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Mazda MX-5 RF (2017 year). Manual - part 28

6–12

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Owner Maintenance Precautions

Routine Service

We highly recommend that these items be inspected daily, or at least every week.

Engine Oil Level (page 6-20 )

Engine Coolant Level (page 6-20 )

Brake and clutch Fluid Level (page 6-22 )

Washer Fluid Level (page 6-23 )

Battery Maintenance (page 6-30 )

Tyre In

À ation Pressure (page 6-34 )

Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions only
for items that are easy to perform.

As explained in the Introduction (page 6-2 ), several procedures can be done only by a
quali

¿ ed service technician with special tools.

Improper do-it yourself maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty
coverage. For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the
vehicle. If you are unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.

There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and

À uids. Please

dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.

We recommend that you entrust the oil and

À uid changes of your vehicle to an Authorised

Mazda Repairer.

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6–13

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

WARNING

Do not perform maintenance work if you lack suf

¿ cient knowledge and experience

or the proper tools and equipment to do the work. Have maintenance work done by a
quali

¿ ed technician:

Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You can
be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures.

If you must run the engine while working under the bonnet, make certain that you
remove all jewellery (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and all
neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or cooling
fan which may turn on unexpectedly:
Working under the bonnet with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even more
dangerous when you wear jewellery or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.

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 inde

¿ nitely 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 leave items in the engine compartment:
After you have

¿ nished checking or doing servicing in the engine compartment, do not

forget and leave items such as tools or rags in the engine compartment.
Tools or other items left in the engine compartment could cause engine damage or a

¿ re

leading to an unexpected accident.

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6–14

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Bonnet

WARNING

Always check that the bonnet is closed
and securely locked:
A bonnet that is not closed and securely
locked is dangerous as it could

À y open

while the vehicle is moving and block
the driver's vision which could result in
a serious accident.

Opening the Bonnet

WARNING

(With active bonnet)

Do not pull the bonnet's release handle
after the active bonnet has activated:
Pulling the release handle while the
active bonnet is operating is dangerous
as it will raise the bonnet further and
obstruct vision. In addition, the bonnet
cannot be lowered manually, therefore
do not attempt to forcefully push the
bonnet back down. Otherwise, it could
deform the bonnet or cause injury.
If the active bonnet has activated,
always consult an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.

1. With the vehicle parked, pull the

release handle to unlock the bonnet.

Release handle

2. Insert your hand into the bonnet

opening, slide the latch lever to the
right, and lift up the bonnet.

Lever

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6–15

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

3. Grasp the support rod in the padded

area and secure it in the support rod
hole indicated by the arrow to hold the
bonnet open.

Pad

Support rod

Clip

Closing the Bonnet

1. Check under the bonnet area to make

certain all

¿ ller caps are in place and all

loose items (e.g. tools, oil containers,
etc.) have been removed.

2. Lift the bonnet, grasp the padded area

on the support rod, and secure the
support rod in the clip. Verify that the
support rod is secured in the clip before
closing the bonnet.

Clip

Pad

3. Lower the bonnet slowly to a height of

about 20 cm (7.9 in) above its closed
position and then let it drop.

CAUTION

When closing the bonnet, do not push
it excessively such as by applying your
weight. Otherwise, the bonnet could be
deformed.

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6–16

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Engine Compartment Overview

Windscreen washer fluid reservoir

Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir

Engine oil dipstick

Battery

Fuse block

Cooling system cap

Engine coolant reservoir

Engine oil-filler cap

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6–17

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Engine Oil

NOTE

Changing the engine oil should be done by an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer.

Recommended Oil

In order to keep the maintenance interval (page 6-3 ) and to protect the engine from
damage caused by poor lubrication, it is vitally important to make use of engine oil with
the correct speci

¿ cation. Do not use oils which do not meet the following speci¿ cations or

requirements. Use of unsuitable oil may lead to engine damage which is not covered by the
Mazda Warranty.

Temperature Range SAE Viscosity Numbers

Mazda Original Oil Ultra 5W-30

API SL/SM/SN or ACEA A3/A5

Mazda Original Oil Supra 0W-20

Alternative Oil Quality

Recommended oils

–30 –20 –10

–20

100

–40

Grade

5W-30

0W-20

Europe

Grade

API SG/SH/SJ/SL/SM/SN or
ILSAC GF-II/GF-III/GF-IV/GF-V

Temperature Range SAE Viscosity Numbers

–30 –20 –10

–20

100

–40

Except Europe

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6–18

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Engine oil viscosity, or thickness, has an effect on fuel economy and cold-weather operation
(starting and oil

À ow).

Low-viscosity engine oils can provide improved fuel economy and cold-weather
performance.

When choosing an oil, consider the temperature range your vehicle will operate in before
the next oil change.
Then select the recommended viscosity from the chart.

CAUTION

Using oils of viscosity besides those recommended for speci

¿ c temperature ranges could

result in engine damage.

NOTE

It is normal for all engines to consume engine oil under normal driving conditions.
Engine oil consumption may be as high as 0.8 L/1,000 km (1 L/800 miles). This may
be as a result of evaporation, internal ventilation or burning of the lubricating oil in the
working engine. Oil consumption may be higher when the engine is new due to the
running-in process. Oil consumption is also dependant on engine speed and engine load.
Under extreme driving conditions, oil consumption may be higher.

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6–19

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Vehicle Engine Control Unit Reset Procedure

NOTE

This procedure is intended for vehicles with the engine oil

À exible maintenance setting

selected.

After replacing the engine oil, have a repair shop such as an Authorised Mazda Repairer
perform the initialization (engine oil data resetting) of the recorded value. If the value
recorded by the computer is not initialized, the wrench indicator light may not turn off or it
may turn on earlier than normal.

NOTE

The initialization (engine oil data resetting) of the recorded value can be performed using
the following procedure:

1. Switch the ignition OFF.
2. Switch the ignition ON with the selector pressed, and press and hold the selector for

about 5 seconds until the master warning light

À ashes.

Selector

3. After the master warning light

À ashes for several seconds, the initialization is

completed.

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6–20

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Inspecting Engine Oil Level

1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level

surface.

2. Warm up the engine to normal

operating temperature.

3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes

for the oil to return to the sump.

4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and

reinsert it fully.

MIN

MAX

5. Pull it out again and examine the level.

The level is normal if it is between the
MIN and MAX marks.

If it is near or below MIN, add enough
oil to bring the level to MAX.

CAUTION

Do not over

¿ ll the engine oil. This may

cause engine damage.

6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is

positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.

7. Reinsert the dipstick fully.

Engine Coolant

Inspecting Coolant Level

WARNING

Do not use a match or live

À ame in the

engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS
HOT:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become very
hot. You could be burned. Carefully
inspect the engine coolant in the
coolant reservoir, but do not open it.

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 inde

¿ nitely 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.

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6–21

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

NOTE

Changing the coolant should be done
by an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer.

Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year—at the beginning of
the winter season—and before travelling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.

Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.

The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the FULL and LOW
marks on the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.

Coolant reservoir

Cooling fan

Cooling system cap

If it is at or near LOW, add enough coolant
to the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to FULL.
Securely tighten the coolant reservoir tank
cap after adding coolant.

CAUTION

Radiator coolant will damage paint.

Rinse it off quickly if spilled.

Use only soft (demineralised) water

in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant's effectiveness.

Do not add only water. Always add a

proper coolant mixture.

The engine has aluminium parts and

must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.

DO NOT USE coolants Containing

Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.

These coolants could damage the

cooling system.

DO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol

with the coolant. This could damage
the cooling system.

Do not use a solution that contains

more than 60% antifreeze.

This would reduce effectiveness.

If the “FL22” mark is shown on or

near the cooling system cap, use
of FL-22 is recommended when
replacing engine coolant. Using
engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine
and cooling system.

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6–22

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult
an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer.

Brake/Clutch Fluid

Inspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid

Level

WARNING

If the brake/clutch

À uid level is low,

have the brakes inspected:
A low brake/clutch

À uid level is

dangerous.
A low level could indicate brake lining
wear or a brake system leak which
could cause the brakes to fail and lead
to an accident.

The brakes and clutch draw

À uid from the

same reservoir.
Inspect the

À uid level in the reservoir

regularly. It should be kept between the
MAX and MIN lines.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.

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6–23

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Left-hand drive model

Right-hand drive model

Window and Headlight
Washer Fluid

Inspecting Washer Fluid Level

WARNING

Use only windscreen washer

À uid or

plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
À uid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windscreen, it will dirty the windscreen,
affect your visibility, and could result in
an accident.

Inspect

À uid level in the washer À uid

reservoir; add

À uid if necessary.

Use plain water if washer

À uid is

unavailable.
But use only washer

À uid in cold weather

to prevent it from freezing.

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6–24

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Body Lubrication

All moving points of the body, such as
door and bonnet hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.

Make sure the bonnet's secondary latch
keeps the bonnet from opening when the
primary latch is released.

Wiper Blades

CAUTION

Hot waxes applied by automatic car

washers have been known to affect
the wiper's ability to clean windows.

To prevent damage to the wiper

blades, do not use petrol, paraf

¿ n,

paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.

When the wiper lever is in the

AUTO position and the ignition is
switched ON, the wipers may move
automatically in the following cases:

If the windscreen above the rain

sensor is touched.

If the windscreen above the rain

sensor is wiped with a cloth.

If the windscreen is struck with a

hand or other object.

If the rain sensor is struck with a

hand or other object from inside
the vehicle.

Be careful not to pinch hands or

¿ ngers as it may cause injury, or
damage the wipers. When washing or
servicing the vehicle, make sure the
wiper lever is in the OFF position.

Contamination of either the windscreen or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.

If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.

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6–25

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Replacing Windscreen Wiper

Blades

When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, do not try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.

NOTE

When raising both windscreen wiper
arms, raise the driver's side wiper arm
¿ rst. When lowering the wiper arms,
slowly lower the wiper arm from the
passenger's side

¿ rst while supporting it

with your hand. Forcefully lowering the
wiper arms could damage the wiper arm
and blade, and may scratch or crack the
windscreen.

(Type A)

1. Raise the wiper arm.
2. Open the clip and slide the blade

assembly in the direction of the arrow.

3. Tilt the blade assembly and remove it

from the arm.

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the windscreen let
the wiper arm down easily, do not let it
slap down on the windscreen.

4. Pull down the blade rubber and slide it

out of blade holder.

5. Remove the metal stiffeners from each

blade rubber and install them in the
new blade.

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6–26

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

CAUTION

Do not bend or discard the stiffeners.

You need to use them again.

If the metal stiffeners are switched,

the blade's wiping ef

¿ ciency could

be reduced.

So do not use the driver's side metal

stiffeners on the passenger's side, or
vice versa.

Be sure to reinstall the metal

stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was in
the old blade rubber.

6. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.

Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.

(Type B)

1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade

assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.

Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.

Plastic locking clip

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the windscreen let
the wiper arm down easily, do not let it
slap down on the windscreen.

2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull

until the tabs are free of the metal
support.

Metal support

Tab

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6–27

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

3. Remove the metal stiffeners from each

blade rubber and install them in the
new blade.

CAUTION

Do not bend or discard the stiffeners.

You need to use them again.

If the metal stiffeners are switched,

the blade's wiping ef

¿ ciency could

be reduced.

So do not use the driver's side metal

stiffeners on the passenger's side, or
vice versa.

Be sure to reinstall the metal

stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was in
the old blade rubber.

4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.

Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.

NOTE

Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.

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