July - Sacramento Area Miata Owners Association

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The Monthly Newsletter of the Sacramento Area Miata Owners Association — July 2006 — Page 6 Mazda to Exhibit New Mazda MX-5 Miata With Power Retractable Hard Top at the British International Motor Show By Adi Damania Mazda Motor Corporation will make the global debut of the Mazda Miata Power Retractable Hard Top at the 2006 British International Motor Show in London, England. Since its launch in 1990, and with subsequent generations launched in 1999 and 2006, MX-5 Miata has always been available with an optional removable hardtop, but this is the first time the car will be available with a power-operated retractable hard top. The annual British International Motor Show will be held in London from Tuesday, July 18, through Sunday, July 30, 2006. Featuring a new, unique power retractable hard top roof, this is an all-new addition to the third-generation Mazda Miata which launched in late 2005 as a 2006 model. This new Mazda MX-5 provides a unified sense of driving exhilaration, ready to spread the fun of lightweight sports cars in diverse and distinct new ways, regardless of the weather. "Jinba Ittai" or 'rider and horse as one' is the essence of Mazda MX-5, the expression reflecting the emotional connection between a horse and rider. Along with the global debut of the MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top, the Mazda “Sassou” and “Kabura” concept cars will also be shown. Mazda MX-5 with a power retractable hard top roof will be known by different names around the world (notice that Mazda has now totally dropped the word “Miata” for some odd reason!). ________________________ The Check Engine Light Story By Adi Damania A few months ago, the check engine light (CEL) came on in my 1999 10th Anniversary Miata "Blue Belle" on the weekly trip to work in Davis from Woodland only 12 miles away. I was forced to do this weekly trip to keep the OEM Panasonic battery charged. Otherwise after 7 days all I would hear is a "clack" sound on trying to start the car. Then out would come the trickle charger, extension wires hook up and the 12 hour wait till the engine was crankable on battery power. Once I even took the taboo short cut and asked Parvin to push the car in reverse out of the garage, put it in gear and gradually released the clutch. The car started without further tantrums. But let me come back to the CEL. Parvin gets very nervous when any light which is not usually there comes on, including the low gas light in our Lexus. So to put her mind at ease I took the car to our friendly
The Monthly Newsletter of the Sacramento Area Miata Owners Association — July 2006 — Page 7 Lexus mechanic in Woodland who told us that the code was P0402, a leakage somewhere in the exhaust system, but not something Brian said that would make the car stop dead on the Fwy. This was music to Parvin's years. The code was cleared, but unfortunately, after only 3 days the dreaded CEL re-appeared on the instrument pod! I ignored it for a couple of days till I realized I had done 6000 miles since my last oil change! I use Mobil 1, and the manual does say change is OK up to 7000 miles, but all the same I made a beeline for the local SpeeDee pronto and as I was getting the oil changed. The Pakistani youngster changing the oil and seeing the slougish way the car started, told me that he would like to check the battery. He hooked up the battery to a device which looked like a palmtop computer and grimly told me the instrument said "bad battery". As Autozone was next door, I went and got myself a new DuraLast Maita battery for a princely sum of $89 incl. a six year guarantee. I thought the CEL would disappear after I disconnected the old one and reconnected the new one. But it did not. BTW the car alarm did go off for a couple of seconds when I disconnected the old battery and also when I reconnected the new one. But the car's alarm was not turned on and so the clever alarm was only making its presence felt and not warning a prospective thief! The car, however, started like a top, and I soon discovered I need not drive it once a week anymore. It started after 15 days when we were in Hawaii recently. But now here comes the most interesting part; I had casually mentioned to Ron Petrich, our indefatigable events manager, my problem with the CEL. He looked at me, as he always does; it is a look of half bewilderment and half disgust, and told me "Do you top up after you gas up at the pump". I hung my head down and replied in the affirmative. "Stop doing it" advised Ron. I had got in to the habit of filling the gas tank to the brim while stationed in Syria where the gas was dirt cheap and gas stations infrequent (70% of Syria is desert). So, the next time I went for gas in Woodland I let the filler pipe tell me when my gas tank was full and did not add another drop. I tightened the gas cap, clicked 3 times at least, and lo! and behold! the CEL was gone, and has not come back for a month now. Whatever Ron's peculiarities, he solved my problem and saved me from a huge mechanic's bill!! For that alone he deserves a prize - a dozen bottles of octane booster fluid. Fort Bragg Weekend By Ralph Gingrich Yes, we are going back to Fort Bragg over the Columbus Day weekend. This event has been the longest-running event of the club and is a good one to attend. We will leave from McDonald's in Davis (on Chile's Road at the Mace Boulevard exit from I80) on Friday or Saturday, October 6th. or 7th. at 8:30 AM. Vince Weis is working on a new route for the event. We will stop for a picnic lunch and he will have a place for us to pick up the food. We will be putting on a Saturday night dinner. Fran Rowell and Ralph Gingrich are working on a menu for this now. It will include salad, main entree, and dessert. Last year it cost $10.00 per person and we are working to maintain that price. For reservations call the Best Western hotel at (707) 964-4776. The nightly rate is $89.00 plus tax. We have already booked the cottage so we have a place to cook, play games and talk. The cutoff date to secure this rroom rate is September 13, 2006. If you have any questions please call Ralph Gingrich at (916) 721- 4499 or Fran Rowell at (530) 344-1913. ________________________ SAMOA Scrabble Scramble By Denise Correia September 22-24, 2006 Fun and games await you in Folsom, California! The Sacramento Area Miata Owner Association (SAMOA) invites you to come play in the foothills this fall. Enjoy a day filled with fun and games, fantastic scenery, and roads that were paved for Miatas. Meet new friends and catch up with old acquaintances from Miata clubs all Coming Attractions over the region. Sign up now! Get your registration in early for a bonus commemorative t-shirt. Print, fill out, and mail the registration form to reserve your space. For out-of-towners, hotel accommodation information is available on the registration form. About The Event Friday - September 22rd: Out-of-town participants arrive and will be greeted in the hotel hospitality suite. Many dinner and entertainment options are available in new Folsom along Bidwell or in historic Folsom on Sutter Street. Saturday - September 23th: Car show: Bring your bottle of spit-shine with you! A car show will be held prior the days' main event. Awards will be presented at dinner. The main event: SAMOA's Scrabble® Scramble is like a poker run with a twist. Participants follow a predetermined route and pick up Scrabble® tiles along the way. Who will have the winning word? Find out when prizes are awarded at the Mazda-sponsored dinner. Sunday - September 24th: SAMOAns bid farewell to out-of-town guests as they depart for home. About Folsom Folsom is a quaint Northern California town built during the gold rush era. The historic old town is filled with unique shops, popular restaurants, and a lively nightlife. On the edge of Lake Natoma, Folsom has many attractions, including the Folsom Powerhouse, a museum, historic buildings, and recreational paths along the lake. Just off Hwy 50 is the Courtyard Marriott in the new area near new restaurants and shops. For more information: My Folsom.com
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July - Sacramento Area Miata Owners Association

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