check oil MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2004 Owners Manual

3-17
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Opening the Hood
1. With the vehicle parked, pull the
release handle to unlock the hood. 2. Pull the hood latch up and lift the hood.
3. Use the support rod to hold the hood
open.

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. Insert the support rod in its clip while holding up the hood. Verify that the
support rod is secured in the clip before
closing the hood.
3. Close the hood so that it locks securely.
Hood
Closed and Securely Locked Hood:
A hood that is not closed and securely
locked is dangerous as it could fly
open while the vehicle is moving and
block the driver ’s vision which could
result in a serious accident. Always
check that the hood is closed and
securely locked.
WARNING
Release handleClip
Support rod
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4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
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
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 5 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized 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
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5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
If the needle on the gauge doesn
’t move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3. If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it ’s low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn ’t move, have
your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Don ’t run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
CAUTION
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6-36
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

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
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6-57
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

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
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 57 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

8-9
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
I:Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
T: Tighten
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHASSIS and BODY
*5 This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper blades), and power windows.
*6 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.
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
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Evaporative system IIIIIIII
All electrical system
*5IIIIIIII
Brake pedals and clutch pedals IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connections IIIIIIII
Clutch fluid IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*6IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
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 R
Rear differential oil RR
Front and rear suspension and
ball joints IIII
Automatic transmission fluid
level IIIIIIII
Drive shaft dust boots IIII
Bolts and nuts on chassis and
body TTTTTTTT
Body condition (for rust,
corrosion and perforation)
(except Australian model) Inspect annually
Exhaust system heat shields Inspect every 80,000 km (50,000 miles)
Tire (including spare tire)(with
inflation pressure adjustment) IIIIIIII
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8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.It’s OK between L and F.
But if it ’s near 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 drain plug washer after the oil has thoroughly drained.
4. Reinstall the plug tightly.
5. Fill the engine with new oil to the F mark on the dipstick.
6. Securely reinstall the oil-filler cap.
7. Start the engine and inspect around the drain plug for leaks.
8. 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. 8S15-EA-03G
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
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. Carefully
inspect the engine coolant in the
coolant reservoir, but do not open it.
Do not use a match or live flame in
the engine compartment. DO NOT
ADD COOLANT WHEN THE
ENGINE IS HOT.
Cooling Fan and Engine
Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the
ignition switch in the ON position is
dangerous. The cooling fan could
turn on unexpectedly even when the
engine isn ’t running. You could be
seriously injured by the fan. Turn the
ignition switch off and remove the key
from the ignition switch when you
inspect the engine.
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.
WARNING
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10-5
Specifications
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

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

Dimensions
*With license plate holder

We i g h t s

Air Conditioner
Item Unit
L US qt Imp qt
Engine oil With oil filter
3.84.0 3.3
Without oil filter 3.63.8 3.2
Coolant 6.06.3 5.3
Manual transmission oil 5-Speed transmission 2.0
2.11.8
6-Speed transmission 1.8 1.91.6
Automatic transmission fluid 6.77.1 5.9
Rear differential oil 1.01.1 0.9
Fuel tank 48 12.7 (US gal) 10.6 (Imp gal)
Item mm (in)
Overall length 3,945 (155.3), 3,963 (156.0)
*
Overall width 1,678 (66.1)
Overall height 1,228 (48.4)
Front tread 1,415 (55.7)
Rear tread 1,440 (56.7)
Wheelbase 2,265 (89.2)
Item Weight
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,337 kg (2,948 lb)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Front
685 kg (1,510 lb)
Rear 675 kg (1,488 lb)
Gas complies with SAE J639 Maximum operating charge
HFC134a (R134a) 0.4 kg (14.1 oz)
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 5 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM