Black plate (398,1)
WARNING
Always check the tire inflation pressures on a regular basis according to the
recommended tire inflation pressure on the tire label and in conjunction with the
information in this owner's manual:Driving your vehicle with under-inflated tires is dangerous.
Under-inflation is the most common cause of failures in any kind of tire and may
result in severe cracking, tread separation or “blowout ”, with unexpected loss of
vehicle control and increased risk of injury. Under-inflation increases sidewall flexing
and rolling resistance, resulting in heat buildup and internal damage to the tire. It
results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire
can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!
It is impossible to determine whether or not tires are properly inflated just by looking
at them.
q Checking Tire Pressure
1. When you check the air pressure, make sure the tires are cold ―meaning they are not
hot from driving even a mile.
2. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire.
3. Firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve.
4. Add air to achieve recommended air pressure.
5. If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
6. Replace the valve cap.
7. Repeat with each tire, including the spare.
NOTE
Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure.
8. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other objects embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air leak.
9. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges, cracks or other irregularities.
NOTE
Warm tires normally exceed recommended pressures. Don't release air from warm tires to adjust the
pressure.
Under-inflation can cause serious failures and accidents.
Over-inflation can produce a harsh ride and the greater possibility of damage from road hazards.
9-28
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page398
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (399,1)
qGlossary of Terms
Tire Placard: A label indicating the OE tire sizes, recommended inflation pressure, and
the maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
Tire Identification Number (TIN): A number on the sidewall of each tire providing
information about the tire brand and manufacturing plant, tire size, and date of
manufacture.
Inflation Pressure: A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
kPa: Kilopascal, the metric unit for air pressure.
psi: Pounds per square inch, the English unit for air pressure.
B-pillar: The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front door.
Original Equipment (OE): Describes components originally equipped on the vehicle.
Vehicle Load Limit: The maximum value of the combination weight of occupants and
cargo.
Bead Area of the Tire: Area of the tire next to the rim.
Sidewall Area of the Tire: Area between the bead area and the tread.
Tread Area of the Tire: Area on the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when it's
mounted on the vehicle.
Seating capacity means the total allowable number of vehicle occupants. Seating capacity
is described on the tire label.
Production options weight is the combination weight of installed regular production
options weighing over 2.3 kilograms in excess of the standard items which they replace,
and not previously considered in the curb weight or accessory weight, including heavy
duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.
Rim is the metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-29
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (400,1)
Tire Maintenance
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can cause tires to wear abnormally. Here are
some important maintenance points:
qTire Inflation Pressure
Inspect all tire pressure monthly (including the spare) when the tires are cold. Maintain
recommended pressures for the best ride, top handling, and minimum tire wear. Use the
pressures specified on the vehicle tire information placard or tire label for optimum service.
qTire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires every 12,000 km (7,500 miles) or sooner if irregular
wear develops. During rotation, inspect them for correct balance.
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation. Forward
Inspect the tires for uneven wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by one or a
combination of the following:
lIncorrect tire pressurelImproper wheel alignmentlOut-of-balance wheellSevere braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to specification (page 10-6) and inspect the lug nuts
for tightness.
9-30
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (403,1)
Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not taw a trailer with this vehicle:Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or trailer, to keep
your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating capability, with or without a trailer.
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle design performance.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's Safety
Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle: Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's
suspension system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure,
handling or steering problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the
distance required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail
completely, particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a
combination of the size of the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation
pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-33
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
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Vehicle Information Labels
qVehicle Identification Number
The vehicle identification number legally
identifies your vehicle. The number is on
a plate attached to the left top side of the
dashboard. This plate can easily be seen
through the windshield.
qMotor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
qChassis Number
qVehicle Emission Control
Information Label
qTire Pressure Label
10-2
Identification Numbers
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (420,1)
qLight Bulbs
Exterior light
Light bulb Category
Wattage ECE R (SAE)
Headlights High beam
65H9 (H9)
Low beam Halogen
55H7 (H7)
Xenon fusion 35D2S (D2S)
Front turn signal lights/Parking lights (Front side-marker lights) 27/8 B1157MA ( ―)
Fog lights
í51 HB4 (#9005)
Side turn signal lights*15 ―(― )
High-mount brake light 21W21W (#7440)
Rear turn signal lights 21WY21W (―)
Brake lights/Taillights LED
*2―(― )
Reverse lights 16W16W (#921)
License plate lights 5W5W (4CP)
Rear side-marker lights 5W5W (4CP)
*1 Bulb replacement is not possible because it is built into the unit. Replace the unit.
*2 LED is the abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode.
Interior light
Light bulb Category
Wattage ECE R
Trunk light 5W5W
Overhead light/Map lights (Front) 5W5W
Overhead light (Rear) 10―
Courtesy lights 5W5W
Vanity mirror lights 2―
qTires
NOTE
The tires have been optimally matched with the chassis of your vehicle.
When replacing tires, Mazda recommends that you replace tires of the same type originally fitted to
your vehicle. For details, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Check the tire pressure label for tire size and inflation pressure.
Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure on page 8-23.
Tire size Inflation pressure
Front Rear
225/45R18 91W 220 kPa (32 psi)220 kPa (32 psi)
225/40R19 89W
Vehicle capacity weight: 308 kg (680 lbs)
10-6íSome models.
Specifications
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
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A
Accessory Socket .............................. 6-87
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-15
Advanced Key ..................................... 3-2Advanced key maintenance ......... 3-5
Advanced key suspend
function ...................................... 3-16
Auxiliary key .............................. 3-16
Locking, unlocking with request
switch ........................................... 3-8
Opening the trunk lid with request
switch ........................................... 3-9
Operational range ......................... 3-7
Remote control function ............. 3-14
Service ......................................... 3-6
Air Bag Systems ............................... 2-38
Ambient Temperature Display .......... 6-80
Antenna ............................................. 6-15
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ......... 5-8 Warning light ............................... 5-8
Appearance Care ............................... 8-42
Ashtray .............................................. 6-82
Audio System ................................... 6-15 Audio control switch .................. 6-54
Audio set .................................... 6-25
AUX mode ................................. 6-56
Operating tips for audio
system ........................................ 6-15
Safety certification ..................... 6-58
Automatic Transmission Direct mode ................................ 5-19
Driving tips ................................ 5-20
Manual shift mode ..................... 5-15
Shift-lock system ....................... 5-15
Transmission ranges ................... 5-14
B
BatteryEmergency starting .................... 7-18
Maintenance ............................... 8-21
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds Engine Oil Level Warning
Beep ........................................... 5-55
Engine overrev warning beep .... 5-55
Ignition key reminder ................. 5-55
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-55
Seat belt warning beep ............... 5-55
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep ............................................ 5-55
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-5 After getting in ............................. 4-5
Before getting in .......................... 4-5
Bluetooth Hands-Free ....................... 6-59 Basic Bluetooth Hands-Free
Operation ................................... 6-63
Convenient Use of the Hands-Free
System ........................................ 6-66
Hands-Free Telephone Setting .... 6-71
Mazda Bluetooth Hands-Free
Customer Service ....................... 6-76
Safety certification ..................... 6-76
When the Bluetooth Hands-Free
cannot be used ............................ 6-75
Body Lubrication .............................. 8-18
Brake/Clutch Fluid ........................................... 8-16
Brakes Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..... 5-8
Foot brake .................................... 5-5
Pad wear indicator ........................ 5-9
Parking brake ............................... 5-6
Warning light ............................... 5-7
Break-In Period ................................... 4-6
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-28
11-2
Index
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
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S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................. 9-41
Seat Belt System3-point type ................................ 2-18
Automatic locking ...................... 2-16
Belt minder ................................. 2-23
Emergency locking .................... 2-16
Extender ..................................... 2-22
Location of seat belt ................... 2-17
Pregnant women ........................ 2-16
Pretensioner and load limiting .... 2-19
Seat belt precautions .................. 2-14
Warning light/beep ..................... 2-23
Seats Front seat
(Electrically operated seats) ......... 2-6
Front seat
(Manually operated seats) ............ 2-2
Rear seat ..................................... 2-11
Seat warmer ................................ 2-12
Security System Immobilizer system
(with advanced key) ................... 3-47
Immobilizer system
(without advanced key) .............. 3-49
Service Publications .......................... 9-43
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ................ 7-3
Specifications .................................... 10-4
Speed Unit Selector ........................... 5-36
Speedometer ...................................... 5-36
SRS Air Bags How the Air Bags Work ............. 2-44
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions ................................. 2-38
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-4
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-54 Horn ........................................... 5-66
Storage Box ...................................... 6-85
S
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-84 Center console ............................ 6-85
Coin box ..................................... 6-84
Glove box ................................... 6-84
Overhead console ....................... 6-84
Storage box ................................ 6-85
Sunshade ........................................... 3-46
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-77
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-37
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-26
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-52
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-24
Tire Information ................................ 9-21
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-29
System error activation .............. 5-33
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-31
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-33
Tires Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-23
Replacement ............................... 8-25
Rotation ...................................... 8-24
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-19
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
11-6
Index
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C