2023 MAZDA MX5 MIATA drain

Do not spray water in the engine
compartment. Otherwise, it could result
in engine-starting problems or damage
to electrical parts.
 When washing and waxing the vehicle,
be careful not to apply excessive force to
any single area of the vehicle hood.
Otherwise, you could dent the vehicle.
 Do not use automatic car washing
machines and car washing devices using
high water pressure.
 Make sure that the fuel-filler lid is closed
and lock the doors. Otherwise, the
fuel-filler lid may be forcefully opened by
water pressure causing damage to the
vehicle or fuel-filler lid.
To help protect the finish from rust and
deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.

If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.

Scratches occur on th e paint surface when:
The vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign matter.
The vehicle is washed with a rough, dry,
or dirty cloth.
The vehicle is washed at a car wash that
uses brushes that are dirty or too stiff.
Cleansers or wax containing abrasives
are used.
NOTE
Mazda is not responsible for scratches
caused by automatic car washes or
improper washing.
Scratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint finishes.
To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint finish:
Rinse off any dirt or other foreign matter
using lukewarm or cold water before
washing.
Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
Rub gently when washing or drying the
vehicle.
Take your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained.
Do not use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
CAUTION
 Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
or strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on
chrome-plated or anodized aluminum
parts. This may damage the protective
coating; also, cleaners and detergents
may discolor or deteriorate the paint.
Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt,
mud, and other foreign material from the
underside of the fenders, and make sure
the drain holes in the lower edges of the
doors and rocker panels are clean.

Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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▼Bright-Metal Maintenance
Use tar remover to re
move road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
To prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
During cold weather or in coastal areas,
cover bright-metal parts with a coating
of wax or preservative heavier than
usual. It would also help to coat them
with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or
some other protective compound.
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or
strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on
chrome-plated or anodized aluminum
parts. This may result in damage to the
protective coating and cause discoloration
or paint deterioration.
▼ Underbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.

Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try also to
do this every month.

Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt.
It
will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.

The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped there
will cause rusting.
WA R N I N G
Dry off brakes that have become wet by
driving slowly, releasing the accelerator
pedal and lightly applying the brakes
several times until the brake performance
returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the vehicle
pulling to one side when braking could
result in a serious accident. Light braking
will indicate whether the brakes have been
affected.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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Do not spray water directly on the seam
area of the body and the convertible top
as it could result in water penetrating the
cabin and trunk.
Some leather treatment products can
ruin the convertible top's gloss. Be careful
of the one you choose.
 Test on an inconspicuous, small corner of
the convertible top if you are not sure.
 Do not wipe the convertible top using
alcohol, chlorine bleach, or organic
solvents such as thinner, benzene, or
gasoline. Otherwise, they may cause
discoloration or stains.
 Do not get any car wax on the
convertible top.
If you do, remove it with a good leather
cleaner or mild detergent (about 5%
solution).
 Too much treatment on the convertible
top can be as damaging as too little.
Follow the manufacturer's directions.
Do not overdo it!
 Let the convertible top dry completely
before lowering after applying treatment
or dressing.
Drain filter cleaning procedure
Drain filterA
Drain filterB
NOTE
If leaves or other matter block the drain
filter, water may enter the vehicle.
Clean the drain filter at least once a year.
1. Check the position of the drain filter A
with your hand from behind the bow.
Drain filterA
Bow
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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2. Remove the drain filter A whilepressing the tab.
3. Remove drain filter B out of theopening after removing drain filter A.
4. Remove foreign matter such as leavesaccumulated in drain filter A and drain
filter B.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal.
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.
Wa x i n g
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.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take off
the wax. Rewax these areas.
Drainage outlet cleaning procedure
There are drainage outlets on the left and
right of the lower side of the rear window.
Rear roofDrainage
outlet
Rear window
NOTE
If leaves or other fore
ign matter block the
drainage outlets, water may enter the
cabin. Clean the drainage outlets at least
once every 2 months.
1. Continue pressing the retractable hardtop switch in the open direction
until the rear roof is raised up from the
fully closed position.
Refer to Opening the Roof on page
3-41.
2. Remove your finger from theretractable hardtop switch after the rear
roof is raised up.
3. Make sure the drainage outlets are visible.

Drainage
outlet
Rear roof links
4. Switch the ignition OFF.
WA R N I N G
Verify that the ignition is switched off:
Closing the roof with the ignition not
switched off is dangerous as the motors
could turn on suddenly and cause
injury resulting from hands or fingers
being pinched in the mechanism.
5. Remove leaves and other foreign matter accumulated in the drainage
outlet.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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CAUTION
When cleaning the drainage outlets, be
careful not to touch the roof links or the
framework of the rear roof. Otherwise,
you could get injured.
Roof links Rear roof
6. After cleaning the drainage outlets,
continuously press the retractable
hardtop switch in the close direction to
close the rear roof.
Refer to Closing the Roof on page
3-41.

7. Pour about 300 ml (300 cc) of water
slowly into each of the left and right
drainage outlets to wash away small
particles of foreign matter inside the
drainage path.

CAUTION
Use washer fluid instead of water in
cold weather.
If water is used, the water may freeze
inside the drainage path blocking the
path.
8. Start the engine.
9. Continue pressing the retractable hardtop switch in the open direction
until the rear roof is raised up from the
fully closed position.
Refer to Opening the Roof on page
3-41.

Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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10. Remove your finger from theretractable hardtop switch after the rear
roof is raised up.

11. Check if water remains in the watertrays of the drain covers through the
gap between the rear roof and the
body.
If no water remains, the drain hose is
not clogged.
If water remains, the drain hose may
be clogged. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.

Water trays
▼ Plastic Part Maintenance
When cleaning the plastic lenses of the
lights, do not use gasoline, 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.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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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.
WARNING
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
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