Engine & identification
Vehicle identification
| No. of cylinders Type | 4/DOHC |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Fiscal) cc | 1840 |
| Compression ratio :1 | 10,0 |
| Suitable for unleaded petrol | Yes |
| Minimum octane rating RON | 95 |
| Ignition system Make | Mazda |
| Ignition system Type | ESA |
| Ignition system Description | Map-DI |
| Trigger location | Cam/Crankshaft |
| Fuel system Make | Mazda |
| Fuel system Type | EGI |
| Fuel system Description | MFI-i |
| Air metering Type | Mass |
| Combined ignition and fuel ECM | Yes |
| Diagnostic socket | Yes |
Ignition system
| Ignition coil Make | Mazda |
|---|---|
| Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V | 12,0 |
| Secondary resistance Ohm | 7000-11000 |
Firing order
The firing order for the Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) is 1-3-4-2.
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
|---|
Valve clearances
Valve clearances for the Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) are 0,18-0,24 mm inlet and 0,28-0,34 mm exhaust, measured cold.
| Valve clearance - INLET mm | 0,18-0,24 cold |
|---|---|
| Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm | 0,28-0,34 cold |
Engine oil & fluids
Engine oil
The Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) takes 3.8 litres of engine oil with the filter.
See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.
Manual gearbox
The specified manual gearbox oil is SAE 75W-90.
See the reference table for the complete manual gearbox entries and their conditions.
Coolant
The listed total cooling-system capacity is 6.0 litres.
Grades, filling conditions and capacities
| Engine oil options | |
|---|---|
| Ambient temperature range | ➞-20°C |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 5W-20 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Ambient temperature range | ➞0°C |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Ambient temperature range | -25°C➞30°C |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 10W-30 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Ambient temperature range | -25°C➞ |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 10W-40, 10W-50 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Ambient temperature range | -10°C➞ |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 20W-40, 20W-50 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Engine with filter(s) litres | 3.8 |
| Other lubricants and capacities | |
| Manual transmission oil grade SAE | 75W-90 |
| Manual transmission litres | 2,0 6sp=1,75 |
| Automatic transmission fluid Type | ATF M-III |
| Automatic transmission (drain & refill) litres | 6.7 |
| Differential oil grade - rear SAE | 90W |
| Cooling system - total capacity litres | 6.0 |
| Brake fluid Type | DOT 3/4 |
| Power steering fluid Type | Dexron II |
| Power steering fluid litres | 0.8 |
Brakes & wear limits
Brake disc thickness
Brake discs on the Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 18 mm (ventilated) front and 7 mm rear.
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front | 18 mm |
|---|---|
| Minimum disc thickness | |
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear | 7 mm |
Brake disc and drum dimensions
| Minimum disc thickness | |
|---|---|
| Disc runout Front | 0,05 mm |
| Disc runout Rear | 0,05 mm |
| Minimum pad thickness Front | 1 mm |
| Minimum pad thickness Rear | 1 mm |
| Parking brake travel No. of notches | 7-9 |
Service & electrical
Battery
The Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) uses a 12 V, 32 Ah battery (reserve capacity 44 minutes).
| Battery V/RC(Ah) | 12/44 (32) |
|---|
Tuning and emissions
| Tuning conditions | — |
|---|---|
| View more information | — |
| Ignition timing and idle speed | |
| Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm | 10±1/750-850 Not adjustable |
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | ECM Controlled |
| Idle speed rpm | 800±50 |
| Oil temperature °C | 60 |
| CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO | 0,5 Max Not adjustable |
| HC level at idle speed ppm | 100 |
| CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2 | 14,5-16 |
| O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2 | 0,1-0,5 |
| Increased idle speed for CO test rpm | 2500-2800 |
| CO content at increased idle speed Vol. % | 0,3 |
| Lambda at increased idle λ | 0,97-1,03 |
Starting and charging
| Maximum cranking amps A | 86-109 |
|---|---|
| Alternator output A/V/rpm | 80/14/3000 |
Service checks and adjustments
| Compression pressure bar | 13,5 |
|---|---|
| Oil pressure bar/rpm | 2,9-3,8/3000 |
| Radiator cap bar | 0,90-1,20 |
| Thermostat opens °C | 89 |
| Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm | 6,0-7,5/9,0-10,0 |
| Drive belt tension - AC mm | 9,0-10,0 |
Fuel system
| System pressure bar | 3,7-4,2 |
|---|---|
| Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor Ohm/°C | 290-340/80 |
| Injector Ohm | 12,5 |
| Injector opening duration (hot) ms/rpm | 1,5-4,0 |
Spark plugs
| Spark plugs Original equipment | Mazda |
|---|---|
| Spark plug Type | BP1318110 |
| Electrode gap mm | 1,0-1,1 |
| Spark plugs Make | Champion |
| Spark plug Type | RC10YC4 |
| Electrode gap mm | 1,0-1,1 |
| Spark plugs Make | NGK |
| Spark plug Type | BKR5E-11 |
| Electrode gap mm | 1,0-1,1 |
Tightening torques
| Cylinder head instructions | — |
|---|---|
| Cylinder head | |
| Renew bolts | No |
| Tighten | 29±2 Nm |
| Tighten | 59±2 Nm |
| Tighten | 80±1 Nm |
| Other engine tightening torques | |
| Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts | No |
| Main bearings Stage 1 | 28±2 Nm |
| Main bearings Stage 2 | 57±2 Nm |
| Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts | No |
| Big end bearings Stage 1 | 23±2 Nm |
| Big end bearings Stage 2 | 52±2 Nm |
| Oil pump to cylinder block | 23±2 Nm |
| Sump bolts | 9 Nm |
| Sump drain bolt | 35±5 Nm |
| Flywheel/driveplate | 100±2 Nm |
| Clutch pressure plate | 22±4 Nm |
| Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt | 162±4 Nm |
| Crankshaft pulley/damper bolts | 15±2 Nm |
| Camshaft sprocket/gear | 55±5 Nm |
| Camshaft sprocket/gear | |
| Camshaft carrier/cap | 13±1 Nm |
| Camshaft/rocker cover | 9±1 Nm |
| Inlet manifold to cylinder head | 18±2 Nm |
| Exhaust manifold to cylinder head | 54±10 Nm |
| Exhaust downpipe to manifold | 45±7 Nm |
| Spark plugs | 19±3 Nm |
| Fuel rail | 22±3 Nm |
| Lambda sensor (Oxygen) | 40±9 Nm |
| Chassis tightening torques | |
| Front hub | 191±24 Nm |
| Bolts/nuts | |
| Rear hub | 255±39 Nm |
| Steering track rod end | 37±7 Nm |
| Brake caliper to carrier Front | — |
| Brake caliper to carrier | |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front | 59 Nm |
| Brake caliper to carrier Rear | 52 Nm |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear | 59±9 Nm |
| ABS sensor Front | 20 Nm |
| ABS sensor Rear | 20 Nm |
| Road wheels | 103±10 Nm |
Air conditioning
| No. of AC service connectors | 2 |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning restrictor type | Expansion valve |
| Compressor clutch/magnetic coupling | Yes |
| Compressor variable displacement solenoid | No |
| Air conditioning refrigerant Type | R134a |
| Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams | — |
| Refrigerant quantity | |
| Air conditioning oil group | PAG |
| Air conditioning oil Type | Dens Oil 9 |
| Air conditioning oil quantity cm³ | 150 |
| Air conditioning oil viscosity ISO | 100 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the firing order of the Mazda MX-5 1.8?
The firing order for the Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) is 1-3-4-2.
How much oil does the Mazda MX-5 1.8 take?
The Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) takes 3.8 litres of engine oil with the filter. See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.
What are the valve clearances for the Mazda MX-5 1.8?
Valve clearances for the Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) are 0,18-0,24 mm inlet and 0,28-0,34 mm exhaust, measured cold.
What is the minimum brake disc thickness for the Mazda MX-5 1.8?
Brake discs on the Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 18 mm (ventilated) front and 7 mm rear.
What battery does the Mazda MX-5 1.8 use?
The Mazda MX-5 1.8 (2002–2005) uses a 12 V, 32 Ah battery (reserve capacity 44 minutes).