2009 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 service

Black plate (331,1)
Owner Maintenance Precautions
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions only
for items that are easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 8-2), several procedures can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If
you're unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and fluids. Please
dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Do not perform maintenance work if you lack sufficient knowledge and experience or
the proper tools and equipment to do the work. Have maintenance work done by a
qualified technician:Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You
can be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures.
If you must run the engine while working under the hood, make certain that you
remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and all
neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or cooling
fan which may turn on unexpectedly: Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even
more dangerous when you wear jewelry or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
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 leave items in the engine compartment: After you have finished checking or doing servicing in the engine compartment, do
not forget and leave items such as tools or rags in the engine compartment.
Tools or other items left in the engine compartment could cause engine damage or a
fire leading to an unexpected accident.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-9
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page331
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (335,1)
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 service 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 Low and Full.
But if it's near or below Low, add
enough oil to bring the level to Full.
CAUTION
Don't add engine oil over Full. This
may cause engine damage.
The distance between Low and Full on the
dipstick represents the following:
Oil capacity
L (US qt, Imp qt) 2.0 (2.1, 1.8)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-13
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page335
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (345,1)
NOTElRemove the engine and battery covers
before performing battery maintenance.
Engine cover
Battery cover
lIf the cover has been removed, install it in
the reverse order of removal.
qBattery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:lKeep it securely mounted.lKeep the top clean and dry.lKeep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables.
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Use all radial, all bias-belted, or all
bias-type tires.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires: Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-6)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
qTire Inflation Pressure
WARNING
Always inflate the tires to the correct
pressure:
Overinflation or underinflation of
tires is dangerous. Adverse handling
or unexpected tire failure could result
in a serious accident.
Refer to specification charts on page
10-6.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-23
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page345
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (371,1)
9
Customer Information and Reporting
Safety Defects
Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.
Customer Assistance ............................... 9-2 Customer Assistance (U.S.A.) ............ 9-2
Customer Assistance (Canada) ........... 9-6
Customer Assistance (Puerto Rico) .... 9-9
Mazda Importer/Distributors ............... 9-10 Importer/Distributor .......................... 9-10
Distributor in Each Area ................... 9-10
Warranty ................................................ 9-11 Warranties for Your Mazda ............... 9-11
Outside the United States .................. 9-12
Outside Canada ................................. 9-13
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country (Except United States and
Canada) ............................................. 9-14
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-15
Cell Phones ............................................. 9-16 Cell Phones Warning ......................... 9-16
Type Approval of Equipment ............... 9-17 Type Approval of Equipment ............ 9-17
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System
(UTQGS) ................................................ 9-19 Uniform Tire Quality Grading System
(UTQGS) .......................................... 9-19
Tire Information (U.S.A.) ..................... 9-21 Tire Labeling ..................................... 9-21
Location of the Tire Label
(Placard) ............................................ 9-27
Tire Maintenance .............................. 9-30
Vehicle Loading ................................ 9-33
Steps for Determining the Correct Load
Limit: ................................................ 9-40 Reporting Safety Defects ....................... 9-41
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S.A.) .... 9-41
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada) ... 9-42
Service Publications .............................. 9-43 Service Publications .......................... 9-43
9-1
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page371
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (372,1)
Customer Assistance (U.S.A.)
Your complete and permanent satisfaction is our business. We are here to serve you. All
Authorized Mazda Dealers have the knowledge and the tools to keep your Mazda vehicle
in top condition.
If you have any questions or recommendations for improvement regarding the service of
your Mazda vehicle or servicing by Mazda Dealer personnel, we recommend that you take
the following steps:
qSTEP 1: Contact Your Mazda Dealer
Discuss the matter with an Authorized Mazda Dealer. This is the quickest and best way to
address the issue. If your concern has not been resolved by the CUSTOMER RELATIONS,
SALES, SERVICE, or PARTS MANAGER, then please contact the GENERAL
MANAGER of the dealership or the OWNER.
qSTEP 2: Contact Mazda North American Operations
If for any reason you feel the need for further assistance after contacting your dealership
management, you can reach Mazda North American Operations by one of the following
ways.
Log on: at www.mazdaUSA.com
Answers to many questions, including how to locate or contact a local Mazda dealership in
the U.S., can be found here.
E-mail: click on “Contact Us ”located on the “Inside Mazda ”tab, or at the bottom of the
page at www.mazdaUSA.com
By phone at: 1 (800) 222-5500
By letter at:
Attn: Customer Assistance
Mazda North American Operations
7755 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618-2922
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623-9734
In order to serve you efficiently and effectively, please help us by providing the following
information:
1. Your name, address, and telephone number
9-2
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Customer Assistance
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page372
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (375,1)
7. California Civil Code Section 1793.2 (d) requires that, if Mazda or its representative isunable to repair a new motor vehicle to conform to the vehicle's applicable express
warranty after a reasonable number of attempts, Mazda may be required to replace or
repurchase the vehicle. California Civil Code Section 1793.22 (b) creates a presumption
that Mazda has had a reasonable number of attempts to conform the vehicle to its
applicable express warranties if, within 18 months from delivery to the buyer or 18,000
miles on the vehicle's odometer, whichever occurs first, one or more of the following
occurs:
lThe same nonconformity [a failure to conform to the written warranty that
substantially impairs the use, value or safety of the vehicle] results in a condition that
is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven ANDthe
nonconformity has been subject to repair two or more times by Mazda or its agents
AND the buyer or lessee has directly notified Mazda of the need for the repair of the
nonconformity; OR
lThe same nonconformity has been subject to repair 4 or more times by Mazda or its
agents ANDthe buyer has notified Mazda of the need for the repair of the
nonconformity; OR
lThe vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of nonconformities by Mazda or its
agents for a cumulative total of more than 30 calendar days after delivery of the
vehicle to the buyer.
NOTICE TO Mazda AS REQUIRED ABOVE SHALL BE SENT TO THE
FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
Mazda North American Operations
7755 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
ATTN: Customer Mediation
8. The following remedies may be sought in BBB AUTO LINE: repairs, reimbursement for money paid to repair a vehicle or other expenses incurred as result of a vehicle
nonconformity, repurchase or replacement of your vehicle, and compensation for
damages and remedies available under Mazda's written warranty or applicable law.
9. The following remedies may notbe sought in BBB AUTO LINE: punitive or multiple
damages, attorneys' fees, or consequential damages other than as provided in California
Civil Code Section 1794 (a) and (b).
10. You may reject the decision issued by a BBB AUTO LINE arbitrator. If you reject the decision, you will be free to pursue further legal action. The arbitrator's decision and
any findings will be admissible in a court action.
11. If you accept the arbitrator's decision, Mazda will be bound by the decision, and will comply with the decision within a reasonable time not to exceed 30 days after we
receive notice of your acceptance of the decision.
12. Please call BBB AUTO LINE at 1-800-955-5100 for further details about the program.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Customer Assistance
9-5
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page375
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (376,1)
Customer Assistance (Canada)
qSatisfaction Review Process
Your complete and permanent satisfaction is of primary concern to Mazda. All Authorized
Mazda Dealers have both the knowledge and tools to keep your Mazda in top condition. In
our experience, any questions, problems, or complaints regarding the operation of your
Mazda or any other general service transactions are most effectively resolved by your
dealer. If the cause of your dissatisfaction cannot adequately be addressed by normal
dealership procedures, we recommend that you take the following steps:
qSTEP 1: Contact the Mazda Dealer
Discuss the matter with a member of dealership management. If the Service Manager has
already reviewed your concerns, contact the owner of the dealership or its General
Manager.
qSTEP 2: Contact the Mazda Regional Office
If you feel that you still require assistance, ask the dealer Service Manager to arrange for
you to meet the local Mazda Service Representative. If more expedient, contact Mazda
Canada Inc.Regional Office nearest you for such arrangements. Regional Office address
and phone numbers are shown (page 9-8).
qSTEP 3: Contact the Mazda Customer Relations Department
If still not substantially satisfied, contact the Customer Relations Department, Mazda
Canada Inc., 55 Vogell Road, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3K5 Canada TEL: 1 (800)
263-4680.
Provide the Department with the following information:
1. Your name, address and telephone number
2. Year and model of vehicle
3. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Refer to the “Vehicle Identification Labels” page
of section 10 of this manual for the location of the VIN.
4. Purchase date
5. Present odometer reading
6. Your dealer's name and location
7. The nature of your problem and/or cause of dissatisfaction
The Department, in cooperation with the local Mazda Service Representative, will review
the case to determine if everything possible has been done to ensure your satisfaction.
9-6
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Customer Assistance
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page376
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (377,1)
Please recognize that the resolution of service problems in most cases requires the use of
your Mazda dealer's service facilities, personnel and equipment. We urge you to follow the
above three steps in sequence for most effective results.
qMediation/Arbitration Program
Occasionally a customer concern cannot be resolved through Mazda's Customer
Satisfaction Program. If after exhausting the procedures in this manual your concern is still
not resolved, you have another option.
Mazda Canada Inc. participates in an arbitration program administered by the
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP). CAMVAP will advise you about
how your concern may be reviewed and resolved by an independent third party through
binding arbitration.
Your complete satisfaction is the goal of Mazda Canada Inc. and our dealers.
Mazda's participation in CAMVAP makes a valuable contribution to our achieving that
goal. There is no charge for using CAMVAP. CAMVAP results are fast, fair and final as the
award is binding on both you and Mazda Canada Inc.
qCanadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP)
If a specific item of concern arises, where a solution cannot be reached between an owner,
Mazda, and/or one of it's dealers (that all parties cannot agree upon), the owner may wish
to use the services offered by the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).
CAMVAP uses the services of Provincial Administrators to assist consumers in scheduling
and preparing for their arbitration hearings. However, before you can proceed with
CAMVAP you must follow your Mazda dispute resolution process as outlined previously.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Customer Assistance
9-7
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page377
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C