Get Maintenance and Care -> Appearance Care Guide for Mazda Mx-5 SUV Third Generation (2005-2015)

Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

qDamage Caused by Bird

How to Minimize

Environmental Paint Damage

Dropping, Insects, or Tree Sap

Occurrence

The paintwork on your Mazda represents

the latest technical developments in

composition and methods of application.

Bird droppings contain acids. If these

aren't removed they can eat away the clear

and color base coat of the vehicle's

paintwork.

Environmental hazards, however, can

harm the paint's protective properties, if

proper care is not taken.

When insects stick to the paint surface

and decompose, corrosive compounds

form. These can erode the clear and color

base coat of the vehicle's paintwork if

they are not removed.

Here are some examples of possible

damage, with tips on how to prevent

them.

Tree sap will harden and adhere

qEtching Caused by Acid Rain or

permanently to the paint finish. If you

scratch the sap off while it is hard, some

vehicle paint could come off with it.

Industrial Fallout

Occurrence

Prevention

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 finish. As the water evaporates,

the acid becomes concentrated and can

damage the finish.

It is necessary to have your Mazda

washed and waxed to preserve its finish

according to the instructions in this

section. This should be done as soon as

possible.

And the longer the acid remains on the

surface, the greater the chance is for

damage.

Bird droppings can be removed with a

soft sponge and water. If you are traveling

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.

Prevention

It is necessary to wash and wax your

vehicle to preserve its finish 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 finish.

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.

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Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

NOTE

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qWater Marks

The paint chipping zone varies with the

speed of the vehicle. For example, when

traveling at 90 km/h (56 mph), the paint

chipping zone is 50 m (164 ft).

In low temperatures a vehicle's finish

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.

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 finish.

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Prevention

It is necessary to wash and wax your

vehicle to preserve its finish according to

the instructions in this section. These

steps should be taken immediately after

you find water marks on your vehicle's

finish.

qPaint Chipping

Occurrence

Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown

in the air by another vehicle's tires 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 flying

gravel.

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Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

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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.

Exterior Care

Follow all label and container directions

when using a chemical cleaner or polish.

Read all warnings and cautions.

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qMaintaining the Finish

Washing

To help protect the finish from rust and

deterioration, wash your Mazda

thoroughly and frequently, at least once a

month, with lukewarm or cold water.

CAUTION

Ø Do not use steel wool, abrasive

cleaners, or strong detergents

containing highly alkaline or

caustic agents on chrome-plated

or anodized aluminum parts. This

may damage the protective

coating; also, cleaners and

detergents may discolor or

deteriorate the paint.

Ø To prevent damaging the antenna,

remove it before entering a car

wash facility or passing beneath a

low overhead clearance.

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:

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The vehicle is washed without first

rinsing off dirt and other foreign

matter.

The vehicle is washed with a rough,

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Pay special attention to removing salt,

dirt, mud, and other foreign material from

the underside of the fenders, and make

sure the drain holes in the lower edges of

the doors and rocker panels are clean.

dry, or dirty cloth.

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The vehicle is washed at a car wash

that uses brushes that are dirty or too

stiff.

Cleansers or wax containing abrasives

are used.

Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,

industrial fallout, and similar deposits can

damage the finish if not removed

immediately. When prompt washing with

plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap

made for use on vehicles.

NOTE

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Mazda is not responsible for scratches

caused by automatic car washes or

improper washing.

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Scratches are more noticeable on vehicles

with darker paint finishes.

Thoroughly rinse off all soap with

lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow

soap to dry on the finish.

To minimize scratches on the vehicle's

paint finish:

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Rinse off any dirt or other foreign

matter using lukewarm or cold water

before washing.

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Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

After washing the vehicle, dry it with a

clean chamois to prevent water spots from

forming.

2. Use a good grade of natural wax for

metallic, mica, and solid colors.

3. When waxing, coat evenly with the

sponge supplied or a soft cloth.

WARNING

4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.

Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly

and applying the brakes lightly until

brake performance is normal:

Driving with wet brakes is

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.

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.

qRepairing Damage to the Finish

Deep scratches or chips on the finish

should be repaired promptly. Exposed

metal quickly rusts and can lead to major

repairs.

When using a high water pressure car

wash

High water temperature and high water

pressure car washers are available

depending on the type of car wash

CAUTION

If your Mazda is damaged and needs

metal parts repaired or replaced,

make sure the body shop applies

anti-corrosion materials to all parts,

both repaired and new. This will

prevent them from rusting.

machine. If the car washer nozzle is put

too close to the vehicle, the force of the

spray could damage or deform the

molding, affect the sealability of parts,

and allow water to penetrate the interior.

Keep a sufficient space (30 cm or more)

between the nozzle and the vehicle. In

addition, do not spend too much time

spraying the same area of the vehicle, and

be very careful when spraying between

gaps in doors and around windows.

qBright-Metal Maintenance

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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

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Waxing

Your vehicle needs to be waxed when

water no longer beads on the finish.

Always wash and dry the vehicle before

waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,

wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.

preservative and rub it to a high luster.

During cold weather or in coastal areas,

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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.

1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.

Waxes containing abrasive will remove

paint and could damage bright metal

parts.

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Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

WARNING

CAUTION

Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly

and applying the brakes lightly until

brake performance is normal:

Driving with wet brakes is

Don't use steel wool, abrasive

cleaners, or strong detergents

containing highly alkaline or caustic

agents on chrome-plated or anodized

aluminum parts. This may result in

damage to the protective coating and

cause discoloration or paint

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.

deterioration.

qUnderbody Maintenance

Road chemicals and salt used for ice and

snow removal and solvents used for dust

control may collect on the underbody. If

not removed, they will speed up rusting

and deterioration of such underbody parts

as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust

system, even though these parts may be

coated with anti-corrosive material.

qAluminum Wheel Maintenance

A protective coating is provided over the

aluminum wheels. Special care is needed

to protect this coating.

NOTE

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Do not use a wire brush or any abrasive

cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent on

aluminum wheels. They may damage the

coating.

Thoroughly flush the underbody and

wheel housings with lukewarm or cold

water at the end of each winter. Try also

to do this every month.

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Only use a mild soap or neutral detergent

and always use a sponge or soft cloth to

clean the wheels.

Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or cold

water. Also, be sure to clean the wheels

after driving on dusty or salted roads. This

helps prevent corrosion.

Avoid washing your vehicle in an automatic

car wash that uses high-speed or hard

brushes.

Pay special attention to these areas

because they easily hide mud and dirt. It

will do more harm than good to wet

down the road grime without removing

it.

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The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,

and frame members have drain holes that

should not be clogged. Water trapped

there will cause rusting.

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If your aluminum wheels lose luster, wax

the wheels.

(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

Check special requirements for Tire Pressure

Monitoring System.

Refer to Tires and Wheels on page 5-34.

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Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

qConvertible Top Maintenance^í

CAUTION

Ø Automatic and high-pressure car

washes are harmful to a

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 luster will result. Maintain it under

these guidelines.

convertible top. Avoid them.

Ø 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.

Ø Do not spray water with a hose or

a car washing device directly on

the seam area of the body and the

convertible top as it could result in

water penetrating the trunk.

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.

Appearance (Polyvinyl only)

Dress the convertible top once a month

after washing and drying it well. For best

results, use a water-based leather

treatment or vinyl top dressing. This will

help maintain good appearance and

material condition of the convertible top.

^íSome models.

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Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

Thoroughly rinse with lukewarm or cold

water. Don't allow soap to dry on the

finish.

CAUTION

Ø Some leather treatment products

can ruin the convertible top's

gloss. Be careful of the one you

choose.

Ø Test on an inconspicuous, small

corner of the convertible top if you

are not sure.

Waxing

Wax the hardtop when water no longer

beads on the paint. Always wash and dry

it before waxing.

CAUTION

Ø Wiping off dust or dirt with a dry

cloth will scratch the finish.

Ø Don't use abrasive wax. This may

damage the protective coating and

discolor or deteriorate the paint.

Ø Do not get any car wax on the

convertible top.

If you do, remove it with a good

leather cleaner.

Ø Too much treatment on the

convertible top can be as

damaging as too little. Follow the

manufacturer's directions.

Do not overdo it!

Ø Let the convertible top dry

completely before lowering after

applying treatment or dressing.

NOTE

A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar

materials will usually also take off the wax.

Rewax these areas.

qPlastic Part Maintenance

qHardtop Maintenance^í

When cleaning the plastic lenses of the

lights, do not use gasoline, kerosene,

rectified spirit, paint, thinner, highly

acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline

detergents. Otherwise, these chemical

agents can discolor or damage the

surfaces resulting in a significant loss in

functionality. If plastic parts become

inadvertently exposed to any of these

chemical agents, flush with water

immediately.

Washing

To help protect the hardtop's finish, use a

soft cloth or sponge to wash it.

Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,

industrial fallout, and similar deposits can

damage the finish if they are not removed

immediately. When prompt washing with

plain water is ineffective use a mild soap

made for use on vehicles.

CAUTION

Ø Don't use an automatic car wash.

Ø Don't use strong soap, chemical

detergents, or hot water, and don't

wash the hardtop in direct

sunlight or when the surface is

warm.

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^íSome models.

Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

Fabric

Interior Care

Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric

with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.

Clean it with a mild soap solution good

for upholstery and carpets. Remove fresh

spots immediately with a fabric spot

cleaner.

qDashboard Precautions

Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume

and cosmetic oils from contacting the

dashboard. They'll damage and discolor it.

If these solutions get on the dashboard,

wipe them off immediately.

To keep the fabric looking clean and

fresh, take care of it. Otherwise its color

will be affected, it can be stained easily,

and its fire-resistance may be reduced.

CAUTION

Do not use glazing agents.

Glazing agents contain ingredients

which may cause discoloration,

wrinkling, cracks and peeling.

CAUTION

Use only recommended cleaners and

procedures. Others may affect

appearance and fire-resistance.

qCleaning the Upholstery and

Interior Trim

qCleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt

Vinyl

Webbing

Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl

with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.

Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl

cleaner.

Clean the webbing with a mild soap

solution recommended for upholstery or

carpets. Follow instructions. Don't bleach

or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.

Leather^í

Real leather is not uniform and may have

scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it

with a leather cleaner or mild soap.

If the leather gets wet from rain, remove

the moisture as soon as possible and dry

in a shaded area.

If the seats get wet, promptly remove

moisture with a dry cloth and allow it to

further dry in a shaded area.

If moisture is not removed, it will cause

hardening and shrinkage of the leather.

Do not leave vinyl products on the seats

for long periods as they may affect the

leather quality and coloring.

After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry

the belt webbing and make sure there is

no remaining moisture before retracting

them.

WARNING

Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer

replace damaged seat belts

immediately:

Using damaged seat belts is

dangerous. In a collision, damaged

belts cannot provide adequate

protection.

^íSome models.

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Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

qCleaning the Window Interiors

If the windows become covered with an

oily, greasy, or waxy film, clean them

with glass cleaner. Follow the directions

on the container.

CAUTION

Ø Do not scrape or scratch the inside

of the window grass. It could

damage the thermal filaments.

Ø When washing the inside of the

window grass, use a soft cloth

dampened in lukewarm water,

gently wiping the thermal

filaments.

Use of glass cleaning products

could damage the thermal

filaments.

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Maintenance and Care -> Appearance Care for Your Mazda Mx-5 SUV Third Generation (2005-2015)

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