MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2002 Workshop Manual

3-17
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Convertible Top Precautions• Before lowering or raising the top, stop
in a safe place off the right-of-way and
park on a level surface.
• Make sure nothing is on the top or near
the back window when raising or
lowering the top.
Even small objects may interfere and
cause damage.
• When lowering the top, make sure
objects inside the vehicle aren
’t blown
away by the wind.
• Secure all loose objects inside when
driving with the top down.
Convertible Top
Top latch assembley Top stroage area
indshiled header
Top frame
Top covering Top latch
Unlock
button Top latch assembly
detail
Standing in a Moving Vehicle:
Standing in the vehicle when it
’s
moving is a dangerous way to ride.
During a sudden maneuver or
collision you could be seriously
injured or even killed.
Don ’t stand in the vehicle when its
moving.
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 17 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-18
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
•To help prevent burglary or vandalism
and to ensure that the passenger
compartment stays dry, close the top
securely and lock all doors when
leaving the vehicle.
• Don
’t drive through an automatic car
wash; it may damage the top.
• Don
’t raise or lower the top when the
temperature is below 5 °C (41 ° F) ; this
will damage the top material.
• Don
’t lower the top when it ’s wet. If
the top dries while folded, it will
deteriorate and shrink.
• Lowering the top while it
’s wet can
also cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.
• Don
’t raise or lower the top when the
wind is strong; the wind could damage
the top.

Lowering the Convertible Top
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Remove all objects in the top storage area. 5. Push the unlock buttons and fully
release the top latches.
6. Lift up on the front section of the top to release it from the windshield header.
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Objects in the Storage Area:
Putting heavy or sharp objects in the
top storage area is dangerous.
During a sudden stop or collision,
they can become projectiles that
might hit and injure passengers.
Don’t place heavy or sharp objects in
the top storage area.
WARNING
Unlock button
Top latch
Windshield header
J07L(02MY).book Page 18 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-19
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
7. Fold back the front and carefully lower it to the storage area, then put the
latches in the locked position.
Covering the Convertible Top
1. Cover the convertible top with the top
covering, stored in the trunk.
2. Feed the straps on the bottom of the covering through the lower links and
snap them into position.
3. Secure the top covering with the straps.
4. Affix the top covering fasteners.
5. Insert the top covering ’s rear edge into
the groove in the body molding.
Fa s t e n i n g M e c h a n i s m s :
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanism. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
WARNING
Never drive with the top partially
folded or uncovered. Otherwise the top
and/or the top covering could be
damaged.
Top covering
Link Strap
Top covering
Body
Molding
CAUTION
J07L(02MY).book Page 19 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-20
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Raising the Convertible Top
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Undo the fasteners and straps.
5. Remove the top covering and store it properly in the trunk.
6. Unlock the top latches and open them fully.
7. Hold the top lift handle and pull the top up and forward until it ’s against the
windshield header. 8. After securely hooking the top latches
onto the windshield header, push each
latch up with the palm of your hand
until the lock buttons click and the
latches are locked.
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Windshield header
Fastening Mechanisms:
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanism. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
Fastening Mechanisms:
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanism. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
WARNING
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 20 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-21
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
9. If the rear window defroster coupler is disconnected, connect the coupler.

Taking Care of the Top
Refer to convertible top maintenance
(page 8-46) for information on taking care
of the top.Make sure the top is securely locked
by pushing up on it.
Driving with the top unlocked could
damage the top.
NOTE
Make sure the top is securely locked
by pushing up on it. If it still sounds
loose (rattles) after being locked by the
top latches, have it inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Rear window defroster coupler
J07L(02MY).book Page 21 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-22
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Detachable Hardtop Precautions
• Before removing or installing the
hardtop, stop in a safe place off the
right-of-way and park on a level
surface.
Detachable Hardtop
Top latch assembly
Side latch assemblyRear deck latch
Rear deck stud
Rear window defroster coupler
Standing in a Moving Vehicle:
Standing in the vehicle when it ’s
moving is a dangerous way to ride.
During a sudden maneuver or
collision you could be seriously
injured or even killed.
Don ’t stand in the vehicle when its
moving.
WARNINGHardtop and Rollover Accidents:
Rollover accidents on a hardtop
vehicle are dangerous. The hardtop is
not as strong as a regular steel roof.
Rollover accidents could dislodge or
crush the hardtop and cause serious
injuries or even death.
Always drive safely and observe the
speed limit.
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 22 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-23
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
•When removing the hardtop, make sure
objects inside the vehicle aren
’t blown
away by the wind.
• Secure all loose objects inside when
driving with the hardtop removed.
• Don
’t drive through an automatic car
wash; it may damage the hardtop.
• Don
’t remove or install the hardtop
when the wind is strong; the wind
could damage the hardtop.
• When removing the hardtop, make sure
the operation is performed by 2
persons.
• Before removing the hardtop, lower the
antenna.
• Removing the hardtop while it
’s wet
can cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.

Removing the Detachable
Hardtop
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors. 4. Push the unlock buttons and fully
release the top latches.
5. Push the unlock buttons and fully release the side latches.
6. Disconnect the rear window defroster coupler.
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Unlock button
Top latch
Unlock button
Side latch
Rear window defroster coupler
J07L(02MY).book Page 23 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-24
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
7. Slide the hardtop rearward while pressing down on the rear deck latches
to unlock the latches.
8. Lift the hardtop straight off the body to prevent damage to the rear deck latches
and studs.
Rear deck latch
Hardtop
Rear deck stud
Fastening Mechanisms:
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanism. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
Wi nd shiel d ’s Edges:
Not being careful of the windshield ’s
edges when getting into or out of the
vehicle is dangerous. The
windshield ’s edges could scratch and
cause injuries.
Be careful of the windshield ’s edges
when getting into or out of the
vehicle.
• Be careful not to strike the body
with any of the protruding hardtop
latches.
• Use extreme care when carrying the
hardtop to prevent scratching or
other damage to it.
WARNING
CAUTION
J07L(02MY).book Page 24 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-25
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Installing the Detachable
Hardtop
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Unlock the top latches and the side latches on the hardtop.NOTE
Points to remember when storing the
detachable hardtop.
•Do not place the hardtop on a hard
surface, such as concrete or asphalt.
Place it on a cushioning material,
such as an old blanket.
• Be sure the top and side latches are
locked.
• Do not lean the hardtop against a
wall or stand it in an unstable way.
• Store the hardtop in a dry clean
area, and cover it with a soft
material, such as an old blanket.
Do not attempt to install the hardtop
with the top covering also installed.
Remove the top covering before
installing the hardtop, otherwise
damage will occur to the top covering.
NOTE
• Be sure to place the top latches in
the locked position.
• Make sure the convertible top is
completely lowered before
installing the hardtop. Also confirm
that the rear window defroster
coupler is disconnected.
CAUTION
Sunvisor
Sunvisor
Top latch assembly
Slide latch assembly
J07L(02MY).book Page 25 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-26
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
5. Align the rear deck latches with the rear deck studs and set the hardtop
squarely onto the body.
6. Slide the hardtop forward while pressing down on the rear deck latches
to lock the latches, and then verify that
they are secure by attempting to lift the
rear of the hardtop. 7. Push each top latch up with the palm of
your hand until the lock buttons click
and the latches are locked.
Rear deck stud
Hardtop
Rear deck latch
Rear deck latch
Rear deck latch
• Be careful not to strike the body
with any of the protruding hardtop
latches.
• The rear defogger grid and the
defogger cord could be damaged
when removing or installing the top.
Make sure the rear defogger grid
isn
’t folded and the defogger cord
isn ’t caught between the vehicle ’s
body and the top.
CAUTION
J07L(02MY).book Page 26 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM