Black plate (129,1)
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than
56 km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle:
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.
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 8-14.
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 8-17).
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_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page129
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Black plate (148,1)
NOTE
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Shift position
indicator
Gear position
indicator
NOTE
lIf the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the
gear position indicator will flash
twice to signal that the gears cannot
be shifted down.
lIf the automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) temperature becomes too
high, there is the possibility that the
transmission will switch to automatic
shift mode, canceling manual shift
mode and turning off the gear
position indicator illumination. This
is a normal function to protect the
AT. After the ATF temperature has
decreased, the gear position indicator
illumination turns back on and
driving in manual shift mode is
restored.
Shifting
You can shift gears up and down by
operating the shift lever or the steering
shift switches.
NOTE
lIf the steering shift switches on both
sides (left and right) are operated
simultaneously, the gear will shift
once.
lThe gear will not shift if:
lThe steering shift switch and the
shift lever are operated
simultaneously.
lThe UP switch and DOWN
switch are operated
simultaneously.
5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page148
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Black plate (174,1)
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-46
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-46
Automatic Transmission Warning Light 5-46
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-46
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green) 5-48
Security Indicator Light 5-50
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-50
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-50
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-51
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-51
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-51
Light-On Indicator Light 5-52
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-52
Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light 5-52
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-52
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page174
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Black plate (180,1)
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 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
8-17).
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.
5-46
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page180
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Black plate (374,1)
Specifications
qEngine
Item Model
Type Rotary engine
Displacement 654 ml × 2 (654 cc × 2, 40.0 cu in × 2)
Compression ratio 10.0
qElectrical System
Item Classification
Battery 12V-52AH/5HR
Spark-plug numberTrailing side N3Y1 18 110, N3H1 18 110C
*1
Leading side N3Y8 18 110, N3Y9 18 110, N3H5 18 110*1
Spark-plug gap 1.15―1.25 mm (0.046―0.049 in)
*1 ex factory
CAUTION
When cleaning the iridium plugs, do not use a wire brush. The fine particulate coating on
the iridium alloy and platinum tips could be damaged.
qLubricant Quality
Lubricant Classification
Engine oil Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-12.
Manual transmission oil API Service GL-4 (SAE 75W-90)
Automatic transmission fluid JWS3309
Rear differential oilAPI Service GL-5 (SAE 90)
API Service GL-5 (SAE 80W-90)
API Service GL-5 (SAE 75W-90)
*
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
* Not available from Mazda
10-4
Specifications
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page374
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Black plate (375,1)
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
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page375
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Black plate (380,1)
A
Accessory Socket .............................. 6-54
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-13
Advanced Key ..................................... 3-2
Advanced key maintenance ......... 3-5
Advanced key suspend
function ...................................... 3-17
Auxiliary key .............................. 3-16
Locking, unlocking with request
switch ........................................... 3-8
Opening the trunk lid with request
switch ......................................... 3-10
Operational range ......................... 3-7
Remote control function ............. 3-14
Service ......................................... 3-6
Air Bag Systems ............................... 2-32
Ambient Temperature Display .......... 6-47
Antenna ............................................. 6-10
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ......... 5-7
Warning light ............................... 5-7
Appearance Care ............................... 8-41
Ashtray .............................................. 6-49
Audio System ................................... 6-10
Audio control switch .................. 6-40
Audio set .................................... 6-21
Operating tips for audio
system ........................................ 6-10
Safety certification ..................... 6-43
Automatic Transmission
Driving tips ................................ 5-18
Manual shift mode ..................... 5-13
Shift-lock system ....................... 5-13
Transmission ranges ................... 5-12
B
Battery
Emergency starting .................... 7-20
Maintenance ............................... 8-21
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds
Engine overrev warning beep .... 5-54
Ignition key reminder ................. 5-53
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-53
Seat belt warning beep ............... 5-53
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep ............................................ 5-54
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-6
After getting in ............................. 4-6
Before getting in .......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication .............................. 8-18
Brake/Clutch
Fluid ........................................... 8-16
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..... 5-7
Foot brake .................................... 5-5
Pad wear indicator ........................ 5-8
Parking brake ............................... 5-5
Warning light ............................... 5-6
Break-In Period ................................... 4-7
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-29
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-5
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-4
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-14
Center Console .................................. 6-52
11-2
Index
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page380
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F
Black plate (381,1)
C
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions ......... 2-19
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-23
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-29
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-48
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-47
Coin Box ........................................... 6-51
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-45
Cruise Control ................................... 5-19
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-50
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-38
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-56
Defroster
Rear window .............................. 5-60
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-28
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7
Automatic transmission .............. 5-18
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-9
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-24
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-25
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-26
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-24
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-20
Jump-starting .............................. 7-21
Push-starting .............................. 7-24
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-25
Emission Control System .................... 4-4
Engine
Coolant ....................................... 8-14
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-5
Hood release .............................. 3-42
Oil .............................................. 8-12
Overheating ................................ 7-18
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-11
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-18
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-36
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-43
F
Flasher
Hazard warning .......................... 5-62
Headlights .................................. 5-55
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3
Changing .................................... 7-12
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit ................................................ 7-5
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Fluids
Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance ..................... 8-8
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-57
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-5
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-5
Index
11-3
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page381
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F