coolant MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2004 User Guide

8-10
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Owner Maintenance
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.

When Refueling
• Brake and clutch fluid level (page 8-18)
• Engine coolant level (page 8-15)
• Engine oil level (page 8-13)
• Washer fluid level (page 8-22)


At Least Monthly
• Tire inflation pressures (page 8-28)


At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
• Automatic transmission fluid level (page 8-21)
• Power steering fluid level (page 8-20)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
• Air filter (page 8-24)
• Engine coolant (page 8-15)
• Engine oil (page 8-14)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 10 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Engine Compartment Overview
Fuse blockEngine oil-filler cap Cooling system cap Power steering fluid filler cap/dipstick Air filterClutch fluid reservoir
(Only for manual
transmission model)
Automatic transmission fluid-level dipstick
(Only for automatic transmission model)
Engine oil dipstickBrake fluid reservoir
Washer fluid reservoir
(TypeA)
The battery is in the trunk
Engine coolant
reservoirWasher fluid reservoir (TypeB)
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 12 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Check the oil level and fill to the F mark if
necessary.
Oil capacity (General reference only,
refer to Specifications section for
capacities.)
Changing oil filter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer should do the work.

Inspecting Coolant Level
NOTE
• The indicated engine oil capacities
are for general reference purposes
only. When adding or changing oil,
verify the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick.
• Use only specified engine oil (page
10-4).
Engine Coolant
Hot Engine:
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.
Do not use a match or live flame in
the engine compartment. DO NOT
ADD COOLANT WHEN THE
ENGINE IS HOT.
Cooling Fan and Engine
Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the
ignition switch in the ON position is
dangerous. The cooling fan could
turn on unexpectedly even when the
engine isn ’t running. You could be
seriously injured by the fan. Turn the
ignition switch off and remove the key
from the ignition switch when you
inspect the engine.
Cooling System Cap:
When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Don’ t remove the
cooling system cap when the engine
and radiator are hot.
WARNING
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 15 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
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.
If it ’s at or near LOW, add enough coolant
to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to FULL.
Do not overfill.
If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Changing Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
For mixture percentage:
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.
CAUTION
• Use only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant
’s effectiveness.
• Don
’t add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
• The engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
• DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. DO NOT MIX alcohol
or methanol with the coolant. This
could damage the cooling system.
• Don
’t use a solution that contains
more than 60 % antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
Protection Vo l u m e
Antifreeze solution Wa t e r
Above −
16° C (3° F) 35% 65%
Above −
26° C (−
15° F) 45% 55%
Above −
40° C (−
40° F) 55% 45%
CAUTION
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 16 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-17
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
To change coolant
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
2. Only when the engine is cool, remove the radiator drain plug and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
Properly dispose of the used coolant.
3. Flush out the system with running water. 4. Drain the system completely. Insert
and tighten the plug. Add as much
ethylene-glycol-based coolant and
water as necessary to provide freezing
and corrosion protection.
5. In extremely cold climates, add the amount recommended in the coolant
manufacturer ’s instructions.
6. Run the engine at idle with the cooling system cap off. Slowly add additional
coolant if necessary.
7. At this point, wait until the engine reaches normal operating temperature;
then depress the accelerator two or
three times. Add more coolant, if
necessary, until the system is full.
8. Install the cooling system cap. Inspect all connections for leaks. Inspect the
level in the coolant reservoir one more
time.
Removing the Cooling System Cap:
Removing the cooling system cap
while the engine is running or hot is
dangerous. This might lead to cooling
system and engine damage and could
result in serious injury from escaping
hot coolant or steam. Turn off the
engine and wait until it ’s cool. Even
then, be very careful when removing
the cap. Wrap a thick cloth around
the cap and slowly turn it
counterclockwise to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you ’re sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap — still
using a cloth — turn the cap, and
remove it.
WARNING
Tighten
Loosen
Tighten Loosen
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 17 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

10-5
Specifications
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Capacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.

Dimensions
*With license plate holder

We i g h t s

Air Conditioner
Item Unit
L US qt Imp qt
Engine oil With oil filter
3.84.0 3.3
Without oil filter 3.63.8 3.2
Coolant 6.06.3 5.3
Manual transmission oil 5-Speed transmission 2.0
2.11.8
6-Speed transmission 1.8 1.91.6
Automatic transmission fluid 6.77.1 5.9
Rear differential oil 1.01.1 0.9
Fuel tank 48 12.7 (US gal) 10.6 (Imp gal)
Item mm (in)
Overall length 3,945 (155.3), 3,963 (156.0)
*
Overall width 1,678 (66.1)
Overall height 1,228 (48.4)
Front tread 1,415 (55.7)
Rear tread 1,440 (56.7)
Wheelbase 2,265 (89.2)
Item Weight
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,337 kg (2,948 lb)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Front
685 kg (1,510 lb)
Rear 675 kg (1,488 lb)
Gas complies with SAE J639 Maximum operating charge
HFC134a (R134a) 0.4 kg (14.1 oz)
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 5 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

11-3
Index
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
D
Dashboard Illumination ................... 5-22
Daytime Running Lights
.................. 5-33
Defroster Rear window
............................. 5-35
Detachable Hardtop
......................... 3-23
Dimensions
...................................... 10-5
Door Locks
......................................... 3-7
Driving In Flooded Area
.................... 4-9
Driving Tips
....................................... 4-6
Automatic transmission
............ 5-14
Break-in period
........................... 4-6
Driving in flooded area
............... 4-9
Hazardous driving
....................... 4-7
Money-saving suggestions
.......... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle
.................... 4-7
Winter driving
............................. 4-8
E
Emergency Starting .......................... 7-13
Flooded engine
.......................... 7-13
Jump-starting
............................ 7-13
Push-starting
............................. 7-15
Emergency Towing
.......................... 7-16
Emission Control System
................... 4-3
Engine Coolant
...................................... 8-15
Exhaust gas
................................. 4-4
Hood release
............................. 3-17
Oil
............................................. 8-13
Overheating
............................... 7-11
Starting
........................................ 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview
...... 8-12
Engine Coolant Overheating
............................... 7-11
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
............................................... 5-20
Exhaust Gas
....................................... 4-4
E
Exterior Care ....................................8-42
F
Flasher Hazard warning
.........................5-36
Headlights
.................................5-31
Flat Tire
..............................................7-3
Changing
.....................................7-5
Spare tire and tool storage
...........7-3
Fluids Classification
.............................10-4
Owner maintenance
...................8-10
Fog Lights
........................................5-32
Foot Brake
..........................................5-4
Front seats
..........................................2-2
Fuel Filler lid and cap
.......................3-15
Gauge
........................................5-21
Requirements
..............................4-2
Tank capacity
............................10-5
Fuses
.................................................8-36
Panel description
.......................8-38
Replacement
..............................8-36
G
Gauges ..............................................5-18
Glove Box
........................................6-62
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 3 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM