brake MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2002 Service Manual

8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Adding Brake Fluid
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.

Inspecting Clutch Fluid Level
Inspect the level in the clutch fluid
reservoir regularly. It should be kept at
MAX.

Adding Clutch Fluid
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
Spilled Brake Fluid:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Brake fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on yourself or on the
engine.
Low Brake Fluid Levels:
Low brake fluid levels are dangerous.
Low levels could signal brake lining
wear or a brake system leak. Your
brakes could fail and cause an
accident. If you find a low fluid level,
have the brakes inspected.
• Brake fluid will damage painted
surfaces. If brake fluid does get on
a painted surface, wipe it off
immediately.
• Using nonspecified brake fluids
(page 10-4) will damage the system.
Mixing different fluids will also
damage it.
If the brake system frequently
requires new fluid, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
CAUTION
Clutch Fluid
Spilled Clutch Fluid:
Spilled clutch fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Clutch fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire. Be careful not to
spill clutch fluid on yourself or on the
engine.
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 18 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-19
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Inspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
Inspect the fluid level at each engine oil
change. Add fluid if necessary; it does not
require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between the H and
L marks.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
1. Park on a level surface, well off the
right-of-way, and set the parking brake
firmly.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
•
Clutch fluid will damage painted
surfaces. If clutch fluid does get on
a painted surface, wipe it off
immediately.
• Using nonspecified clutch fluids
(page 10-4) will damage the system.
Mixing different fluids will also
damage it.
If the clutch system frequently
requires new fluid, it should be
inspected. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer immediately.
NOTE
Low clutch fluid level may signal a
fluid leak. If you find a low fluid level,
have the clutch inspected.
CAUTIONPower Steering Fluid
To avoid damage to the power steering
pump, don
’t operate the vehicle for
long periods when the power steering
fluid level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid
(page 10-4).
CAUTION
Full
Low
OK
Loosen
Tighten
J07L(02MY).book Page 19 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
3. Remove the filler cap and attached dipstick.
4. Wipe them clean and put them back.
5. Remove again and inspect the level.
6. It must be between H and L. Add fluid if necessary.
Don ’t overfill.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Inspecting Automatic
Transmission Fluid Level
The automatic transmission fluid level
should be inspected regularly. Measure it
as described below.
The volume of fluid changes with the
temperature. For that reason, it is best to
examine the level after having driven the
vehicle for 15 minutes. If necessary,
however, it can also be inspected without
driving when the outside temperature is
above 20
°C (70 °F).
1. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake firmly.
2. Idle the engine. Push down on the brake pedal.
3. Move the shift lever through all ranges and set it at P.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF)
•Low fluid level causes transmission
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and
transmission malfunction.
• Use specified fluid (page 10-4). A
nonspecified fluid could result in
transmission malfunction and
failure.
• The vehicle should not be driven if
the fluid level is below the bottom
of the dipstick and the outside
temperature is above 20
°C (70 °F),
or if evident automatic transmission
fluid leaks are found.
CAUTION
J07L(02MY).book Page 20 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-21
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
4. With the engine still idling, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean.
5. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure it is fully seated.
6. Pull the dipstick out and read the fluid level.
The proper fluid level is marked on the
dipstick as follows.
Fluid hot scale
When checking the fluid level at normal
operating temperature, the fluid level
should be within the FULL and LOW
marks on the dipstick. Fluid cold scale
When the vehicle has not been driven but
the engine is idling, and the outside
temperature is above 20
°C (70 °F), the
fluid level should be close to, but not
above, the bottom notch on the dipstick.
Fully insert the dipstick. When adding
fluid, inspect with the dipstick to make
sure it doesn ’t pass full.
Sudden Vehicle Movement:
Shifting the shift lever without first
depressing the brake pedal is
dangerous. The vehicle could move
suddenly and cause an accident.
Make sure the brake pedal is applied
before shifting the shift lever.
WARNING
FULL
LOW
Fluid
cold
scale
NOTE
Use the cold scale as a reference.
NOTE
Inspect both sides of the dipstick for
accurate reading.
J07L(02MY).book Page 21 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-31
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Light Bulbs
Front-turn signal lights/Parking lights
Side-marker lights Interior light
Trunk lights/
License plate lights
High-mount brake light
Rear-turn signal lights Brake lights/Taillights Reverse lights
Headlights
J07L(02MY).book Page 31 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-35
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Replacing a Bulb (Rear)
Rear bulb access
To replace the turn-signal light, brake
light/taillight or reverse light bulb, pull the
center section of the plastic retainer and
remove the retainers and trunk end trim.
J07L(02MY).book Page 35 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-36
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
High-mount brake light
Trunk lights/License plate lights Rear-turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights
Reverse lights
J07L(02MY).book Page 36 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-39
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Fuse Panel Description
Fuse block (Engine compartment)
DESCRIPTION FUSE RATING
PROTECTED COMPONENT
1 HEAD 40A Headlights, Rear defroster, Auto antenna
2 FUEL INJ 30A Fuel injection
3 MAIN 100A For protection of all circuits
4 IG KEY 60A All ignition related circuits
5 BLOWER 30A Blower motor
6 FAN 30A Cooling fan, Additional fan (air conditioner)
7 BTN 1 30A Taillights, Dashboard illumination
8 BTN 2 20A Audio amp, Turn signal lights
9 ABS 20A Antilock brake system
10 STOP 15A Brake lights, Horn, Shift lock
J07L(02MY).book Page 39 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-40
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Fuse panel (Driver’s side)
DESCRIPTION FUSE
RATING PROTECTED
COMPONENT
1 ADD FAN 20A Add fan motor,
Magnet clutch
2 HEAD.LH 15A Headlights (LH)
3 HEAD.RH 15A Headlights (RH)
4 —— —
5ST.SIG 7.5A Instrument
cluster, Cruise
control
6 —— —
7 CIGAR 20A Cigar lighter
8 RADIO 10A Audio
9 F.FOG 15A Fog lights
10 TAIL 15A Taillights, Front
parking lights,
Side-marker
lights
11 ENGINE 15A Engine control
system
12 METER 15A Instrument
clusterDESCRIPTIONFUSE
RATING PROTECTED
COMPONENT
13 TURN 7.5A Turn signal
lights
14 A/B 10A Supplemental
restraint system,
Antilock brake
system
15 WIPER 20A Windshield
wipers and
washer
16 P.WIND 30A Power windows
17 A/C 7.5A Air conditioner
18 HAZARD 10A Turn signal
lights
19 D.LOCK 10A Power door lock
20 AUDIO 20A Audio amp
21 DEFOG 15A Rear defroster
22 ROOM 10A Interior light,
Auto antenna,
Warning buzzers
J07L(02MY).book Page 40 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-44
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material from
the underside of the wings, and make sure
the drain holes in the lower edges of the
doors and rocker panels are clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the finish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Don’t allow soap
to dry on the finish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming. Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.
Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.

Repairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.
Driving with Wet Brakes:
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. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance is
normal.
WARNING
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas even if
the rest of the vehicle doesn
’t need it.
If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced, make
sure the body shop applies anti-
corrosion materials to all parts, both
repaired and new. This will prevent
them from rusting.
CAUTION
J07L(02MY).book Page 44 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM