maintenance MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2003 User Guide

8-1
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
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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8-2
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Introduction
Be extremely careful and prevent injury to yourself and others or damage to your vehicle
when using this manual for inspection and maintenance.
If you’re unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you to have a reliable
and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are best for your vehicle.
Without this expertise and the parts that have been designed and made especially for your
Mazda, inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient servicing may result in problems. This
could lead to vehicle damage or an accident and injuries.
For expert advice and quality service, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The owner should retain evidence that proper maintenance has been performed as
prescribed.
Claims against the warranty resulting from lack of maintenance, as opposed to defective
materials or authorized Mazda workmanship, will not be honored.
Any auto repair shop using parts equivalent to your Mazda ’s original equipment may
perform maintenance. But we recommend that it always be done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer using genuine Mazda parts.
Introduction
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8-3
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Scheduled Maintenance
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
apply.
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 (Canada and Puerto Rico residents follow Schedule 2).
•Repeated short-distance driving
• Driving in dusty conditions
• Driving with extended use of brakes
• Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
• Driving on rough or muddy roads
• Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
• Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
Scheduled Maintenance (North America)
NOTE
After the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
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8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Schedule 1
I:
Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
CHASSIS and BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if equipped)
*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 mileage period to ensure long-term reliability.
Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers
(miles), whichever comes first)Months 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 CCRC
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 IIII
Compressor operation IIII
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8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Schedule 2
I:
Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
C: Clean
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
*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 mileage period to ensure long-term reliability. Maintenance Interval
(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 CCRC
Fuel lines and hoses
*II
Hoses and tubes for emission*I
Spark plugs RR
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
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8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
CHASSIS and BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM(if equipped) Maintenance Interval
(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
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
Refrigerant amount IIII
Compressor operation IIII
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8-7
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Emission control and related systems
The ignition and fuel systems are highly important to the emission control system and to
efficient engine operation. Don’t tamper with them.
All inspections and adjustments must be made by a qualified technician. We strongly
recommend that all servicing related to these systems be done by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Scheduled Maintenance (Except North America)
NOTE
• After the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
• As the result of visual examination or functional measurement of a system
’s
operation (performance), correct, clean, or replace as required. (Inspect, and if
necessary replace the air filter)
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8-8
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
I:Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
C: Clean
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
*1Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.*2Replacement 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.
*3If 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.
*4If 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.
Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers (miles),
whichever comes first) Months 6 121824303642485460667278849096
× 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
*1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Engine timing belt*2Replace every 100,000 km (60,000 miles)
Engine oil*3RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter*3RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system IIIIIIII
Engine coolant Replace every 2 years
Idle speed IIIIIIII
Air filter
*4
except
Australian
model CCRCCRCC
Australian
model CRCRC
Fuel filter except
Australian
model
RRRR
Australian
model RRR
Fuel lines and hoses IIIIIIII
Spark plugs RRRRR
Evaporative system IIIIIIII
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8-9
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
I:Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
T: Tig hten
L: Lubricate
EXHAUST EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHASSIS and BODY
*5If 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.
*6This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper
blades), and power windows.
Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers (miles),
whichever comes first) Months 6 121824303642485460667278849096
× 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
E.G.R. system IIIIIIII
All electrical system
*6 IIIIIIII
Head light alignment IIIII
Brake pedals and clutch pedals IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections IIIIIIII
Clutch fluid IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*5I I IRI I IRI I IRI I IR
Parking brake IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit and hoses IIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power steering fluid and lines IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and gear housing IIIIIIII
Steering linkages, tie rod ends and arms IIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil RR
Rear differential oil RR
Front and rear suspension and ball joints IIII
Automatic transmission fluid level IIII III
Automatic transmission fluid RRR
Wheel nuts TTTTTTTT
Drive shaft dust boots IIII
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body TTTTTTTT
Exhaust system heat shields IIII
Tire (including spare tire)
(with inflation pressure adjustment) IIIIIIII
Hinges and catches LLLLLLLL
Road test IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
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8-10
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Owner Maintenance
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.

When Refueling
• Brake and clutch fluid level (page 8-17)
• Engine coolant level (page 8-15)
• Engine oil level (page 8-13)
• Washer fluid level (page 8-22)


At Least Monthly
• Tire inflation pressures (page 8-28)


At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
• Automatic transmission fluid level (page 8-20)
• Power steering fluid level (page 8-19)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
• Air filter (page 8-23)
• Engine coolant (page 8-15)
• Engine oil (page 8-14)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
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