engine overheat MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2002 Owners Manual

4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
•Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
• Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
• If your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don
’t hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don ’t pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
• If you get stuck, shift to 1 or 2 and
accelerate slowly. Don't spin the rear
wheels.
• For more traction in starting, use sand,
rock salt, chains, carpeting, or other
nonslip material under the rear wheels. If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever back and forth from 1 (D) to R.
Hazardous Driving
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear
wheels.
WARNING
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don't spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph) , and
don't allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
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5-5
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Parking Brake
Setting the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then pull the
brake handle fully upward.
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then pull the
handle up and press the button. Lower the
handle to the release position while
holding in the button.
Driving with the Engine Off:
Continuing to drive when the engine
is 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. Don ’t continue
driving when the engine is stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop.
Riding the Brakes:
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.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep hills.
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
Driving with the parking brake on will
cause excessive wear of the brake
linings or pads.
CAUTION
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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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5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Check Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
• The fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
• The engine
’s electrical system has a
problem.
• The emission control system has a
problem.
• The fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light flashes
continuously, decrease your speed and
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.

ABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you
’re driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function
normally as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Don
’t drive with a loose or broken
alternator belt. The engine could
overheat because this belt also drives
the water pump.
CAUTION
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
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6-7
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Heating
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the hot position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
5. If dehumidified heating is desired, turn on the air conditioner.

Cooling (With Air Conditioner)
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
NOTE
•If the windshield 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 floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
1
23
45
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-19).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off.
1
2
34
CAUTION
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7-1
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ........................................................... 7- 2
Parking in an Emergency ......................................................... 7- 2
Flat Tire ........................................................................................ 7- 3
Spare Tire and Tool Storage .................................................... 7- 3
Changing a Flat Tire ................................................................ 7- 5
Overheating ................................................................................. 7-11
Overheating ............................................................................. 7-11
Emergency Starting .................................................................... 7-13
Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-13
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-13
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-15
Emergency Towing ...................................................................... 7-16
Towing Description ................................................................. 7-16
Tiedown Hooks ........................................................................ 7-17
Recreational Towing ................................................................ 7-17
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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
J07L(02MY).book Page 12 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

11-3
Index
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
D
Door Locks ......................................... 3-3
Driving In Flooded Area
.................... 4-9
Driving Tips
....................................... 4-6
Automatic transmission
............ 5-12
Break-in period
........................... 4-6
Driving in flooded area
............... 4-9
Hazardous driving
....................... 4-7
Money-saving suggestions
.......... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle
.................... 4-7
Trailer towing
........................... 4-10
Winter driving
............................. 4-8
E
Emergency Starting .......................... 7-13
Flooded engine
.......................... 7-13
Jump-starting
............................ 7-13
Push-starting
............................. 7-15
Emergency Towing
.......................... 7-16
Emission Control System
................... 4-3
Engine Coolant
...................................... 8-15
Exhaust gas
................................. 4-4
Hood release
............................. 3-10
Oil
............................................. 8-13
Overheating
............................... 7-11
Starting
........................................ 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview
...... 8-12
Engine Coolant Overheating
............................... 7-11
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
5-19
Exhaust Gas
....................................... 4-4
Exterior Care
.................................... 8-43
F
Flasher Hazard warning
.........................5-34
Headlights
.................................5-29
Flat Tire
..............................................7-3
Changing
.....................................7-5
Spare tire and tool storage
...........7-3
Fluids Classification
.............................10-4
Owner maintenance
...................8-10
Fog Lights
........................................5-30
Foot Brake
..........................................5-4
Fuel Filler lid and cap
.......................3-15
Gauge
........................................5-20
Requirements
..............................4-2
Tank capacity
............................10-5
Fuses
.................................................8-37
Panel description
.......................8-39
Replacement
..............................8-37
G
Gauges ..............................................5-17
Glove Box
........................................6-39
H
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................5-34
Hazardous Driving
.............................4-7
Headlights Control
......................................5-29
Flashing
.....................................5-29
High-low beam
..........................5-29
On reminder
..............................5-29
Hood Release
....................................3-10
Horn
..................................................5-33
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