2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 clutch

8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
3. With the drain plug loose but not fully
removed, flush out the system with
running water.
4. Drain the system completely and
retighten the plug. Add as much
ethylene-glycol-based coolant and
water as necessary to provide freezing
and corrosion protection.
5. In extremely cold climates, add the
amount recommended in the coolant
manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Reinstall the cooling system cap.
7. Run the engine at idle for about
10 minutes, then turn it off. If the
coolant level warning light comes on
during this time, turn the engine off.
After turning off the engine, inspect
the drain plug and the water hoses for
leaks.
8. After the engine has cooled, remove
the cooling system cap and inspect the
coolant level. If it’s low, repeat steps 5
to 7.

Inspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid
Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Because this procedure requires
technical expertise, we recommend
that it be done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Tighten Loosen Loosen
Tighten
Cooling system cap
Drain plug
Brake/Clutch Fluid
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 14 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Adding Brake/Clutch Fluid
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.

Inspecting Automatic
Transmission Fluid Level
The automatic transmission fluid level
should be inspected regularly. Measure it
as described below.
The volume of fluid changes with the
temperature. Fluid must be checked at idle
without driving at normal operating
temperature.
1. Park on a level surface and set the
parking brake firmly.
2. Idle the engine about two minutes.
Push down on the brake pedal.
3. Move the shift lever through all ranges
and set it at P.
Spilled Brake Fluid:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Brake fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on yourself or on the
engine.
Low Brake/Clutch Fluid Levels:
Low brake/clutch fluid levels are
dangerous. Low levels could signal
brake lining wear or a brake system
leak. Your brakes could fail and cause
an accident. If you find a low fluid
level, have the brakes and clutch
inspected.
•Brake and clutch fluid will damage
painted surfaces. If brake or clutch
fluid does get on a painted surface,
wipe it off immediately.
•
Using nonspecified brake and clutch
fluids (page 10-5) will damage the
systems. Mixing different fluids will
also damage them.
If the brake/clutch system frequently
requires new fluid, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
CAUTION
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF)
•Low fluid level causes transmission
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and
transmission malfunction.
•Use specified fluid (page 10-5). A
nonspecified fluid could result in
transmission malfunction and
failure.
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 15 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

10-5
Specifications
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C


Lubricant Quality
*Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-9.


Capacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.


Dimensions
*With license plate holder
LubricantClassification
API Service ILSAC
Engine oil
*SL GF-III
Lubricant Classification
Manual transmission oil API Service GL-4 or GL-5 (SAE 75W-90)
Automatic transmission fluid ATF M-III or equivalent (e.g. Dexron® III)
Rear differential oil API Service GL-5 (SAE 90)
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
ItemUnit
L US qt Imp qt
Engine oilWith oil filter replacement 3.5 3.7 3.1
Without oil filter replacement 3.3 3.5 2.9
Coolant 9.8 10.4 8.6
Manual transmission oil 1.75 1.8 1.5
Automatic transmission fluid 8.7 9.2 7.7
Rear differential oil 1.3 1.4 1.1
Fuel tank 60 15.9 (US gal) 13.2 (Imp gal)
Item Model
Overall length
4,425 mm (174.2 in), 4,430 mm
*(174.4 in)
Overall width 1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Overall height 1,340 mm (52.8 in)
Front tread 1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Rear tread 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Wheelbase 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
10.fm Page 5 Friday, July 4, 2003 11:46 AM

11-2
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Index
A
Accessory Socket ............................. 6-48
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories
...................................... 9-12
Air Bag Systems
.............................. 2-27
Air Filter
.......................................... 8-18
Ambient Temperature Display
........ 6-41
Antenna
............................................ 6-10
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
........ 5-7
Warning light
.............................. 5-7
Appearance Care
.............................. 8-39
Ashtray
............................................. 6-43
Audio System
................................... 6-10
Audio control switch
................ 6-34
Audio set
................................... 6-17
Operating tips for audio
system
....................................... 6-10
Safety certification
.................... 6-36
Automatic Transmission
Driving tips
............................... 5-15
Fluid
.......................................... 8-15
Manual shift mode
.................... 5-11
Shift-lock system
...................... 5-11
Transmission ranges
................. 5-10
B
Battery
Emergency starting
................... 7-20
Maintenance
............................. 8-21
Specifications
........................... 10-4
Beeps
Engine overrev warning
beep
........................................... 5-47
Ignition key reminder
............... 5-47
Lights-on reminder
................... 5-47
Seat belt warning beep
.............. 5-47
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep
........................................... 5-47
B
Before Starting the Engine ................. 4-6
After getting in
............................ 4-6
Before getting in
......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication
............................. 8-18
Brake/Clutch
Fluid
.......................................... 8-14
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
....5-7
Foot brake
................................... 5-4
Pad wear indicator
...................... 5-8
Parking brake
.............................. 5-5
Warning light
.............................. 5-5
Break-In Period
.................................. 4-7
Bulb Replacement
............................ 8-27
C
Capacities ......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide
.............................. 4-5
Catalytic Converter
............................ 4-3
Cell Phones
...................................... 9-13
Center Console
................................. 6-46
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions
........ 2-17
Installing child-restraint
systems
...................................... 2-20
LATCH child-restraint
systems
...................................... 2-25
Cigarette Lighter
.............................. 6-42
Climate Control System
.....................6-2
Gas specifications
..................... 10-6
Clock
................................................ 6-41
Coin Box
.......................................... 6-45
Courtesy Lights
................................ 6-39
Cruise Control
.................................. 5-17
Cup Holder
....................................... 6-44
Customer Assistance
.......................... 9-2
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 2 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM