Vehicle Segment:
Compact rear-wheel-drive sports car (roadster)
Direct Competitors:
Often compared to cars like the Fiat 124 Spider, Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4, and various smaller roadsters
Driving Experience:
Renowned for its 'Jinba Ittai' (horse and rider as one) philosophy, lightweight construction, precise handling, and driver engagement
Convertible Top:
Available with a manual soft-top or a power-retractable hardtop (PRHT) for enhanced versatility
Target Audience:
Mazda MX-5 Miata owners, independent repair shops, automotive enthusiasts, and DIY mechanics
Benefits For Owners:
Empowers owners to perform routine maintenance, diagnose issues, and tackle repairs, potentially saving significant costs and extending vehicle lifespan
Powertrain:
Engine mechanical, fuel system, ignition system, exhaust system, cooling system, lubrication system, engine control systems (ECU, sensors, actuators)
Drivetrain:
Transmission (manual and automatic), clutch, driveshafts, differential, axles
Chassis:
Suspension (front and rear), steering system, brake system (hydraulic, ABS, EBD), wheel alignment
Electrical:
Battery, charging system, starting system, lighting, instrument cluster, power windows, locks, mirrors, audio system, climate control, body control modules (BCM), fuses, relays, wiring diagrams
Body:
Body panels, interior trim, exterior trim, convertible top system, glass, doors, latches, hinges
Maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance intervals, fluid changes (oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid), filter replacements, inspections
Repair:
Component removal and installation, assembly and disassembly, diagnostic procedures, troubleshooting guides, component testing
Diagnostics:
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), sensor data interpretation, common faults and their resolutions, diagnostic charts
Specifications:
Torque specifications for fasteners, fluid capacities, electrical component specifications, measurement data
Depth Of Coverage:
Factory-level detail suitable for professional technicians and advanced DIY enthusiasts
Diagnostic Tools:
Procedures for using diagnostic scan tools (e.g., Mazda's M-MDS), oscilloscope usage, multimeter applications
Troubleshooting Methodology:
Systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues, including flowcharts and symptom-based diagnostics
Transmission Type Standard:
6-Speed Manual Transmission (MX-5 Miata 'Sport' and 'Club' trims)
Transmission Type Optional:
6-Speed Automatic Transmission (Available on 'Touring' and 'Grand Touring' trims)
Manual Gear Ratios:
Specific ratios available in manual for each gear, detailed in manual
Automatic Features:
Paddle shifters, Sport mode, manual shifting capability
Manual Transmission Fluid:
Mazda GL-4 SAE 75W-90 (or equivalent high-quality synthetic gear oil)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Mazda ATF-FZ (or equivalent Dexron VI compatible fluid)
Length:
154.1 inches (3915 mm)
Width:
67.7 inches (1720 mm)
Height:
49.4 inches (1255 mm) (Soft Top) / 49.5 inches (1258 mm) (PRHT)
Wheelbase:
90.2 inches (2290 mm)
Curb Weight:
Approximately 2496 lbs (1132 kg) for Soft Top, 2595 lbs (1177 kg) for PRHT
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Approx. 3300 lbs (1500 kg)
Cargo Volume:
5.3 cubic feet (150 Liters)
NHTSA Front Impact:
5-Star Rating
NHTSA Side Impact:
5-Star Rating
IIHS Small Overlap Front:
Good (Typical for this generation)
Traction Control:
Standard Traction Control System (TCS)
Electronic Stability:
Standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with integrated Traction Control
Braking System:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA)
Airbags:
Front dual-stage airbags, side-impact airbags, active head restraints
Body Structure:
Advanced impact-absorbing rigid body structure with reinforced A-pillars
Audio System:
Bose premium audio system available on higher trims, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, auxiliary input, USB connectivity
Navigation:
Optional factory navigation system (touchscreen interface)
Cruise Control:
Standard electronic cruise control
Keyless Entry:
Standard keyless entry with remote unlocking, available push-button start
Bluetooth:
Available Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming
Climate System:
Manual climate control standard, automatic climate control available on higher trims
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (using synthetic oil)
Air Filter Replacement:
Inspect every 15,000 miles, replace as needed or at 30,000 miles
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Inspect every 15,000 miles, replace as needed or at 30,000 miles
Coolant Change:
First change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles thereafter
Brake Fluid Change:
Every 2 years or 30,000 miles (DOT 4 recommended)
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-20 Synthetic (API SN or ILSAC GF-5 certified)
Engine Oil Capacity:
4.0 US quarts (3.8 Liters) with filter change
Coolant Type:
Mazda Super Long Life Coolant (Blue) - Ethylene Glycol based
Coolant Capacity:
Approx. 5.9 US quarts (5.6 Liters)
Common Wear Items:
Clutch wear, rear differential bushings, sway bar links, convertible top mechanism wear, brake pad and rotor wear
Potential Electrical Gremlins:
Occasional issues with window motors, infotainment system glitches, or sensor failures, often detailed in the manual's troubleshooting section
Convertible Top Maintenance:
Requires regular lubrication and adjustment, with specific procedures outlined in the manual to prevent leaks and binding
Mazda Philosophy:
Focus on lightweight, driver-focused vehicles, building on the legacy of the original Mazda Cosmo and Rotary-powered sports cars
Mx-5 Lineage:
Successor to the NA (1989-1997) and NB (1998-2005) generations, continuing the affordable, pure sports car ethos
Production Location:
Hiroshima, Japan
Production Years For Nc:
2005-2015 (2013 model falls within this period)
Car And Driver 10Best:
Frequently named to Car and Driver's 10Best list in previous generations, maintaining its critical acclaim
Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards:
Often recognized for its engineering and driving dynamics
Autoguide Car Of The Year:
High ratings and awards for its segment