maintenance MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA RF 2020 Repair Manual

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.
▼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
6-41
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

Light Bulbs
Overhead lightSide turn signal lights
High-mount brake light
Trunk light
Front side-marker lights
Front turn signal lights
Headlights (Low/High beam)
P
arking lights
Daytime running lights
License plate lights
Brake lights
Taillights
Rear side-marker lights
Reverse lights
Rear turn signal lights
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-42
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

CAUTION
When removing the lens or lamp unit using
a flathead screwdriver, make sure that the
flathead screwdriver does not contact the
interior terminal. If the flathead screwdriver
contacts the terminal, a short circuit may
occur.
NOTE
To replace the bulb, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Use the protective cover and carton for
the replacement bulb to dispose of the
old bulb promptly and out of the reach
of children.
▼Replacing Exterior Light Bulbs
Headlights, Daytime running lights
(LED type), Parking lights, High-mount
brake light, Brake l
ights, Taillights
The LED bulb cannot be replaced as a
single unit because it is an integrated unit.
The LED bulb has to be replaced with the
unit. We recommend an Authorized
Mazda Dealer when the replacement is
necessary.
Daytime running lights (Bulb type)
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,
and the headlight switch is off.
2. Pull the center of each plastic retainer
and remove the retainers.

Removal
Installation
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-43
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

3. Turn the screw counterclockwise andremove it, and then partially peel back
the mudguard.

4. Turn the socket and bulb assemblycounterclockwise and remove it.
5. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
6. Install the new bulb in the reverseorder of the removal procedure.
Front side-marker lights
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,and the headligh t switch is off.
2. If you are changing the right bulb, start the engine, turn the steering wheel all
the way to the right, and turn off
engine. If you are changing the left
bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
3. Pull the center of each plastic retainer and remove the retainers, and then
partially peel back the mudguard.

Removal
Installation
4. Turn the socket and bulb assemblycounterclockwise and remove it.
5. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
6. Install the new bulb in the reverseorder of the removal procedure.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-44
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

Front turn signal lights
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,
and the headlight switch is off.
2. If you are changing the right bulb, start the engine, turn the steering wheel all
the way to the rig ht, and turn off
engine. If you are changing the left
bulb, turn the steerin g wheel to the left.
3. Pull the center of each plastic retainer and remove the retainers, and then
partially peel back the mudguard.

Removal
Installation
4. Disconnect the connector from the unitby pressing the tab on the connector
with your finger and pulling the
connector rearward.

5. Turn the socket and bulb assemblycounterclockwise and remove it.
6. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.

7. Install the new bulb in the reverseorder of the removal procedure.
Side turn signal lights
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off, and the headlight switch is off.
2. If you are changing the right bulb, start the engine, turn the steering wheel all
the way to the right, and turn off
engine. If you are changing the left
bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-45
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

3. Pull the center of each plastic retainer
and remove the retainers, and then
partially peel back the mudguard.

Removal
Installation
4. Remove the unit by pressing the tab on the unit with your finger and pulling
the unit forward.

5. Detach the electrical connector from
the unit by pulling it to the rear.

6. Install the new side turn signal unit inthe reverse order of the removal
procedure.
Rear turn signal lights
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off, and the headligh t switch is off.
2. Pull the center of each plastic retainer
and remove the retainers and the trunk
end trim.

Removal
Installation
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-46
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

3. Disconnect the connector from the unitby pressing the tab on the connector
with your finger and pulling the
connector downward.

4. Pull the center of each plastic retainerand remove the retainers, and then
partially peel back the trunk side trim.

Removal
Installation
5. To provide a hole for inserting a finger
to remove the rear combination lamp
unit later in the pro cedure, pinch the
top and bottom of the grommet shown
in the figure and press it out of the hole
in the direction of the rear combination
lamp unit.

Grommet
Rear combination lamp
unit

Grommet
Body
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-47
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old
2019-8-29 16:18:06

6. Apply protective tape as shown in thefigure. Otherwise, t he rear combination
lamp unit will contact the body and
may scratch or damage it.
Always apply three layers of protective
tape to the area indicated in the figure.

Protective tape
Rear combination
lamp unit
Area specifically in need
of protection
CAUTION
 Do not use tape with strong adhesive
strength. Otherwise, the vehicle paint
may peel off.
 Always apply three layers of
protective tape to the area indicated
in the
figure. Otherwise, the body
may become scratched or damaged
when pulling out the rear
combination lamp unit.
7. Remove the screw and nut.
8. To remove the rear combination lampunit, insert your finger from inside the
trunk and into the hole from which the
grommet was removed in Step 5, and
while holding the lamp lens (round
part) of the rear combination lamp with
your hand, press the rear combination
lamp unit until the hook detaches from
the clip.

Rear combination lamp unit
Hook
Grommet installation
hole
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-48
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old
2019-8-29 16:18:06

9. After the hook is detached, pull out the
rear combination lamp unit in the
direction of the arrow and remove it.

Grommet installation hole
Clip
Hook Rear combination
lamp unit
CAUTION
Carefully pull out the rear combination
lamp unit when removing it from the
body.
The wiring may become damaged if the
rear combination lamp unit is forcefully
pulled out.
10. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
11. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
12. Install the new bulb in the reverse
order of the removal procedure.
Rear side-marker lights
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,and the headlight switch is off.
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
4. Install the new bulb in the reverseorder of the removal procedure.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-49
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06

Reverse lights
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,and the headlight switch is off.
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
4. Install the new bulb in the reverseorder of the removal procedure.
License plate lights
1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,and the headligh t switch is off.
2. Remove the unit by pressing the tab on the unit with your f inger and pulling
the unit downward.

3. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
4. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the reverse
order of the removal procedure.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-50
MX-5_8JA4-EA-19K_Edition1_old 2019-8-29 16:18:06