engine coolant MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2002 Owners Manual

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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5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
1 Speedometer .............................................................................................................5-18
2 Odometer and Trip Meter .........................................................................................5-18
3 Tachometer ...............................................................................................................5-19
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .........................................................................5-19
5 Fuel Gauge ................................................................................................................5-20
6 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge .......................................................................................5-20
Meters and Gauges
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5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
NOTE
• Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
• The trip record will be erased when;

The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
 The vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
Don ’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
Red zone
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page 7-
11).
CAUTION
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7-11
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, you experience power loss,
or you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
If this happens:
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.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner. 4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment, don ’t go near the front
of the vehicle. Stop the engine. Then
turn the ignition switch to the ON
position without starting the engine.
The radiator cooling fans will start to
cool the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping, open the hood and idle the
engine until it cools. If this doesn ’t
lower the temperature, stop the engine
and let it cool.
5. Visually inspect the alternator/water pump drive belt for looseness and
breakage and all cooling hose
connections for leaks. If the belt is
broken or coolant is leaking, call an
Authorized Mazda Dealer for
assistance.
6. If the drive belt is OK, the engine is cool, and no coolant leaks are obvious,
inspect the coolant level. Carefully add
coolant as required (page 8-15).
Overheating
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
WARNING
Cooling system cap
Engine coolant
reservoir
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7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Cooling System Cap:
When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Don’t remove the
cooling system cap when the engine
and radiator are hot.
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made.
WARNING
CAUTION
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8-1
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction ................................................................................. 8- 2
Introduction ............................................................................. 8- 2
Scheduled Maintenance .............................................................. 8- 3
Scheduled Maintenance (North America) ............................... 8- 3
Scheduled Maintenance (Except North America) ................... 8- 7
Owner Maintenance .................................................................... 8-10
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................. 8-10
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-11
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-12
Engine Oil ................................................................................ 8-13
Engine Coolant ........................................................................ 8-15
Brake Fluid .............................................................................. 8-17
Clutch Fluid ............................................................................. 8-18
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ...................................... 8-20
Washer Fluid ............................................................................ 8-22
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-23
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-23
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-24
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-26
Tires ......................................................................................... 8-27
Light Bulbs .............................................................................. 8-31
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-37
Appearance Care ......................................................................... 8-41
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage ..................... 8-41
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-43
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-48
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8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Schedule 1
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.)
R: Replace
L : Lubricate
*: According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance
services be performed at the recommended time or kilometrage (mileage) period to ensure long-term
reliability.
Maintenance Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first 6 12182430364248
× 1000 Km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
(× 1000 Miles) (7.5) (15) (22.5) (30) (37.5) (45) (52.5) (60)
Engine valve clearance I
Engine timing belt Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Drive belt (tension) II
Engine oil RRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 72,000km (45,000miles) or 36 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Idle speed II
Air filter RR
Fuel lines and hoses
*II
Hoses and tubes for emission
*I
Spark plugs RR
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Disc brakes II
Steering operation and linkages II
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil R
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body II
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLL
Refrigerant amount (if installed) IIII
Compressor operation (if installed) IIII
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8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Schedule 2
I
: Inspect: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.)
R: Replace
L :Lubricate
*: According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance
services be performed at the recommended time or kilometrage (mileage) period to ensure long-term
reliability.
Maintenance Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
× 1000 Km 8 1624324048566472808896
(× 1000 Miles) (5) (10) (15) (20) (25) (30) (35) (40) (45) (50) (55) (60)
Engine valve clearance I
Engine timing belt Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Drive belts (tension) II
Engine oil Puerto Rico Replace every 5,000km (3,000miles) or 3 months
others RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 72,000km (45,000miles) or 36 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant level IIIIIIIIIIII
Idle speed II
Air filter I
*R
I *R
Fuel lines and hoses*II
Hoses and tubes for emission*I
Spark plugs RR
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Brake and clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages II
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil RR
Rear differential oil RR
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body IIII
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
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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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