2007 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 maintenance

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

Black plate (309,1)
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used on the road. It is
recommended that tires generally be
replaced when they are 6 years or older.
Heat caused by hot climates or frequent
high loading conditions can accelerate
the aging process. You should replace
the spare tire when you replace the
other road tires due to the aging of the
spare tire. Regarding the manufacturing
week and year is indicated with 4 digit.
Refer to The tire labeling on page 9-18.
qTemporary Spare Tire
Your Mazda is not equipped with a spare
tire. If you require a spare tire, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Inspect the temporary spare tire at least
monthly to make sure it's properly inflated
and stored.
NOTE
The temporary spare tire condition
gradually deteriorates even if it has not
been used.
The temporary spare tire is easier to
handle because of its construction. It is
lighter and smaller than a conventional
tire and should be used only for an
emergency and only for a short distance.
Use the temporary only until the
conventional tire is repaired, which should
be as soon as possible.
Maintain its pressure at 420 kPa (4.2
kgf/cm
2or bar, 60 psi).
CAUTION
lDon't use your temporary spare tire
rim with a snow tire or a
conventional tire. Neither will
properly fit and could damage both
tire and rim.
lThe temporary spare tire has a tread
life of less than 5,000 km (3,000
miles). The tread life may be shorter
depending on driving conditions.
lThe temporary spare tire is for
limited use, however, if the tread
wear solid-band indicator appears,
replace the tire with the same type of
temporary spare (page 8-26).
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used on the road. It is
recommended that tires generally be
replaced when they are 6 years or older.
Heat caused by hot climates or frequent
high loading conditions can accelerate
the aging process. You should replace
the spare tire when you replace the
other road tires due to the aging of the
spare tire. Regarding the manufacturing
week and year is indicated with 4 digit.
Refer to The tire labeling on page 9-18.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-27
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page309
Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (310,1)
qReplacing a Wheel
WARNING
Always use wheels of the correct size
on your vehicle:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be affected, leading to loss of
control and an accident.
CAUTION
lA wrong-sized wheel may adversely
affect:
lTire fitlWheel and bearing lifelGround clearancelSnow-chain clearancelSpeedometer calibrationlHeadlight aimlBumper heightlTire Pressure Monitoring SystemlLimited-Slip Differential System
l(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
lWhen 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.
lThe wheels equipped on your
Mazda are specially designed for
installation of the tire pressure
sensors. Do not use non-genuine
wheels, otherwise it may not be
possible to install the tire pressure
sensors.
NOTE
Be sure to install the tire pressure
sensors whenever tires or wheels are
replaced. Refer to Tires and Wheels on
page 5-30.
When replacing a wheel, make sure the
new one is the same as the original factory
wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset.
Proper tire balancing provides the best
riding comfort and helps reduce tread
wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
vibration and uneven wear, such as
cupping and flat spots.
8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page310
Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (311,1)
Light Bulbs
Headlights (High-beam)Front side-marker lights
Front turn signal lights
Headlights (Low-beam)
Fog lights
Parking lights Overhead light/Map lights (Front)
Vanity mirror lights
Courtesy lights
Overhead light (Rear)
Trunk light
High-mount brake light
License plate light
Brake lights/Taillights
Reverse lights
Rear side-marker lights
Rear turn signal lights
Some models.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-29
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Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F

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

Black plate (313,1)
High-beam bulb
1. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
Carefully remove the headlight bulb
from its socket in the reflector by
gently pulling it straight backward out
of the socket.
2. Disconnect the bulb from the electrical
connector by pressing the tab on the
connector with your finger and pulling
the bulb upward.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
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.
Low-beam bulb
(Xenon fusion bulb)
You cannot replace the low beam bulbs by
yourself.The bulbs must be replaced at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Halogen bulbs)
1. Detach the electrical connector from
the sealing cover by pulling it to the
rear.
2. Detach the sealing cover from the bulb.
3. Unhook the bulb retaining spring.
4. Swing the retaining spring out and
away to free the headlight bulb.
5. Carefully remove the headlight bulb
from the socket by pulling it straight
back.
6. Replace the bulb.
7. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-31
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Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F

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

Black plate (315,1)
qReplacing a Bulb (Interior)
Overhead light/Map lights (Front)
1. Remove the screws with a Phillips
screwdriver.
2. Wrap a flathead screwdriver with a soft
cloth to prevent damage to the trim and
gently insert it in the overhead light as
shown in the figure, and then remove
the overhead light unit.
3. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
4. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Overhead light (Rear), Courtesy lights,
Vanity mirror lights
1. Wrap a small flathead screwdriver with
a soft cloth to prevent damage to the
lens and remove the lens by carefully
prying on the edge of the lens with the
screwdriver.
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
Edge
Overhead light (Rear)
Courtesy lights
Edge
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-33
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Friday, May 19 2006 9:52 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F