Black plate (130,1)
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Low fuel warning light
qEngine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
If the needle on the gauge doesn't move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3.If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it's low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn't move, have
your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
NOTE
The Mazda RX-8 requires regular
checking of the engine oil level. The
compact, high performance RENESIS
rotary engine in your vehicle consumes
a small amount of engine oil due to its
structural design. An oil pump
optimizes the amount of oil injected to
lubricate the rotor seals in the
combustion cycle. Although your
vehicle is equipped with an engine oil
level warning light and an engine oil
pressure gauge, it is best to keep the
engine oil level in the range between
full and low by checking the oil
dipstick regularly. Mazda recommends
checking the oil level at every second
fuel filling. The oil consumption of the
engine depends on engine speed and
engine load. Under extreme driving
conditions, oil consumption can be
higher.
5-34
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (136,1)
NOTE
The Mazda RX-8 requires regular
checking of the engine oil level. The
compact, high performance RENESIS
rotary engine in your vehicle consumes
a small amount of engine oil due to its
structural design. An oil pump
optimizes the amount of oil injected to
lubricate the rotor seals in the
combustion cycle. Although your
vehicle is equipped with an engine oil
level warning light and an engine oil
pressure gauge, it is best to keep the
engine oil level in the range between
full and low by checking the oil
dipstick regularly. Mazda recommends
checking the oil level at every second
fuel filling. The oil consumption of the
engine depends on engine speed and
engine load. Under extreme driving
conditions, oil consumption can be
higher.
qEngine Coolant Level Warning
Light
This warning light indicates low engine
coolant level.
If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine coolant level (page 8-15). If it's
low, add engine coolant.3. Check the light.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add engine coolant, have your vehicle
towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the engine
coolant level is low. It could result in
extensive engine damage.
qCheck Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
lThe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
lThe engine's electrical system has a
problem.
lThe emission control system has a
problem.
lThe fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on or
flashes continuously, do not drive at high
speeds and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
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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)
8-8
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Engine Oil
NOTE
The Mazda RX-8 requires regular
checking of the engine oil level. The
compact, high performance RENESIS
rotary engine in your vehicle consumes
a small amount of engine oil due to its
structural design. An oil pump
optimizes the amount of oil injected to
lubricate the rotor seals in the
combustion cycle. Although your
vehicle is equipped with an engine oil
level warning light and an engine oil
pressure gauge, it is best to keep the
engine oil level in the range between
full and low by checking the oil
dipstick regularly. Mazda recommends
checking the oil level at every second
fuel filling. The oil consumption of the
engine depends on engine speed and
engine load. Under extreme driving
conditions, oil consumption can be
higher.
qRecommended Oil
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Only use oils“Certified For Gasoline
Engines”by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark
symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards
and fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC),
comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
5W-20
120 100 80
60 40
20
0 –20
50 40 30
20 10
0 –10
–20 –30
8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (320,1)
S
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-29
Horn ........................................... 5-55
Storage Box ...................................... 6-48
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-47
Center console ............................ 6-48
Coin box ..................................... 6-47
Glove box ................................... 6-47
Overhead console ....................... 6-47
Storage box ................................ 6-48
Sunshade ........................................... 3-23
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-39
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-32
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-31
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-27
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-26
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-25
System error activation .............. 5-27
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-26
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-28
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-28
Replacement ............................... 8-30
Rotation ...................................... 8-29
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-16
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
T
Towing
Description ................................. 7-25
Emergency towing ..................... 7-25
Recreational towing ................... 7-27
Trailer towing ............................. 4-12
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-21
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-22
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-12
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-31
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-12
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-14
Trunk Release Slide Lever ................ 3-15
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-51
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-39
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-36
ABS ............................................ 5-41
Air bag system ........................... 5-41
Automatic transmission .............. 5-42
Brake system .............................. 5-38
Charging system ......................... 5-39
Check engine .............................. 5-40
Door-ajar .................................... 5-42
Engine coolant level ................... 5-40
Engine oil level .......................... 5-39
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-41
Low fuel ..................................... 5-42
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-42
Seat belt ...................................... 5-42
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-43
11-6
Index
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G