2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 oil

2-9
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
One Belt, One Passenger:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way can’t spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be
crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time.
Seat Belt Caught or Pinched in the Door:
Wearing a seat belt that is caught or pinched in the door is dangerous. The seat belt
could become loose and not provide adequate protection in a sudden stop or collision.
Always make sure the seat belt is not caught or pinched in the door.
Seat Belt with Seat Belt Slide Bar:
Placing your foot or other objects such as an umbrella on the seat belt slide bar is
dangerous. The front seat belt is built in the rear door and the lower part of the seat
belt slides forward or backward along the seat belt slide bar as the rear door opens or
closes. If the seat belt slider is blocked, the seat belt could be improperly positioned
and would provide little or no protection in a collision. Always make sure nothing is
placed on the seat belt slide bar.
Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and rings are soiled, so try to keep them
clean.
WARNING
CAUTION
Ring
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3-5
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Trunk button
To open the trunk, press the button.
Panic button
You can use the button to turn on the
alarm, which allows you to signal for
attention in an emergency.
Turning on the alarm
Pressing the button once will trigger the
alarm for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds,
and do the following:
•The horn sounds intermittently.
•The hazard warning lights flash.
Turning off the alarm
Press any button on the transmitter or
insert the key into the ignition switch.

Transmitter Maintenance
NOTE
The trunk button is disabled when the
glove box-mounted trunk lid release
lock-out button is in the OFF position
(page 3-12).
NOTE
The alarm will work whether any door
is open or closed.
•Make sure the battery is installed
with the correct pole facing upward.
Battery leakage could occur if it is
not installed correctly.
•When replacing the battery, be
careful not to bend the electrical
terminals or get oil on them. Also
be careful not to get dirt in the
transmitter as it could damage it.
•Danger of battery explosion if it is
incorrectly replaced.
•Replace only with the same type
battery (CR2025 or the equivalent).
•Dispose of used batteries according
to the following instructions.
Insulate the plus and minus
terminals of the battery using
cellophane or equivalent tape.
Never disassemble.
Never throw the battery into fire
and/or water.
Never deform or crush.
CAUTION
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3-18
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Opening the Hood
1. With the vehicle parked, pull the
release handle to unlock the hood.2. Slide the hood latch to the right and lift
the hood.
3. Use the support rod to hold the hood
open.

Closing the Hood
1. Check under the hood area to make
certain all filler caps are in place and
all loose items (e.g. tools, oil
containers, etc.) have been removed.
2. Secure the rod in its clip, while holding
up the hood.
3. Close the hood so that it locks securely.
Hood
Closed and Securely Locked Hood:
A hood that is not closed and securely
locked is dangerous as it could fly
open while the vehicle is moving and
block the driver’s vision which could
result in a serious accident. Always
check that the hood is closed and
securely locked.
WARNING
Release handle
Clip
Support rod
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4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
•Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
•Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
•If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.•Are all doors closed and locked?
•Is the seat adjusted properly?
•Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•Do all the lights work?
•Check all gauges.
•Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
•Release the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
•Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
•Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•Use only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-9).
•Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
•Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-17).
•Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2,
4.3 psi) more than recommended on the
tire pressure label (driver’s door), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter
months.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tires with steel wire reinforcement in
the sidewalls (page 5-26).
WARNING
CAUTION
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5-29
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
1 Speedometer ..............................................................................................................5-30
2 Speed Unit Selector ...................................................................................................5-30
3 Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector .........................................................5-30
4 Tachometer ................................................................................................................5-31
5 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge......................................................................... 5-32
6 Fuel Gauge.................................................................................................................5-33
7 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge........................................................................................5-33
Meters and Gauges
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5-33
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
37

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
If the needle on the gauge doesn’t move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3.If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-10). If it’s low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn’t move, have
your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Low fuel warning lightDon’t run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
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.
CAUTION
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5-35
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Warning/Indicator Lights
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-37
Charging System Warning Light 5-38
Engine Oil Level Warning Light 5-38
Engine Coolant Level Warning Light 5-39
Check Engine Light 5-39
ABS Warning Light 5-40
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-40
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 35 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM