four wheel drive MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF 2019 Owners Manual

Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
Drive slowly. Braking performance can
be adversely affected if snow or ice
adheres to the brake components. If this
situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
▼Snow Tires
Use snow tires on
all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with sno w tires. Inflate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never more
than the maximum c old-tire pressure
shown on the tires.

The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WA R N I N G
Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehi cle's handling could
be greatly affected and result in an
accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tires
with steel wire reinforcement in the
sidewalls (page 4-115).
▼ Tire Chains
Check local regulati
ons before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
 Chains may
affect handling.
 Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph)
or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
 Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns.
 Avoid locked-wheel braking.
 Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
 Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the rear tires only.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
3-51
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16

Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors the pressure for each tire.
If tire pressure is to o low in one or more tires, the system will inform the driver via the
warning light in the instrument cluster and by the warning beep sound.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on page 7-36.
Refer to Taking Action on page 7-40.
Refer to Tire Inflation Pressu re Warning Beep on page 7-51.

The tire pressure sensors installed on each wheel send tire pre ssure data by radio signal to
the receiver unit in the vehicle.
Tire pressure sensors
NOTE
When the ambient temperature is low due to seasonal changes, tire temperatures are also
lower. When the tire temperature decreases, the air pressure decreases as well. The TPMS
warning light may illumina te more frequently. Visually inspect the tires daily before driving,
and check tire pressures monthly with a tire pressure gauge. When checking tire pressures,
use of a digital tire pressure gauge is recommended.

TPMS does not alleviate your need to check the pressure and con dition of all four tires
regularly.
CAUTION
 Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire in flation pressure label, you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
4-114
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16

Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WA R N I N G
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different types of
tires is dangerous. It could cause poor
handling and poor braking; leading to loss
of control.
Except for the limited use of the temporary
spare tire, use only the same type tires
(radial, bias-belted, bias-type) on all four
wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for the vehicle (page 9-8) is
dangerous. It could seriously affect ride,
handling, ground clearance, tire clearance,
and speedometer calibration. This could
cause you to have an accident. Use only
tires that are the correct size specified for
the vehicle.
▼ Tire Inflation Pressure
WA R N I N G
Always
inflate the tires to the correct
pressure:
Overinflation or underinflation of tires is
dangerous. Adverse handling or
unexpected tire failure could result in a
serious accident.
Refer to Tires on page 9-8.
Use only a Mazda-genuine tire valve cap:
Use of a non-genuine part is dangerous as
the correct tire air pressure cannot be
maintained if the tire valve becomes
damaged. If the vehicle is driven under this
condition, the tire air pressure will decrease
which could result in a serious accident. Do
not use any part for the tire valve cap that
is not a Mazda-genuine part.
Inspect all tire pressures monthly when the
tires are cold. Maintain recommended
pressures for the best ride, handling, and
minimum tire wear.
Refer to the specification charts (page
9-8).
NOTE
Always check tire pressure when tires
are cold.
Warm tires normally exceed
recommended pressures. Do not release
air from warm tires to adjust the
pressure.
Underinflation can cause reduced fuel
economy, uneven and accelerated tire
wear, and poor sealing of the tire bead,
which will deform the wheel and cause
separation of tire from rim.
Overinflation can produce a harsh ride,
uneven and accelerated tire wear, and a
greater possibility of damage from road
hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the correct
levels. If one frequen tly needs inflating,
have it inspected.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-36
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16

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 temper‐
ature, therefore let the vehicle stand for 1 hour or on ly 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 th e 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 warnin g 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
minutes, and then verify that it turns off.
Tires lose air naturally over time and the TPMS cannot tell if the tires are getting too soft over time or you
have a flat. However, when you find one low tire in a set of four-that 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. Pu t a few drops of water 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 the equipmen t 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
7-44
MX-5_8GV5-EA-18E_Edition3 2018-7-17 15:48:16