2018 Mazda MX-5 Owner’s Manual

The 2018 Mazda MX-5, which is also called the Mazda Miata, is a classic and exciting two-seat sports car that captures the spirit of what it means to enjoy driving. The MX-5 is a real driver’s car because of its lightweight agility and dynamic performance, as well as its iconic design. The MX-5 has a powerful engine and is set up to drive on the back wheels. It handles well and is exciting to drive with the top down. Inside, the MX-5’s driver-focused cabin is made of high-quality materials and has technology that is easy to use. The 2018 Mazda MX-5 is the perfect mix of driving excitement and classic sports car style. It is designed to give you a pure and fun driving experience.

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 
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

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 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 1,000 km (600 miles) or 15 days.
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.

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

NOTE: For maintenance guidelines beyond the kilometers/months listed, follow the maintenance intervals provided in the Scheduled Maintenance Tables.

Maintenance Monitor
“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.

Owner Maintenance Precautions
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation. Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service technician as soon as possible.
When Refueling

• Brake and clutch fluid level
• Engine coolant level
• Engine oil level
• Washer fluid level

At Least Monthly

• Tire inflation pressures

At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.

• Engine coolant
• Engine oil

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, several procedures can be done only by a qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage. Refer to the Introduction for the owner’s responsibility in protecting your investment. 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 Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and fluids. Please dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment. We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

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