Black plate (93,1)
Winter Driving
lCarry 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:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but don't use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-21).
lDon'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.
qSnow Tires
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
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 5-27).
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page93
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (249,1)
Check the oil level and fill to the F mark
if necessary.
Oil capacity (General reference only,
refer to Specifications section for
capacities.)
NOTE
lThe indicated engine oil capacities
are for general reference purposes
only. When adding or changing oil,
verify the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick.
lUse only specified engine oil (page
10-4).
lVerify that the engine cover is
securely installed.
Changing oil filter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer should do the work.
Engine Coolant
qInspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
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.
Electrical Fan and Engine
Inspection:
Working near the electrical cooling
fan when it is running is dangerous.
You could be hit by the fan and
seriously injured. Turn off the ignition
switch and make sure the fan is not
running before attempting to work
near the electrical cooling fan.
Cooling System Cap:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury. Don't remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-15
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page249
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (317,1)
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-35
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-50
Defroster
Rear window .............................. 5-54
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ......................................... 3-8
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7
Automatic transmission .............. 5-16
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-8
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-22
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-23
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-24
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-23
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-20
Flooded engine ........................... 7-20
Jump-starting .............................. 7-21
Push-starting .............................. 7-24
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-25
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant ....................................... 8-15
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-5
Hood release .............................. 3-21
Oil .............................................. 8-12
Overheating ................................ 7-18
Starting ......................................... 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-11
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-18
E
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-33
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-47
F
Flasher
Hazard warning .......................... 5-56
Headlights .................................. 5-49
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3
Changing .................................... 7-12
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit ................................................ 7-5
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Fluids
Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance ..................... 8-8
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-51
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-4
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-5
Front Seats
(Manually Operated Seats) ................. 2-2
Fuel
Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-19
Gauge ......................................... 5-34
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Fuses ................................................. 8-40
Panel description ........................ 8-42
Replacement ............................... 8-40
G
Gauges .............................................. 5-30
Glove Box ......................................... 6-47
Index
11-3
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page317
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
