2005 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 ECU

Black plate (205,1)
To open, squeeze the latch and pull the lid
down.
When closing the storage box, put the
storage box back in its original position
until you hear a click sound.
NOTE
When using the storage box to store
heavy accessories, remove the storage
box before placing or removing the
accessories.
Insert the master key and turn it clockwise
to lock, counterclockwise to unlock.
Lock Unlock
Loading long objects with storage box
removed
The storage box can be removed for
convenient loading of long objects such as
skis placed through the trunk.
WARNING
Loading Long Objects Through
Removed Storage Box Area:
Sudden braking or maneuvering while
long objects are loaded through the
removed storage box area and into the
trunk is dangerous. Operation of the
shift/selector lever could be obstructed
resulting in a serious accident. Secure
long objects in the trunk so that they
cannot be thrown forward in the cabin
and avoid sudden braking or
maneuvering.
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
6-49
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page205
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:12 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (210,1)
qJack
To remove the jack
1. Open the tool box.
2. Turn the jack screw counterclockwise.
To secure the jack
Perform the removal procedure in reverse.
qSpare Tire
A temporary spare tire is not equipped
with your Mazda. If an emergency tire
repair is needed, repair the flat tire with
the emergency flat tire repair kit (page
7-5). If you require a temporary spare tire,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
When installing a temporary spare tire,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
the temporary spare tire.The temporary spare tire is lighter and
smaller than a conventional tire, and is
designed only for emergency use and
should be used only for VERY short
periods. Temporary spares should
NEVER be used for long drives or
extended periods.
WARNING
Driving with a Temporary Spare Tire
on Ice or Snow:
Driving with a spare tire on the rear
(driving) wheels on ice or snow is
dangerous. Handling will be affected.
You could lose control of the vehicle
and have an accident. Put the spare
tire on the front axle and move a
regular tire to the rear.
7-4
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page210
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (222,1)
3. Install the lug nuts with the beveled
edge inward; tighten them by hand.
WARNING
Don't Apply Oil or Grease to Lug
Nuts, Bolts:
Applying oil or grease to lug nuts and
bolts is dangerous. The lug nuts could
loosen while driving and cause the tire
to come off, resulting in an accident.
In addition, lug nuts and bolts could
be damaged if tightened more than
necessary. Do not apply oil or grease
to lug nuts and bolts and do not
tighten the lug nuts beyond the
recommended tightening torque.4. Turn the jack handle counterclockwise
and lower the vehicle. Use the lug
wrench to tighten the nuts in the order
shown.
If you're unsure of how tight the nuts
should be, have them inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Nut tightening torque
N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf)88―118
(9―12, 65―87)
WARNING
Loose Lug Nuts:
Improperly or loosely tightened lug
nuts are dangerous. The wheel could
wobble or come off. This could result
in loss of vehicle control and cause a
serious accident. Always securely and
correctly tighten the lug nuts.
7-16
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page222
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (223,1)
WARNING
Metric Studs and Lug Nuts:
Because the wheel studs and lug nuts
on your Mazda have metric threads,
using a non-metric nut is dangerous.
On a metric stud, it would not secure
the wheel and would damage the stud,
which could cause the wheel to slip off
and cause an accident. Be sure to
reinstall the same nuts you removed or
replace them with metric nuts of the
same configuration.
Incorrect Tire Air Pressure:
Driving on tires with incorrect air
pressure is dangerous. Tires with
incorrect pressure could affect
handling and result in an accident.
Don't drive with any tires that have
incorrect air pressure.
NOTE
To prevent the jack and tool from
rattling, store them properly.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-17
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page223
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (230,1)
8. When finished, carefully disconnect the
cables in the reverse order described in
Step 6.
NOTE
Verify that the engine cover is securely
installed.
Push-Starting
WARNING
Towing a Vehicle to Start It:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured. Never tow a vehicle to start it.
You can't start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
CAUTION
You shouldn't push-start a vehicle that
has a manual transmission. It can
damage the emission control system.
7-24
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page230
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (232,1)
Tiedown Hooks
CAUTION
Don't use the tiedown hooks under the
front and rear for towing.
They are designed ONLY for tying
down the vehicle when it's being
transported. Using them for towing will
damage the bumper.
qTiedown Hooks
1. Remove the tiedown eyelet and the lug
wrench from the trunk (page 7-3).
2. Wrap the lug wrench with a soft cloth
to prevent damage to the bumper and
open the cap located on the front and
rear bumper.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
The cap cannot be completely removed.
Do not use excessive force as it may
damage the cap or scratch the painted
bumper surface.
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet
using the lug wrench.
Front
Rear
7-26
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page232
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (233,1)
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedown
eyelet.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying down the
vehicle. Make sure that the tiedown
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
Recreational Towing
An example of“recreational towing”is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
“Towing Description”(page 7-25) and
“Tiedown Hooks”(page 7-26) and
carefully follow the instructions.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
7-27
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (248,1)
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.
8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page248
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G