steering MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2006 Owner's Guide

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8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3 Scheduled Maintenance (North America) ................................. 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (Except North America) ..................... 8-8
Owner Maintenance .................................................................... 8-11 Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................. 8-11
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-12
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-14
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-15
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-18
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-21
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-22
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-22
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-23
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-24
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-25
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-27
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-30
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-35
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-43
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-48 How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-48
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-50
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-54
8-1
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Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Disc brakes IIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*3Inspect annually
Steering operation and linkages II
Front and rear suspension and ball joints II
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil R
Driveshaft dust boots II
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLL
Chart symbols
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean
Remarks
*1 Use FL22 type coolant in vehicles with the inscription “FL22 ”on the radiator cap itself or the surrounding
area. Use FL22 when replacing the coolant.
*2 According to state/provincial 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/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*3Inspect annually
Steering operation and linkages II
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension and ball joints II
Manual transmission oil RR
Rear differential oil RR
Driveshaft dust boots II
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Chart symbols
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
C: Clean
Remarks
*1 Use FL22 type coolant in vehicles with the inscription “FL22 ”on the radiator cap itself or the surrounding
area. Use FL22 when replacing the coolant.
*2 According to state/provincial 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/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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qSchedule
Maintenance
Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 ×1000miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Engine valve clearance Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy, adjust
Engine oil
*1RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter*1RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Drive belts*2IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Cooling system IIIIIIII
Engine coolant FL22 type
*3R
Others Replace every 2 years
Air filter
*4CCRCCRCC
Fuel filter Replace every 60,000 km (37,500 miles)
Fuel lines and hoses IIIIIIII
Spark plugs Replace every 100,000 km (62,500 miles)
Evaporative system (if installed) IIIIIIII
Battery electrolyte level and
specific gravity IIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connections IIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*5IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
Parking brake IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit (Brake booster)
and hoses IIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power steering fluid, lines, hoses
and connections IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages IIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil R R
Front and rear suspension and
ball joints IIII
Driveshaft dust boots IIII
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 80,000 km (50,000 miles)
Bolts and nuts on chassis and
body TTTTTTTT
Body condition
(for rust, corrosion and perfora-
tion) Inspect annually
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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Maintenance
IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 ×1000miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Tire
(with inflation pressure adjust-
ment) IIIIIIII
Flat tire repair kit (if installed)
*6Inspect annually
Chart symbols
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
T: Tighten
C: Clean
Remarks
*1 If 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
*2 Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.
*3 Use FL22 type coolant in vehicles with the inscription “FL22 ”on the radiator cap itself or the surrounding
area. Use FL22 when replacing the coolant.
*4 If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, clean and if necessary, replace the air filter more often than the recommended intervals.
*5 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.
*6 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date.
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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Owner Maintenance Schedule
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.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-21)
lEngine coolant level (page 8-18)
lEngine oil level (page 8-16)
lWasher fluid level (page 8-22)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-30)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lPower steering fluid level (page 8-22)
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.
lAir filter (page 8-24)
lEngine coolant (page 8-18)
lEngine oil (page 8-16)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Engine Compartment Overview
Engine oil dipstick
Engine oil filler cap
Brake fluid reservoir / Clutch
fluid reservoir (only for manual
transmission model)
Washer fluid reservoir Cooling system capBattery
Engine coolant reservoir Power steering fluid cap
Air filter Fuse block
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Power Steering Fluid
qInspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the power steering
pump, don't operate the vehicle for long
periods when the power steering fluid
level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid
(page 10-4).
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine off
and cold. Add fluid if necessary; it does
not require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Washer Fluid
q Inspecting Washer Fluid Level
WARNING
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result
in an accident. Use only windshield
washer fluid or plain water in the
reservoir.
Using Washer Fluid Without Anti-
freeze Protection in Cold Weather:
Operating your vehicle in
temperatures below 4 degrees C (40
degrees F) using washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection is dangerous as
it could cause impaired windshield
vision and result in an accident. In
cold weather, always use washer fluid
with anti-freeze protection.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict
the use of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), which are commonly used as
anti-freeze agents in washer fluid. A
washer fluid with limited VOC content
should be used only if it provides
adequate freeze resistance for all
regions and climates in which the
vehicle will be operated.
8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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CAUTION
Limited-Slip Differential system;
don't use the following:
lTires not of the designated size
lTires of different sizes or types at the
same time
lTires not sufficiently inflated
If these instructions aren't followed, the
rotation of the left and right wheels will
be different and will thus apply a
constant load on the limited-slip
differential.
This will cause a malfunction.
q Replacing a Tire
WARNING
Worn Tires:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
Always use tires that are in good
condition.
CAUTION
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be damaged.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
lWhen tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the sidewalls are
used, the system may not function
correctly even with a genuine wheel.
Refer to System Error Activation on
page 5-30.
lBe sure to install the tire pressure
sensors whenever tires or wheels are
replaced.
Refer to Tires and Wheels on page
5-30.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator
will appear as a solid band across the
tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
New tread Tread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace it before the band is
across the entire tread.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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NOTE
lIf the halogen bulb is accidentally
touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.
lUse the protective cover and carton
of the replacement bulb to dispose of
the old bulb promptly out of the
reach of children.
Low-beam bulbs
(Xenon fusion bulbs)
You cannot replace the low beam bulbs by
yourself.
The bulbs must be replaced at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Halogen bulbs)
NOTE
Replacing low-beam halogen bulbs is
difficult therefore contacting an
Authorized Mazda Dealer is
recommended.
1. If you are changing the right headlight bulb, start the engine, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the left, and turn
off the engine. If you are changing the
left headlight bulb, turn the steering
wheel to the right. 2. Turn the screws counterclockwise and
remove them.
3. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainers counterclockwise and remove
them, then remove the mudguard.
Removal
Installation
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb by pulling it to the rear.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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