engine MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2017 Owners Manual

7 –27 If Trouble Arises
Overheating
OverheatingIf the high engine coolant temperature
warning light turns on, the vehicle loses
power, or you hear a loud knocking or
pinging noise, the engine is probably too
hot.
WARNING Pull over to a safe location, then
switch the ignition off and make sure
the fan is not running before attempting
to work near the cooling fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan could
continue running indefinitely even if
the engine has stopped and the engine
compartment temperature is high. You
could be hit by the fan and seriously
injured.
Do not remove either cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light turns on:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from the engine compartment.

If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Do not go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.

If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it is low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 27 2016/08/11 20:30:01

7 –28 If Trouble Arises
Overheating If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer. Coolant reservoir
Cooling fa nCooling system cap
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
6-29 ).
CAUTION If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 28 2016/08/11 20:30:01

7 –34 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds Signal Warning
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution System
Warning If the electronic brake force distribution control unit determines that some components
are operating incorrectly, the control unit may illuminate the brake system warning
light and the ABS warning light simultaneously. The problem is likely to be the
electronic brake force distribution system.
WARNING Do not drive with both the ABS warning light and brake warning light illuminated.
Have the vehicle towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible:
Driving when the brake system warning light and ABS warning light are
illuminated simultaneously is dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the rear wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal circumstances.
Charging System
Warning Indication/
Warning Light If the warning light illuminates while driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION Do not continue driving when the charging system warning light is illuminated
because the engine could stop unexpectedly.
Engine Oil Warning
Light This warning light indicates low engine oil pressure.
CAUTION Do not run the engine if the oil pressure is low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive
engine damage.
If the light illuminates or the warning indication is displayed while driving:
1.Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way on level ground.
2.Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
3.Inspect the engine oil level 6-28 . If it's low, add the appropriate amount of engine
oil while being careful not to overfill.
CAUTION Do not run the engine if the oil level is low. Otherwise, it could result in extensive
engine damage.
4.Start the engine and check the warning light.
If the light remains illuminated even though the oil level is normal or after adding oil,
stop the engine immediately and have your vehicle towed to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 34 2016/08/11 20:30:02

7 –35 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds Signal Warning
(Red)
High Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Indication/Warning
Light The light flashes when the engine coolant temperature is extreme ly high, and
illuminates when the engine coolant temperature increases further.
Handling Procedure
Flashing light
Drive slowly to reduce engine load until you can find a safe pla ce to stop the vehicle
and wait for the engine to cool down.
Illuminated light
This indicates the possibility of overheating. Park the vehicle in a safe place
immediately and stop the engine.
Refer to Overheating 7-27 .
CAUTION Do not drive the vehicle with the high engine coolant temperature warning light
illuminated. Otherwise, it could result in damage to the engine.
Power Steering
Malfunction Indicator
Light The light illuminates if the electric power steering has a malfunction.
If the light illuminates, stop the vehicle in a safe place and do not operate the steering
wheel. There is no problem if the light turns off after a while. Contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer if the light illuminates continuously.
NOTE 
If the indicator light illuminates, the power steering will not operate normally. If this
happens, the steering wheel can still be operated, however, the operation may feel
heavy compared to normal, or the steering wheel could vibrate when turning. 
Repeatedly jerking the steering wheel left and right while the vehicle is stopped or
moving extremely slowly will cause the power steering system to go into protective
mode which will make the steering feel heavy, but this does not indicate a problem. If
this occurs, park the vehicle safely and wait several minutes for the system to return
to normal.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 35 2016/08/11 20:30:03

7 –36 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models. Contact Authorized Mazda Dealer and Have Vehicle InspectedIf any of the following warning lights or the indicator light t urns on/flashes, the system may
have a malfunction. Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have your vehicle inspected. Signal Warning
Master Warning
Indication/Warning
Light *
Type A instrument cluster
(Master warning indication)
Displays when notification of the system malfunctions is require d.
Check the message indicated in the display and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Master warning light)
The master warning light displays when a warning message occurs.
This indicates a malfunction with the vehicle system. Check the message indicated in the
display and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
For details, refer to the explanations for the warning/indicato r lights, in the warning/
indicator lights section, which match the symbol in the upper part of the display.
If a message is not indicated in the display, operate the INFO switch to display the
“Warning” screen.
Refer to Message Indicated in Multi-information Display and INF O switch on page 4-18 .
Type B instrument cluster
The light illuminates continuously if any one of the following occurs. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. 
There is a malfunction in the battery management system. 
There is a malfunction in the brake switch.
Electric Vacuum
Pump Warning
Light The light turns on if the electric vacuum pump system has a problem. Have your vehicle
inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
ABS Warning Light If the ABS warning light stays on while you're driving, the ABS control unit has detected a
system malfunction. If this occurs, your brakes will function normally as if the vehicle had
no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE 
When the engine is jump-started to charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs, it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.

The brake assist system does not operate while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
Check Engine Light If this light illuminates while driving, the vehicle may have a problem. It is important to
note the driving conditions when the light illuminated and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The check engine light may illuminate in the following cases: 
The engine's electrical system has a problem. 
The emission control system has a problem. 
The fuel tank level being very low or approaching empty. 
The fuel-filler cap is missing or not tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on, or it flashes continuously , do not drive at high speeds
and consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 36 2016/08/11 20:30:03

7 –38 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models.Signal Warning
(Red)
KEY Warning
Indication *
“Keyless System malfunction” is displayed
This message is displayed if the advanced keyless entry & push button start system has a
problem.
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION If the message is indicated, 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 Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Refer to Emergency Operation for Starting the Engine on page 4-9 .
(Amber)
KEY Warning
Indication *
“Ignition is on” is displayed
This message is displayed when the driver's door is opened without switching the ignition
off.
“Key not detected” is displayed
This message is displayed when any of the following operations is performed with the key
out of the operational range or placed in areas inside the cabi n where it is difficult for the
key to be detected. 
The push button start is pressed with the ignition switched off 
The ignition is switched on 
All doors are closed without switching the ignition off
(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 Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Refer to Emergency Operation for Starting the Engine on page 4-9 .
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 38 2016/08/11 20:30:04

7 –42 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models.Signal Warning Action to be taken
Door-Ajar/Trunk
lid-Ajar Warning
Indication/Warning Light The light turns on if any door/trunk lid is
not closed securely. Close the door/trunk lid securely.
Low Fuel Warning Light The light turns on when the remaining fuel
is about 9.0 L (2.3 US gal, 1.9 Imp gal).
NOTE The light illumination timing may
vary because fuel inside the fuel tank
moves around according to the driving
conditions and the vehicle posture. Add fuel.
Check Fuel Cap Warning
Light If the check fuel cap warning light
illuminates while driving, the fuel-filler
cap may not be installed properly. Stop the engine and reinstall the fuel-filler
cap.
Refer to Fuel-Filler Cap on page 3-26
Low Washer Fluid Level
Warning Indication/
Warning Light *
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add washer fluid (page 6-31 ).
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 42 2016/08/11 20:30:04

7 –46 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
Message Indicated on DisplayIf a message is displayed in the center display (Type B audio), take appropriate action (in a
calm manner) according to the displayed message. (Displa y example)
Stop Vehicle in Safe Place ImmediatelyIf the following messages are displayed in the center display ( Type B audio), a vehicle
system may be malfunctioning. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer. Display Indicated Condition
Displays if the engine coolant temperature has
increased excessively.
Displays if the charging system has a malfunction.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 46 2016/08/11 20:30:05

7 –53 If Trouble Arises
When Trunk Lid Cannot be Opened6. Pull out the cap and open the trunk lid.
After performing this emergency
measure, have the vehicle inspected at
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.

CAUTION Do not pull the screw when pulling the
cap. Otherwise, the screw may fall off
and become lost. Retractable fastback model
CAUTION Do not touch the linkage and gears. If
sharp edges and gears are touched, it
could cause injury.
Roof operates electrically
1. Remove the antenna if it is installed.
Refer to Antenna on page 5-13 .
2. Start the engine.
3. Continue pressing the retractable
fastback switch in the open direction
until the rear roof is completely open.
Refer to Opening the Roof on page
3-45 . Multi-information
display indication
NOTE
Stop operating the switch before the front
roof opens. If the switch is continuously
pressed, the front roof opens and the
following procedures cannot be performed.
4. Switch the ignition OFF.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 53 2016/08/11 20:30:07

7 –54 If Trouble Arises
When Trunk Lid Cannot be Opened 5. Remove the fasteners on the right side
of the vehicle.

6. Push the stopper rubber through the
cover on the right side of the vehicle
while slightly lifting the cover up.

C ove r
Stopper Rubber
7. Lift up the cover from the outside of
the vehicle.
8. Insert your hand beneath the lifted
cover and loosen the cap screws until
they spin freely.

NOTE
At this point, do not pull out the cap. If
the cap is pulled out, the trunk lock will
release but the rear roof will not operate
electrically.
9. Start the engine.
10. Continue pressing the retractable
fastback switch in the close direction
until the rear roof is completely closed.
Refer to Closing the Roof on page
3-45 .
Multi-information
display indication
11. Switch the ignition OFF.
MX-5_8FR4-EA-16J_Edition1.indb 54 2016/08/11 20:30:07