8-9
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Recommended Oil
Oil container labels provide important
information.
The quality designation SL
or ILSAC
must be on the label.Engine oil viscosity, or thickness, has an
effect on fuel economy and cold-weather
operation (starting and oil flow).
Low-viscosity engine oils can provide
improved fuel economy and cold-weather
performance.
But high-temperature weather conditions
require higher-viscosity engine oils for
satisfactory lubrication.
When choosing an oil, consider the
temperature range your vehicle will
operate in before the next oil change.
Then select the recommended viscosity
from this chart.
Energy conserving oils are recommended.
A chief contribution they make to fuel
economy is reducing the amount of fuel
necessary to overcome engine friction.
Engine Oil
NOTE
The Mazda RX-8 requires regular
inspection of the engine oil level. The
compact, high performance RENESIS
rotary engine in your vehicle consumes
a small amount of engine oil due to its
structural design.
Although your vehicle is equipped
with an engine oil level warning light
and an engine oil pressure gauge, it is
best to keep the engine oil level in the
range between full and low by
checking the oil dipstick regularly.
Inspect the level when refueling.
FORGASOLINEENGINES
(ILSAC)
Using oils of viscosity besides those
recommended for specific temperature
ranges could result in engine damage.
–30–20–100 1020304050
–20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
5W-20
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 9 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM
8-23
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
Tire Inflation Pressure
Inspect all tire pressures monthly
(including the spare*) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures
for the best ride, top handling, and
minimum tire wear.
Refer to the specification charts (page
10-7).Tires
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Use all radial, all bias-belted, or all
bias-type tires.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-7)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
Incorrect Tire Inflation:
Overinflation or underinflation of
tires is dangerous. Adverse handling
or unexpected tire failure could result
in a serious accident. Always inflate
the tires to the correct pressure (page
10-7).
WARNING
WARNING
NOTE
•Warm tires normally exceed
recommended pressures. Don’t
release air from warm tires to adjust
the pressure.
•Underinflation can cause reduced
fuel economy and poor sealing of
the tire bead, which will deform the
wheel and cause separation of tire
from rim.
•Overinflation can produce a harsh
ride and a greater possibility of
damage from road hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the
correct levels. If one frequently
needs inflating, have it inspected.
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 23 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM
11-6
Index
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
S
Sunroof ............................................ 3-19
Sunshade
.......................................... 3-20
Sunvisors
.......................................... 6-37
T
Tachometer ...................................... 5-31
Temporary Spare Tire
...................... 8-25
Theft-Deterrent System
................... 3-23
Tiedown
Hook
......................................... 7-24
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
.... 5-24
System error activation
............. 5-26
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light
............................. 5-25
Tires and wheels
....................... 5-27
Tires
Flat tire
........................................ 7-3
Inflation pressure
...................... 8-23
Replacement
............................. 8-24
Rotation
.................................... 8-24
Snow tires
................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage
.......... 7-3
Specifications
........................... 10-7
Tire chains
................................ 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading
system (UTQGS)
...................... 9-15
Tool
.................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description
............................... 7-23
Emergency towing
.................... 7-23
Recreational towing
.................. 7-26
Trailer towing
........................... 4-12
Traction Control System (TCS)
....... 5-20
TCS/DSC indicator light
.......... 5-21
Trailer Towing
................................. 4-12
Trip Meter
........................................ 5-30
Trunk Lid
......................................... 3-11
T
Trunk Light ...................................... 3-12
Trunk Release Slide Lever
............... 3-13
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
........ 5-50
V
Vanity Mirrors .................................. 6-37
Vehicle Information Labels
............. 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................ 5-35
ABS
........................................... 5-40
Air bag system
.......................... 5-40
Automatic transmission
............ 5-42
Brake system
............................. 5-37
Charging system
....................... 5-38
Check engine
............................. 5-39
Door-ajar
................................... 5-41
Engine coolant level
.................. 5-39
Engine oil level
......................... 5-38
Front seat belt pretensioner
system
....................................... 5-40
Low fuel
.................................... 5-41
Low washer fluid level
............. 5-41
Seat belt
..................................... 5-41
Tire pressure monitoring
system
....................................... 5-42
Warranty
............................................. 9-8
Washer Fluid
.................................... 8-17
Weights
............................................ 10-6
Wheel Replacement
......................... 8-26
Windows
Power windows
......................... 3-14
Rear quarter windows
............... 3-16
Windshield Washer
.......................... 5-52
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 6 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM
