run flat MAZDA MODEL MX-5 2006 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (54,1)
lDriving into a big hole or hitting the far
side of a hole.
Limitations to front air bag activation
Depending on the severity of impact, the
front air bags may not inflate in the
following cases:
lImpacts involving trees or poles cause
severe cosmetic damage but may not
have enough stopping force to activate
the air bag.
lFrontal offset impact to the vehicle
may not provide the stopping force
necessary for air bag deployment.
lRear-ending or running under a truck's
tail gate may not provide the stopping
force necessary for air bag deployment.
Non-activation of front air bags
Front air bags will not normally inflate in
the following cases:
lCollision from the rear.
lImpact to the side, but it may deploy
the side air bags.
lVehicle roll-over, may deploy the side
air bags but not the front air bags.
2-42
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page54
Monday, April 18 2005 4:17 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (121,1)
Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
lDon't race the engine.
lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.
lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.
lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.
lKeep the tires properly inflated.
lDon't carry unnecessary weight.
lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.
lKeep windows closed at high speeds.
lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Coasting:
Stopping the engine when going down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident. Never stop the engine when
going down a hill.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page121
Monday, April 18 2005 4:17 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (157,1)
NOTE
lPerform tire pressure adjustment
when the tires are cold. Tire pressure
will vary according to the tire
temperature, therefore let the vehicle
stand for 1 hour or only drive it 1.6
km (1 mile) or less before adjusting
the tire pressures. When pressure is
adjusted on hot tires to the cold
inflation pressure, the TPMS
warning light/beep may turn on after
the tires cool and pressure drops
below specification.
Also, an illuminated TPMS warning
light, resulting from the tire air
pressure dropping due to cold
ambient temperature, may go out if
the ambient temperature rises. In this
case, it will also be necessary to
adjust the tire air pressures. If the
TPMS warning light illuminates due
to a drop in tire air pressure, make
sure to check and adjust the tire air
pressures.
lAfter adjusting the tire air pressures,
it may require some time for the
TPMS warning light to go out. If the
TPMS warning light remains
illuminated, drive the vehicle at a
speed of at least 25 km/h (16 mph)
for 10 minutes, and then verify that it
goes out.
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture.
Refer to Vehicle with run-flat tires on
page 7-3.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qFlat Tire Warning Light
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Warning light illuminates/Warning
beep sounds
If the tire pressures decrease extremely
after the TPMS warning light has
illuminated, or if a tire is punctured, the
flat tire warning light also illuminates, and
a beep sound will be heard for
approximately 30 seconds.
Refer to Vehicle with run-flat tires on
page 7-3.
qSystem Error Activation
When the TPMS warning light flashes,
there may be a system malfunction.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
A system error activation may occur in
the following cases:
lWhen there is equipment or a device
near the vehicle using the same radio
frequency as that of the tire pressure
sensors.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-29
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page157
Monday, April 18 2005 4:18 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (173,1)
Adjust the tire pressure to the correct tire
pressure at an Authorized Mazda Dealer
or the nearest service station. Refer to the
specification charts (page 10-6).
CAUTION
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be damaged.
NOTE
lPerform tire pressure adjustment
when the tires are cold. Tire pressure
will vary according to the tire
temperature, therefore let the vehicle
stand for 1 hour or only drive it 1.6
km (1 mile) or less before adjusting
the tire pressures. When pressure is
adjusted on hot tires to the cold
inflation pressure, the TPMS
warning light/beep may turn on after
the tires cool and pressure drops
below specification.
Also, an illuminated TPMS warning
light, resulting from the tire air
pressure dropping due to cold
ambient temperature, may go out if
the ambient temperature rises. In this
case, it will also be necessary to
adjust the tire air pressures. If the
TPMS warning light illuminates due
to a drop in tire air pressure, make
sure to check and adjust the tire air
pressures.
NOTE
lAfter adjusting the tire air pressures,
it may require some time for the
TPMS warning light to go out. If the
TPMS warning light remains
illuminated, drive the vehicle at a
speed of at least 25 km/h (16 mph)
for 10 minutes, and then verify that it
goes out.
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qFlat Tire Warning Lightí
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Warning light illuminates/Warning
beep sounds
If the tire pressures decrease extremely
after the TPMS warning light has
illuminated, or if a tire is punctured, the
flat tire warning light also illuminates, and
a beep sound will be heard for
approximately 30 seconds.
Refer to Vehicle with run-flat tires on
page 7-3.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-45íSome models. MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page173
Monday, April 18 2005 4:18 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (231,1)
Flat Tire
Either run-flat tires or conventional tires
are equipped on your Mazda depending
on the specification, therefore the
procedure for repairing a flat tire differs
depending on the type of tire. Before
driving, make sure which type of tire is
equipped on your Mazda. If you cannot
identify your tire type, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qHow to identify your tire type
Run-flat tire
A run-flat tire has a“RFT”mark on the
side wall.
Conventional tire
A conventional tire does not have a
“RFT”mark on the side wall.
qVehicle with run-flat tires
WARNING
Vehicle Handling When Flat Tire
Warning Light Illuminates:
When the flat tire warning light
illuminates or the tire pressure
warning beep sound is heard, it is
dangerous to drive the vehicle at high
speeds, or perform sudden
maneuvering or braking. Vehicle
drivability could worsen and result in
an accident.
When the flat tire warning light
illuminates or the tire pressure
warning beep sound is heard, decrease
vehicle speed immediately and avoid
sudden maneuvering and braking.
Have the tires checked or perform the
appropriate repair as soon as possible
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If a run-flat tire is punctured, the FLAT
TIRE warning light illuminates in the
instrument cluster, and a beep sound is
heard for about 30 seconds.
NOTE
Until the flat tire is changed, the beep
sound is heard for about 30 seconds
every time the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-3
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page231
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (232,1)
Vehicles with run-flat tires can be driven
even with a punctured tire under the
following conditions.
Maximum vehicle speed with a
punctured run-flat tire: 90 km/h (55
mph)
Maximum driving distance with a
punctured rum-flat tire: 80 km (49
miles)
CAUTION
The maximum driving distance may be
shorter depending on the driving
conditions.
If a run-flat tire is punctured, carefully
drive the vehicle to the nearest Mazda
Dealer and have the tire changed.
NOTE
lA spare tire or Instant Mobility
System (IMS) emergency flat tire
repair kit is not equipped on vehicles
with run-flat tires as standard.
lReplacing a punctured run-flat tire
with a new run-flat tire is
recommended.
lDo not use run-flat tires and
conventional tires on the same
vehicle.
qVehicle with conventional tires
If the following occurs while driving, it
could indicate a flat tire.
lSteering becomes difficult.
lThe vehicle begins to vibrate
excessively.
lThe vehicle pulls in one direction. If a
conventional tire is punctured, refer to
“Tool Storage”(page 7-5) and“Instant
Mobility System (IMS) Emergency
Flat Tire Repair Kit”(page 7-6).
7-4
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page232
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (234,1)
qJack
To remove the jack
1. Turn the knob and remove the cover.
2. Turn the wing bolt counterclockwise.
Wing bolt
Jack
To secure the jack
Perform the removal procedure in reverse.
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat
Tire Repair Kit
í
The IMS emergency flat tire repair kit
included with your Mazda is for a
temporary repair of a slightly damaged
flat tire resulting from running over nails
or similar sharp objects on the road
surface.
NOTE
Your vehicle is not equipped with a
spare tire. In the event of a flat tire, use
the emergency flat tire repair kit to
repair the tire temporarily. When doing
the repair, refer to the instructions
included in the emergency flat tire
repair kit. After temporarily repairing a
tire with the emergency flat tire repair
kit, take your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the tire replaced.
7-6
In Case of an Emergency
íSome models.
Flat Tire
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page234
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (240,1)
NOTE
lCheck the tire inflation pressure label
(driver's door frame) for the correct
tire inflation pressure.
lDo not use the compressor for longer
than 10 minutes because using the
compressor for long periods could
damage it.
lIf the tire does not inflate, repair of
the tire may not be possible. If the
tire does not reach the correct
inflation pressure within a 10-minute
period, it probably has received more
extensive damage. When this
happens, the emergency flat tire
repair kit cannot be used to repair the
tire. Contact an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
lIf the tire has been over-inflated,
loosen the screw cap on the
compressor and bleed some of the air
out.
17. When the tire has been inflated to the
proper inflation pressure, turn the
compressor switch off and remove the
compressor hose from the tire valve.
18. Install the tire valve cap.
19. Put the emergency flat tire repair kit
in the trunk and continue driving.
CAUTION
lDrive carefully to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer and keep the vehicle
speed below 80 km/h (50 mph).
lIf the vehicle is driven 80 km/h (50
mph) or higher, the vehicle might
begin to vibrate.20. After driving the vehicle for 10
minutes or 5 km (3 miles), check the
tire pressure with the tire pressure
gauge equipped with the compressor.
If the tire pressure has fallen below
the correct tire pressure, inflate the
tire to the correct pressure again
following the steps from number 15.
CAUTION
lIf the tire inflation pressure falls
below 130 kPa (1.3 kgf/cm2or bar,
18.9 psi), repair cannot be done with
the repair kit. Park the vehicle on a
level surface off the right-of-way and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf the tire inflation pressure
continues to remain low after
repeating steps 14 to 21, park the
vehicle on a level surface off the
right-of-way and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
When checking the tire inflation
pressure with the tire pressure gauge on
the compressor unit, make sure the
compressor switch is turned off.
21. If the tire inflation pressure remains
stable, the tire repair is complete.
Drive the vehicle with care to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
tire replaced.
7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page240
Monday, April 18 2005 4:19 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (298,1)
2. On the side the bulb is to be replaced,
pull the center section of the plastic
retainers and remove them, then
remove the trunk side trim.
Removal
Installation
3. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
4. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
Brake lights/Taillights
Rear turn signal lights
Reverse lights
5. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
qReplacing Interior Light Bulbs
Overhead light
1. Wrap a flathead screwdriver with a soft
cloth to prevent damage to the trim and
gently insert it in the overhead light as
shown in the figure, and then remove
the cover.
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
8-40
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page298
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F

Black plate (299,1)
Trunk light
1. Wrap a flathead screwdriver with a soft
cloth to prevent damage to the trim and
gently insert it in the luggage
compartment light as shown in the
figure, and then remove the luggage
compartment light unit.
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Fuses
Your vehicle's electrical system is
protected by fuses.
If any lights, accessories, or controls don't
work, inspect the appropriate circuit
protector. If a fuse has blown, the inside
element will be melted.
If the same fuse blows again, avoid using
that system and consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
qFuse Replacement
Replacing the fuses on the vehicle's left
side
If the electrical system doesn't work, first
inspect fuses on the vehicle's left side.
1. Turn off the ignition switch and other
switches.
2. Remove the cover.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-41
MX-5_8U35-EA-05F_Edition1 Page299
Monday, April 18 2005 4:20 PM
Form No.8U35-EA-05F