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

3–62
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at high speed,
and do not allow anyone to stand
behind a wheel when pushing the
vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tyre could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tyre damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever
from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tyre
chains, window scraper, À ares, a small
shovel, jumper leads, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer to check the
following:
 


 Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
  Refer to Engine Coolant on page
6-20 .
 


 Inspect the battery and its leads. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
 


 Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-17 ).
 


 Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
 


 Use washer À uid made with antifreeze—
but do not use engine coolant antifreeze
for washer À uid (page 6-23 ).
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4–27
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge (Without Multi-information
Display)
Indicates engine coolant temperature.
CAUTION
If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light (red) turns on, there is
a possibility of overheating. Park the
vehicle in a safe place immediately and
take appropriate measures. If the vehicle
continues to be driven, it could cause
damage to the engine.
Refer to Overheating on page 7-24 .
NOTE
  During normal driving, the engine
coolant temperature stabilizes at 100
°C (210 °F) or less, and the gauge
indicates a range lower than 100 °C
(210 °F).
  If the engine load increases and the
engine coolant temperature exceeds
100 °C (210 °F), the gauge indicates
the engine coolant temperature.
Fuel Gauge (Without Multi-
information Display)
The fuel gauge shows approximately
how much fuel is remaining in the tank
when the ignition is switched ON. We
recommend keeping the tank over 1/4 full.
Full
1/4 Full
Empty
If the low fuel warning light illuminates or
the fuel level is very low, refuel as soon as
possible.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-42 .
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4–36
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
The blue gauge indicates that the engine
coolant temperature is low, and the red
gauge indicates that the engine coolant
temperature is high and overheating.
CAUTION
If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light (red) turns on, there is
a possibility of overheating. Park the
vehicle in a safe place immediately and
take appropriate measures. If the vehicle
continues to be driven, it could cause
damage to the engine.
Refer to Overheating on page 7-24 .
NOTE
  The temperature unit (Centigrade/
Fahrenheit) of the engine coolant
gauge display changes in conjunction
with the temperature unit of the
outside temperature display.
 Refer to Personalisation Features on
page 9-10 .
  During normal driving, the engine
coolant temperature stabilizes at 100
°C (210 °F) or less, and the gauge
indicates a range lower than 100 °C
(210 °F).
  If the engine load increases and the
engine coolant temperature exceeds
100 °C (210 °F), the gauge indicates
the engine coolant temperature.
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately
how much fuel is remaining in the tank
when the ignition is switched ON. We
recommend keeping the tank over 1/4 full.
Full
1/4 Full
Empty
If the fuel level is low, ( ) and ( ) turn an
amber colour. Refuel as soon as possible.
Refer to Taking Action on page 7-41 .
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4–62
When Driving
Transmission
NOTE
  The accelerator pedal may initially
feel heavy as it is being depressed,
then feel lighter as it is depressed
further. This change in pedal force
aids the engine control system
in determining how much the
accelerator pedal has been depressed
for performing kickdown, and
functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
 
 While the selector lever is in the M
position and the DSC is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch
to automatic shift mode even if
the accelerator pedal is completely
depressed. Operate the selector lever.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight and
grade steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
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4–81
When Driving
Brake
B r a k e S y s t e m
Foot Brake
This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off, ¿ nd a safe place to stop:
Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more effort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause longer
stopping distances or even an accident.
Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills:
Driving with your foot continuously on
the brake pedal or steadily applying the
brakes for long distances is dangerous.
This causes overheated brakes,
resulting in longer stopping distances
or even total brake failure. This could
cause loss of vehicle control and a
serious accident. Avoid continuous
application of the brakes.
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.
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5–7
Interior Features
Air-Conditioning System
WARNING
Do not use the position in cold or
rainy weather:
Using the
position in cold or rainy
weather is dangerous as it will cause
the windows to fog up. Your vision will
be hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident.
Rear window defogger switch
Press the rear window defogger switch to
defrost the rear window.
Refer to Rear Window Defogger on page
4-77 .
Heating
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the outside
air position (indicator light turns off).
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
hot position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
5. If dehumidi¿ ed heating is desired, turn
on the air conditioner.
NOTE
  If the windscreen fogs up easily, set
the mode selector dial to the
position.  If cooler air is desired at face level,
set the mode selector dial at the
position and adjust the temperature
control dial to maintain maximum
comfort.
  The air to the À oor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
Cooling (With air conditioner)
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
cold position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing
the A/C switch.
5. After cooling begins, adjust the fan
control dial and temperature control
dial as needed to maintain maximum
comfort.
CAUTION
If the air conditioner is used while
driving up long hills or in heavy traf¿ c,
monitor the engine coolant temperature
warning light to see if it is illuminated or
À ashing (page 4-42 ).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the warning light is
illuminated or À ashing, turn the air-
conditioning off (page 7-24 ).
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7–1*Some models.7–1
7If Trouble Arises
Helpful information on what to do if a problem arises with the vehicle.
Parking in an Emergency ................... 7-2
Parking in an Emergency ............... 7-2
Roadside Emergency Triangle
Retaining Strap
* ............................. 7-2
Flat Tyre ............................................... 7-3
Flat Tyre
* ........................................ 7-3
Tool Storage ................................... 7-5
Emergency Flat Tyre Repair
Kit
* ................................................. 7-7
Changing a Tyre ........................... 7-14
Battery Runs Out .............................. 7-20
Jump-Starting ............................... 7-20
Emergency Starting .......................... 7-23
Starting a Flooded Engine ............ 7-23
Push-Starting ................................ 7-23
Overheating ....................................... 7-24
Overheating .................................. 7-24
When Fuel-Filler Flap Cannot be
Opened ............................................... 7-26
When Fuel-Filler Flap Cannot be
Opened ......................................... 7-26
Emergency Towing ............................ 7-27
Towing Description ...................... 7-27
Towing Hooks .............................. 7-28 Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning
Sounds ................................................ 7-31
If a Warning Light Turns On or
Flashes .......................................... 7-31
Message Indicated in Multi-
information Display
* .................... 7-46
Message Indicated on Display * .... 7-47
Warning Sound is Activated ......... 7-49
When Boot Lid Cannot be
Opened ............................................... 7-55
When Boot Lid Cannot be
Opened ......................................... 7-55
When the Roof Cannot be Closed.... 7-60
When the Roof Cannot be
Closed .......................................... 7-60
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7–24
If Trouble Arises
Overheating
O v e r h e a t i n g
If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light turns on, the vehicle loses
power, or you hear a loud knocking or
pinging noise, the engine is probably too
hot.
WARNING
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.
Open the bonnet ONLY after steam is
no longer escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light turns on:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Do not go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the bonnet and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the bonnet and idle the engine
until it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it is low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
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7–25
If Trouble Arises
Overheating
I f y o u ¿ nd a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
Coolant reservoir
Cooling fan
Cooling system cap
I f y o u ¿ nd no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
6-20 ).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could
be seriously damaged unless repairs
are made. Consult an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
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7–33
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
Signal Warning
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 park off the right-of-way on level ground.
2. Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the sump.
3. Inspect the engine oil level 6-20 . If it's low, add the appropriate amount of engine
oil while being careful not to over¿ ll.
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 the oil level is normal or after adding oil,
stop the engine immediately and have your vehicle towed to an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
(Red)
High Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Indication/Warning
Light
The light À ashes when the engine coolant temperature is extremely high, and
illuminates when the engine coolant temperature increases further.
Handling Procedure
Flashing light
Drive slowly to reduce engine load until you can ¿ nd a safe place to stop the vehicle
and wait for the engine to cool down.
Illuminated light
This indicates the possibility of overheating. Park the vehicle in a safe place
immediately and stop the engine.
Refer to Overheating 7-24 .
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle with the high engine coolant temperature warning light
illuminated. Otherwise, it could result in damage to the engine.
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