Introduction
Change the oil in your first generation NA MX-5 Miata to keep it running strong. Regular oil changes are one of the easiest DIY maintenance procedures to prolong engine life.
For years, 3,000 miles was the correct interval to wait between oil changes, but that is no longer the case. Conventional oil in today's engines can easily last over 5,000 miles between changes. Synthetic oils are even more durable, maintaining good engine performance beyond 10,000 miles.
What you need
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Begin jacking up the front driver's side corner of the car by placing a jack between the two notches towards the front of the car on the long vertical part of the frame.
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Open the driver's side door and locate the hood release lever.
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Pull the lever until you hear the hood click open.
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Locate the black hood catch lever just to the driver's side of the center of the hood at the front of the car.
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Lift the lever with one hand while lifting up the hood with the other.
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The oil filter is a small cylinder, about 2.5" in diameter, located on the right side of the engine underneath the intake manifold.
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Hold a rag or towel underneath the oil filter and grab the filter with your hand. The rag will be used to catch any leaking oil when removing the filter
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Loosen the oil filter by twisting it counterclockwise.
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When the oil filter is completely loose, rotate it so that the open end is facing upward to prevent any large spills before removing it from the engine bay.
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Remove the oil filter and set it on a level surface with the open end facing up.
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Use a rag or towel to wipe off any excess oil around the filter threads.
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Dip your finger into the container of new oil, and apply a thin layer of oil to the O-ring of the new filter.
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There are a number of different viscosities of oil that can be used in the Miata's engine. Use the chart from the owner's manual to select the appropriate viscosity based on the temperatures the engine will be operating in.
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When the draining oil slows to a drip, wipe off the area around the drain plug and reinstall it by first tightening it by hand.
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Finish tightening the drain plug with a 19 mm box end wrench or socket wrench.
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If using a torque wrench to tighten the drain plug, set the torque to : 29-41 N-m; 22-30 ft-lbs
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Wipe off the area around the drain plug one more time with a rag or towel.
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Fully reinsert the dipstick and remove it again.
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Check the oil level by looking at the markings at the bottom of the dipstick.
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Add or drain any oil as necessary.
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Before driving anywhere, start the car and let it run for a couple minutes. While the engine is running, check underneath the car for any oil leaks. If oil is dripping from the drain plug you should first check for any cracks in the drain pan. If there are no cracks, tighten the drain plug.
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Allow 12-24 hours for all of the oil to drain out of the old oil filter.
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Take your old oil and filter to a recycling facility. Most auto parts stores and repair shops accept these at no charge to you. In addition, some cities and/or counties have a service where they will collect used oil and filters from your home. For more information, see the American Petroleum Institute's web page on used motor oil collection and recycling.
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4 Comments
When removing old oil filter, make sure the gasket did not adhere to the engine, but that it is present on the old filter. If the old gasket remains on the engine, the new filter will not seal correctly and will leak.
You make no mention of using a crush washer on the drain plug. It the Miata designed not to need one, or is it just assumed that one will always install a new one with each oil change? Thannks.
You are absolutely right. This has been mentioned already in the comments for step 13.
BenZ78 -
