ESP MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2018 Owner's Manual

Introduction
Be careful not to hurt yourself when inspecting your vehicle, replacing a tire, or doing some
kind of maintenance such as car washing.
In particular, wear thick work gloves such as cotton gloves when touching areas that are
difficult to see while inspecting or working on your vehicle. D oing inspections or
procedures with your bare hands could cause injury.

If you are unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you to have a reliable
and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are b est for your vehicle.
Without this expertise and the parts that have been designed an d made especially for your
Mazda, inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient servicing may r esult in problems. This
could lead to vehicle damage or an accident and injuries.

For expert advice and quality service, consult an Authorized Ma zda Dealer.

To continue warranty eligibility and to protect your investment , it is your responsibility to
properly maintain your vehicle according to factory recommended schedules outlined in this
manual. As part of this you mu st keep your maintenance records, receipts, repair orders and
any other documents as evidence this maintenance was performed. You must present these
documents, should any warranty coverage disagreement occur. Fai lure to do so can result in
your warranty being voided ei ther in whole or in part.

This evidence may consist of the following:
The Mazda Scheduled Maintenance Record, refer to the Warranty B ooklet, must be
completely filled out showing mileage, repair order number, dat e for each service, and
signed by a qualified automotive service technician who service vehicles.
Original copies of repair orders or other receipts that include the mileage and date the
vehicle was serviced. Each receipt should be signed by a qualified automotive service
technician.
For self maintenance, a statement that you completed the mainte nance yourself,
displaying mileage and the date t he work was performed. Also, receipts for the
replacement parts (fluid, filters , etc.) indicating the date and mileage must accompany this
statement.

Maintenance and Care
Essential Information
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Owner Maintenance Precautions
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these v ehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.

Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Deale r or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
When Refueling
Brake and clutch fluid level (page 6-26)
Engine coolant level (page 6-24)
Engine oil level (page 6-24)
Washer fluid lev el (page 6-26)
At Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 6-36)
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you hav e some mechanical ability
and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
Engine coolant (page 6-24)
Engine oil (page 6-22)

Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This sec tion gives instructions only
for items that are easy to perform.

As explained in the Introducti on (page 6-2), several procedures can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.

Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affec t warranty coverage.
Refer to Introduction (page 6-2) for owner's responsibility in protecting your investment.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provide d with the vehicle. If you
are 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 envir onment.

We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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WA R N I N G
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 ru nning 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.
Pull over to a safe location, then switch the ignition 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 runn ing is dangerous. The fan could continue running
indefinitely even if the engine has stopped an d 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 co mpartment could cause engine damage or a
fire
leading to an unexpected accident.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Engine Oil
NOTE
Changing the engine oil should be
performed by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Refer to Introduction (page 6-2) for
owner's responsibility in protecting your
investment.
▼Recommended Oil
U.S.A., Canada, and Puerto Rico
Use SAE 0W-20 engine oil.
Mazda Genuine Oil is used in your Mazda
vehicle. Mazda Genuine 0W-20 Oil is
required to achieve optimum fuel
economy.

For maintenance service, Mazda
recommends Mazda Genuine Parts and
Castrol
® (U.S.A. only).


(ILSAC)
Only use SAE 0W-20 oil “Certified For
Gasoline Engines” by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
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), c omprised of U.S.
and Japanese automobile manufacturers.

80
60
40
20
0
–40 –20
30
100
40
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Do not spray water in the engine
compartment. Otherwise, it could result
in engine-starting problems or damage
to electrical parts.
 When washing and waxing the vehicle,
be careful not to apply excessive force to
any single area of the vehicle hood.
Otherwise, you could dent the vehicle.
 Do not use automatic car washing
machines and car washing devices using
high water pressure.
 Make sure that the fuel-filler lid is closed
and lock the doors. Otherwise, the
fuel-filler lid may be forcefully opened by
water pressure causing damage to the
vehicle or fuel-filler lid.
To help protect the finish from rust and
deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.

If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.

Scratches occur on the paint surface when:
The vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign matter.
The vehicle is washed with a rough, dry,
or dirty cloth.
The vehicle is washed at a car wash that
uses brushes that ar e dirty or too stiff.
Cleansers or wax containing abrasives
are used.
NOTE
Mazda is not responsible for scratches
caused by automatic car washes or
improper washing.
Scratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint finishes.
To minimize scratche s on the vehicle's
paint finish:
Rinse off any dirt or other foreign matter
using lukewarm or cold water before
washing.
Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
Rub gently when washing or drying the
vehicle.
Take your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brush es well maintained.
Do not use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
or strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on
chrome-plated or anodized aluminum
parts. This may damage the protective
coating; also, cleaners and detergents
may discolor or deteriorate the paint.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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When the Roof Cannot be Closed
If the roof cannot be closed electrically by pressing the retra ctable hardtop switch, verify the
roof operation conditions first.
Refer to Operation Cond itions on page 3-44.
If the roof cannot be closed even after the operation condition s are all met, have it checked
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If you are unable to have the roof checked at an Authorized Maz da Dealer, the roof can be
closed manually as an emergency measure.
The procedure for manually closing the roof is as follows:
1. Opening the rear roof
Release the locks of the rear roof and open it.
2. Closing the front roof
Lift up the front roof and close it.
3. Closing the rear roof
Tie the ropes to the rear roof links and close the rear roof.
Front roof Rear roof
Rear roof link
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle with the roof partia lly open. The vehicle operation may be affected
by the wind and could result in an accident.
 Do not perform the procedure in a strong wind as it could cause an unexpected accident.
 Two adults are required to perform the procedu re, especially when lifting up the front roof.
Do not do it alone so as not to cause injury or vehicle damage.
If Trouble Arises
When the Roof Cannot be Closed
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Reporting Safety Defects (U.S.A.)
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury
or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Tr affic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Mazda Motor Cor poration (Your Mazda
Importer/Distributor).

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigat ion, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a rec all and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems be tween you, your
dealer, or Mazda Motor Corporation (Your Mazda Importer/Distrib utor).

To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll- free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY:1-800-424-9153); go to http: //www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administrator, NHTSA,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, 20590. You can als o obtain other
information about motor vehicle s afety from http://www.safercar.gov.
NOTE
If you live in the U.S.A., all correspondence to Mazda Motor Corporation should be
forwarded to:

Mazda North American Operations
200 Spectrum Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618
or
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623-9734
Customer Experience Center or toll free at 1 (800) 222-5500

If you live outside of the U.S.A., please c ontact the nearest Mazda Distributor shown (page
8-13) in this manual.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects
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Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and Accessories
Non-genuine parts and accessories for Mazda vehicles can be found in stores.
These may fit your vehicle, but they are not approved by Mazda for use with Mazda
vehicles. When you install non-genuine parts or accessories, th ey could affect your vehicle's
performance or safety systems; th e Mazda warranty doesn't cover this. Before you install
any non-genuine parts or accessories, consult an Authorized Maz da Dealer.
WA R N I N G
Always consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer before you install non-genuine parts or
accessories:
Improperly designed parts or accessories could seriously affect your vehicle's performance or
safety systems. This could cause you to have an accident or increase your chances of injuries
in an accident.
Be very careful in choosing and installing add-on electrical equipment, such as mobile
telephones, two-way radios, stereo systems, and car alarm systems:
Incorrectly choosing or installing improper add-on equipment or choosing an improper
installer is dangerous. Essential systems could be damaged, causing engine stalling, air-bag
(SRS) activation, ABS/TCS/DSC inacti vation, or a fire in the vehicle.
Mazda assumes no responsibility for death, injury, or expenses that may result from the
installation of add-on non-genuine parts or accessories.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Wa r r an t y
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Cell Phones Warning
WA R N I N G
Please comply with the legal regulations concerning the use of communication equipment in
vehicles in your country:
Use of any electrical devices such as cell phones, computers, portable radios, vehicle
navigation or other devices by the driver while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. Dialing a
number on a cell phone while driving also ties-up the driver's hands. Use of these devices will
cause the driver to be distracted and could lead to a serious accident. If a passenger is unable
to use the device, pull off the right-of-way to a safe area before use. If use of a cell phone is
necessary despite this warning, use a hands-free system to at least leave the hands free to
drive the vehicle. Never use a cell phone or othe r electrical devices while the vehicle is moving
and, instead, concentrate on the full-time job of driving.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Cell Phones
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and temperature
performance.
▼ Tr e a d We a r
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test cour
se.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.

The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual condi tions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variation s in driving habits, service
practices and differences in ro ad characteristics and climate.
▼Traction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under contro lled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WA R N I N G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and
does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
▼ Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the hi
ghest), B, and C, represent the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when teste d under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.

Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passeng er vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the labo ratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality G rading System (UTQGS)
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