Black plate (313,1)
Fuses
Your vehicle's electrical system is
protected by fuses.
If any lights, accessories, or controls don't
work, inspect the appropriate circuit
protector. If a fuse has blown, the inside
element will be melted.
If the same fuse blows again, avoid using
that system and consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
qFuse Replacement
Replacing the fuses on the driver's side
If the electrical system doesn't work, first
inspect fuses on the driver's side.
1. Turn off the ignition switch and other
switches.
2. Open the fuse panel cover.
3. Pull the fuse straight out with the fuse
puller provided on the inside of the
engine compartment fuse block cover.
4. Inspect it and replace if it's blown.
NormalBlown
5. Push in a new fuse of the same
amperage rating, and make sure it fits
tightly. If it doesn't, have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer install it.
If you have no spare fuses, borrow one
of the same rating from a circuit not
essential to vehicle operation, such as
the AUDIO or CIGAR circuit.
WARNING
Always replace a fuse with one of the
same rating. Otherwise you may
damage the electric system.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-39
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (316,1)
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
8-42
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page316
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (321,1)
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.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-47
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (322,1)
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.
8-48
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page322
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (343,1)
11. Tread wear, traction and temperature grades
12. Max. permissible inflation pressure
13. SAFETY WARNING
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an explanation
of the various components of that tire size and load index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
P
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
NOTE
If your tire size does not begin with a letter this may mean it is designated by either
ETRTO (European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire
Manufacturing Association).
215
“215”is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the
width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
65
“65”is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
R
“R”is the tire construction symbol. R indicates“Radial ply construction”.
15
“15”is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
95
“95”is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each
tire can support.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-19
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (374,1)
A
Accessory Socket .............................. 6-49
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-13
Advanced Key ..................................... 3-2
Advanced key maintenance ......... 3-5
Advanced key suspend
function ...................................... 3-17
Auxiliary key .............................. 3-16
Locking, unlocking with request
switch ........................................... 3-8
Opening the trunk lid with request
switch ......................................... 3-10
Operational range ......................... 3-7
Remote control function ............. 3-14
Service ......................................... 3-6
Air Bag Systems ............................... 2-30
Air Filter ............................................ 8-21
Ambient Temperature Display .......... 6-42
Antenna ............................................. 6-10
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ......... 5-7
Warning light ............................... 5-7
Appearance Care ............................... 8-44
Ashtray .............................................. 6-44
Audio System ................................... 6-10
Audio control switch .................. 6-34
Audio set .................................... 6-17
Operating tips for audio
system ........................................ 6-10
Safety certification ..................... 6-37
Automatic Transmission
Driving tips ................................ 5-17
Manual shift mode ..................... 5-13
Shift-lock system ....................... 5-12
Transmission ranges ................... 5-11
B
Battery
Emergency starting .................... 7-20
Maintenance ............................... 8-24
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds
Engine overrev warning beep .... 5-53
Ignition key reminder ................. 5-52
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-52
Seat belt warning beep ............... 5-52
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep ............................................ 5-53
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-6
After getting in ............................. 4-6
Before getting in .......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication .............................. 8-20
Brake/Clutch
Fluid ........................................... 8-18
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..... 5-7
Foot brake .................................... 5-5
Pad wear indicator ........................ 5-8
Parking brake ............................... 5-5
Warning light ............................... 5-6
Break-In Period ................................... 4-7
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-32
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-5
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-3
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-14
Center Console .................................. 6-47
11-2
Index
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page374
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (375,1)
C
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions ......... 2-19
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-23
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-28
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-43
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-42
Coin Box ........................................... 6-46
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-40
Cruise Control ................................... 5-19
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-45
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-37
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-55
Defroster
Rear window .............................. 5-59
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-28
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7
Automatic transmission .............. 5-17
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-9
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-23
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-24
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-25
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-24
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 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 .............................. 3-42
Oil .............................................. 8-12
Overheating ................................ 7-18
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-11
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-18
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-35
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-46
F
Flasher
Hazard warning .......................... 5-61
Headlights .................................. 5-54
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 ......................................... 5-56
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-5
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-5
Index
11-3
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (376,1)
F
Front Seats
(Manually Operated Seats) ................. 2-2
Fuel
Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-40
Gauge ......................................... 5-36
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Fuses ................................................. 8-39
Panel description ........................ 8-41
Replacement ............................... 8-39
G
Gauges .............................................. 5-32
Glove Box ......................................... 6-46
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 5-61
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-8
Headlight Washer .............................. 5-59
Headlights
Control ....................................... 5-54
Flashing ...................................... 5-55
High-low beam .......................... 5-55
Leveling ..................................... 5-55
On reminder ............................... 5-54
HomeLink Wireless Control
System .............................................. 5-61
Hood Release .................................... 3-42
Horn .................................................. 5-60
I
Ignition
Keys ........................................... 3-22
Switch .......................................... 5-2
Illuminated Entry System ................. 6-38
I
Immobilizer System
(with Advanced Key) ........................ 3-45
Immobilizer System
(without Advanced Key) ................... 3-48
Indicator Lights ................................. 5-38
Cruise ......................................... 5-50
DSC OFF .................................... 5-50
Headlight auto-leveling
malfunction ................................ 5-51
Headlight high-beam .................. 5-49
power steering malfunction ........ 5-51
Security ...................................... 5-48
Shift position .............................. 5-49
TCS/DSC ................................... 5-50
Turn-signal/hazard warning ....... 5-51
Information Display .......................... 6-41
Ambient temperature display ..... 6-42
Audio display ............................. 6-43
Climate control display .............. 6-43
Clock .......................................... 6-42
Information display functions .... 6-41
Inside Trunk Release Lever ............... 3-36
Instrument Cluster ............................. 5-32
Interior Care ...................................... 8-49
Interior Lights ................................... 6-38
J
Jump-Starting .................................... 7-21
K
Keyless Entry System ....................... 3-23
Keys .................................................. 3-22
L
Label Information ............................. 10-2
11-4
Index
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J