2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 coolant reservoir

7-18
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don’t go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
6. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it’s low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
If you find a leak or other damage,
or if coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-12).
Overheating
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
WARNING
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
Coolant reservoir
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 18 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-8
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic transmission fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transmission)
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Fuse block
(next to air filter)
BatteryBrake/Clutch fluid
reservoir Engine oil dipstick Engine oil-filler cap
Air filter Engine coolant reservoir Cooling system cap
Fuse block
(near battery)
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 8 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Inspecting Coolant Level
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year—at the beginning of the
winter season—and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool.
If it’s at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.
Do not overfill.

If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.Engine Coolant
Hot Engine:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become very
hot. You could be burned. Carefully
inspect the engine coolant in the
coolant reservoir, but do not open it.
Do not use a match or live flame in
the engine compartment. DO NOT
ADD COOLANT WHEN THE
ENGINE IS HOT.
WARNING
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 12 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

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

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