2002 Mazda Miata MX-5 Owner's Manual - Page 167

J07L_8Q42-EA-01F.book Page 11 Tuesday, March 5, 2002 3:14 PM In Case of an Emergency Overheating Overheating If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, you experience power loss, or you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine is probably too hot. If this happens: 1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. 2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in park (P), a manual transmission in neutral. Apply the parking brake. 3. Turn off the air conditioner. 4. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or from the engine compartment. If steam is coming from the engine compartment: Don't go near the front of the vehicle. Stop the engine. Then turn the ignition switch to the ON position without starting the engine. The radiator cooling fans will start to cool the engine. If neither coolant nor steam is escaping: Open the hood and idle the engine until it cools. If this doesn't lower the temperature, stop the engine and let it cool. 5. Visually inspect the alternator/water pump drive belt for looseness and breakage and all cooling hose connections for leaks. If the belt is broken or coolant is leaking, call an Authorized Mazda Dealer for assistance. 6. If the drive belt is OK, the engine is cool, and no coolant leaks are obvious, inspect the coolant level. Carefully add coolant as required (page 8-15). Engine coolant reservoir WARNING Steam from Overheated Engine: Steam from an overheated engine is dangerous. The escaping steam could seriously burn you. Open the hood ONLY after steam is no longer escaping from the engine. Cooling system cap 7-11 Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F