2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 maintenance schedule

8-13
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Changing Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
For mixture percentage:To change coolant
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
2. Only when the engine is cool, loosen
the radiator drain plug and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
Properly dispose of the used coolant. •Use only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant’s effectiveness.
•Don’t add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
•The engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
•DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. DO NOT MIX alcohol
or methanol with the coolant. This
could damage the cooling system.
•Don’t use a solution that contains
more than 60 % antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
ProtectionVo l u m e
Antifreeze
solutionWa t e r
Above -16°
C (3°
F) 35% 65%
Above -26°
C (-15°
F) 45% 55%
Above -40°
C (-40°
F) 55% 45%
CAUTIONRemoving the Cooling System Cap:
Removing the cooling system cap or
drain plug while the engine is
running or hot is dangerous. This
might lead to cooling system and
engine damage and could result in
serious injury from escaping hot
coolant or steam. Turn off the engine
and wait until it’s cool. Even then, be
very careful when removing the cap
or drain plug. Wrap a thick cloth
around it and slowly turn it
counterclockwise to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you’re sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap — still
using a cloth — turn the cap, and
remove it.
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 13 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-19
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
3. Unfasten the clamps.
4. Lift off the air filter cover and remove
the filter.
5. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing
with a damp cloth.
6. Clean or replace the filter.
7. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Replace the filter according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.

Replacing Windshield Wiper
Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
NOTE
After installing the air filter cover,
make sure the electrical connector is
securely connected.
Clamp
Air filter cover
Air filter
Wiper Blades
•Hot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the cleanability of windows.
•To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don’t use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents on or near them.
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don’t move the
wipers by hand.
CAUTION
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 19 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

11-4
Index
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................. 5-55
Hazardous Driving
............................. 4-8
Headlight Washer
............................ 5-53
Headlights
Control
...................................... 5-48
Flashing
.................................... 5-49
High-low beam
......................... 5-48
Leveling
.................................... 5-49
On reminder
.............................. 5-48
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
.............................................. 5-55
Hood Release
................................... 3-18
Horn
................................................. 5-54
I
Ignition
Keys
............................................ 3-2
Switch
......................................... 5-2
Illuminated Entry System
................ 6-37
Immobilizer System
......................... 3-21
Indicator Lights
................................ 5-35
Cruise Main
.............................. 5-45
Cruise set
.................................. 5-45
DSC OFF
.................................. 5-44
Headlight auto-leveling
malfunction
............................... 5-46
Headlight high-beam
................ 5-43
Power steering malfunction
...... 5-45
Security
..................................... 5-43
Shift position
............................ 5-44
TCS/DSC
.................................. 5-44
Turn-signal/hazard warning
...... 5-46
Information Display
......................... 6-40
Ambient temperature display
... 6-41
Audio display
............................ 6-42
Climate control display
............. 6-42
Clock
......................................... 6-41
I
Information display
functions
.................................... 6-40
Instrument Cluster
............................ 5-29
Interior Care
..................................... 8-44
Interior Lights
.................................. 6-37
J
Jump-Starting ................................... 7-20
K
Keyless Entry System ........................ 3-3
Keys
................................................... 3-2
L
Label Information ............................ 10-2
Lane-Change Signals
....................... 5-50
Light Bulbs
Replacement
.............................. 8-27
Specifications
............................ 10-6
Lighter
.............................................. 6-42
Lighting Control
............................... 5-48
Lubricant Quality
............................. 10-5
M
Maintenance
Introduction
................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance
precautions
.................................. 8-7
Owner maintenance schedule
..... 8-6
Scheduled
.................................... 8-3
Manual Transmission Operation
........ 5-8
Recommendations for shifting
....5-9
Map Lights
....................................... 6-39
Meters and Gauges
........................... 5-29
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 4 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM