2006 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 washer fluid

Black plate (122,1)
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 is 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_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page122
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (125,1)
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don't spin the wheels at more
than 56 km/h (35 mph), and don't
allow anyone to stand behind a wheel
when pushing the vehicle.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
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.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-15.
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 8-19).
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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page125
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (169,1)
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-45
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-45
Automatic Transmission Warning Light 5-45
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-45
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green) 5-47
Security Indicator Light 5-48
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-49
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-49
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-50
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-50
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-50
Light-On Indicator Light 5-51
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-51
Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light 5-51
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-51
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-39
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page169
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:55 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (175,1)
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period (90 seconds) has passed.
qDoor-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any
door isn't securely closed.
qLow Washer Fluid Level
Warning Lightí
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page
8-19).
qAutomatic Transmission Warning
Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
The light illuminates when the
transmission has a problem.
CAUTION
If the automatic transmission warning
light illuminates, the transmission has
an electrical problem. Continuing to
drive your Mazda in this condition
could cause damage to your
transmission. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
qTire Pressure Monitoring System
Warning Lightí
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 in one or
more tires, and flashes when there is a
system malfunction.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-45íSome models. RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page175
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:56 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (187,1)
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
WARNING
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result
in an accident. Use only windshield
washer fluid or plain water in the
reservoir.
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing
temperatures is dangerous. The
washer fluid could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision. You
could have an accident. Don't use the
washer without first warming the
windshield and never use plain tap
water.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,
overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper
switch and park off the right-of-way,
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and
the blades should operate normally. If
they don't resume functioning, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. Drive to the side of the road
and park off the right-of-way. Wait until
the weather clears before trying to drive
with the wipers inoperative.
qWindshield Wipers
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
MIST―Mist
INT―Intermittent
1―Low speed
2―High speed
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to MIST.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-57
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page187
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:56 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (188,1)
Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to INT and choose the
interval timing by rotating the ring.
INT ring
qWindshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
OFF
Washer
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT
position, the wipers will operate
continuously until the lever is released.
If the washer doesn't work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-19). If it's OK, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
(With headlight washers)
When the headlights are on, the
headlight washers operate automatically
once every fifth time the windshield
washer operates.
Refer to Headlight Washer (page 5-59).
5-58
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page188
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:56 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (275,1)
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance ............................................................ 8-3
Owner Maintenance ..................................................................... 8-8
Owner Maintenance Schedule .................................................. 8-8
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................... 8-9
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-11
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-12
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-15
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-18
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-19
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-20
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-21
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-22
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-24
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-27
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-32
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-39
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-44
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-44
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-46
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-49
8-1
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page275
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (281,1)
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
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake line, hoses and connection I I
Brake and clutch fluid levelIIIII IIIII
Brake fluid R R
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wearIIIIIIIIIIII
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 hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Flat tire repair kit
*3Inspect every year
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
Cabin air filter (if installed) Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) or 24 months
Chart symbols
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R:Replace
L:Lubricate
C:Clean
Remarks
*1 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2 Use FL22 type coolant in vehicles with the inscription“FL22”on the radiator cap itself or the surrounding
area. Use FL22 when replacing the coolant.
*3 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-7
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page281
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J