flat tire MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2005 Owners Manual

Black plate (85,1)
Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing is in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch
fluid, washer fluid, and other fluid
levels should be inspected. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?
lIs the seat adjusted properly?
lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?
lCheck all gauges.
lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
4-7
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page85
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:24 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G

Black plate (86,1)
Break-In Period
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.
lDon't race the engine.
lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.
lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
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.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.
lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.
lKeep the tires properly inflated.
lDon't carry unnecessary weight.
lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.
lKeep windows closed at high speeds.
lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Coasting:
Stopping the engine when going down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident. Never stop the engine when
going down a hill.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page86
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:24 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G

Black plate (88,1)
Winter Driving
lCarry 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:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lUse only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-15).
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze ―but don't use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-25).
lDon'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.
q Snow Tires
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 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.
4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page88
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:24 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G

Black plate (199,1)
7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ............................................................. 7-2Parking 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
7-1
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page199
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:25 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G

Black plate (201,1)
Spare Tire and Tool Storage
Spare tire and tools are stored in the locations illustrated in the diagram.
Lug wrenchSpare tire Jack handle Jack
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-3
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page201
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:25 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G

Black plate (202,1)
qJack
To remove the jack
Turn the wing bolt counterclockwise.
To secure the jack
Perform the removal procedure in reverse.
qSpare Tire
Your Mazda has a temporary spare tire.
The temporary spare tire is lighter and
smaller than a conventional tire, and is
designed only for emergency use and
should be used only for VERY short
periods. Temporary spares should
NEVER be used for long drives or
extended periods.
WARNING
Driving with a Temporary Spare Tire
on Ice or Snow:
Driving with a spare tire on the rear
(driving) wheels on ice or snow is
dangerous. Handling will be affected.
You could lose control of the vehicle
and have an accident. Put the spare
tire on the front axle and move a
regular tire to the rear.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the temporary
spare or to the vehicle, observe the
following precautions:
lDon't exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).
lAvoid driving over obstacles.
Also, don't drive through an
automatic car wash. This tire's
diameter is smaller than a
conventional tire's, so the ground
clearance is reduced about 25 mm (1
in).
lDon't use a tire chain on this tire
because it won't fit properly.
lDon't use your temporary spare on
any other vehicle; it has been
designed only for your Mazda.
lUse only one temporary spare tire on
your vehicle at the same time.
(With limited slip differential)
When using the temporary spare tire on
the rear axle, replace it with a standard
tire as soon as possible. The size
difference between the spare and the
standard tire will cause the limited slip
differential to malfunction.
7-4
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page202
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:25 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G

Black plate (203,1)
To remove the spare tire
Turn the tire hold-down bolt
counterclockwise with the lug wrench.Changing a Flat Tire
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it
could indicate a flat tire.
lSteering becomes difficult.
lThe vehicle begins to vibrate
excessively.
lThe vehicle pulls in one direction.
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.
WARNING
Jacking a Vehicle:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure someone.
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a
jack.
Passenger in Vehicle Supported by a
Jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury. Never allow anyone inside a
vehicle supported by a jack.
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-5
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page203
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:25 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G

Black plate (204,1)
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Reverse (R) or 1, and
turn off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire (page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a block both in front and behind
the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or
wood blocks of sufficient size to hold
the tire in place.
qRemoving a Flat Tire
1. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn each, but
don't remove any lug nuts until the tire
has been raised off the ground.
2. Place the jack under the jacking
position closest to the tire being
changed.
Jacking position
7-6
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page204
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:25 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G

Black plate (205,1)
WARNING
Incorrect Jacking Position:
Attempting to jack the vehicle in
positions other than those
recommended in this manual is
dangerous. The vehicle could slip off
the jack and seriously injure or even
kill someone. Use only the front and
rear jacking positions recommended
in this manual.
Improper Jack:
Using a jack that isn't designed for
your Mazda is dangerous. The vehicle
could slip off the jack and seriously
injure someone. Use only the jack
provided with your Mazda.
Placing Objects Under the Jack:
Jacking the vehicle with an object
under the jack is dangerous. The jack
could slip and someone could be
seriously injured by the jack or the
falling vehicle. Never place objects
under the jack.
3. Insert the jack handle into the jack. 4. Turn the jack handle clockwise and
raise the vehicle high enough so that
the spare tire can be installed. Before
removing the lug nuts, make sure your
Mazda is firmly in position and that it
cannot slip or move.
5. Remove the lug nuts by turning themcounterclockwise; then remove the
wheel.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-7
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page205
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:25 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G

Black plate (206,1)
qLocking Lug Nutsí
If your vehicle has optional antitheft
wheel lug nuts, one on each wheel will
lock the tires and you must use a special
key to unlock them. This key is attached
to the lug wrench and is stored with the
spare tire. Register them with the lock
manufacturer by filling out the card
provided in the glove box and mailing it
in the accompanying envelope. If you lose
your key, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer or use the lock manufacturer's
order form, which is with the registration
card.
Antitheft lug nut Special key
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Get the key for the locking lug nut.
2. Place it on top of the nut, and be sure
to hold the key square to it. If you hold
the key at an angle, you may damage
both key and nut. Don't use a power
impact wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
To replace the nut
1. Place the key on top of the nut.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the key,apply pressure, and turn it clockwise.
qMounting the Spare Tire
1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.
WARNING
Removing Dirt and Grime from
Wheels, Hubs and Hub Bolts:
When changing or replacing a tire,
not removing dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub
and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug
nuts could loosen while driving and
cause the tire to come off, resulting in
an accident. Make sure the mounting
surfaces of the wheel, hub and lug
nuts are clean before changing or
replacing tires.
2. Mount the spare tire.
7-8
In Case of an Emergency
íSome models.
Flat Tire
MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page206
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:25 AM
Form No.8T72-EA-04G