Black plate (272,1)
Vanity mirror lights
Edge
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Trunk light
1. Press both sides of the lens cap to
remove it.
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
qReplacing a Bulb (Rear)
Rear turn signal lights, Brake lights/
Taillights, Reverse lights
1. Pull the center section of the plastic
retainer and remove the retainers and
partially open the trunk side trim.
Removal
Installation
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
Brake lights/Taillights Rear turn signal lights
Reverse lights
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Rear side-marker lights
Due to the complexity and difficulty of
the procedure, the bulbs should be
replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
8-38
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page272
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (273,1)
High-mount brake light
1. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and trunk rear trim.
Removal
Installation
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
License plate light
1. Press the front of the lens to detach the
front tabs.2. Wrap a flathead screwdriver with a soft
cloth to prevent damage to the lens and
remove the lens by carefully prying on
the edge of the lens with a flathead
screwdriver.
3. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
Edge
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-39
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page273
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (277,1)
DESCRIPTIONFUSE
RATINGPROTECTED COMPONENT
17 FOG 15A Fog lights
í
18 A/C MAG 10A Air conditioner
19 IG 30A For protection of various circuits
20 IG KEY 15A For protection of various circuits
21 STOP 15A Brake lights
22 FUEL PUMP 20A Fuel pump
23 HORN 15A Horn
24 HAZARD 15A Hazard warning flashers, Turn signals
25 ETV 15A Electric throttle valve
26 WIPER 20A Windshield wiper and washer
27 P.WIND 20A Power windows
28 ENGINE 15AEngine control system, Supplemental restraint system, ABS,
Power steering
29 TAIL 10ATaillights, License plate light, Parking lights, Front side-maker
lights, Rear side-marker lights
30 ILLUMI 10A Illuminated entry system
31 EGI COMP1 10A Engine control system
32 EGI COMP2 10A Engine control system
33 EGI INJ 15A Fuel injector
34 EPS 60A Power steering
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-43íSome models. RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page277
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (282,1)
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.
WARNING
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.
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.
Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for
metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the
sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas even if
the rest of the vehicle doesn't need it.
qRepairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.
CAUTION
If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced, make
sure the body shop applies anti-
corrosion materials to all parts, both
repaired and new. This will prevent
them from rusting.
qBright-Metal Maintenance
lUse tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
lTo prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
lDuring 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.
CAUTION
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.
8-48
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page282
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (283,1)
qUnderbody 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.
WARNING
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.
qAluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
NOTE
lDon't use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminum
wheels. They may damage the
coating.
lOnly 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.
lAvoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.
lIf your aluminum wheels lose luster,
wax the wheels.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-49
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page283
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (310,1)
Specifications
qEngine
Item Model
Type Rotary engine
Displacement 654 ml × 2 (654 cc × 2, 40.0 cu in × 2)
Compression ratio 10.0
qElectrical System
Item Model
BatteryManual transmission
12V-52AH/5HR
Automatic transmission
Alternator 12 V - 100 A
StarterManual transmission 12 V - 1.4 kW
Automatic transmission 12 V - 1.8 kW
Spark-plug numberTrailing side N3H1 18 110C
*1*2
Leading side N3Y3 18 110, N3H2 18 110C*1*2
Spark-plug gap 1.15―1.25mm (0.045―0.049 in)
*1 Standard
*2 ex factory
CAUTION
When cleaning the iridium plugs, do not use a wire brush. The fine particulate coating on
the iridium alloy and platinum tips could be damaged.
qLubricant Quality
Lubricant Classification
Engine oil Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-12.
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 oilAPI Service GL-5 (SAE 90)
API Service GL-5 (SAE 80W-90)
API Service GL-5 (SAE 75W-90)
*
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
* Not available from Mazda
10-4
Specifications
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page310
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (312,1)
qLight Bulbs
Exterior light
Light bulbCategory
Wattage ECE R SAE
HeadlightsHigh beam 65 H9―
Low beamHalogen 55 H7―
Xenon fusion 35 D2S―
Front turn signal lights 21 WY21W―
Parking lights 5 W5W―
Fog lights
í55 H11―
Front side-marker lights 3.8―#194
High-mount brake light 21 W21W #7440
Rear turn signal lights 21 WY21W―
Brake lights/Taillights 21/5 W21/5W #7443
Reverse lights 21 W21W #7440
License plate light 5 W5W―
Rear side-marker lights 0.57――
The rear side-marker light bulbs cannot be replaced because they are an LED-type bulb. The rear combination
component must be replaced.
Interior light
Light bulbCategory
Wattage ECE R
Trunk light 5 W5W
Overhead light/Map lights (Front) 5 W5W
Overhead light (Rear) 10―
Courtesy lights 5 W5W
Vanity mirror lights 1.8―
qTires
NOTE
The tires have been optimally matched with the chassis of your vehicle.
When replacing tires, Mazda recommends that you replace tires of the same type
originally fitted to your vehicle. For details, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
10-6íSome models.
Specifications
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page312
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (316,1)
A
Accessory Socket .............................. 6-50
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-13
Air Bag Systems ............................... 2-29
Air Filter ............................................ 8-22
Ambient Temperature Display .......... 6-43
Antenna ............................................. 6-10
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ......... 5-7
Warning light ............................... 5-7
Appearance Care ............................... 8-45
Ashtray .............................................. 6-45
Audio System ................................... 6-10
Audio control switch .................. 6-36
Operating tips for audio
system ........................................ 6-10
Safety certification ..................... 6-38
Automatic Transmission
Driving tips ................................ 5-16
Fluid ........................................... 8-19
Manual shift mode ..................... 5-12
Shift-lock system ........................ 5-11
Transmission ranges ................... 5-10
B
Battery
Emergency starting .................... 7-20
Maintenance ............................... 8-26
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds
Engine overrev warning beep .... 5-48
Ignition key reminder ................. 5-48
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-48
Seat belt warning beep ............... 5-48
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep ............................................ 5-48
B
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-6
After getting in ............................. 4-6
Before getting in .......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication .............................. 8-22
Brake/Clutch
Fluid ........................................... 8-18
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..... 5-7
Foot brake .................................... 5-4
Pad wear indicator ........................ 5-8
Parking brake ............................... 5-5
Warning light ............................... 5-6
Break-In Period ................................... 4-7
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-33
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-5
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-3
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-14
Center Console .................................. 6-48
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions ......... 2-20
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-23
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-27
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-44
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-43
Coin Box ........................................... 6-47
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-41
Cruise Control ................................... 5-17
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-46
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
11-2
Index
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page316
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G