2006 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 coolant

Black plate (284,1)
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a preset temperature, an electrical cooling fan turns on.
It will continue running for about 10 minutes after the ignition switch is turned to off.
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page284
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (285,1)
Engine Compartment Overview
BatteryEngine oil dipstick Engine oil-filler cap
Air filter Engine coolant reservoir Cooling system cap
Brake/Clutch fluid
reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Fuse block (next
to air filter)
Fuse block
(near battery)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-11
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page285
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (289,1)
Check the oil level and fill to the F mark
if necessary.
With oil filter replacement
Oil capacity (reference only)
L (US qt, Imp qt) 3.5 (3.7, 3.1)
Without oil filter replacement
Oil capacity (reference only)
L (US qt, Imp qt) 3.3 (3.5, 2.9)
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_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page289
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (290,1)
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a
preset temperature, an electrical cooling
fan turns on. It will continue running
for about 10 minutes after the ignition
switch is turned to off.
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year―at the beginning of the
winter season―and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool.
If it's at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.
CAUTION
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qChanging Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
CAUTION
lUse only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant's effectiveness.
lDon't add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
lThe engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
lDO NOT USE coolants Containing
Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
These coolants could damage the
cooling system.
lDO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol
with the coolant. This could damage
the cooling system.
lDon't use a solution that contains
more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page290
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (291,1)
NOTE
If the“FL22”mark is shown on or near
the cooling system cap, use FL22 type
engine coolant. If engine coolant other
than FL22 type is used, the engine
coolant must be replaced earlier than
the specified replacement interval
indicated in the scheduled maintenance
(page 8-3).
Except FL22 type
For mixture percentage:
ProtectionVolume
Antifreeze
solutionDemineralized
water
Above_
16°C
(3°F)35% 65%
Above_
26°C
(_
15°F)45% 55%
Above_
40°C
(_
40°F)55% 45%
FL22 type
FL22 type engine coolant concentration is
factory adjusted. Use the product as it is
without diluting it.
To change coolant
WARNING
Removing the Cooling System Cap:
Removing the cooling system cap
while the engine is running or hot is
dangerous. This might lead to cooling
system and engine damage and could
result in serious injury from escaping
hot coolant or steam. Turn off the
engine and wait until it's cool. Even
then, be very careful when removing
the cap. Wrap a thick cloth around the
cap and slowly turn it
counterclockwise to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you're sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap―still
using a cloth―turn the cap, and
remove it.
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
2. Only when the engine is cool, loosen
the radiator drain plug and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
Properly dispose of the used coolant.
3. With the drain plug loose but not fully
removed, flush out the system with
running water.
Tighten Loosen Loosen
Tighten
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-17
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page291
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (292,1)
4. Drain the system completely and
retighten the plug. Add as much
ethylene-glycol-based coolant mixture
and water as necessary to provide
freezing and corrosion protection.
5. In extremely cold climates, add the
mixture percentage recommended in
the coolant mixture percentage table.
6. Reinstall the cooling system cap.
7. Run the engine at idle for about 10
minutes, then turn it off. If the coolant
level warning light comes on during
this time, turn the engine off.
After turning off the engine, inspect the
drain plug and the water hoses for
leaks.
8. After the engine has cooled, remove
the cooling system cap and inspect the
coolant level. If it's low, repeat steps 5
to 7.
NOTE
Because this procedure requires
technical expertise, we recommend that
it be done by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Brake/Clutch Fluid
qInspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page292
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (369,1)
qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
ItemUnit
L US qt Imp qt
Engine oilWith oil filter replacement 3.5 3.7 3.1
Without oil filter replacement 3.3 3.5 2.9
Coolant 9.8 10.4 8.6
Manual transmission oil 1.75 1.85 1.54
Automatic transmission fluid 7.9 8.4 7.0
Rear differential oil 1.3 1.4 1.1
Fuel tank 60 15.9 (US gal) 13.2 (Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.
qDimensions
Item Model
Overall length 4,425 mm (174.2 in), 4,430 mm*(174.4 in)
Overall width 1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Overall height 1,340 mm (52.8 in)
Front tread 1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Rear tread 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Wheelbase 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
*With license plate holder
qWeights
ItemWeight
Manual transmission Automatic transmission
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,728 kg (3,810 lbs) 1,748 kg (3,854 lbs)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)Front 827 kg (1,823 lbs) 844 kg (1,861 lbs)
Rear 901 kg (1,986 lbs) 907 kg (2,000 lbs)
CW (Curb Weight)U.S.A. 1,381 kg (3,045 lbs) 1,395 kg (3,075 lbs)
Canada 1,389 kg (3,062 lbs) 1,404 kg (3,095 lbs)
qAir Conditioner
Gas complies with SAE J639 Maximum operating charge
HFC134a (R-134a) 0.42 kg (14.8 oz)
Specifications
10-5
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page369
Thursday, August 25 2005 5:0 PM
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
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page375
Thursday, August 25 2005 5:0 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J