MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2008 Owners Manual

Black plate (111,1)
15. Connect the rear window defrostercord connector to the plug on the
inside of the hardtop.
NOTE
If the hardtop rattles even when all latches are
secure, drive slowly and contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer for inspection.
qDetachable Hardtop Appearance
Care
Refer to Hardtop Maintenance (page
8-55) for information on detachable
hardtop appearance care.
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Convertible Top (Power Retractable Hardtop)í
The power retractable hardtop opens/closes electrically by operating switches in the
vehicle. When opening/closing the hardtop, the hardtop, deck and window glass operate
together. The hardtop is stored in the storage area under the deck.
Top latch assembly
Close switchOpen switchDeck
Indicator light
Hardtop
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qPower Retractable Hardtop Precautions
WARNING
Always confirm that there are no people around the vehicle before operating the
hardtop:
If the hardtop were to operate unexpectedly, it could result in an accident and
serious injury from someone getting caught in the mechanism.
Always drive safely and observe the speed limit: Rollover accidents on a hardtop vehicle are dangerous. The hardtop is not as strong
as a regular steel roof. Rollover accidents could dislodge or crush the hardtop and
cause serious injuries or even death, just as with no top.
Sit in the seat with the seat belt correctly fastened when the vehicle is moving: Standing in the vehicle, or sitting on the deck or center console when the vehicle is
moving is a dangerous way to ride. During a sudden maneuver or collision you could
be seriously injured or even killed.
Always keep your hands and fingers away from the fastening mechanisms when
moving the hardtop: 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.
CAUTION
ØDo not drive with the hardtop partially opened; this could damage the hardtop or
cause an unexpected accident.
Ø Children should not be allowed to play with the open/close switch.
Ø Do not place objects or cargo around the deck, rear glass, or the hardtop storage
area.
Even small objects may interfere and cause damage.
Ø Remove leaves that accumulate on and around the hardtop. If the leaves are not
removed, they may block the water drainage outlets.
Ø Before opening the hardtop, make sure the rear window defogger switch
(Defroster) is turned off. Otherwise the heat generated from the defogger could
damage the hardtop and the internal material.
Ø When opening/closing the hardtop, verify that there is no obstruction above the
hardtop (about 1.5 m from the ground) so as not to damage the hardtop or the
obstruction.
Ø When opening/closing the hardtop, do not apply any load to the hardtop or the
deck. The opening/closing mechanism of the hardtop may be damaged.
lOpen/close the hardtop with the vehicle parked on level ground in a safe place where the
vehicle does not obstruct traffic. If the hardtop is opened/closed on a slope or bump, the
opening/closing mechanism of the hardtop may be damaged.
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lBefore opening or closing the hardtop, stop in a safe place off the right-of-way and park
on a level surface.
lWhen opening the hardtop, make sure objects inside the vehicle are not blown away by
the wind.
lSecure all loose objects inside before driving with the hardtop down.lTo help prevent burglary or vandalism and to ensure that the passenger compartment
stays dry, close the hardtop securely and lock both doors when leaving the vehicle.
lDo not drive through an automatic car wash as it may damage the hardtop.lDo not open or close the hardtop when the temperature is below 5 °C (41 °F) as it this
will damage the hardtop material.
lOpening the hardtop while it is wet can also cause water to drip into the passenger
compartment.
lDo not open or close the hardtop in a strong wind as it could damage the hardtop.
qOperation Indicator Light
When illuminated
This notifies the driver that the hardtop is
only partially open.
When flashing
This indicates that the hardtop is being
open/closed. (During button operation)
When not illuminated
This indicates that the hardtop is open/
closed fully.
NOTE
If the operation indicator light flashes quickly,
there may be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qOperation Conditions
If the following conditions have been
satisfied, the hardtop can be opened/
closed.
lThe vehicle is parked on a level surface
off the right-of-way and the parking
brake is firmly set.
lThe ignition switch is in the ON
position.
lPut a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in Park (P) or Neutral (N),
a manual transmission in Neutral.
lThe trunk lid is closed.
NOTE
If the power retractable hardtop cannot be
closed even after the operation conditions are
all met, have it checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
The hardtop can be closed manually as an
emergency measure.
Refer to The Power Retractable Hardtop Does
not Close on page 3-58.
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qOpening the Power Retractable
Hardtop
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 Neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed.
4. Start the Engine.
NOTE
Do not open/close the hardtop with the engine
stopped. Otherwise the vehicle's battery power
could be depleted.
5. With the lock release button depressed, pull the top latch outward to unlock.
Top latch
Unlock button
6. Verify that the operation indicator lightis illuminated and the lock is detached. 7. Press and hold the open button until the
hardtop opens completely.
NOTElWhen the open switch is pressed, a beep
sound is heard.
lThe hardtop keeps opening and the
operation indicator light flashes while the
open switch is pressed.
lIf the switch is released while the hardtop is
opening, the hardtop stops opening. If the
switch is pressed again, the hardtop
resumes opening.
8. The deck opens.
NOTE
If the windows are closed, the windows
automatically open partially when the deck
opens.
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9. The hardtop opens.
10. The hardtop retracts under the deck.
11. The deck closes.
NOTE
When the operation is finished, a beep sound is
heard and the operation indicator light turns
off.
qClosing the Power Retractable
Hardtop
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 Neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed.
4. Start the Engine.
NOTE
Do not open/close the hardtop with the engine
stopped. Otherwise the vehicle's battery power
could be depleted.
5. Press and hold the close button until the hardtop closes completely.
NOTElWhen the close switch is pressed, a beep
sound is heard.
lThe hardtop keeps closing and the
operation indicator light flashes while the
close switch is pressed.
lIf the switch is released while the hardtop is
closing, the hardtop stops closing. If the
switch is pressed again, the hardtop
resumes closing.
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6. The deck opens.
NOTE
If the windows are closed, the windows
automatically open partially when the deck
opens.
7. The hardtop comes out from under thedeck.
8. The hardtop closes.
9. The deck closes.
NOTElWhen the operation is finished, a beep
sound is heard and the operation indicator
light illuminates.
lThe power windows cannot be closed
automatically.
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10. Move the top latch slowly to makesure the anchor engages with the
striker, then rotate the top latch to the
lock position until a click sound is
heard.
Striker
Anchor
CAUTION
Driving with the hardtop not fully
locked could damage the hardtop.
If the red indicator is visible on the
unlock button, the hardtop is not
locked. After locking the hardtop,
verify that the red indicator is not
visible.
Locked position
Unlocked position Red indicator
NOTElThe operation indicator light turns off when
the top latch hook is locked.
lIf the hardtop is not closed properly even
with the top latch locked, contact Mazda to
have it inspected.
q The Power Retractable Hardtop
Does not Close
If the hardtop cannot be closed electrically
by pressing the close switch, verify the
power retractable hardtop operation
conditions first.
Refer to Operation Conditions on page
3-54.
If the power retractable hardtop cannot be
closed even after the operation conditions
are all met, have it checked at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If you are unable to have the hardtop
checked at an Authorized Mazda Dealer,
the hardtop can be closed manually as an
emergency measure.
The procedure for manually closing the
hardtop is as follows:
1. Release the locks of the deck and open
it. (Refer to Opening the deck)
2. Lift up the hardtop and close it. (Refer to Closing the hardtop)
3. Tie the ropes to the deck links and close the deck. (Refer to Closing the
deck)
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CAUTION
ØDo not drive the vehicle with the
hardtop open halfway.
Ø Do not perform the procedure in a
strong wind as it could cause an
unexpected accident.
Ø Two adults are required to
perform the procedure, especially
when lifting up the hardtop. Do
not do it alone so as not to cause
injury or vehicle damage.
Ø Some steps in the procedure
require using multiple tools at the
same time and a certain level of
technical expertise. In addition,
holding your body extended over
the car can result in muscle strains
so Mazda recommends having the
hardtop checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Use a suitable means of illumination, such as a
flashlight, to improve visibility under the deck
lid when performing this task.
Before closing manually
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 the ignition switch to the LOCK position while depressing the brake
pedal.
4. Turn on the hazard warning flasher if it is needed.
WARNING
Verify that the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position before manually
operating the hardtop: Manually retracting the hardtop with
the ignition switch not in the LOCK
position is dangerous as the retractor
motors could turn on suddenly and
cause injury resulting from hands or
fingers being pinched in the
mechanism.
Manual closing
Tool preparation
Locate the following tools in the glove
box.
Refer to Tool Storage on page 7-5.
Rope
Eyebolt
Allen wrench
Opening the deck
1. Remove the antenna if it is installed.
Refer to Detachable Type on page 6-9.
CAUTION
Do the procedure with the antenna
removed. The antenna may be
damaged if it is left installed.
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NOTElThe gear units on both sides have to be
unlocked to release the deck before it is
raised manually. Because the deck is heavy,
two adults are required to raise it.
lThe following describes the procedure for
the gear unit on one side. Perform the
procedure on both sides.
2. Insert the Allen wrench into the Allensocket in the bolt head that is pointed
forward of the gear unit located under
the deck lid as shown in the figure.
Deck
Bolt
Gear unit
Allen wrench
NOTE
The gear units are located underneath the
deck.
Bolt
3. Use the eyebolt to get enough torque on the short leg of the Allen wrench
and turn the Allen wrench 4 times
counterclockwise.
Allen wrench
Eyebolt
4. Disconnect the eyebolt from the Allen wrench leaving the Allen wrench in
place, and insert the threaded end of
the eyebolt in the hole directly above
the Allen socket and tighten it
clockwise two full turns.
Eyebolt
Bolt
Thread hole
NOTE
Tighten the eyebolt with the Allen wrench
inserted. The Allen wrench can serve as a
reference for inserting the eyebolt more easily.
5. Remove the bolt, which is loosened
using the Allen wrench, by turning it
counterclockwise.
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