Mazda MX-5 RF (2017 year). Instruction

6–44

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

6. Apply protective tape as shown in the

¿ gure. Otherwise, the rear combination
lamp unit will contact the body and
may scratch or damage it.

Always apply three layers of protective
tape to the area indicated in the

¿ gure.

Protective tape

Rear combination
lamp unit

Area specifically in need
of protection

CAUTION

Do not use tape with strong adhesive

strength. Otherwise, the vehicle paint
may peel off.

Always apply three layers of

protective tape to the area indicated
in the

¿ gure. Otherwise, the

body may become scratched or
damaged when pulling out the rear
combination lamp unit.

7. Remove the screw and nut.

8. To remove the rear combination lamp

unit, insert your

¿ nger from inside the

boot and into the hole from which the
grommet was removed in Step 5, and
while holding the lamp lens (round
part) of the rear combination lamp with
your hand, press the rear combination
lamp unit until the hook detaches from
the clip.

Rear combination lamp unit

Hook

Grommet installation
hole

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6–45

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

*Some models.

9. After the hook is detached, pull out

the rear combination lamp unit in the
direction of the arrow and remove it.

Grommet installation hole

Clip

Hook

Rear combination
lamp unit

CAUTION

Carefully pull out the rear combination
lamp unit when removing it from the
body.
The wiring may become damaged if the
rear combination lamp unit is forcefully
pulled out.

10. Turn the socket and bulb assembly

anticlockwise and remove it.

11. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.

12. Install the new bulb in the reverse order

of the removal procedure.

Reverse lights, Rear fog light

1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,

and the headlight switch is off.

2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly

anticlockwise and remove it.

3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.

4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order

of the removal procedure.

/:A

6–46

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Number plate lights

1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,

and the headlight switch is off.

2. Remove the unit by pressing the tab on

the unit with your

¿ nger and pulling the

unit downward.

3. Turn the socket and bulb assembly

anticlockwise and remove it.

4. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.

5. Install the new bulb in the reverse order

of the removal procedure.

Replacing Interior Light Bulbs

Overhead light

1. Wrap a small

À athead screwdriver

with a soft cloth to prevent damage to
the lens, and then remove the lens by
carefully prying on the edge of the lens
with the

À athead screwdriver.

2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.

3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order

of the removal procedure.

/:A

6–47

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Boot light

1. Wrap a small

À athead screwdriver

with a soft cloth to prevent damage to
the lens, and then remove the lens by
carefully prying on the edge of the lens
with the

À athead screwdriver.

2. Disconnect the connector from the unit.
3. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.

4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order

of the removal procedure.

Fuses

Your vehicle's electrical system is
protected by fuses.

If any lights, accessories, or controls do
not work, inspect the appropriate circuit
protector. If a fuse has blown, the inside
element will be melted.

If the same fuse blows again, avoid using
that system and consult an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer as soon as possible.

Fuse Replacement

Replacing the fuses on the vehicle's left
side

If the electrical system does not work,

¿ rst

inspect the fuses on the vehicle's left side.

1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,

and other switches are off.

2. Open the fuse panel cover.

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6–48

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

3. Pull the fuse straight out with the

fuse puller provided on the fuse block
located in the engine compartment.

4. Inspect the fuse and replace it if it is

blown.

Normal

Blown

5. Insert a new fuse of the same amperage

rating, and make sure it

¿ ts tightly. If

it does not

¿ t tightly, have an expert

install it. We recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.

If you have no spare fuses, borrow one
of the same rating from a circuit not
essential to vehicle operation, such as
the AUDIO or OUTLET circuit.

CAUTION

Always replace a fuse with a genuine
Mazda fuse or equivalent of the same
rating. Otherwise you may damage the
electric system.

6. Reinstall the cover and make sure that

it is securely installed.

Replacing the fuses under the bonnet

If the headlights or other electrical
components do not work and the fuses
in the cabin are normal, inspect the fuse
block under the bonnet. If a fuse is blown,
it must be replaced. Follow these steps:

1. Make sure the ignition is switched off,

and other switches are off.

2. Remove the fuse block cover.

NOTE

If the lock is forcefully opened, the
fuse block cover may come in contact
with the frame when it is removed and
become scratched.
When removing the cover, remove
it slowly according to the following
procedure.

1. Disengage the rear lock by

pressing down on the front tab
with your

¿ ngers.

2. Remove the front tab while

slightly lifting the front of the
cover.

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6–50

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Fuse Panel Description

Fuse block (Engine compartment)

DESCRIPTION

FUSE

RATING

PROTECTED COMPONENT

ENG IG3

5 A

—

ENG IG2

5 A

—

HORN2

7.5 A

Horn

C/U IG1

15 A

For protection of various circuits

ENG IG1

7.5 A

Engine control system

—

INTERIOR

15 A

Overhead light

ENG

7.5 A

Engine control system

AUDIO2

15 A

Audio system

METER1

10 A

Instrument cluster

SRS1

7.5 A

Air bag

—

RADIO

7.5 A

Audio system

ENGINE3

20 A

Engine control system

ENGINE1

10 A

Engine control system

ENGINE2

15 A

Engine control system

AUDIO1

25 A

Audio system

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6–51

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

*Some models.

DESCRIPTION

FUSE

RATING

PROTECTED COMPONENT

A/C MAG

7.5 A

Air conditioner

AT PUMP

H/L HI

20 A

Transmission control system

15 A

Transmission control system

D LOCK

25 A

Power door locks

H/L RH

20 A

Headlight (RH)

ENG

7.5 A

Engine control system

TAIL

20 A

Tail lights, Number plate lights, Position lights

DRL

15 A

—

ROOM

25 A

Overhead light

FOG

15 A

—

H/CLEAN

20 A

Headlight washer

STOP

10 A

Brake lights, Rear fog light

HORN

15 A

Horn

H/L LH

20 A

Headlight (LH)

ABS/DSC S

30 A

ABS, Dynamic stability control system

HAZARD

15 A

Hazard warning

À ashers, Direction indicator lights

FUEL PUMP

15 A

Fuel system

ENG

5 A

—

WIPER

20 A

Windscreen wipers

CABIN

50 A

For protection of various circuits

—

ABS/DSC M

50 A

ABS, Dynamic stability control system

EVVT

A/R PUMP

20 A

Engine control system

EVPS

30 A

Brake control system

FAN1

30 A

Cooling fan

FAN2

40 A

—

ENG.MAIN

40 A

Engine control system

EPS

60 A

Power steering system

DEFOG

30 A

Rear window defogger

IG2

30 A

For protection of various circuits

INJECTOR

30 A

Engine control system

HEATER

40 A

Air conditioner

—

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6–52

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

*Some models.

Fuse block (Left side)

DESCRIPTION

FUSE

RATING

PROTECTED COMPONENT

RHT R

30 A

Retractable fastback (RH)

RHT L

30 A

Retractable fastback (LH)

—

F.OUTLET

15 A

Accessory sockets

—

AT IND

7.5 A

AT shift indicator

MIRROR

7.5 A

Power control mirror

R_DECK R

30 A

Retractable fastback (RH)

R_DECK L

30 A

Retractable fastback (LH)

F.WASHER

15 A

Windscreen washer

P.WINDOW

30 A

Power windows

—

SRS2/ESCL

15 A

Electronic steering lock

SEAT WARM

20 A

Seat warmer

M.DEF

7.5 A

Mirror defogger

/:A

6–53

Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

Exterior Care

The paintwork on your Mazda represents
the latest technical developments in
composition and methods of application.

Environmental hazards, however, can
harm the paint's protective properties, if
proper care is not taken.

Here are some examples of possible
damage, with tips on how to prevent them.

Etching Caused by Acid Rain or
Industrial Fallout

Occurrence

Industrial pollutants and vehicle emissions
drift into the air and mix with rain or dew
to form acids. These acids can settle on a
vehicle's

¿ nish. As the water evaporates,

the acid becomes concentrated and can
damage the

¿ nish.

And the longer the acid remains on the
surface, the greater the chance is for
damage.

Prevention

It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its

¿ nish according to

the instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you
suspect that acid rain has settled on your
vehicle's

¿ nish.

Damage Caused by Bird Dropping,
Insects, or Tree Sap

Occurrence

Bird droppings contain acids. If these
are not removed they can eat away the
clear and colour base coat of the vehicle's
paintwork.

When insects stick to the paint surface and
decompose, corrosive compounds form.
These can erode the clear and colour base
coat of the vehicle's paintwork if they are
not removed.

Tree sap will harden and adhere
permanently to the paint

¿ nish. If you

scratch the sap off while it is hard, some
vehicle paint could come off with it.

Prevention

It is necessary to have your Mazda washed
and waxed to preserve its

¿ nish according

to the instructions in this section. This
should be done as soon as possible.

Bird droppings can be removed with a soft
sponge and water. If you are travelling and
these are not available, a moistened tissue
may also take care of the problem. The
cleaned area should be waxed according to
the instructions in this section.
Insects and tree sap are best removed with
a soft sponge and water or a commercially
available chemical cleaner.

Another method is to cover the affected
area with dampened newspaper for one to
two hours. After removing the newspaper,
rinse off the loosened debris with water.

/:A

6–54

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

¿ nish.

Prevention

It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its

¿ nish according to

the instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you

¿ nd

water marks on your vehicle's

¿ nish.

Paint Chipping

Occurrence

Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown
in the air by another vehicle's tyres 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

À ying

gravel.

NOTE

The paint chipping zone varies

with the speed of the vehicle. For
example, when travelling at 90 km/h
(56 mph), the paint chipping zone is
50 m (164 ft).

In low temperatures a vehicle's

¿ nish

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.

/:A

6–55

Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

Maintaining the Finish

Washing

CAUTION

When the wiper lever is in the

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 or wiped with a
cloth.

If the windscreen is struck with a

hand or other object from either
outside or inside the vehicle.

Keep hands and scrapers clear of the

windscreen when the wiper lever is
in the

position and the ignition

is switched ON as

¿ ngers could be

pinched or the wipers and wiper
blades damaged when the wipers
activate automatically.

If you are going to clean the

windscreen, be sure the wipers are
turned off completely (when it is
most likely that the engine is left
running) this is particularly important
when clearing ice and snow.

Do not spray water in the engine

compartment. Otherwise, it could
result in engine-starting problems or
damage to electrical parts.

When washing and waxing the

vehicle, be careful not to apply
excessive force to any single area of
the vehicle bonnet. Otherwise, you
could dent the vehicle.

CAUTION

Do not use automatic car washing

machines and car washing devices
using high water pressure.

Make sure that the fuel

À ap is closed

and lock the doors. Otherwise, the
fuel

À ap may be forcefully opened by

water pressure causing damage to the
vehicle or fuel

À ap.

To help protect the

¿ nish from rust

and deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.

If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.

Scratches occur on the paint surface when:

The vehicle is washed without

¿ rst

rinsing off dirt and other foreign matter.

The vehicle is washed with a rough, dry,

or dirty cloth.

The vehicle is washed at a car wash that

uses brushes that are dirty or too stiff.

Cleansers or wax containing abrasives

are used.

NOTE

Mazda is not responsible for

scratches caused by automatic car
washes or improper washing.

Scratches are more noticeable on

vehicles with darker paint

¿ nishes.

/:A

6–56

Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint

¿ nish:

Rinse off any dirt or other foreign matter

using lukewarm or cold water before
washing.

Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water

and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.

Rub gently when washing or drying the

vehicle.

Take your vehicle only to a car wash

that keeps its brushes well maintained.

Do not use abrasive cleansers or wax

that contain abrasives.

CAUTION

Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
or strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-
plated or anodised aluminium parts. This
may damage the protective coating; also,
cleaners and detergents may discolour or
deteriorate the paint.

Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt,
mud, and other foreign material from the
underside of the wings, and make sure the
drain holes in the lower edges of the doors
and rocker panels are clean.

Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits
can damage the

¿ nish if not removed

immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.

Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow
soap to dry on the

¿ nish.

After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.

WARNING

Dry off brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.

Waxing

Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the

¿ nish.

Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its lustre.

1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.

Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.

2. Use a good grade of natural wax for

metallic, mica, and solid colours.

3. When waxing, coat evenly with the

sponge supplied or a soft cloth.

4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.

NOTE

A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas even if
the rest of the vehicle does not need it.

/:A

6–57

Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

Paint Damage Touch-up

Repair damage to the

¿ nish caused by

stone chipping, damage during parking
etc., by using Mazda touch-up paint before
rust begins to form. First, remove the dirt
and grease with a clean soft cloth.

If rust has already begun to form:

1. Remove rust completely with

sandpaper.

2. Wipe with a clean soft cloth.
3. Apply rust preventive primer to the

area.

4. After drying it completely, apply a

suitable top coat material to the area.

Of course there will be no problem if
you assign the work to an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.

Cavity Protection

Cavities are treated for protection at the
factory, but additional protective treatment
after the vehicle has been put into use will
extend the life of the body.
We recommend that you consult an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer concerning this additional
precaution.

Bright-Metal Maintenance

Use tar remover to remove road tar and

insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.

To prevent corrosion on bright-

metal surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high lustre.

During cold weather or in coastal areas,

cover bright-metal parts with a coating
of wax or preservative heavier than
usual. It would also help to coat them
with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or
some other protective compound.

CAUTION

Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
or strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-
plated or anodised aluminium parts. This
may result in damage to the protective
coating and cause discolouration or
paint deterioration.

Undercoating

This special coating is applied to the
critical parts of the underside to protect
vehicles from damage caused by
chemicals or stones. This coating is liable
to be damaged with time. Check this
coating periodically.

Should repairs be necessary, consult
an expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer. They are well
informed on how repairs should be made.

/:A

6–58

Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

Aluminium Wheel Maintenance

A protective coating is provided over the
aluminium wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.

CAUTION

Do not use any detergent other than mild
detergent. Before using any detergent,
verify the ingredients. Otherwise, the
product could discolour or stain the
aluminium wheels.

NOTE

Do not use a wire brush or any

abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminium
wheels. They may damage the
coating.

Always use a sponge or soft cloth to

clean the wheels.

Rinse the wheels thoroughly with

lukewarm or cold water. Also, be
sure to clean the wheels after driving
on dusty or salted roads to help
prevent corrosion.

Convertible Top (Soft Top)

Maintenance

The convertible top is made of a special
high-grade material, but if it's not taken
good care of, hardening, staining, and
loss of lustre will result. Maintain it under
these guidelines.

Washing

Do not wait until the convertible top gets
really dirty before cleaning it. Dirt that's
there too long will cause deterioration.

1. Before washing, remove dust and

coarse particulate with a soft brush.

2. Gently clean the convertible top with

a synthetic neutral detergent, lots of
water, and a soft brush.

3. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water to

remove all the soap.

4. Wipe it as dry as you can before the

water dries on it.

5. Then allow it to dry completely before

lowering it.

/:A

6–59

Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

CAUTION

Automatic and high-pressure car

washes are harmful to a convertible
top. Avoid them.

Do not spray water directly on the

area where the window glass and
the convertible top meet. This would
probably cause water to enter the
cabin.

Do not spray water directly on

the seam area of the body and the
convertible top as it could result in
water penetrating the cabin and boot.

Some leather treatment products can

ruin the convertible top's gloss. Be
careful of the one you choose.

Test on an inconspicuous, small

corner of the convertible top if you
are not sure.

Do not wipe the convertible top

using alcohol, chlorine bleach, or
organic solvents such as thinner,
benzene, or petrol. Otherwise, they
may cause discolouration or stains.

Do not get any car wax on the

convertible top.

If you do, remove it with a good

leather cleaner or mild detergent
(about 5% solution).

CAUTION

Too much treatment on the

convertible top can be as
damaging as too little. Follow the
manufacturer's directions.

Do not overdo it!

Let the convertible top dry

completely before lowering after
applying treatment or dressing.

/:A

Mazda MX-5 RF (2017 year). Instruction - part 30