2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Owner’s Manual

The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a fun and stylish way to drive a car with a top down. This two-seat sports car has a retractable fastback roof that combines the excitement of a convertible with the beauty and safety of a coupe. This makes it an instant head-turner. It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gives it a lively performance, and its lightweight chassis and responsive handling make it a pure and fun car to drive. Inside, the MX-5 Miata RF has a modern cockpit that is designed with the driver in mind. This makes the link between the driver and the road stand out. The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a captivating blend of form and function. It is the car of driving fans’ dreams, making every trip an exciting and memorable adventure.

Maintenance and Care

Introduction
Be careful not to hurt yourself when inspecting your vehicle, replacing a tire, or doing some kind of maintenance such as car washing.
In particular, wear thick work gloves such as cotton gloves when touching areas that are difficult to see while inspecting or working on your vehicle. Doing inspections or procedures with your bare hands could cause injury. If you are unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you to have a reliable and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are best for your vehicle. Without this expertise and the parts that have been designed and made, especially for your Mazda, inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient servicing may result in problems. This could lead to vehicle damage or an accident and injuries. For expert advice and quality service, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer. To continue warranty eligibility and to protect your investment, it is your responsibility to properly maintain your vehicle according to factory-recommended schedules outlined in this manual. As part of this, you must keep your maintenance records, receipts, repair orders, and any other documents as evidence this maintenance was performed. You must present these documents, should any warranty coverage disagreement occur. Failure to do so can result in your warranty being voided either in whole or in part.
This evidence may consist of the following:

• The Mazda Scheduled Maintenance Record, refer to the Warranty Booklet, must be completely filled out showing mileage, repair order number, and date for each service, and signed by a qualified automotive service technician who services vehicles.
• Original copies of repair orders or other receipts that include the mileage and date the vehicle was serviced. Each receipt should be signed by a qualified automotive service technician.
• For self-maintenance, a statement that you completed the maintenance yourself, displaying mileage and the date the work was performed. Also, receipts for the replacement parts (fluid, filters, etc.) indicating the date and mileage must accompany this statement.

NOTE: If you elect to perform maintenance yourself or have your vehicle serviced at a location other than an Authorized Mazda Dealer, Mazda requires that all fluids, parts, and materials must meet Mazda standards for durability and performance as described in this manual.

Claims against the warranty resulting from lack of maintenance, as opposed to defective materials or authorized Mazda workmanship, will not be honored. Any auto repair shop using parts equivalent to your Mazda’s original equipment may perform maintenance. But we recommend that it always be done by an Authorized Mazda Dealer using genuine Mazda parts.
Selecting “Maintenance Monitor” enables the system to notify you of your vehicle’s approaching inspection/servicing period. The malfunction diagnosis connector is designed exclusively for connecting the specially designed device to perform on-board diagnosis. Do not connect any devices other than the specially designed malfunction diagnosis devices for servicing. If any device other than the malfunction diagnosis device is connected, it may affect the vehicle’s electrical devices or lead to damage such as battery depletion.

Scheduled Maintenance (U.S.A., Canada, and Puerto Rico)
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions (severe driving conditions) apply.

• Repeated short-distance driving
• Driving in dusty conditions
• Driving with extended use of brakes
• Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are used
• Driving on rough or muddy roads
• Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
• Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
• Driving in extremely hot conditions
• Driving in mountainous conditions continually

If any do apply, follow Schedule 2. (Canada residents follow Schedule 2.)

Vehicles using Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance
Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance is available for U.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents whose vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions apply:

• Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation such as police car, taxi, or driving school car
• Driving in dusty conditions

If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 with engine oil fixed maintenance. Once engine oil flexible maintenance is selected, the vehicle calculates the remaining oil life based on engine operating conditions. The vehicle lets you know when an oil change is due by illuminating the wrench indicator light in the instrument cluster. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 500 km (300 mile) or 15 days. Mazda Genuine 0W-20 Oil and Castrol® 0W-20 Oil are required to achieve optimum performance.
NOTE

• Please ensure that the Flexible Oil Maintenance Setting is reset after each Oil and Filter replacement.
• For maintenance guidelines beyond the miles/months listed, follow the maintenance intervals provided in the Scheduled Maintenance Tables.

Scheduled Maintenance
Remarks

1. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year or within 16,000 km (10,000 miles) since the last engine oil and filter change. The system must be reset whenever replacing the engine oil regardless of the message/wrench indicator light display.
2. 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.
3. According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
4. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) initialization must be performed so that the system operates normally (if equipped).
5. If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be replaced.
6. Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing periodic maintenance. Replace the tire repair fluid bottle with a new one before the expiration date.

Maintenance Monitor
Maintenance Monitor (Type A audio)
“Oil Change” with a flexible setting*1 is available. Consult your Authorized Mazda Dealer when you want to change the setting*2. Once the system turns on, the wrench indicator light in the instrument cluster will be illuminated when the remaining oil life becomes less than 1,000 km (600 miles), or the remaining days are less than 15 (whichever comes first).

Reset method
Press and hold the selector with the ignition switched off, then switch it on. Keep pressing the selector for more than 5 seconds. The master warning light will flash for a few seconds when the reset is completed.

1. The flexible setting is available in the United States and Puerto Rico. Based on the engine operating conditions, the onboard computer in your vehicle calculates the remaining oil life. Mazda Genuine 0W-20 oil and Castrol® 0W-20 oil is required to achieve optimum calculation performance.
2. Once the Flexible Oil Maintenance Setting is selected, the system must be reset whenever replacing the engine oil.

Maintenance Monitor (Type B audio)

1. Select the icon on the home screen to display the “Applications” screen.
2. Select “Vehicle Status Monitor”.
3. Select “Maintenance” to display the maintenance list screen.
4. Switch the tab and select the setting item you want to change.

WARNING

• Do not perform maintenance work if you lack sufficient knowledge and experience or the proper tools and equipment to do the work.
• Have maintenance work done by a qualified 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 hood, make certain that you remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and all neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or cooling fan that may turn on unexpectedly:
• Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even more dangerous when you wear jewelry 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 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 leave items in the engine compartment:
  • After you have finished 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 fire leading to an unexpected accident.

FAQ’s