2005 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 maintenance schedule

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Owner Maintenance Schedule
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-18)
lEngine coolant level (page 8-15)
lEngine oil level (page 8-13)
lWasher fluid level (page 8-21)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-28)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lAutomatic transmission fluid level (page 8-19)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
lAir filter (page 8-22)
lEngine coolant (page 8-15)
lEngine oil (page 8-14)
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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NOTE
Verify that the engine cover is securely
installed.
qChanging Engine Oil and Filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Please act responsibly―protect the
environment and take used oil to a
recycling facility. Ask your dealer or a
service station for information.
WARNING
Handling Used Engine Oil:
Continuous contact with used engine
oil is dangerous. It could cause skin
cancer. Always wash with soap and
water immediately after changing oil
and filter.
Changing engine oil
WARNING
Checking or Changing Engine Oil:
Hot engine oil is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, the engine
oil becomes very hot. You could be
seriously burned. Don't check or
change the engine oil when the engine
is hot.1. Remove the engine cover.
2. Warm up the engine for a few minutes
and turn it off. Remove the oil-filler
cap.
3. Remove the drain plug and drain the
oil into a suitable container.
4. Replace the plug tightly after the oil
has thoroughly drained.
5. Fill the engine with new oil to the F
mark on the dipstick.
6. Securely reinstall the oil-filler cap.
LoosenTighten
Forward
Drain Plug
7. Start the engine and inspect around the
drain plug for leaks.
8. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the
oil to return to the oil pan.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a
preset temperature, an electrical cooling
fan turns on. It will continue running
for about 10 minutes after the ignition
switch is turned to off.
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.
CAUTION
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
Do not overfill.
If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qChanging Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
CAUTION
lUse only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant's effectiveness.
lDon't add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
lThe engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
lDO NOT USE alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. DO NOT MIX alcohol or
methanol with the coolant. This
could damage the cooling system.
lDon't use a solution that contains
more than 60 % antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
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Owner Maintenance
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3. Unfasten the clamps.
4. Lift off the air filter cover and remove
the filter.
Air filter cover
Air 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).
NOTE
After installing the air filter cover, make
sure the electrical connector is securely
connected.
Wiper Blades
CAUTION
lHot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the wiper's ability to clean windows.
lTo prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline, kerosene,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
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.
qReplacing Windshield Wiper
Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't move the
wipers by hand.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 5-56
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-8
Headlight Washer .............................. 5-54
Headlights
Control ....................................... 5-49
Flashing ...................................... 5-50
High-low beam .......................... 5-49
Leveling ..................................... 5-50
On reminder ............................... 5-49
HomeLink Wireless Control
System .............................................. 5-56
Hood Release .................................... 3-21
Horn .................................................. 5-55
I
Ignition
Keys ............................................. 3-2
Switch .......................................... 5-2
Illuminated Entry System ................. 6-39
Immobilizer System .......................... 3-24
Indicator Lights ................................. 5-36
Cruise main ................................ 5-46
Cruise set .................................... 5-46
DSC OFF .................................... 5-45
Headlight auto-leveling
malfunction ................................ 5-47
Headlight high-beam .................. 5-44
power steering malfunction ........ 5-46
Security ...................................... 5-44
Shift position .............................. 5-45
TCS/DSC ................................... 5-45
Turn-signal/hazard warning ....... 5-47
I
Information Display .......................... 6-42
Ambient temperature display ..... 6-43
Audio display ............................. 6-44
Climate control display .............. 6-44
Clock .......................................... 6-43
Information display functions .... 6-42
Instrument Cluster ............................. 5-30
Interior Care ...................................... 8-50
Interior Lights ................................... 6-39
J
Jump-Starting .................................... 7-21
K
Keyless Entry System ......................... 3-3
Keys .................................................... 3-2
L
Label Information ............................. 10-2
Lane-Change Signals ........................ 5-51
Light Bulbs
Replacement ............................... 8-33
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Lighter ............................................... 6-44
Lighting Control ............................... 5-49
Lubricant Quality .............................. 10-4
M
Maintenance
Introduction .................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance precautions ... 8-9
Owner maintenance schedule ....... 8-8
Scheduled ..................................... 8-3
11-4
Index
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