tow MAZDA MX5 MIATA 2017 Owner's Manual

7 –26 If Trouble Arises
Emergency Starting
Starting a Flooded Engine If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. If the engine does not start within
five seconds on the first try, wait ten
seconds and try again.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the accelerator all the way and
hold it there.
4. Depress the clutch pedal (Manual
transmission) or the brake pedal
(Automatic transmission), then
press the push button start. If the
engine starts, release the accelerator
immediately because the engine will
suddenly rev up.
5. If the engine fails to start, crank it
without depressing the accelerator.
If the engine still does not start using the
previous procedure, have your vehicle
inspected by an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Push-Starting Do not push-start your Mazda.
WARNING Never tow a vehicle to start it:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be injured.
CAUTION Do not push-start a vehicle that has a
manual transmission. It can damage
the emission control system.
NOTE
You cannot start a vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing it.
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7 –30 If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
Towing Description We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary
to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
drive wheels (rear wheels) off the ground.
If excessive damage or other conditions
prevent this, use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
When towing with the rear wheels on the
ground, release the parking brake. CAUTION 
Do not tow the vehicle pointed
backward with driving wheels on the
ground. This may cause internal damage
to the transmission. 
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage your vehicle. Use
wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.
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7 –31 If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
*Some models.Tiedown Hooks *
CAUTION Do not use the front and rear tiedown
eyelets for towing the vehicle.
They have been designed only for
securing the vehicle to a transport
vessel during shipping.
Using the eyelets for any other purpose
could result in the vehicle being
damaged.
Tiedown Hooks1. Remove the tiedown eyelet and the lug
wrench from the luggage compartment
(page 7-3 ).
2. Wrap a flathead screwdriver or similar
tool with a soft cloth to prevent damage
to a painted bumper, and open the cap
located on the front or rear bumper.
Front Rear
CAUTION Do not use excessive force as it may
damage the cap or scratch the painted
bumper surface.
NOTE
Remove the cap completely and store it so
as not to lose it.
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet
using the lug wrench or equivalent.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Front

Lug wrench
Tiedown eyelet
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7 –32 If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing Rear
Lug wrench
Tiedown eyelet
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedown
eyelet.
CAUTION If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying the
vehicle. Make sure that the tiedown
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
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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.
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7 –64 If Trouble Arises
When the Roof Cannot be Closed Closing the rear roof
CAUTION 
Slowly close the rear roof. If the rear
roof is closed suddenly, a hand or other
body part may be pinched, leading to a
serious injury. 
Do not attempt to forcefully push the
rear roof. Pushing the rear roof forcefully
may damage vehicle parts.
1. Fold the rope in half and hook it to the
link pin of the rear roof.
Rope
Link pin
2. Do the same procedure on the other
side.
3. Close the rear roof uniformly on both
sides using two adults, one on each side
of the vehicle.
CAUTION Close the rear roof with its left and
right positions as parallel as possible.
If the rear roof is closed with its left or
right height slanted, it could deform
the link mechanism. 4. Slowly close the rear roof while lightly
pulling the rope with one hand so that
the rope does not unhook.
Rope
NOTE
Route the rope rearward through the
clearance between the rear roof and trunk.
5. One person pushes the rear roof down
and the other person pulls the rope
strongly and straight back towards the
vehicle rear until a click sound is heard. Rope
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8 –14 Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada)Canadian customers who wish to report a safety-related defect to Transport Canada, Defect
Investigations and Recalls, may telephone the toll free hotline 1-800-333-0510, or contact
Transport Canada by mail at: Transport Canada, ASFAD, Place de Ville Tower C, 330
Sparks Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0N5.
For additional road safety information, please visit the Road S afety website at:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/menu.htm
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8 –35 Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)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 .
Safety PracticesThe way you drive has a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety. So cultivate good
driving habits for your own benefit. 
Observe posted speed limits and drive at speeds that are safe for the existing weather
conditions 
Avoid fast starts, stops and turns 
Avoid potholes and objects on the road 
Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking
CAUTION If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you suspect your tire
or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your speed. Drive with caution until
you can safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is under-
inflated or damaged, deflate it, remove the tire and rim and replace it with your spare tire.
If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest vehicle or tire dealer to
have the vehicle inspected.
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8 –36 Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Vehicle LoadingWARNINGDo not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to tow a
trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will provide
maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading yo ur vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings, from the
vehicle's Safety Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNINGOverloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's suspension
system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure, handling or steering
problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the distance
required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail completely,
particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a combination of the size of
the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
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8 –42 Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Steps for Determining the Correct Load LimitSteps for Determining Correct Load Limit-
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For
example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 - 750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
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