engine oil MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2012 User Guide

Black plate (351,1)
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 8-22)lEngine coolant level (page 8-20)lEngine oil level (page 8-19)lWasher fluid level (page 8-23)
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 8-23)
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.
lEngine coolant (page 8-20)lEngine oil (page 8-18)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-15
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page351
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (352,1)
Owner Maintenance Precautions
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions only
for items that are easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 8-2), several procedures can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If
you're unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and fluids. Please
dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Do not perform maintenance work if you lack sufficient knowledge and experience or
the proper tools and equipment to do the work. Have maintenance work done by a
qualified technician:Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You
can be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures.
If you must run the engine while working under the hood, make certain that you
remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and all
neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or cooling
fan which may turn on unexpectedly: Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even
more dangerous when you wear jewelry or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
Switch the ignition to off and make sure the fan is not running before attempting to
work near the cooling fan: Working near the cooling fan when it is running is dangerous. The fan could
continue running indefinitely even if the engine has stopped and the engine
compartment temperature is high. You could be hit by the fan and seriously injured.
Do not leave items in the engine compartment: After you have finished checking or doing servicing in the engine compartment, do
not forget and leave items such as tools or rags in the engine compartment.
Tools or other items left in the engine compartment could cause engine damage or a
fire leading to an unexpected accident.
8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page352
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (353,1)
Engine Compartment Overview
Engine oil dipstick
Engine oil filler cap Brake fluid reservoir / Clutch
fluid reservoir
Washer fluid reservoir Cooling system capBattery
Engine coolant reservoir Power steering fluid cap
Air filter
Fuse block
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-17
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page353
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (354,1)
Engine Oil
NOTE
Changing the engine oil should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qRecommended Oil
Use SAE 0W-20 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
Mazda recommends Mazda Genuine
Parts. For optimal engine performance,
there are certain types of engine oils and
filters suitable for your vehicle. Please
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline
Engines ”by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark
symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards
and fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC),
comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
80
60
40
20
0
–40 –20
30
120
100
5040
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
Mazda recommends Mazda Genuine Parts
and Castrol (Mexico). For optimal engine
performance, there are certain types of
engine oils and filters suitable for your
vehicle. Please consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page354
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (355,1)
Except U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil. If SAE 5W-20
engine oil is not available in your market, use
SAE 5W-30 engine oil. Mexico
The quality designation SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label.
80
60
40
20
0
–40 –20
30
120
100
5040
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
q
Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan. 4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
Full
OK
Low
Type A
Full
OK
Low
Type B
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.The level is normal if it is between
Low and Full.
If it is near or below Low, add enough
oil to bring the level to Full.
CAUTION
Do not add engine oil over Full. This
may cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
The distance between Low and Full on the
dipstick represents the following:
Oil capacity
L (US qt, Imp qt) 0.75 (0.79, 0.66)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-19
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page355
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (359,1)
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
Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir:
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.
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.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-23
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page359
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (360,1)
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing.
Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
8-24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page360
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (393,1)
Thoroughly rinse with lukewarm or cold
water. Don't allow soap to dry on the
finish.
Waxing
Wax the hardtop when water no longer
beads on the paint. Always wash and dry
it before waxing.
CAUTION
ØWiping off dust or dirt with a dry
cloth will scratch the finish.
Ø Don't use abrasive wax. This may
damage the protective coating and
discolor or deteriorate the paint.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar
materials will usually also take off the wax.
Rewax these areas.
q Plastic Part Maintenance
lWhen cleaning the plastic lenses of the
lights, do not use gasoline, kerosene,
rectified spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolor or damage the
surfaces resulting in a significant loss
in functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, flush with water
immediately.
lIf plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fluids such as
gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery
fluid, it could cause discoloration,
staining, or paint peeling. Wipe off any
such chemical agents or fluids using a
soft cloth immediately.
lHigh water temperature and high water
pressure car washers are available
depending on the type of high pressure
car washer device. If the car washer
nozzle is put too close to the vehicle or
aimed at one area for an extended
period of time, it could deform plastic
parts or damage the paint.
lDo not use wax containing compounds
(polish). Otherwise, it could result in
paint damage.
lIn addition, do not use an electrical or
air tool to apply wax. Otherwise, the
frictional heat generated could result in
deformation of plastic parts or paint
damage.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-57
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page393
Monday, July 18 2011 10:9 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (444,1)
Specifications
qEngine
Item Specification
Type DOHC-16V in-line, 4-cylinder
Bore×Stroke 87.5 × 83.1 mm (3.44 × 3.27 in)
Displacement 1,999 ml (1,999 cc, 122.0 cu in)
Compression ratio 10.8
qElectrical System
Item Classification
Battery 12V-36AH/5HR
Spark-plug number NGK ILTR6A13G
Spark-plug gap 1.25―1.35 mm (0.049 ―0.053 in)
CAUTION
When cleaning the iridium plugs, do not use a wire brush. The fine particulate
coating on the iridium alloy and platinum tips could be damaged.
q Lubricant Quality
Lubricant Classification
Engine oil Refer to Recommended Oil on page 8-18.
Manual transmission
oil 5-speed
transmission
Any temperature
API Service
GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 75W-90
Above 10 °C (50 °F) API Service
GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 80W-90
6-speed transmission API Service
GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 75W-90
Automatic transmission fluid Mazda Genuine JWS3309
Rear differential oil API Service
GL-5
SAE 90
80W-90
75W-90
*1
Power steering fluid Mazda Genuine ATF M-III or equivalent
(e.g. Dexron® II)
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
*1 Not available from Mazda
10-4
Specifications
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page444
Monday, July 18 2011 10:10 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F

Black plate (445,1)
qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Item Capacity
Engine oil With oil filter
replacementU.S.A. and
Canada6-speed manual
transmission
4.55 L (4.81 US qt, 4.00 Imp qt)
Except 6-speed manual
transmission 4.45 L (4.70 US qt, 3.92 Imp qt)
Except U.S.A. and Canada 4.55 L (4.81 US qt, 4.00 Imp qt)
Without oil filter replacement 4.05 L (4.28 US qt, 3.56 Imp qt)
Coolant U.S.A. and
Canada5-speed manual transmission 7.3 L (7.7 US qt, 6.4 Imp qt)
6-speed manual transmission 7.6 L (8.0 US qt, 6.7 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission
7.2 L (7.6 US qt, 6.3 Imp qt)
Except U.S.A.
and Canada 6-speed manual transmission 7.6 L (8.0 US qt, 6.7 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission
7.5 L (7.9 US qt, 6.6 Imp qt)
Manual transmission oil 5-speed transmission
2.0 L (2.1 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
6-speed transmission 2.1 L (2.2 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission fluid 7.4 L (7.8 US qt, 6.5 Imp qt)
Rear differential oil 0.7 L (0.7 US qt, 0.6 Imp qt)
Fuel tank 48.0 L (12.7 US gal, 10.6 Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.
q Dimensions
Item Vehicle specification
Overall length With license plate holder
4,032 mm (158.7 in)
Without license plate holder 4,013 mm (158.0 in)
Overall width 1,720 mm (67.7 in)
Overall height Soft top
1,245 mm (49.0 in)
Hardtop 1,255 mm (49.4 in)
Front tread 1,490 mm (58.7 in)
Rear tread 1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Wheelbase 2,330 mm (91.7 in)
qWeights
(Manual transmission)
Item Weight
Without power retractable hardtop With power retractable
hardtop
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,396 kg (3,078 lbs) 1,416 kg (3,122 lbs)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Front 714 kg (1,574 lbs) 714 kg (1,574 lbs)
Rear 682 kg (1,504 lbs) 702 kg (1,548 lbs)
Specifications
10-5
MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page445
Monday, July 18 2011 10:10 AM
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F