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

▼Replacing a Tire
WA R N I N G
Always use tires that are in good condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and traction
could result in an accident.
Replace all four tires at the same time:
Replacing just one ti
re is dangerous. It
could cause poor handling and poor
braking resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Mazda strongly recommends that you
replace all four tires at the same time.
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 the tire before the band
crosses the entire tread.
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when they
are not being used on the road. It is
recommended that tires generally be
replaced when they are 6 years or older.
Heat caused by hot climates or frequent
high loading conditions can accelerate the
aging process. The period in which the tire
was manufactured (both week and year) is
indicated by a 4-digit number.
Refer to Tire Labeling on page 8-25.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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▼Replacing a Wheel
WA R N I N G
Always use wheels of the correct size on
your vehicle:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is dangerous.
Braking and handling could be affected,
leading to loss of control and an accident.
CAUTION
A wrong-sized wheel may adversely
affect:
 Tire fit
 Wheel and bearing life
 Ground clearance
 Snow-chain clearance
 Speedometer calibration
 Headlight aim
 Bumper height
 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
NOTE
When replacing a wheel, make sure the
new one is the same as the original
factory wheel in diameter, rim width,
and offset (inset/outset).
For details, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.

Proper tire balancing provides the best
riding comfort and helps reduce tread
wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
vibration and uneven wear, such as
cupping and flat spots.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Water Marks
Occurrence
Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can
contain harmful minerals such as salt and
lime. If moisture containing these minerals
settles on the vehicle and evaporates, the
minerals will concentrate and harden to
form white rings. The rings can damage
your vehicle's finish.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve it s finish according to
the instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you find
water marks on your vehicle's finish.
Paint Chipping
Occurrence
Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown
in the air by another vehicle's tires hits
your vehicle.
How to avoid paint chipping
Keeping a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead reduces the chances of
having your paint chipped by flying
gravel.
NOTE
The paint chipping zone varies with the
speed of the vehicle. For example, when
traveling at 90 km/h (56 mph), the paint
chipping zone is 50 m (164 ft).
In low temperatures a vehicle's finish
hardens. This increases the chance of
paint chipping.
Chipped paint can lead to rust forming
on your Mazda. Before this happens,
repair the damage by using Mazda
touch-up paint according to the
instructions in this section. Failure to
repair the affected area could lead to
serious rusting and expensive repairs.

Follow all label and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read all warnings and cautions.
▼ Maintaining the Finish
Wa s h i n g
CAUTION

When the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition is switched ON,
the wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:
 If the windshield above the rain sensor
is touched or wiped with a cloth.
 If the windshield is struck with a hand
or other object from either outside or
inside the vehicle.
Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windshield when the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition is
switched ON as fingers could be pinched
or the wipers and wiper blades damaged
when the wipers activate automatically.
If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off
completely (when it is most likely that the
engine is left running) this is particularly
important when clearing ice and snow.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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▼Locking Lug Nuts*
If your vehicle has Mazda optional
antitheft wheel lu
g nuts, one on each
wheel will lock the tires and you must use
a special key to unlock them. This key will
attach to the lug wrench. Register them
with the lock manufacturer by filling out
the card provided in the glove
compartment and mailing it in the
accompanying envelope. If you lose this
key, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
or use the lock manufacturer's order form,
which is with the registration card.
Accessory wheel locks cannot be used on
steel wheels. This includes situations when
the spare tire is installed. If the spare tire is
installed, one of the original lug nuts
(which should still be in the vehicle) must
be installed in place of the wheel lock.
Special key
Antitheft lug nut
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Obtain the special key for the antitheft
lug nut.
2. Place the special key on top of the
antitheft lug 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. Do not use a power impact
wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
To install the antitheft lug nut
1. Place the special key 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. Do not
use a power impact wrench.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the special key, apply pressure, and turn it
clockwise.
Nut tightening torque
N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf) 108―147 (12―14,
80―108)
▼Mounting the Tire
1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.

If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
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WA R N I N G
Make sure the mounting surfaces of the
wheel, hub and lug nuts are clean
before changing or replacing tires:
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.
2. Mount the tire.
3. Install the lug nuts with the beveled edge inward; tighten them by hand.

WA R N I N G
Do not apply oil or grease to lug nuts
and bolts and do not tighten the lug
nuts beyond the recommended
tightening torque:
Applying oil or grease to lug nuts and
bolts is dangerous. The lug nuts could
loosen while driving and cause the tire
to come off, resulting in an accident. In
addition, lug nuts and bolts could be
damaged if tightened more than
necessary.
4. Turn the lug wrench counterclockwiseand lower the vehicle.
5. Use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts
in the order shown.

If you are unsure of how tight the nuts
should be, have them inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Nut tightening torque
N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf) 108―147 (12―14,
80―108)
WA R N I N G
Always securely and correctly tighten
the lug nuts:
Improperly or loosely tightened lug
nuts are dangerous. The wheel could
wobble or come off. This could result in
loss of vehicle control and cause a
serious accident.
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
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Be sure to reinstall the same nuts you
removed or replace them with metric
nuts of the same configuration:
Because the wheel studs and lug nuts
on your Mazda have metric threads,
using a non-metric nut is dangerous.
On a metric stud, it would not secure
the wheel and would damage the stud,
which could cause the wheel to slip off
and cause an accident.
6. Remove the tire blocks and store the tools and jack.
7. Check the inflation pressure. Refer to Tires on page 9-8.
WA R N I N G
Do not drive with any tires that have
incorrect air pressure:
Driving on tires with incorrect air pressure
is dangerous. Tires with incorrect pressure
could affect handling and result in an
accident. When you check the regular tires'
air pressure, check the spare tire, too.
NOTE
To prevent the jack and tool from rattling,
store them properly.
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
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SignalWarning
(Red)
(Illuminate)
KEY Warning
Light
*
If any malfunction occurs in the keyless entry system, it illuminates continuously.
CAUTION
If the key warning indicator light illuminates or the push button start indicator light (amber)
flashes, the engine may not start. If the engine cannot be started, try starting it using the
emergency operation for starting the engine, and have the vehicle inspected at an Author‐
ized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Refer to Emergency Operation for Starting the Engine on page 4- 9.
(Illuminate)
Lane Departure
Wa r n i n g S y s t e m
(LDWS) Warning
Indication/Warning
Light
*
The warning indication/warning light illuminates if there is a problem with the system.
Have your vehicle inspected a t an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The LDWS does not operate when th e warning indication/warning light illuminates.
CAUTION
A problem in the system may be indicated un der the following conditions. Have your ve‐
hicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
 When the warning indication/warning light illuminates while driving the vehicle.
When the system is canceled automatically, the warning indication/warning light illu‐
minates. Normally, the system restores automatically and the warning indication/
warning light turns off, however, if the wa rning indication/warning light illuminates,
there may be a problem with the system.
 The warning indication/warning light does no t illuminate when the ignition is switched
ON.
 Always use tires for all wheels that are of the specified size, and the same manufacture,
brand, and tread pattern. In addition, do not use tires with significantly different wear
patterns on the same vehicle. If such improper tires are used, the LDWS may not operate
normally.
 When an emergency spare tire is used, the system may not operate normally.
NOTE
If the windshield area in front of the Fo rward Sensing Camera (FSC) is fogged or ob-
structed, the light turns on temporarily. If the light remains turned on, there may be a
problem with the system.
(Amber)
High Beam Control System (HBC)
Warning Indication/
Warning Light
*
The warning indication/warning light illuminates if there is a problem with the system.
Have your vehicle inspected a t an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the windshield area in front of the Fo rward Sensing Camera (FSC) is fogged or ob-
structed, the warning in dication/warning light illuminates temporarily. If the warning in-
dication/warning light illuminates, ther e may be a problem with the system.
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
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SignalWarning Action to be taken
Low Washer Fluid
Level Warning Indica-
tion/Warning Light
*
This warning light indicates that little wash-
er fluid remains. Add washer fluid (page 6-26).

Tire Pressure Monitoring Syste
m Warning Light (Turns on)
Take the appropriate action and verify that the warning light t urns off.
Wa r n i n g
When the warning light illuminates, and the warning beep sound is heard when tire pressure is too low in one or
more tires.
WA R N I N G
If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light illuminates or flashes, or the tire pressure warning beep sound
is heard, decrease vehicle speed immediately and avoid sudden maneuvering and braking:
If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light illuminates or flashes, or the tire pressure warning beep sound
is heard, it is dangerous to drive the vehicle at high speeds, or perform sudden maneuvering or braking. Vehicle
drivability could worsen an d result in an accident.
To determine if you have a slow leak or a flat, pull over to a safe position where you can check the visual condition
of the tire and determine if you have enough air to proceed to a place where air may be added and the system
monitored again by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a tire repair station.
Do not ignore the TPMS Warning Light:
Ignoring the TPMS warning light is da ngerous, even if you know why it is illuminated. Have the problem taken
care of as soon as possible before it develops into a more serious situation that could lead to tire failure and a
dangerous accident.
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
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Action to be taken
Inspect the tires and adjust to the specified inflation pressur e (page 6-36).
CAUTION
When replacing/repairing the tires or wheels or both, have the work done by an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the
tire pressure sens ors may be damaged.
NOTE
Perform tire pressure adjustment when the tires are cold. Tire pressure will vary according to the tire tempera-
ture, therefore let the vehicle stand for 1 hour or only drive it 1.6 km (1 mile) or less before adjusting the tire
pressures. When pressure is adjusted on hot tires to the cold inflation pressure, the TPMS warning light/beep
may turn on after the tires cool and pressure drops below specification.
Also, an illuminated TPMS warning light, resulting from the tire air pressure dropping due to cold ambient
temperature, may turn off if the ambient temperature rises. In this case, it will also be necessary to adjust the
tire air pressures. If the TPMS warning light illuminates due to a drop in tire air pressure, make sure to check
and adjust the tire air pressures.
After adjusting the tire air pressures, it may require some time for the TPMS warning light to turn off. If the
TPMS warning light remains illuminated, drive the vehicle at a speed of at least 25 km/h (16 mph) for 10 mi-
nutes, and then verify that it turns off.
Tires lose air naturally over time an d the TPMS cannot tell if the tires ar e getting too soft over time or you
have a flat. However, when you find one low tire in a set of four-tha t is an indication of trouble; you should
have someone drive the vehicle slowly forward so you ca n inspect any low tire for cuts and any metal objects
sticking through tread or sidewall. Put a few drops of wa ter in the valve stem to see if it bubbles indicating a
bad valve. Leaks need to be addressed by more than simply refilling the trouble tire as leaks are dangerous ―
take it to an Authorized Mazda Dealer which has all th e equipment to fix tires, TPMS systems and order the
best replacement tire for your vehicle.
If the warning light illuminates again even after the tire pressures are adjusted, there may be a tire puncture.

If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
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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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