Black plate (288,1)
Wiper Blades
CAUTION
ØHot waxes applied by automatic
car washers have been known to
affect the wiper's ability to clean
windows.
Ø To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents on or near them.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
qReplacing Windshield Wiper Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
NOTE
To prevent damage to the wiper arm blades
when raising both the driver and passenger
side wiper arms, raise the driver side wiper
arm first. Conversely, when setting down the
wiper arms, set the passenger side wiper arm
down first.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the windshield
let the wiper arm down easily, don't
let it slap down on the windshield.
2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull until the tabs are free of the metal
support.
Metal support
Ta b
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page288
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (306,1)
qFuse Panel Description
Fuse block (Engine compartment)
(Next to air filter)
(Near battery)
DESCRIPTIONFUSE
RATING PROTECTED COMPONENT
1 MAIN 120A For protection of all circuits
2 HEATER 40A Heater
3 AIR PUMP 60A Air pump
4 BTN 30APower windows, Power door locks, Illuminated entry system,
Moonroof
í
5
DEFOG 50A Rear window defroster
6 FAN 40A Electric fan
7 ABS/DSC 60A ABS, DSC
í
8ACC 30A Lighter, Power control mirror, Accessory socket, Audio system
9 HEAD 15A Headlight high beamsí, Headlight cleanerí
10 HEAD LOW R 15A Headlight low beam (RH)
11 HEAD LOW L 15A Headlight low beam (LH)
12 DRL 15A DRL
í(Headlight high beams)
13 DSC 30A DSCí
14 SEAT WARM 20A Seat warmerí
15 H/CLEAN 20A Headlight cleanerí
16R.FOG ――
8-36
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page306
Friday, May 11 2007 5:5 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (308,1)
Fuse panel (Driver's side)
DESCRIPTIONFUSE
RATING PROTECTED COMPONENT
1 CIGAR 15A Lighter
2 ACC 7.5A Audio system, Power control mirror
3 AUX PWR 20A Accessory socket
4 A/C 7.5A Air conditioner
5 METER 10A Instrument cluster
6 TCM 10A Transmission control system
7 SPARE ――
8 SPARE ――
9 M.DEF 10A Mirror defroster
í
10DSC 7.5A DSCí
11 AUDIO 20A Audio systemí
12 D.LOCK 30A Power door locks, Moonroofí
13 P.WIND30A Power windows
14 ROOM 15A Interior lights
15 SPARE ――
16 SPARE ――
8-38
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page308
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (315,1)
Piano black panel
The following parts are fitted with panels
that have been treated with a special
coating that resists scratching.
lCenter panellDoor switch panel
When the panel needs to be cleaned, use a
soft cloth to wipe off dirt from the surface.
NOTE
Scratches or nicks on the panels resulting from
the use of a hard brush or cloth may not be
repairable.
q Cleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt
Webbing
Clean the webbing with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Follow instructions. Don't bleach
or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.
After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry
the belt webbing and make sure there is
no remaining moisture before retracting
them.
WARNING
Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
replace damaged seat belts
immediately:
Using damaged seat belts is
dangerous. In a collision, damaged
belts cannot provide adequate
protection.
qCleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with an
oily, greasy, or waxy film, clean them
with glass cleaner. Follow the directions
on the container.
CAUTION
Ø Don't scrape or scratch the inside
of the rear window. You may
damage the rear window defroster
grid.
Ø 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.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-45
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page315
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (369,1)
C
Child RestraintChild restraint precautions ......... 2-20
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-24
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-30
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-47
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-46
Coin Box ........................................... 6-50
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-44
Cruise Control ................................... 5-20
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-49
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-37
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-56
Defroster Rear window .............................. 5-60
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-26
Driving In Flooded Area ..................... 4-9
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-6 Automatic transmission .............. 5-18
Break-in period ............................ 4-6
Driving in flooded area ................ 4-9
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-7
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-7
Winter driving .............................. 4-8
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-24 DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-25
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-26
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-25
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-18Jump-starting .............................. 7-19
Push-starting .............................. 7-22
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-23
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine Coolant ....................................... 8-13
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-4
Hood release .............................. 3-38
Oil .............................................. 8-11
Overheating ................................ 7-16
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-10
Engine Coolant Overheating ................................ 7-16
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-36
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-4
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-41
F
Flasher Hazard warning .......................... 5-61
Headlights .................................. 5-55
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3 Changing .................................... 7-11
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_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page369
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (371,1)
L
Lane-Change Signals ........................ 5-57
Light BulbsReplacement ............................... 8-27
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Lighter ............................................... 6-47
Lighting Control ............................... 5-55
Lubricant Quality .............................. 10-4
M
Maintenance Introduction .................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance precautions ... 8-9
Owner maintenance schedule ....... 8-8
Scheduled ..................................... 8-3
Manual Transmission Operation ....... 5-10 Recommendations for shifting .... 5-11
Map Lights ........................................ 6-44
Meters and Gauges ........................... 5-33
Mirrors Outside mirrors .......................... 3-48
Rearview mirror ......................... 3-49
Money-Saving Suggestions ................ 4-6
Moonroof .......................................... 3-39
O
Odometer and Trip Meter .................. 5-34
Outside Mirrors ................................. 3-48
Overhead Console ............................. 6-50
Overhead Lights ................................ 6-44
Overheating ....................................... 7-16
Overloading ...................................... 4-10
P
Paint Damage .................................... 8-39
Parking Brake ..................................... 5-6
P
Parking in an Emergency .................... 7-2
Power Door Locks ............................ 3-28
Power Steering .................................. 5-19 Power steering malfunction indicator
light ............................................ 5-19
Power Windows ................................ 3-34
Push-Starting ..................................... 7-22
R
Rear Quarter Windows ..................... 3-36
Rear Seat ............................................. 2-8
Rear Window Defroster .................... 5-60
Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-49
Recreational Towing ......................... 7-25
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country ............................................. 9-12
Rocking the Vehicle ............................ 4-7
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................. 9-38
Seat Belt System 3-point type ................................ 2-13
Automatic locking ...................... 2-11
Belt minder ................................. 2-18
Emergency locking .................... 2-11
Extender ..................................... 2-17
Location of seat belt ................... 2-12
Pregnant women ......................... 2-11
Pretensioner and load limiting .... 2-14
Seat belt precautions .................... 2-9
Warning light/beep ..................... 2-18
Index
11-5
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page371
Friday, May 11 2007 5:5 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (373,1)
V
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-39ABS ............................................ 5-41
Air bag system ........................... 5-44
Automatic transmission .............. 5-46
Brake system .............................. 5-41
Charging system ......................... 5-42
Check engine .............................. 5-43
Door-ajar .................................... 5-45
Engine coolant level ................... 5-43
Engine oil level .......................... 5-42
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-44
KEY Warning Light
(Red)/KEY Indicator Light
(Green) ....................................... 5-49
Low fuel ..................................... 5-44
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-46
seat belt ...................................... 5-45
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-46
Warranty .............................................. 9-9
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-16
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-26
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-34
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-36
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-59
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-58 Blades replacement .................... 8-18
Winter Driving .................................... 4-8
Index
11-7
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page373
Friday, May 11 2007 5:5 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G