MAZDA MODEL MX-5 RF 2017 Owners Manual (in English)

6–13
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
WARNING
Do not perform maintenance work if you lack suf¿ cient knowledge and experience
or the proper tools and equipment to do the work. Have maintenance work done by a
quali¿ ed technician:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You can
be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures.
If you must run the engine while working under the bonnet, make certain that you
remove all jewellery (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and all
neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or cooling
fan which may turn on unexpectedly:
Working under the bonnet with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even more
dangerous when you wear jewellery or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
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 inde¿ nitely 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 leave items in the engine compartment:
After you have ¿ nished checking or doing servicing in the engine compartment, do not
forget and leave items such as tools or rags in the engine compartment.
Tools or other items left in the engine compartment could cause engine damage or a ¿ re
leading to an unexpected accident.
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6–14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Bonnet
WARNING
Always check that the bonnet is closed
and securely locked:
A bonnet that is not closed and securely
locked is dangerous as it could À y open
while the vehicle is moving and block
the driver's vision which could result in
a serious accident.
Opening the Bonnet
WARNING
(With active bonnet)
Do not pull the bonnet's release handle
after the active bonnet has activated:
Pulling the release handle while the
active bonnet is operating is dangerous
as it will raise the bonnet further and
obstruct vision. In addition, the bonnet
cannot be lowered manually, therefore
do not attempt to forcefully push the
bonnet back down. Otherwise, it could
deform the bonnet or cause injury.
If the active bonnet has activated,
always consult an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer. 1. With the vehicle parked, pull the
release handle to unlock the bonnet.
Release handle
2. Insert your hand into the bonnet
opening, slide the latch lever to the
right, and lift up the bonnet.
Lever
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6–15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
3. Grasp the support rod in the padded
area and secure it in the support rod
hole indicated by the arrow to hold the
bonnet open.
Pad
Support rod
Clip
Closing the Bonnet
1. Check under the bonnet area to make
certain all ¿ ller caps are in place and all
loose items (e.g. tools, oil containers,
etc.) have been removed.
2. Lift the bonnet, grasp the padded area
on the support rod, and secure the
support rod in the clip. Verify that the
support rod is secured in the clip before
closing the bonnet.
Clip Pad
3. Lower the bonnet slowly to a height of
about 20 cm (7.9 in) above its closed
position and then let it drop.
CAUTION
When closing the bonnet, do not push
it excessively such as by applying your
weight. Otherwise, the bonnet could be
deformed.
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6–16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Engine Compartment Overview
Windscreen washer fluid reservoirBrake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Engine oil dipstick
Battery
Fuse blockCooling system cap
Engine coolant reservoir Engine oil-filler cap
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6–17
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Engine Oil
NOTE
Changing the engine oil should be done by an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Recommended Oil
In order to keep the maintenance interval (page 6-3 ) and to protect the engine from
damage caused by poor lubrication, it is vitally important to make use of engine oil with
the correct speci¿ cation. Do not use oils which do not meet the following speci¿ cations or
requirements. Use of unsuitable oil may lead to engine damage which is not covered by the
Mazda Warranty.
Temperature Range SAE Viscosity Numbers
Mazda Original Oil Ultra 5W-30
API SL/SM/SN or ACEA A3/A5 Mazda Original Oil Supra 0W-20
Alternative Oil QualityRecommended oils
–30 –20 –10 0
1020 30
40
–200
2040
60
80100
–40
–40
Grade
5W-30 0W-20
Europe
Grade
API SG/SH/SJ/SL/SM/SN or
ILSAC GF-II/GF-III/GF-IV/GF-VTemperature Range SAE Viscosity Numbers
–30 –20 –10 0
1020 30
40
–200
2040
60
80100
–40
–40
Except Europe
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6–18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Engine oil viscosity, or thickness, has an effect on fuel economy and cold-weather operation
(starting and oil À ow).
Low-viscosity engine oils can provide improved fuel economy and cold-weather
performance.
When choosing an oil, consider the temperature range your vehicle will operate in before
the next oil change.
Then select the recommended viscosity from the chart.
CAUTION
Using oils of viscosity besides those recommended for speci¿ c temperature ranges could
result in engine damage.
NOTE
It is normal for all engines to consume engine oil under normal driving conditions.
Engine oil consumption may be as high as 0.8 L/1,000 km (1 L/800 miles). This may
be as a result of evaporation, internal ventilation or burning of the lubricating oil in the
working engine. Oil consumption may be higher when the engine is new due to the
running-in process. Oil consumption is also dependant on engine speed and engine load.
Under extreme driving conditions, oil consumption may be higher.
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6–19
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Vehicle Engine Control Unit Reset Procedure
NOTE
This procedure is intended for vehicles with the engine oil À exible maintenance setting
selected.
After replacing the engine oil, have a repair shop such as an Authorised Mazda Repairer
perform the initialization (engine oil data resetting) of the recorded value. If the value
recorded by the computer is not initialized, the wrench indicator light may not turn off or it
may turn on earlier than normal.
NOTE
The initialization (engine oil data resetting) of the recorded value can be performed using
the following procedure:
1. Switch the ignition OFF.
2. Switch the ignition ON with the selector pressed, and press and hold the selector for
about 5 seconds until the master warning light
À ashes. 
Selector
3. After the master warning light À ashes for several seconds, the initialization is
completed.
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6–20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal
operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes
for the oil to return to the sump.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
MIN MAX
OK
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.
The level is normal if it is between the
MIN and MAX marks.
If it is near or below MIN, add enough
oil to bring the level to MAX.
CAUTION
Do not over¿ ll the engine oil. This may
cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is
positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
7. Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Engine Coolant
Inspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
Do not use a match or live À ame 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 inde¿ nitely 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.
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6–21
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
NOTE
Changing the coolant should be done
by an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer.
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 travelling
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 protection and to bring the
level to FULL.
Securely tighten the coolant reservoir tank
cap after adding coolant.
CAUTION
  Radiator coolant will damage paint.  Rinse it off quickly if spilled.


 Use only soft (demineralised) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant's effectiveness.
  Do not add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
  The engine has aluminium parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
  DO NOT USE coolants Containing
Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
 These coolants could damage the
cooling system.
  DO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol
with the coolant. This could damage
the cooling system.
  Do not use a solution that contains
more than 60% antifreeze.
 This would reduce effectiveness.
 
 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.
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6–22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult
an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer. Brake/Clutch Fluid
Inspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid
Level
WARNING
If the brake/clutch À uid level is low,
have the brakes inspected:
A low brake/clutch À uid 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 À uid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the À uid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept between the
MAX and MIN lines.
The level normally 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 expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
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