Page 309 of 443

Black plate (308,1)
CAUTION
Limited-Slip Differential system;
don't use the following:
lTires not of the designated size
lTires of different sizes or types at the
same time
lTires not sufficiently inflated
If these instructions aren't followed, the
rotation of the left and right wheels will
be different and will thus apply a
constant load on the limited-slip
differential.
This will cause a malfunction.
qReplacing a Tire
WARNING
Always use tires that are in good
condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
CAUTION
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be damaged.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
lWhen tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the sidewalls are
used, the system may not function
correctly even with a genuine wheel.
Refer to System Error Activation on
page 5-30.
lBe sure to install the tire pressure
sensors whenever tires or wheels are
replaced.
Refer to Tires and Wheels on page
5-30.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator
will appear as a solid band across the
tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
New treadTread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace it before the band is
across the entire tread.
8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page308
Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 313 of 443

Black plate (312,1)
WARNING
Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer when the replacement is
necessary.
Never touch the glass portion of a
halogen bulb with your bare hands
and always wear eye protection when
handling or working around the
bulbs:
When a halogen bulb breaks, it is
dangerous. These bulbs contain
pressurized gas. If one is broken, it
will explode and serious injuries could
be caused by the flying glass.
If the glass portion is touched with
bare hands, body oil could cause the
bulb to overheat and explode when lit.
Always keep halogen bulbs out of the
reach of children:
Playing with a halogen bulb is
dangerous. Serious injuries could be
caused by dropping a halogen bulb or
breaking it some other way.
qReplacing a Headlight Bulb
1. Make sure the ignition switch is turned
off and the headlight switch is off.
2. Lift the hood and find the high and low
beam bulbs in the rear of the headlight
unit.
The outboard bulb is the LOW beam,
and the inboard one is the HIGH beam.
Refer to Light Bulbs on page 8-29.
3. If you are changing the right headlight
bulb, start the engine, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the right, and turn
off engine. If you are changing the left
headlight bulb, turn the steering wheel
to the left.
4. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and partially peel back the
mudguard.
Removal
Installation
8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page312
Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 315 of 443

Black plate (314,1)
NOTE
lIf the halogen bulb is accidentally
touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.
lUse the protective cover and carton
of the replacement bulb to dispose of
the old bulb promptly out of the
reach of children.
qReplacing a Fog Light Bulbí
Due to the complexity and difficulty of
the procedure, the bulbs should be
replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qReplacing a Bulb (Front)
1. If you are changing the right bulb, start
the engine, turn the steering wheel all
the way to the right, and turn off
engine. If you are changing the left
bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
2. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and partially peel back the
mudguard.
Removal
Installation
Front turn signal lights, Parking lights,
Front side-marker lights
1. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
2. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
Front turn signal
lights
Parking lights
Front side-marker lights
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
8-32
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page314
Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 359 of 443

Black plate (358,1)
CAUTION
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial tires that have an asymmetrical tread pattern or
studs only from front to rear, not from side to side. Tire performance will be weakened if
rotated from side to side.
(With limited-slip differential)
Don't use the following:
lTires not of the designated size
lTires of different sizes or types at the same time
lTires not sufficiently inflated
If these instructions aren't followed, the rotation of the left and right wheels will be
different and will thus apply a constant load on the limited-slip differential.
This will cause a malfunction.
qReplacing a Tire
WARNING
Always use tires that are in good condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous. Reduced braking, steering, and traction could
result in an accident.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator will appear as a solid band across the tread. Replace
the tire when this happens.
New treadTread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace it before the band is across the entire tread.
9-28
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page358
Friday, May 19 2006 9:53 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Page 385 of 443

Black plate (384,1)
S
Seats
Front seat
(Electrically operated seats) ......... 2-5
Front seat
(Manually operated seats) ............ 2-2
Rear seat ....................................... 2-8
Security System
Immobilizer system
(with advanced key) ................... 3-45
Immobilizer system
(without advanced key) .............. 3-48
Service Publications .......................... 9-40
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ................ 7-3
Specifications .................................... 10-4
Speed Unit Selector ........................... 5-34
Speedometer ...................................... 5-34
SRS Air Bags
How the Air Bags Work ............. 2-40
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions ................................. 2-32
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-4
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-53
Horn ........................................... 5-61
Storage Box ...................................... 6-52
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-51
Center console ............................ 6-52
Coin box ..................................... 6-51
Glove box ................................... 6-51
Overhead console ....................... 6-51
Storage box ................................ 6-52
Sunshade ........................................... 3-44
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-44
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-35
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-27
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-51
T
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-26
Tire Information ................................ 9-18
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-27
System error activation .............. 5-30
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-28
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-30
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-24
Replacement ............................... 8-26
Rotation ...................................... 8-25
Snow tires .................................. 4-10
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-16
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description ................................. 7-25
Emergency towing ..................... 7-25
Recreational towing ................... 7-27
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-23
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-23
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-34
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-33
Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-36
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-35
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-57
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-44
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
11-6
Index
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page384
Friday, May 19 2006 9:53 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F