2009 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 engine

Black plate (312,1)
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
Turn off the ignition switch and
make sure the fan is not running before
attempting to work near the cooling
fan: Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan
could continue running indefinitely
even if the engine has stopped and
the engine compartment temperature
is high. You could be hit by the fan
and seriously injured.
Do not remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot: When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine: Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a preset
temperature, an electrical cooling fan turns
on. It will continue running for about 10
minutes after the ignition switch is turned to
off.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the
engine temperature will increase.
Stop the engine and call an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating, then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level. If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
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In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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Black plate (313,1)
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-14).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the
cooling system inspected. The engine
could be seriously damaged unless
repairs are made. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (314,1)
Starting a Flooded Engine
If the engine does not start the first time,
perform the following procedure to start
the engine.
1. While the accelerator pedal is fullydepressed, turn the ignition switch to
the START position and crank the
engine for about 7 to 8 seconds.
2. Release the ignition switch and accelerator pedal.
3. Start the engine as normally without depressing the accelerator.
lThe fuel injection is cut by fully
depressing the accelerator pedal.
lIf the engine starts during Step 1, the
engine will rev up. Release the ignition
switch and accelerator pedal
immediately.
lAvoid racing the engine or driving the
vehicle right after starting the engine.
lDo not hold the ignition switch in the
START position for over 10 seconds. It
may damage the starter and drain the
battery.
lIf the engine still does not start using
the above procedure, have your vehicle
inspected by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
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In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
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Black plate (316,1)
Keep all flames, including cigarettes, and sparks away from open battery cells:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries.
Do not jump-start a frozen battery or one with a low fluid level: Jump-starting a frozen battery or one with a low fluid level is dangerous. It may
rupture or explode, causing serious injury.
Connect the negative cable to a good ground point away from the battery: Connecting the end of the second jumper cable to the negative (
) terminal of the
discharged battery is dangerous.
A spark could cause the gas around the battery to explode and injure someone.
Route the jumper cables away from parts that will be moving: Connecting a jumper cable near or to moving parts (cooling fans, belts) is dangerous.
The cable could get caught when the engine starts and cause serious injury.
CAUTION
Use only a 12 V booster system. You can damage a 12 V starter, ignition system, and
other electrical parts beyond repair with a 24 V power supply (two 12 V batteries in
series or a 24 V motor generator set).
1. Remove the engine cover.
2. Remove the rubber hose from the battery cover.
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In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
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Black plate (317,1)
3. Remove the battery cover from its rearside.
4. Make sure the booster battery is 12 V
and that its negative terminal is
grounded.
5. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, don't allow the vehicles to
touch. Turn off the engine of the
vehicle with the booster battery and all
unnecessary electrical loads in both
vehicles.
6. Connect the jumper cables in the exact sequence as in the illustration.
lConnect one end of a cable to the
positive terminal on the discharged
battery (1).
lAttach the other end to the positive
terminal on the booster battery (2).
lConnect one end of the other cable
to the negative terminal of the
booster battery (3).
lConnect the other end to a solid,
stationary, exposed metallic point
(for example, the tightening bolt)
away from the discharged battery
(4).
Booster battery
Connect cables
in numerical
order and
disconnect in
reverse order.
Discharged
battery
7. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and run it a few minutes. Then start the
engine of the other vehicle.
8. When finished, carefully disconnect the cables in the reverse order described in
Step 6.
NOTE
Verify that the engine cover is securely
installed.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
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Black plate (318,1)
Push-Starting
Do not push-start your Mazda.
WARNING
Never tow a vehicle to start it:Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured.
CAUTION
Do not push-start a vehicle that has
a manual transmission. It can
damage the emission control system.
NOTE
You can't start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
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In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
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Black plate (323,1)
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3 Scheduled Maintenance ............................................................ 8-3
Owner Maintenance ..................................................................... 8-8 Owner Maintenance Schedule .................................................. 8-8
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................... 8-9
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-11
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-12
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-14
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-16
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-17
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-18
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-19
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-21
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-23
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-28
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-36
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-42 How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-42
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-44
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-47
8-1
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Black plate (326,1)
qSchedule 1
Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
ENGINE
Engine oil RRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRR
Drive belts II
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine coolant FL22 type
*1Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years
Others Replace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years; after that,
every 2 years
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter R
Fuel lines and hoses
*2II
Hoses and tubes for emission*2I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs R
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Disc brakes IIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Flat tire repair kit
*3Inspect annually
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play II
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil R
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLL
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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