2008 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 maintenance

Black plate (296,1)
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.
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
ØA wrong-sized wheel may
adversely affect:
ØTire fit
ØWheel and bearing life
ØGround clearance
ØSnow-chain clearance
ØSpeedometer calibration
ØHeadlight aim
ØBumper height
ØTire Pressure Monitoring
System
ØLimited-Slip Differential System
Ø (With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
ØWhen 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.
ØThe 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 5-31.
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.
8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page296
Friday, May 11 2007 5:5 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (297,1)
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
8-27
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Friday, May 11 2007 5:5 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (298,1)
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 8-27. 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
8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page298
Friday, May 11 2007 5:5 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (299,1)
High-beam bulb
1. Turn the socket and bulb assemblycounterclockwise 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 orderof 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
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (300,1)
NOTElIf 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.
8-30
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page300
Friday, May 11 2007 5:5 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (301,1)
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 witha 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
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (302,1)
Vanity mirror lightsEdge
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse orderof removal.
Trunk light
1. Press both sides of the lens cap toremove it.
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
qReplacing a Bulb (Rear)
Rear turn signal lights, Brake lights/
Taillights, Reverse lights
1. Pull the center section of the plastic
retainer and remove the retainers and
partially open the trunk side trim.
Removal
Installation
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
Brake lights/Taillights Rear turn signal lights
Reverse lights
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
Rear side-marker lights
Due to the complexity and difficulty of
the procedure, the bulbs should be
replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
8-32
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Friday, May 11 2007 5:5 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (303,1)
High-mount brake light
1. Turn the center section of the plasticretainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and trunk rear trim.
Removal
Installation
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
License plate light
1. Press the front of the lens to detach the
front tabs. 2. Wrap a 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 a flathead
screwdriver.
3. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
Edge
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Friday, May 11 2007 5:5 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G