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Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
Turn off the ignition switch and
make sure the fan is not running
before attempting to work near the
electrical cooling fan:
Working near the electrical cooling
fan when it is running is dangerous.
You could be hit by the fan and
seriously injured.
Do not remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
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.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
7-18
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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Black plate (273,1)
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-14).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-19
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Engine Oil
CAUTION
Do not use either synthetic or semi-
synthetic motor oil. Otherwise engine
starting performance could worsen.
NOTE
lChanging the engine oil should be
done by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
lThe 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)
8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Item Capacity
Engine oilWith oil filter replacement 3.5 L (3.7 US qt, 3.1 Imp qt)
Without oil filter replacement 3.3 L (3.5 US qt, 2.9 Imp qt)
Coolant 9.8 L (10.4 US qt, 8.6 Imp qt)
Manual transmission oil 1.75 L (1.85 US qt, 1.54 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission fluid 7.9 L (8.4 US qt, 7.0 Imp qt)
Rear differential oil 1.3 L (1.4 US qt, 1.1 Imp qt)
Fuel tank 60 L (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
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W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-39
ABS ............................................ 5-41
Air bag system ........................... 5-44
Automatic transmission .............. 5-46
Brake system .............................. 5-41
Charging system ......................... 5-42
Check engine .............................. 5-44
Door-ajar .................................... 5-46
Engine coolant level ................... 5-43
Engine oil level .......................... 5-43
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-44
KEY Warning Light
(Red)/KEY Indicator Light
(Green) ....................................... 5-48
Low fuel ..................................... 5-45
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-46
seat belt ...................................... 5-45
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-46
Warranty .............................................. 9-9
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-17
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-28
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-37
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-39
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-59
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-58
Blades replacement .................... 8-19
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
11-7
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