2008 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 oil dipstick

Black plate (163,1)
If the needle on the gauge doesn't move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3.
If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect theengine oil level (page 8-12). If it's low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn't move, have your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the oil
pressure is low. It could result in
extensive engine damage.
NOTE
The Mazda RX-8 requires regular checking of
the engine oil level. The compact, high
performance RENESIS rotary engine in your
vehicle consumes a small amount of engine oil
due to its structural design. An oil pump
optimizes the amount of oil injected to
lubricate the rotor seals in the combustion
cycle. Although your vehicle is equipped with
an engine oil level warning light and an
engine oil pressure gauge, it is best to keep the
engine oil level in the range between full and
low by checking the oil dipstick regularly.
Mazda recommends checking the oil level at
every second fuel filling. The oil consumption
of the engine depends on engine speed and
engine load. Under extreme driving conditions,
oil consumption can be higher.
q Dashboard Illumination
Rotate the thumb wheel to adjust the
brightness of the instrument cluster and
other illuminations in the dashboard.
NOTE
lThe brightness of dashboard illuminations
(except instrument cluster) can be adjusted
when the headlight switch is in the
or
position.lThe brightness of the instrument cluster
illumination can be adjusted when the
headlight switch is in any position.
Bright
Dim
Canceling the illumination dimmer
When the headlight switch is in the
or
position, the illumination of the
instrument cluster and the information
display dims (the instrument cluster
illumination color turns to red).
When driving on snowy or foggy roads,
or in other situations when the instrument
cluster or information display's visibility
is reduced due to glare from surrounding
brightness, cancel the illumination
dimmer and increase the illumination
intensity.
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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2. Turn off the engine and inspect theengine oil level (page 8-12). If it's low,
add oil.
3. Check the light.
If the engine oil level warning light is
illuminated and you are unable to
immediately add engine oil, do not drive
at high speed, keep the engine speed low
and get to a location where oil can be
added as soon as possible. We recommend
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add oil, have your vehicle checked at
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the oil level is
low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
NOTE
The Mazda RX-8 requires regular checking of
the engine oil level. The compact, high
performance RENESIS rotary engine in your
vehicle consumes a small amount of engine oil
due to its structural design. An oil pump
optimizes the amount of oil injected to
lubricate the rotor seals in the combustion
cycle. Although your vehicle is equipped with
an engine oil level warning light and an
engine oil pressure gauge, it is best to keep the
engine oil level in the range between full and
low by checking the oil dipstick regularly.
Mazda recommends checking the oil level at
every second fuel filling. The oil consumption
of the engine depends on engine speed and
engine load. Under extreme driving conditions,
oil consumption can be higher.
qEngine Coolant Level Warning Light
This warning light indicates low engine
coolant level.
If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the engine coolant level (page 8-13). If it's
low, add engine coolant.
3. Check the light.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add engine coolant, have your vehicle
towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the engine
coolant level is low. It could result in
extensive engine damage.
q Check Engine Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

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Engine Compartment Overview
BatteryEngine oil dipstick
Engine oil-filler cap
Air filter
Engine coolant reservoir
Cooling system cap
Brake/Clutch fluid
reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Fuse block (next
to air filter)
Fuse block
(near battery)
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

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Engine Oil
CAUTION
Do not use either synthetic or semi-
synthetic motor oil. Otherwise engine
starting performance could worsen.
NOTE
lChanging the engine oil should be done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lThe Mazda RX-8 requires regular checking
of the engine oil level. The compact, high
performance RENESIS rotary engine in
your vehicle consumes a small amount of
engine oil due to its structural design. An
oil pump optimizes the amount of oil
injected to lubricate the rotor seals in the
combustion cycle. Although your vehicle is
equipped with an engine oil level warning
light and an engine oil pressure gauge, it is
best to keep the engine oil level in the range
between full and low by checking the oil
dipstick regularly. Mazda recommends
checking the oil level at every second fuel
filling. The oil consumption of the engine
depends on engine speed and engine load.
Under extreme driving conditions, oil
consumption can be higher.
q Recommended Oil
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline
Engines ”by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark
symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards
and fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC),
comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
5W-20
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
–20
5040
30
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Except U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
The quality designation SL,SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label.
5W-20
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
–20
5040
30
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
q
Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan. 4. Remove the engine cover.
5. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
Full
Low
OK
6. Pull it out again and examine the level.
It's OK between L and F.
But if it's near or below L, add enough
oil to bring the level to F.
CAUTION
Don't add engine oil over F. This may
cause engine damage.
The distance between L and F on the
dipstick represents the following:
Oil capacity
L (US qt, Imp qt) 1.7 (1.8, 1.5)
8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

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qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Item Capacity
Engine oil With 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.
q Dimensions
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
Item Weight
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) 846 kg (1,865 lbs)
Rear 901 kg (1,986 lbs) 907 kg (2,000 lbs)
q
Air Conditioner
Item Classification
Refrigerant Type HFC134a (R-134a)
Specifications
10-5
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G