check oil MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2002 Owners Manual

3-11
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
3. Use the support rod to hold the hood open.
Before closing the hood, secure the rod in
its clip.

Closing the Hood
1. Check under the hood area to make
certain all filler caps are in place and
all loose items (e.g. tools, oil
containers, etc.) have been removed.
2. Close the hood so that it locks securely.

Key-Operated Trunk
To open the trunk lid, insert the key into
the slot and turn it clockwise.
To close, use both hands to push the lid
down until the lock snaps shut. Don
’t
slam it.
Then pull up on it to make sure it ’s secure.
Clip
Support rod
Trunk Lid
Open Trunk and Exhaust Gas:
Exhaust gas in the cabin of a vehicle
is dangerous. This gas contains CO
(carbon monoxide), which is
colorless, odorless, and highly
poisonous. If inhaled, it can cause
loss of consciousness and death.
Because exhaust gas can get into the
cabin through an open trunk, keep
the trunk closed when driving.
WARNING
Open
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4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirror
(s), and outside lights are clean.
• Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
• Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
• If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way. •
Are all doors closed and locked?
• Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
• Is everyone
’s seat belt fastened?
• Do all the lights work?
• Check all gauges.
• Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
• Release the parking brake and make
sure the parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask a Mazda dealer to perform the
following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Use only cold-weather engine oil
(page 8-13).
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze
—but don ’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-22).
• Don
’t use the parking brake if it might
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.

Snow Tires
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter months.
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don
’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 28 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4
psi) more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver ’s door), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle’ s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
WARNING
CAUTION
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6-35
Interior Comfort
Audio System
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Error Indications
If you see an error indication on the display, find the cause in the chart. If you cannot clear
the error indication, take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Indication
Cause Solution
CHECK MD MD is inserted upside down Insert the MD properly. If the error indication does
not disappear, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
CHECK MD MD is defective Insert another MD properly. If the error indication
does not disappear, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer
CHECK CD CD is inserted upside down Insert the CD properly. If the error indication does
not disappear, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
CHECK CD CD is defective Check the CD for scratches or soiling
J07L(02MY).book Page 35 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

8-8
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.)
R : Replace
T: Tighten
L : Lubricate
*1: Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.
*2: Replacement of the timing belt is required at every 100,000 km {60,000 miles}. Failure to replace the timing belt may result in damage to the engine.
*3: If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the engine oil and oil filter more often than recommended intervals.
a) Driving in dusty conditions.
b) Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
c) Driving for long period in cold temperatures or driving regularly at short distance only.
*4: If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, inspect and if necessary, clean or replace the air filter more often than the recommended intervals.
*5: If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving)
or if the vehicle is operated in extremely humid climates, change the brake fluid annually.
*6: This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper blades), and power windows.
Maintenance
Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 121824 30 36 42485460667278849096
× 1000 Km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
(× 1000 Miles) (6) (12) (18) (24) (30) (36) (42) (48) (54) (60) (66) (72) (78) (84) (90) (96)
Engine valve clearance Inspect every 100,000 km (60,000 miles) or 60 months
Drive belts
*1IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
Engine timing belt*2Replace every 100,000 km (60,000 miles)
Engine oil*3RRRR R R RRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter*3RRRR R R RRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system II I IIIII
Engine coolant Replace every 2 years
Idle speed II I IIIII
Air filter
*4IR I RIRIR
Fuel filter R RRR
Fuel lines and hoses II I IIIII
Spark plugs R R RRR
Evaporative system II I IIIII
E.G.R. system II I IIIII
All electrical system
*6 II I IIIII
Head light alignment I I III
Brake pedals and clutch pedals IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connections II I IIIII
Clutch fluid IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*5I I IR I I IRI I IRI I IR
Parking brake IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit and hoses II I IIIII
Disc brakes IIII I I IIIIIIIIII
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8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
5. Pull it out again and examine the level. It’s OK between L and F.
But if it ’s near at or below L, add
enough oil to bring the level to F.
6. Make sure the O-ring is positioned properly before reinserting the
dipstick.
The distance between L and F on the
dipstick represents the following:

Changing Engine Oil and Filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Please act responsibly
—protect the
environment and take used oil to a
recycling facility. Ask your dealer or a
service station for information. Changing engine oil
1. Warm up the engine for a few minutes
and turn it off. Remove the oil-filler
cap.
2. Remove the drain plug and drain the oil into a suitable container.
3. Replace the plug tightly after the oil has thoroughly drained.
4. Fill the engine with new oil to the F mark on the dipstick.
5. Securely replace the oil-filler cap.
6. Start the engine and inspect around the drain plug for leaks.
7. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan.
Don
’t add engine oil over F. This may
cause engine damage.
L (US qt, Imp qt) 0.8 (0.85, 0.70)
Handling Used Engine Oil:
Continuous contact with used engine
oil is dangerous. It could cause skin
cancer. Always wash with soap and
water immediately after changing oil
and filter.
CAUTION
WARNING
Checking or Changing Engine Oil:
Hot engine oil is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, the engine
oil becomes very hot. You could be
seriously burned. Don ’t check or
change the engine oil when the
engine is hot.
WARNING
Tighten
Loosen
Drain plug
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8-15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
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
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.
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. Don
’t
inspect the coolant system or add
coolant when the engine is hot.
WARNING
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10-5
Specifications
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

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

Dimensions
Unit: mm (in)
*With license plate holder

We i g h t s
Unit: kg (lb)
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR: Gross Axle Weight Rating
Unit
Item L US qt Imp qt
Engine oil With oil filter 3.8 4.0 3.3
Without oil filter 3.6 3.8 3.2
Coolant 6.0 6.3 5.3
Manual
transmission oil 5-Speed
transmission
2.0 2.1 1.8
6-Speed
transmission 1.8 1.9 1.6
Automatic transmission fluid 6.7 7.1 5.9
Rear differential oil 1.0 1.1 0.9
Fuel tank L US gal Imp gal
48 12.7 10.6
Overall length 3,945 (155.3), 3,963 (156.0)
*
Overall width 1,678 (66.0)
Overall height 1,228 (48.4)
Front tread 1,415 (55.7)
Rear tread 1,440 (56.7)
Wheelbase 2,265 (89.2)
GVWR 1,335 (2,943)
GAWR Front
685 (1,570)
Rear 670 (1,477)
J07L(02MY).book Page 5 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM