2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 wheel

8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Your Mazda’s headlights and fog lights
have replaceable halogen bulbs.
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
1. Make sure the ignition switch is turned
off and the headlight switch is off.
2. Lift the hood and find the high and low
beam bulbs in the rear of the headlight
unit.
The outboard bulb is the LOW beam,
and the inboard one is the HIGH
beam.(page 8-27)
3. If you are changing the right headlight
bulb, start the engine, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the right, and turn
off engine. If you are changing the left
headlight bulb, turn the steering wheel
to the left.
4. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and partially peel back the
mudguard.
Xenon Fusion Bulb Replacement:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs by
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Do not replace the xenon
fusion bulbs by yourself. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer when the
replacement is necessary.
Handling Halogen Bulbs:
When a halogen bulb breaks, it is
dangerous. These bulbs contain
pressurized gas. If one is broken, it
will explode and serious injuries
could be caused by the flying glass.
If the glass portion is touched with
bare hands, body oil could cause the
bulb to overheat and explode when lit.
Never touch the glass portion of the
bulb with your bare hands and always
wear eye protection when handling or
working around halogen bulbs.
Children and Halogen Bulbs:
Playing with a halogen bulb is
dangerous. Serious injuries could be
caused by dropping a halogen bulb or
breaking it some other way.
Always keep halogen bulbs out of the
reach of children.
WARNING
Removal
Installation
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 28 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
5. Carefully remove the headlight bulb
from the socket by pulling it straight
back.
6. Replace the bulb.
7. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.

Replacing a Fog Light Bulb*
Due to the complexity and difficulty of
the procedure, the bulbs should be
replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Replacing a Bulb (Front)
1. If you are changing the right bulb, start
the engine, turn the steering wheel all
the way to the right, and turn off
engine. If you are changing the left
bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
2. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and partially peel back the
mudguard.Front turn signal lights, Parking lights,
Front side-marker lights
1. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
2. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
NOTE
Use the protective cover and carton of
the replacement bulb to dispose of the
old bulb promptly out of the reach of
children.
Removal
Installation
Front turn signal
lights
Parking lights
Socket
Socket
Front side-marker lightsSocket
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 30 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-43
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Bright-Metal Maintenance
•Use tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
•To prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
•During cold weather or in coastal
areas, cover bright-metal parts with a
coating of wax or preservative heavier
than usual. It would also help to coat
them with noncorrosive petroleum jelly
or some other protective compound.

Underbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try also to
do this every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt. It
will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.

The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped
there will cause rusting. Don’t use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating and
cause discoloration or paint
deterioration.
CAUTION
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance is
normal.
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 43 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-44
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Aluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.

Dashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They’ll damage and discolor
it. If these solutions get on the dashboard,
wipe them off immediately.

Cleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leather*
Real leather isn’t uniform and may have
scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it
with a leather cleaner or mild soap.
If the leather gets wet from rain, remove
the moisture as soon as possible and dry
in a shaded area.
If the seats get wet, promptly remove
moisture with a dry cloth and allow it to
further dry in a shaded area.
If moisture is not removed, it will cause
hardening and shrinkage of the leather.
Do not leave vinyl products on the seats
for long periods as they may affect the
leather quality and coloring.
NOTE
•Don’t use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminum
wheels. They may damage the
coating.
•Only use a mild soap or neutral
detergent and always use a sponge
or soft cloth to clean the wheels.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or
cold water. Also, be sure to clean
the wheels after driving on dusty or
salted roads. This helps prevent
corrosion.
•Avoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.
•If your aluminum wheels lose
luster, wax the wheels.
Interior Care
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
CAUTION
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 44 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

9-15
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.

Tre a d We a r
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.

Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
WARNING
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

11-5
Index
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
M
Mirrors
Outside mirrors
......................... 3-25
Rearview mirror
........................ 3-26
Money-Saving Suggestions
............... 4-7
O
Odometer and Trip Meter ................ 5-30
Outside Mirrors
................................ 3-25
Overhead Console
............................ 6-45
Overhead Lights
............................... 6-38
Overheating
...................................... 7-18
Overloading
...................................... 4-11
P
Paint Damage ................................... 8-39
Parking Brake
..................................... 5-5
Parking in an Emergency
................... 7-2
Power Door Locks
............................. 3-8
Power Steering
................................. 5-16
Power steering malfunction
indicator light
............................ 5-16
Power Windows
............................... 3-14
Push-Starting
.................................... 7-22
R
Rear Quarter Windows .................... 3-16
Rear Seat
............................................ 2-7
Rear Window Defroster
................... 5-53
Rearview Mirror
............................... 3-26
Recreational Towing
........................ 7-26
Registering Your Vehicle in
A Foreign Country
........................... 9-11
Rocking the Vehicle
........................... 4-8
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................9-17
Seat Belt System
3-point type
...............................2-11
Automatic locking
.....................2-10
Emergency locking
...................2-10
Extender
....................................2-14
Pregnant women
........................2-10
Pretensioner and load
limiting
......................................2-12
Seat belt precautions
...................2-8
Warning beep
............................2-16
Warning light
............................2-15
Seats
Front seat
.....................................2-2
Rear seat
......................................2-7
Security System
Immobilizer system
...................3-21
Theft-deterrent system
..............3-23
Service Publications
.........................9-18
Spare Tire and Tool Storage
...............7-3
Specifications
...................................10-4
Speed Unit Selector
..........................5-30
Speedometer
.....................................5-30
SRS Air Bags
Air bag system description
........2-32
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions
................................2-27
Warning light
............................2-38
Starting the Engine
.............................5-3
Steering Wheel
.................................3-25
Horn
..........................................5-54
Storage Box
......................................6-46
Storage Compartments
.....................6-45
Center console
...........................6-46
Coin box
....................................6-45
Glove box
..................................6-45
Overhead console
......................6-45
Storage box
...............................6-46
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 5 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