Page 186 of 443

Black plate (185,1)
Gear position indicator
When the shift lever is in the D or M
position, the numeral for the selected gear
displays.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS or DSC is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qDSC OFF Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off (page 5-26).
If the light stays on when the TCS/DSC is
not switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The dynamic
stability control may have a malfunction.
NOTE
If the battery is disconnected or a fuse is
replaced, the DSC will be inoperable. In
this case, the DSC OFF indicator light
flashes and the TCS/DSC indicator light
illuminates.
To make the DSC operable, do the
following procedure with the battery
connected.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully,
then turn it counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the DSC OFF indicator
goes off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position, then turn it to the ON
position again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator
light goes off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the
DSC OFF indicator light remain
illuminated even after turning the
ignition switch to the ON position,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
(Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator
Light (Green)
The indicator light has two colors.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-51íSome models. RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page185
Friday, May 19 2006 9:51 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 187 of 443

Black plate (186,1)
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)
The indicator light illuminates amber
when the ON/OFF switch is pressed and
the cruise control system is activated.
Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green)
The indicator light illuminates green when
a cruising speed has been set.
qLight-On Indicator Light
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights and dashboard illumination
are on.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If this light illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction of the power
steering system. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
The power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical
effort.
qHeadlight Auto-Leveling
Malfunction Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on far a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.
If the indicator light illuminates, contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qTurn-Signal/Hazard Warning
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn signal lights, the
left or right turn signal indicator light
flashes to indicate which turn signal light
is operating (page 5-57).
5-52
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page186
Friday, May 19 2006 9:51 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 196 of 443
Black plate (195,1)
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the
defroster.
Horn
To sound the horn, press themark on
the steering wheel.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-61
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page195
Friday, May 19 2006 9:51 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 211 of 443

Black plate (210,1)
Antenna
qRear Window Antenna
The rear window antenna receives both
AM and FM signals.
CAUTION
When washing the inside rear window,
use a soft cloth dampened in lukewarm
water, gently wiping the antenna lines.
Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the antenna.
Operating Tips for Audio
System
WARNING
Do not adjust the audio control
switches while driving the vehicle:
Adjusting the audio while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could
distract your attention from the vehicle
operation which could lead to a
serious accident. Always adjust the
audio while the vehicle is stopped.
Even if the audio control switches are
equipped on the steering wheel, learn
to use the switches without looking
down at them so that you can keep
your maximum attention on the road
while driving the vehicle.
CAUTION
For the purposes of safe driving, adjust
the audio volume to a level that allows
you to hear sounds outside of the
vehicle.
NOTE
lDo not use the audio for long periods
of time while the engine is off.
Otherwise the battery could go dead.
lIf a cellular phone or CB radio is
used in or near the vehicle, it could
cause noise to occur from the audio
system, however, this does not
indicate that the system has been
damaged.
6-10
Interior Comfort
Audio System
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page210
Friday, May 19 2006 9:51 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 241 of 443
Black plate (240,1)
Audio Control Switch
Operation
When the audio unit is turned on,
operation of the audio unit from the
steering wheel is possible.
NOTE
Because the audio unit will be turned
off under the following conditions, the
switches will be inoperable.
lWhen the ignition switch is turned to
the LOCK position.
lWhen the power button on the audio
unit is pressed and the audio unit is
turned off.
lWhen a cassette tape/CD being
played is ejected. (For the In-dash
CD changer, when all CDs are
ejected.)
NOTE
Mazda has installed this system to
prevent distraction while driving the
vehicle and using audio controls on the
dashboard.
Always make safe driving your first
priority.
qAdjusting the Volume
To increase the volume, press the volume
button (
).
To decrease the volume, press the volume
button (
).
6-40
Interior Comfort
Audio System
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page240
Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 264 of 443

Black plate (263,1)
10. Hold the bottom of the bottle upright,
squeeze the bottle with your hands,
and inject the entire amount of tire
sealant into the tire.
Valve
NOTE
The tire sealant cannot be reused.
Purchase a new tire sealant kit at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
11. Pull out the injection hose from the
valve. Reinsert the valve core into the
valve and turn it clockwise to install
it.
12. Attach the sticker that indicates
completion of the tire repair on a flat
outer surface of the repaired tire.
NOTE
Do not throw away the empty tire
sealant bottle after use. Return the
empty tire sealant bottle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer when
replacing the tire. The empty tire sealant
bottle will need to be used to extract
and dispose of the used sealant from the
tire.
13. Attach the vehicle speed restriction
sticker in a place where the driver can
easily see it.
WARNING
Do not attach the vehicle speed
restriction sticker to the instrument
panel, as it would obstruct vision of
areas such as warning light indicators
or the speedometer:
Attaching the vehicle speed restriction
sticker to the steering wheel pad is
dangerous. The sticker could interfere
with air bag inflation and cause
serious injury.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-9
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page263
Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 287 of 443

Black plate (286,1)
qSchedule 1
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
ENGINE
Engine oilRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRR
Drive belt I I
AIR FILTER
Air filter C C R C
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs R
FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel filter Replace every 160,000 km (100,000 miles)
Fuel lines, hoses and connections
*1II
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolantFL22 type
*2Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years
OthersReplace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years; after that,
every 2 years
CHASSIS AND BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial playII
Manual transmission oilR
Rear differential oilR
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLL
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T
Flat tire repair kit
*3Inspect every year
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page286
Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 290 of 443

Black plate (289,1)
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 lines, hoses and connections 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, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial playII
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 5 years
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T
Flat tire repair kit
*3Inspect every year
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
Cabin air filter (If installed) Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) or 2 years
Chart symbols:
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R:Replace
L:Lubricate
C:Clean
T:Tighten
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_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page289
Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F