause the engine could stop unexpectedly.
Engine Oil Warning Light This warning light indicates low engine oil pressure.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil pressure is
low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive
engine damage.
If the light illuminates or the warning indication is displayed while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and pa rk off the right-of-way on level ground.
2. Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes fo r the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
3. Inspect the engine oil level (page 6-21). If it's low, add the appropriate amount of
engine oil while being careful not to overfill.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil level is low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive
engine damage.
4. Start the engine and check the warning light.

If the light remains illuminated even though th e oil level is normal or after adding oil,
stop the engine immediately and have your vehicle towed to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
7-34
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

4. Slowly close the rear roof while lightlypulling the rope with one hand so that
the rope does not unhook.
Rope
NOTE
Route the rope rearward through the
clearance between the rear roof and
trunk.
5. One person pushes the rear roof down and the other person pulls the rope
strongly and straight back towards the
vehicle rear until a click sound is
heard.
Rope
NOTE
The rear roof is locked completely if
the position where the rope is
hooked is at the rear end of the
bracket groove in the direction of the
vehicle rear, as shown in the figure,
when viewed from the vehicle
interior.
Rope
Link pin
If the rear roof is not locked
completely, the trunk will not open
even if the remote release button,the
electric trunk lid opener, or the trunk
button on the transmitter is
operated.
6. Do the same procedure on the other side.
7. Open the trunk and tie the rope to the trunk hinge.
Hinge
Rope
If Trouble Arises
When the Roof Cannot be Closed
7-66
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

▼Safety Practices
The way you drive has a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety. So cultivate
good driving habits for your own benefit.
Observe posted speed limits and drive at speeds that are safe for the existing weather
conditions
Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
Avoid potholes and objects on the road
Do not run over curbs or hit the t
ire against the curb when parking
CAUTION
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you suspect your tire or
vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce yo ur speed. Drive with caution until you can
safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is
under-inflated or
damaged, deflate it, remove the tire and rim and replace it with your spare tire. If you cannot
detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the ne arest vehicle or tire dealer to have the vehicle
inspected.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-35
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

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 vehicle, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capabilit y. Properly loading your vehicle will provide
maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms for determin ing your vehicle's weight ratings, from the
vehicle's Safety Certification Label 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_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old
2021-11-10 13:10:56

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 that will be riding in your
vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weig ht of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available am ount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For
example, if the “XXX” amount equals 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 loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing 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_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56

Index
Cup Holder........................................ 5-38
Customer Assistance........................... 8-2
D
Dashboard Illumination............ .........4-16
Daytime Running Lights................... 4-51
Defogger Mirror...........................................4-57
Rear window........... .................... 4-56
Dimensions.......................................... 9-6
Door Locks........................................3-12
Drive Selection..................................4-70
Driving In Flooded Ar ea...................3-52
Driving on Uneven Road.................. 3-54
Driving Tips Automatic transmission............... 4-44
Break-in period............................ 3-48
Driving in flooded area............... 3-52
Driving on uneven road...............3-54
Floor mat..................................... 3-49
Hazardous driving.. ..................... 3-49
Overloading............. .................... 3-53
Rocking the vehicle. .................... 3-50
Saving fuel and protection of the
environment................................. 3-48
Winter driving............................. 3-50
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)..... 4-68 DSC OFF indicator light............. 4-69
DSC OFF switch......................... 4-69
TCS/DSC indicator light............. 4-68
E
Emergency StartingPush-starting................................ 7-26
Starting a flooded engine............ 7-26
Emergency Towing Tiedown hooks........ .................... 7-31
Towing description...................... 7-30
Emission Control System..................3-23
Engine
Coolant.........................................6-22
Engine compartment overview.... 6-19
Exhaust gas..................................3-24
Hood release................................ 6-17
Oil................................................ 6-20
Starting...........................................4-5
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge................................................ 4-15
Essential Information.......................... 6-2
Event Data Recorder......................... 8-21
Excessive Speed Warning................. 7-51
Exhaust Gas...................................... 3-24
Exterior Care..................................... 6-53
Aluminum wheel maintenance.... 6-58
Bright-metal maintenance........... 6-57
Convertible Top (Retractable
Hardtop) Maintenance................. 6-60
Convertible Top (Soft Top)
Maintenance.................................6-58
Maintaining the fini sh................. 6-54
Plastic part maintenance.............. 6-63
F
Flasher Hazard warning........................... 4-58
Headlights.................................... 4-45
Flat Tire............................................... 7-3 Mounting the tire......................... 7-21
Removing a tire........................... 7-17
Floor Mat.......................................... 3-49
Fluid Brake/Clutch................................ 6-23
Washer......................................... 6-24
Fluids Classification................................. 9-5
Foot Brake.........................................4-62
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)..... 4-103
Fuel Filler lid and cap......................... 3-25
Gauge........................................... 4-15
10-3
MX-5_8KH8-EA-21K_Edition3_old 2021-11-10 13:10:56