brake MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2003 Owners Manual

1-2
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Dashboard Overview
Hood release handle
Climate control systemCup holder
Glove box
Shift lever
Parking brake
Audio system
Passenger-side air bag
Hazard warning flasher switch
Fog lights switch Lighting control/Turn signals Instrument cluster
Driver-side air bag
Wiper and washer lever
Ignition switch Ashtray
Center console
Power window
switches
Cruise control switches
Cruise main switch(page 2-20)
(page 5-17)
(page 5-30)
(page 5-14)
(page 5-31) (page 5-32)
(page 5-14)
(page 5-35)
(page 6-10)
(page 5-10)
(page 6-40)
(page 3-13)
(page 3-16)
(page 5-2)
(page 6-2) (page 5-5)
(page 6-38) (page 6-39) (page 6-40)
(page 2-20)
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 2 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

1-4
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Exterior Overview
Door and keys
Outside mirrors
Side-marker lights
Headlights
Fuel-filler lid
Tires
Windshield wiper blades
Washer fluid
Hood
Front turn signal lights/
Parking lights Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights
Power windows Antenna
Rear window defroster
Trunk lid
High-mount brake light
License plate
lights
Reverse lights
Convertible top
(page 3-9)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35) (page 5-34)
(page 3-2)
(page 8-27)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35) (page 3-14)
(page 6-10)
(page 3-17)
(page 8-24)
(page 8-22)
(page 3-16)
(page 8-34) (page 8-32) (page 8-34) (page 3-31) (page 3-13)
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 4 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

3-18
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
•Before lowering or raising the top, stop
in a safe place off the right-of-way and
park on a level surface.
• Make sure nothing is on the top or near
the back window when raising or
lowering the top.
Even small objects may interfere and
cause damage.
• When lowering the top, make sure
objects inside the vehicle aren
’t blown
away by the wind.
• Secure all loose objects inside before
driving with the top down.
• To help prevent burglary or vandalism
and to ensure that the passenger
compartment stays dry, close the top
securely and lock all doors when
leaving the vehicle.
• Don
’t drive through an automatic car
wash; it may damage the top.
• Don
’t raise or lower the top when the
temperature is below 5 °C (41 ° F) ; this
will damage the top material.
• Don
’t lower the top when it ’s wet. If
the top dries while folded, it will
deteriorate and shrink.
• Lowering the top while it
’s wet can
also cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.
• Don
’t raise or lower the top when the
wind is strong; the wind could damage
the top.
Lowering the Convertible Top
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Remove all objects in the top storage area.
Objects in the Storage Area:
Putting heavy or sharp objects in the
top storage area is dangerous.
During a sudden stop or collision,
they can become projectiles that
might hit and injure passengers.
Don ’t place heavy or sharp objects in
the top storage area.
Sunvisor Sunvisor
WARNING
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 18 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

3-20
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
5. Insert the top covering’s rear edge into
the groove in the body molding.

Raising the Convertible Top
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Undo the fasteners and straps. 5. Remove the top covering and store it
properly in the trunk.
6. Unlock the top latches and open them fully.
7. Hold the top lift handle and pull the top up and forward until it ’s against the
windshield header.
8. After securely hooking the top latches onto the windshield header, push each
latch up with the palm of your hand
until the lock buttons click and the
latches are locked.
Never drive with the top partially
folded or uncovered. Otherwise the top
and/or the top covering could be
damaged.
Top covering
Body
Molding
CAUTION
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Windshield header
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 20 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

3-23
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
•Before removing or installing the
hardtop, stop in a safe place off the
right-of-way and park on a level
surface.
• When removing the hardtop, make sure
objects inside the vehicle aren
’t blown
away by the wind.
• Secure all loose objects inside before
driving with the hardtop removed.
• Don
’t drive through an automatic car
wash; it may damage the hardtop.
• Don
’t remove or install the hardtop
when the wind is strong; the wind
could damage the hardtop.
• When removing the hardtop, make sure
the operation is performed by 2
persons.
• Before removing the hardtop, lower the
antenna.
• Removing the hardtop while it
’s wet
can cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.

Removing the Detachable
Hardtop
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Push the unlock buttons and fully release the top latches.Fa s t e n i n g M e c h a n i s m s :
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanisms. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
WARNING
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Unlock button
Top latch
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 23 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

3-25
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Installing the Detachable
Hardtop
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Unlock the top latches and the side latches on the hardtop.
•
Be careful not to strike the body
with any of the protruding hardtop
latches.
• Use extreme care when carrying the
hardtop to prevent scratching or
other damage to it.NOTE
Points to remember when storing the
detachable hardtop.
•Do not place the hardtop on a hard
surface, such as concrete or asphalt.
Place it on a cushioning material,
such as an old blanket.
• Be sure the top and side latches are
locked.
• Do not lean the hardtop against a
wall or stand it in an unstable way.
• Store the hardtop in a dry clean
area, and cover it with a soft
material, such as an old blanket.
Do not attempt to install the hardtop
with the convertible top also up.
Lower the convertible top before
installing the hardtop, otherwise
damage will occur to the convertible
top.
CAUTION
CAUTION
NOTE
• Be sure to place the convertible top
latches in the locked position.
• Make sure the convertible top is
completely lowered before
installing the hardtop. Also confirm
that the rear window defroster
coupler is disconnected.
Sunvisor
Sunvisor
Top latch assembly
Slide latch assembly
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 25 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
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?
• Is the seat adjusted properly?
• 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
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 5 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Driving Tips
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
•Don
’t race the engine.
• Don
’t maintain one constant speed for
long.
• Don
’t drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
• Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
• Avoid full-throttle starts. How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
•
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
• Avoid fast starts.
• Keep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
• Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
• Slow down on rough roads.
• Keep the tires properly inflated.
• Don
’t carry unnecessary weight.
• Don
’t rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
• Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
• Keep windows closed at high speeds.
• Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
Break-In PeriodMoney-Saving Suggestions
Coasting:
Turning off the engine to coast down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control. Any loss of steering or
braking control could cause an
accident. Never turn off the engine
and coast down a hill.
WARNING
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 6 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
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 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
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 7 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
•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 in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don
’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4.3
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.
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.
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
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 8 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM