Hi folks - I likely won't be a regular poster here, as I do not have a Miata. Truth is, I work as a Caseworker in the Mental Health/Psychiatric field and have a client with no internet access who has a problem. I've tried researching this issue a bit and come up swamped with links that have no answers, (surprise surprise). So, I figured I ask the experts here and hope you can help him out. Here goes:

My client has a 1991 Mazda Miata and two years ago, bought a replacement battery from a Mazda dealer. His car, (purchased used) originally had a Panasonic battery which seemed to work well for him. The Mazda replacement battery has not been so great for him however and is dead in the water as we speak, (type). We've searched all over Pittsfield, MA for a battery to replace it, but when we say "91 Mazda Miata", we get: "Oooh - we'll have to order one of those". Cost quotes have been from $79.99 to &109.99.

My question is: If the Miata is rated for "X"-amps and a battery from Sears, (or anywhere) is rated for "X"-amps, can we use just any old batery, or are we stuck with a hard to find gel? Also, is it safe to jump-start a Mazda Miata with my Xterra or should I use a booster box?

Thanks so much for your help - you seem like a great bunch over here....Take care.

Mark

 

While other batteries will work, the best battery is a westco battery, or an optima. Because the battery is in the trunk, you need one that will vent out the tubes that are available. I haven't ever heard of it happening, but supposedly fumes can build up in the trunk and explode if you don't use the correct battery.
http://www.westcobattery.com/miata.html
That is the westco that I use, and it is designed specifically for the miata, so it fits perfectly, and the vent tubes plug right in.

 

You can jump start it with any 12volt system car.

 

While I've never needed to jumpstart mine, I can't imagine it would be too hard. From what I've heard, they're not really supposed to be jump started, but if you're stuck, you're stuck. If you do jump start it, you should put it on a slow-charger when you get home as the charging system in the car won't fully charge it.

 

Get the westco--I've bought several for the 1990 model I own. They last for a couple of years. If you keep a maintenance charger on them, I bet you get longer life. I don't drive mine in the winter, just start it and occasionally slow charge. Westco will ship to your house--very conveneint. I thought those batteries were sealed, don't remember a vent tube, but there might be.

Greg