low oil pressure MAZDA MODEL SPEED MX-5 MIATA 2004 Owners Manual

4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Use only cold-weather engine oil
(page 8-13).
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don
’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-22).
• Don
’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don
’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver ’s door), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your 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, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter months.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle ’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
WARNING
CAUTION
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4-12
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
The turbocharger greatly enhances engine power. Its advanced design provides better
operation and requires minimum additional maintenance. To get maximum performance
from your turbocharged engine, take note of the following tips:
•The turbocharged engine is designed for optimal operation with premium unleaded
gasoline (page 4-2). Do not use fuel with a lower octane rating. Extra fuel additives are
NOT recommended.
• Change the engine oil and filter using the turbo engine interval outlined in the
maintenance schedule (for your driving condition).
• Use only the recommended engine oil (page 8-13).Extra oil additives are NOT
recommended.
• After driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, idle the engine at least 30 seconds to
cool the turbo. Avoid simply shutting the engine off abruptly after a hard or long drive.
Damage to the turbocharger may result.
• Don
’t race or over-rev the engine when starting. This should not be done with ANY
engine, especially not with one that ’s turbocharged.
• Do not add any aftermarket devices to alter the engine
’s ignition timing, fuel delivery, or
turbo boost pressure. This may lead to serious engine damage and may void your
warranty.
Turbocharger Information (MAZDASPEED MX-5)
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5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
If the needle on the gauge doesn
’t move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3. If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it ’s low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn ’t move, have
your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Don ’t run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
CAUTION
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8-10
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Owner Maintenance
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.

When Refueling
• Brake and clutch fluid level (page 8-18)
• Engine coolant level (page 8-15)
• Engine oil level (page 8-13)
• Washer fluid level (page 8-22)


At Least Monthly
• Tire inflation pressures (page 8-28)


At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
• Automatic transmission fluid level (page 8-21)
• Power steering fluid level (page 8-20)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
• Air filter (page 8-24)
• Engine coolant (page 8-15)
• Engine oil (page 8-14)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
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