Black plate (90,1)
Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch
fluid, washer fluid, and other fluid
levels should be inspected. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?
lIs the seat adjusted properly?
lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?
lCheck all gauges.
lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page90
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (122,1)
CAUTION
lWhen the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light is lit, one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. You should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the vehicle's
tire information placard. Driving on
a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and stopping
ability. Each tire, including the spare,
should be checked monthly when
cold and set to the recommended
inflation pressure as specified in the
vehicle placard and owner's manual.
lTo avoid false readings, the system
samples for a little while before
indicating a problem. As a result it
will not instantaneously register a
rapid tire deflation or blow out.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
qTire Pressure Monitoring System
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates
when tire pressure is too low or too high
in one or more tires, and flashes when
there is a system malfunction.
WARNING
Vehicle Handling When Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Warning Light
Illuminates/Flashes:
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, it is dangerous to
drive the vehicle at high speeds, or
perform sudden maneuvering or
braking. Vehicle drivability could
worsen and result in an accident.
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, decrease vehicle
speed immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking. Have the
system and tires checked or perform
the appropriate repair as soon as
possible.
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page122
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (144,1)
Beep Sounds
qSeat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
qIgnition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep sound will be heard
when the driver's door is opened.
qLights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep sound
will be heard when the driver's door is
opened.
qEngine Overrev Warning Beep
The beep sounds to indicate engine
overrev when the tachometer needle
enters the striped zone (page 5-32).
qTire Inflation Pressure Warning
Beepí
The warning beep sound will be heard for
about 3 seconds when there is any
abnormality in tire inflation pressures
(page 5-25).
5-48
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page144
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:12 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (216,1)
14. Install the compressor hose to the tire
valve.
Valve
Compressor hose
15. Insert the compressor plug into the
interior accessory socket and turn the
ignition switch to the ACC position
(page 6-50).
Compressor
Center console Compressor
plug
CAUTION
lBefore pulling out the compressor
plug from the electrical socket, make
sure the compressor power switch is
off.
lThe compressor turns on and off
with the push-button switch.16. Turn the compressor switch on and
inflate the tire carefully to the correct
inflation pressure.
WARNING
Operating the Compressor:
Operating the compressor above 300
kPa (3.1 kgf/cm
2, 3 bar, 43.5 psi) is
dangerous. When the inflation
pressure rises above 300 kPa (3.1 kgf/
cm
2, 3 bar, 43.5 psi), heated air will be
exhausted from the back of the
compressor and you could be burned.
Never operate the compressor above
300 kPa (3.1 kgf/cm
2, 3 bar, 43.5 psi).
CAUTION
If the compressor operates slowly or
becomes hot, it indicates overheating.
Turn the compressor off immediately
and leave it turned off for 30 minutes or
longer.
7-10
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page216
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:12 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (217,1)
NOTE
lCheck the tire inflation pressure label
(driver's door) for the correct tire
inflation pressure.
lDo not use the compressor for longer
than 10 minutes because using the
compressor for long periods could
damage it.
lIf the tire does not inflate, repair of
the tire may not be possible. If the
tire does not reach the correct
inflation pressure within a 10-minute
period, it probably has received more
extensive damage. When this
happens, the emergency flat tire
repair kit cannot be used to repair the
tire. Contact an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
lIf the tire has been over-inflated,
loosen the screw cap on the
compressor and bleed some of the air
out.
17. When the tire has been inflated to the
proper inflation pressure, turn the
compressor switch off and remove the
compressor hose from the tire valve.
18. Install the tire valve cap.
19. Put the emergency flat tire repair kit
in the trunk and continue driving.
CAUTION
lDrive carefully to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer and keep the vehicle
speed below 80 km/h (50 mph).
lIf the vehicle is driven 80 km/h (50
mph) or higher, the vehicle might
begin to vibrate.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
If the tire is not properly inflated, the
tire pressure monitoring system warning
light will illuminate (page 5-26).
20. After driving the vehicle for 10
minutes or 5 km (3 miles), check the
tire pressure with the tire pressure
gauge equipped with the compressor.
If the tire pressure has fallen below
the correct tire pressure, inflate the
tire to the correct pressure again
following the steps from number 15.
CAUTION
lIf the tire inflation pressure falls
below 130 kPa (1.3 kgf/cm2or bar,
18.9 psi), repair cannot be done with
the repair kit. Park the vehicle on a
level surface off the right-of-way and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf the tire inflation pressure
continues to remain low after
repeating steps 14 to 21, park the
vehicle on a level surface off the
right-of-way and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
When checking the tire inflation
pressure with the tire pressure gauge on
the compressor unit, make sure the
compressor switch is turned off.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-11
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page217
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:12 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (218,1)
21. If the tire inflation pressure remains
stable, the tire repair is complete.
Drive the vehicle with care to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
tire replaced.
CAUTION
lA tire that has been temporarily
repaired with the tire sealant cannot
be reused. Mazda recommends
replacing the tire with a new one.
lThe wheel can be reused after any
sealant adhering to it is wiped off
and carefully inspected. However,
replace the tire valve with a new one.
qInspecting the IMS Emergency
Flat Tire Repair Kit
Inspect the emergency tire repair kit at
regular intervals.
lCheck the tire sealant period of
effective use.
lCheck the operation of the tire
compressor.
NOTE
The tire sealant has a period of effective
use. Check the period of effective use
indicated on the bottle label and do not
use it if it has expired. Have the tire
sealant replaced at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer before the period of
effective use has expired.
Changing the Tire
WARNING
Jacking a Vehicle:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure someone.
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a
jack.
Passenger in Vehicle Supported by a
Jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury. Never allow anyone inside a
vehicle supported by a jack.
CAUTION
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
The wheels equipped on your Mazda
are specially designed for installation of
the tire pressure sensors. Do not use
non-genuine wheels, otherwise it may
not be possible to install the tire
pressure sensors.
7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page218
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:12 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (240,1)
qSchedule 2
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
ENGINE
Engine oilPuerto Rico Replace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
Others R R R R R R RRRRRR
Engine oil filter R R R R R R RRRRRR
Drive belt I I
AIR FILTER
Air filter C C R C
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs R
FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel filter Replace every 160,000 km (100,000 miles)
Fuel lines, hoses and connections
*1II
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolantReplace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 48 months;
after that, every 24 months
Engine coolant level I I I I I I IIIIII
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights I I I I I I IIIIII
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake line, hoses and connection I I
Brake and clutch fluid level I I I I I IIIII
Brake fluid R R
Disk brakesIIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear I I I I I I IIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front and rear suspension and ball joints I I
Manual transmission oil R R
Rear differential oil R R
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges L L L L L LLLLLLL
Washer fluid level I I I I I I IIIIII
Flat tire repair kit
*2Inspect every year
8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page240
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (242,1)
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)
8-8
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page242
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G