tires MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2017 Owner's Manual

6 –42 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance 
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 frequently needs inflating,
have it inspected.
Tire Rotation
WARNINGRotate tires periodically:
Irregular tire wear is dangerous. To
equalize tread wear for maintaining
good performance in handling and
braking, rotate the tires every 12,000
km (7,500 miles). However Mazda
recommends to rotate every 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) to help increase tire life
and distribute wear more evenly.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4 .
During rotation, inspect them for correct
balance.
Do not include (TEMPORAR Y USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation. Forward Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following: 
Incorrect tire pressure 
Improper wheel alignment 
Out-of-balance wheel 
Severe braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 9-8 ) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.
(With tire pressure monitoring system)
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operate normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-108 .
CAUTION Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern or studs only from front to rear,
not from side to side. Tire performance
will be reduced if rotated from side to
side.
(With limited-slip differential)
Do not use the following: 
Tires not of the designated size 
Tires of different sizes or types at
the same time 
Tires not sufficiently inflated
If these instructions are not followed,
the rotation of the left and right wheels
will be different and will thus apply
a constant load on the limited-slip
differential.
This will cause a malfunction.
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6 –43 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
*Some models. Replacing a Tire
WARNING Always use tires that are in good
condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
Replace all four tires at the same time:
Replacing just one tire is dangerous. It
could cause poor handling and poor
braking resulting in loss of vehicle
control. Mazda strongly recommends
that you replace all four tires at the
same time.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator will
appear as a solid band across the tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
Ne w tread Tread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace the tire before the band
crosses the entire tread.
(With tire pressure monitoring system)
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operate normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-108 . 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 8-24 .
Replacing a Wheel
WARNING 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 *
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6 –44 Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance 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.
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6 –60 Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care Water Marks
Occurrence
Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can
contain harmful minerals such as salt and
lime. If moisture containing these minerals
settles on the vehicle and evaporates, the
minerals will concentrate and harden to
form white rings. The rings can damage
your vehicle's finish.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according to
the instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you find
water marks on your vehicle's finish.
Paint Chipping
Occurrence
Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown
in the air by another vehicle's tires hits
your vehicle.
How to avoid paint chipping
Keeping a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead reduces the chances
of having your paint chipped by flying
gravel. NOTE 
The paint chipping zone varies with the
speed of the vehicle. For example, when
traveling at 90 km/h (56 mph), the paint
chipping zone is 50 m (164 ft). 
In low temperatures a vehicle's finish
hardens. This increases the chance of
paint chipping. 
Chipped paint can lead to rust forming
on your Mazda. Before this happens,
repair the damage by using Mazda
touch-up paint according to the
instructions in this section. Failure to
repair the affected area could lead to
serious rusting and expensive repairs.
Follow all label and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read all warnings and cautions.
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7 –19 If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
*Some models.WARNING Do not jack up the vehicle higher than is
necessary:
Jacking up the vehicle higher than
is necessary is dangerous as it could
destabilize the vehicle resulting in an
accident.
Do not start the engine or shake the
vehicle while it is jacked up:
Starting the engine or shaking
the vehicle while it is jacked up is
dangerous as it could cause the vehicle
to fall off the jack resulting in an
accident.
Never go under the vehicle while it is
jacked up:
Going under the vehicle while it is
jacked up is dangerous as it could
result in death or serious injury if the
vehicle were to fall off the jack.
8. Remove the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise; then remove the
wheel. Locking Lug Nuts *
If your vehicle has Mazda optional
antitheft wheel lug nuts, one on each
wheel will lock the tires and you must
use a special key to unlock them. This
key will attach to the lug wrench.
Register them with the lock manufacturer
by filling out the card provided in the
glove compartment and mailing it in the
accompanying envelope. If you lose this
key, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
or use the lock manufacturer's order form,
which is with the registration card.
Accessory wheel locks cannot be used on
steel wheels. This includes situations when
the spare tire is installed. If the spare tire
is installed, one of the original lug nuts
(which should still be in the vehicle) must
be installed in place of the wheel lock. Special ke yAntitheft lug nut
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Obtain the special key for the antitheft
lug nut.
2. Place the special key on top of the
antitheft lug nut, and be sure to hold
the key square to it. If you hold the key
at an angle, you may damage both key
and nut. Do not use a power impact
wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key
and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
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7 –20 If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire To install the antitheft lug nut
1. Place the special key on top of the nut,
and be sure to hold the key square to
it. If you hold the key at an angle, you
may damage both key and nut. Do not
use a power impact wrench.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the
special key, apply pressure, and turn it
clockwise. Nut tightening torque
N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf) 108—147
(12—14, 80—108)
Mounting the Tire1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.
WARNING Make sure the mounting surfaces of
the wheel, hub and lug nuts are clean
before changing or replacing tires:
When changing or replacing a tire,
not removing dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub
and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug
nuts could loosen while driving and
cause the tire to come off, resulting in
an accident.
2. Mount the tire.
3. Install the lug nuts with the beveled
edge inward; tighten them by hand.

WARNING Do not apply oil or grease to lug nuts
and bolts and do not tighten the
lug nuts beyond the recommended
tightening torque:
Applying oil or grease to lug nuts and
bolts is dangerous. The lug nuts could
loosen while driving and cause the tire
to come off, resulting in an accident.
In addition, lug nuts and bolts could
be damaged if tightened more than
necessary.
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7 –21 If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire4. Turn the lug wrench counterclockwise
and lower the vehicle. Use the lug
wrench to tighten the nuts in the order
shown.

If you are unsure of how tight the nuts
should be, have them inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. Nut tightening torque
N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf) 108—147
(12—14, 80—108) WARNING Always securely and correctly tighten
the lug nuts:
Improperly or loosely tightened lug
nuts are dangerous. The wheel could
wobble or come off. This could result
in loss of vehicle control and cause a
serious accident.
Be sure to reinstall the same nuts you
removed or replace them with metric
nuts of the same configuration:
Because the wheel studs and lug nuts
on your Mazda have metric threads,
using a non-metric nut is dangerous.
On a metric stud, it would not secure
the wheel and would damage the stud,
which could cause the wheel to slip off
and cause an accident.
5. Remove the tire blocks and store the
tools and jack.
6. Check the inflation pressure. Refer to
Tires on page 9-8 .
NOTE
(With tire pressure monitoring system)
Do not press the tire pressure monitoring
system set switch after installing the spare
tire. The switch is only to be pressed after
installing the repaired flat tire or installing
a replacement tire (page 4-18 ).
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7 –22 If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
WARNINGDo not drive with any tires that have
incorrect air pressure:
Driving on tires with incorrect air
pressure is dangerous. Tires with
incorrect pressure could affect
handling and result in an accident.
When you check the regular tires' air
pressure, check the spare tire, too.
NOTE
To prevent the jack and tool from rattling,
store them properly.
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7 –39 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models.Signal Warning
(Illuminate)
Lane Departure
Warning System
(LDWS) Warning
Indication/Warning
Light *

The warning indication/warning light illuminates if there is a problem with the system.
Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. 
The LDWS does not operate when the warning indication/warning light illuminates.
CAUTION 
A problem in the system may be indicated under the following conditions. Have your
vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

When the warning indication/warning light illuminates while driving the vehicle.
When the system is canceled automatically, the warning indication/warning
light illuminates. Normally, the system restores automatically and the warning
indication/warning light turns off, however, if the warning indication/warning light
illuminates, there may be a problem with the system.

The warning indication/warning light does not illuminate when the ignition is
switched ON.

Always use tires for all wheels that are of the specified size, and the same
manufacture, brand, and tread pattern. In addition, do not use tires with significantly
different wear patterns on the same vehicle. If such improper tires are used, the LDWS
may not operate normally.

When an emergency spare tire is used, the system may not operate normally.
NOTE If the windshield area in front of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is fogged or
obstructed, the light turns on temporarily. If the light remains turned on, there may be a
problem with the system.
(Amber)
High Beam Control
System (HBC)
Warning Indication/
Warning Light *
The warning indication/warning light illuminates if there is a problem with the system.
Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE If the windshield area in front of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is fogged or
obstructed, the warning indication/warning light illuminates temporarily. If the warning
indication/warning light illuminates, there may be a problem with the system.
Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM)
Warning Indication *
The message is displayed when the system has a malfunction. Have your vehicle inspected
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE If the vehicle is driven on a road with less traffic and few vehicles that the radar sensors
can detect, the system may pause. However, it does not indicate a malfunction.
Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM)
OFF Indicator
Light *
A problem in the system may be indicated under the following conditions.
Have your vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. 
The light does not turn on when the ignition is switched ON. 
The light remains on even when the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system can be operated.
The light turns on while driving the vehicle.
NOTE If the vehicle is driven on a road with less traffic and few vehicles that the radar sensors
can detect, the system may pause (The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light in
the instrument cluster illuminates). However, it does not indicate a malfunction.
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7 –43 If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
*Some models.Signal Warning Action to be taken
(Illuminate)
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System Warning Light *
When the warning light illuminates, and
the warning beep sound is heard (about 3
seconds), tire pressure is too low in one or
more tires.
WARNING If the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light illuminates or flashes,
or the tire pressure warning beep
sound is heard, decrease vehicle
speed immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking:
If the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light illuminates or flashes,
or the tire pressure warning beep
sound is heard, it is dangerous to
drive the vehicle at high speeds, or
perform sudden maneuvering or
braking. Vehicle drivability could
worsen and result in an accident.
To determine if you have a slow leak
or a flat, pull over to a safe position
where you can check the visual
condition of the tire and determine
if you have enough air to proceed to
a place where air may be added and
the system monitored again by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer or a tire
repair station.
Do not ignore the TPMS Warning Light:
Ignoring the TPMS warning light is
dangerous, even if you know why
it is illuminated. Have the problem
taken care of as soon as possible
before it develops into a more serious
situation that could lead to tire
failure and a dangerous accident. Inspect the tires and adjust to the specified
inflation pressure (page 6-41 ).
NOTE 
Perform tire pressure adjustment when
the tires are cold. Tire pressure will
vary according to the tire temperature,
therefore let the vehicle stand for 1
hour or only 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 the tire air
pressure dropping due to cold ambient
temperature will remain illuminated
even if the ambient temperature rises.
In this case, it will also be necessary to
adjust the tire air pressures. If the TPMS
warning light illuminates due to a drop
in tire air pressure, make sure to check
and adjust the tire air pressures. 
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
can inspect any low tire for cuts and any
metal objects sticking through tread or
sidewall. Put 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 reinflating the tire
as leaks are dangerous — take it to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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