tow MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA POWER RETRACTABLE HARDTOP 2008 Owner's Manual

Black plate (278,1)
NOTElBefore installing the battery cover, make
sure both of the cables connecting the
negative battery terminal (right side of
battery) are connected with the cables
routed toward the right and back of the
battery as shown in the figure.
lVerify that the covers are securely installed.
Push-Starting
Do not push-start your Mazda.
WARNING
Never tow a vehicle to start it:Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured.
CAUTION
Do not push-start a vehicle that has
a manual transmission. It can
damage the emission control system.
NOTE
You can't start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
7-24
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page278
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:51 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (279,1)
Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
drive wheels (rear wheels) off the ground.
If excessive damage or other conditions
prevent this, use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
CAUTION
Don't tow the vehicle pointed forward
with driving wheels on the ground.
This may cause internal damage to
the transmission.
CAUTION
Don't tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage your vehicle. Use
wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
7-25
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page279
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:51 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (280,1)
Tiedown Hooks
CAUTION
Don't use the tiedown hooks under
the front and rear for towing.
They are designed ONLY for tying
down the vehicle when it's being
transported. Using them for towing
will damage the bumper.
qTiedown Hooks
1. Remove the tiedown eyelet, lug
wrench, and jack lever from the trunk
(page 7-5).
2. Wrap the jack lever with a soft cloth to prevent damage to the bumper and
open the cap located on the front and
rear bumper.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
The cap cannot be completely
removed. Do not use excessive force
as it may damage the cap or scratch
the painted bumper surface.
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet using the lug wrench.
Lug wrench
Front
Lug wrenchRear
7-26
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page280
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:51 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (281,1)
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedowneyelet.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying down
the vehicle. Make sure that the
tiedown eyelet is securely tightened
to the bumper.
Recreational Towing
An example of “recreational towing ”is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
“ Towing Description ”(page 7-25) and
“ Tiedown Hooks ”(page 7-26) and
carefully follow the instructions.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
7-27
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page281
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:51 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (311,1)
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from eachblade rubber and install them in the
new blade.
CAUTION
ØDon't bend or discard the
stiffeners. You need to use them
again.
Ø If the metal stiffeners are
switched, the blade's wiping
efficiency could be reduced.
So don't use the driver's side metal
stiffeners on the passenger's side,
or vice versa.
Ø Be sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners in the new blade rubber
so that the curve is the same as it
was in the old blade rubber. 4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are toward the
bottom of the wiper arm.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-29
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page311
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (314,1)
NOTElRemove the rubber hose first, and then
battery cover before performing battery
maintenance.
Battery coverRubber hose
lBefore installing the battery cover, make
sure both of the cables connecting the
negative battery terminal (right side of
battery) are connected with the cables
routed toward the right and back of the
battery as shown in the figure.
qBattery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:lKeep it securely mounted.lKeep the top clean and dry.lKeep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables.
8-32
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page314
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (374,1)
qSafety Practices
The way you drive has a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety. So cultivate
good driving habits for your own benefit.
lObserve posted speed limitslAvoid fast starts, stops and turnslAvoid potholes and objects on the roadlDo no run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking
CAUTION
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you suspect your
tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your speed. Drive with caution
until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tire for damage. If the tire
is under-inflated or damaged, deflate it, remove the tire and rim and replace it with
your spare tire. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
vehicle or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
9-34
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page374
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (375,1)
Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not taw a trailer with this vehicle:Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or trailer, to keep
your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating capability, with or without a trailer.
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle design performance.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's Safety
Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle: Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's
suspension system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure,
handling or steering problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the
distance required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail
completely, particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a
combination of the size of the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation
pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-35
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page375
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (377,1)
SAMPLE
CARGO
Cargo Weightincludes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight, including cargo and
optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load or king pin weight is also part of
cargo weight.
The cargo weight limit decreases depending on the number of vehicle occupants. The cargo
weight limit can be calculated by subtracting the total weight of the vehicle occupants from
the “combination weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed ”value on the tire
label.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-37
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page377
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F

Black plate (379,1)
SAMPLE
WARNING
Exceeding Axle Weight Rating Limits:Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits is dangerous and
could result in death or serious injury as a result of substandard vehicle handling,
performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, or loss of control.
Always keep the vehicle within the axle weight rating limits.
Do not taw a trailer with this vehicle: Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-39
MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition5 Page379
Thursday, February 21 2008 12:52 AM
Form No.8X49-EA-07F