Black plate (369,1)
Interior Care
qDashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They'll damage and discolor it.
If these solutions get on the dashboard,
wipe them off immediately.
CAUTION
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
qCleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leatherí
Real leather isn't uniform and may have
scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it
with a leather cleaner or mild soap.
If the leather gets wet from rain, remove
the moisture as soon as possible and dry
in a shaded area.
If the seats get wet, promptly remove
moisture with a dry cloth and allow it to
further dry in a shaded area.
If moisture is not removed, it will cause
hardening and shrinkage of the leather.
Do not leave vinyl products on the seats
for long periods as they may affect the
leather quality and coloring.
Fabricí
Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean it with a mild soap solution good
for upholstery and carpets. Remove fresh
spots immediately with a fabric spot
cleaner.
To keep the fabric looking clean and
fresh, take care of it. Otherwise its color
will be affected, it can be stained easily,
and its fire-resistance may be reduced.
CAUTION
Use only recommended cleaners and
procedures. Others may affect
appearance and fire-resistance.
Piano black panel
The following parts are fitted with panels
that have been treated with a special
coating that resists scratching.
lCenter panellDoor switch panellSteering wheel (partial)
When the panel needs to be cleaned, use a
soft cloth to wipe off dirt from the surface.
NOTE
Scratches or nicks on the panels resulting from
the use of a hard brush or cloth may not be
repairable.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-47íSome models.
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page369
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (370,1)
qCleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt
Webbing
Clean the webbing with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Follow instructions. Don't bleach
or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.
After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry
the belt webbing and make sure there is
no remaining moisture before retracting
them.
WARNING
Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
replace damaged seat belts
immediately:
Using damaged seat belts is
dangerous. In a collision, damaged
belts cannot provide adequate
protection.
qCleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with an
oily, greasy, or waxy film, clean them
with glass cleaner. Follow the directions
on the container.
CAUTION
Ø Don't scrape or scratch the inside
of the rear window. You may
damage the rear window defroster
grid.
Ø When washing the inside rear
window, use a soft cloth
dampened in lukewarm water,
gently wiping the antenna lines.
Use of glass cleaning products
could damage the antenna.
8-48
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page370
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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
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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.)
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page400
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (413,1)
Service Publications
Factory-authorized Mazda service publications are available for owners who wish to do
some of their own maintenance and repair.
When requesting any of our publications through an Authorized Mazda Dealer, refer to the
chart below.
If they don't have what you need in stock, they can order it for you.
PUBLICATION ORDER NUMBERPUBLICATION DESCRIPTION
9999-95-064B-09 2009 WORKSHOP MANUAL (English)
9999-95-040G-09 2009 WIRING DIAGRAM (English)
9999-95-079C-09 (U.S.A. only) 2009 OWNER'S MANUAL
9999-EC-079C-09 (Canada only) 2009 OWNER'S MANUAL
9999-PR-079C-09 (Puerto Rico only) 2009 OWNER'S MANUAL
9999-95-102F-09 2009 SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
9999-95-NAV1-09 (U.S.A. only) 2009 NAVIGATION SYSTEM OWNER'S MANUAL
9999-EC-NAV1-09 (Canada only) 2009 NAVIGATION SYSTEM OWNER'S MANUAL
9999-PR-NAV1-09 (Puerto Rico only) 2009 NAVIGATION SYSTEM OWNER'S MANUAL
qWORKSHOP MANUAL:
Covers recommended maintenance and repair procedures of the drive train, body and
chassis.
qWIRING DIAGRAM:
Provides electrical schematics as well as component location for the entire electrical
system.
qOWNER'S MANUAL:
This booklet contains information regarding the proper care and operation of your vehicle.
This is not a technician's manual.
qSERVICE HIGHLIGHTS:
Provides description and operation of the many systems of your Mazda.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Service Publications
9-43
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page413
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (424,1)
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
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page424
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (426,1)
F
FlasherHazard warning .......................... 5-66
Headlights .................................. 5-56
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3 Changing .................................... 7-11
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit ................................................ 7-5
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Fluids Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance ..................... 8-8
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-60
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-5
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-6
Front Seats
(Manually Operated Seats) ................. 2-2
Fuel Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-42
Gauge ......................................... 5-38
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Fuses ................................................. 8-36 Panel description ........................ 8-39
Replacement ............................... 8-36
G
Gauges .............................................. 5-35
Glove Box ......................................... 6-84
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 5-66
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-7
Headlight Washer .............................. 5-64
H
HeadlightsControl ....................................... 5-56
Flashing ...................................... 5-58
High-low beam .......................... 5-58
Leveling ..................................... 5-58
On reminder ............................... 5-58
HomeLink Wireless Control
System .............................................. 5-67
Hood Release .................................... 3-43
Horn .................................................. 5-66
I
Ignition
Keys ........................................... 3-21
Switch .......................................... 5-2
Illuminated Entry System ................. 6-77
Immobilizer System
(with Advanced Key) ........................ 3-47
Immobilizer System
(without Advanced Key) ................... 3-49
Indicator Lights ................................. 5-40
Cruise ......................................... 5-53
DSC OFF .................................... 5-53
Headlight auto-leveling
malfunction ................................ 5-54
Headlight high-beam .................. 5-52
Power steering malfunction ........ 5-54
Security ...................................... 5-51
Shift position .............................. 5-52
TCS/DSC ................................... 5-53
Turn-signal/hazard warning ....... 5-54
Information Display .......................... 6-79
Ambient temperature display ..... 6-80
Audio display ............................. 6-81
Climate control display .............. 6-81
Clock .......................................... 6-80
Information display functions .... 6-79
11-4
Index
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page426
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (427,1)
I
Inside Trunk Release Lever ............... 3-34
Instrument Cluster ............................. 5-35
Interior Care ...................................... 8-47
Interior Lights ................................... 6-77
J
Jump-Starting .................................... 7-19
K
Keyless Entry System ....................... 3-22
Keys .................................................. 3-21
L
Label Information ............................. 10-2
Lane-Change Signals ........................ 5-59
Light BulbsReplacement ............................... 8-28
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Lighter ............................................... 6-81
Lighting Control ............................... 5-56
Lubricant Quality .............................. 10-4
M
Maintenance Introduction .................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance precautions ... 8-9
Owner maintenance schedule ....... 8-8
Scheduled ..................................... 8-3
Manual Transmission Operation ....... 5-10 Recommendations for shifting .... 5-11
Map Lights ........................................ 6-78
Meters and Gauges ........................... 5-35
Mirror Defroster ................................ 5-65
M
Mirrors Outside mirrors .......................... 3-54
Rearview mirror ......................... 3-55
Money-Saving Suggestions ................ 4-6
Moonroof .......................................... 3-44
O
Odometer and Trip Meter .................. 5-36
Outside Mirrors ................................. 3-54
Overhead Console ............................. 6-84
Overhead Lights ................................ 6-78
Overheating ....................................... 7-16
Overloading ...................................... 4-11
P
Paint Damage .................................... 8-42
Parking Brake ..................................... 5-6
Parking in an Emergency .................... 7-2
Power Door Locks ............................ 3-28
Power Steering .................................. 5-20 Power steering malfunction indicator
light ............................................ 5-20
Power Windows ................................ 3-35
Push-Starting ..................................... 7-22
R
Rear Quarter Windows ..................... 3-41
Rear Seat ........................................... 2-11
Rear Window Defroster .................... 5-65
Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-55
Recreational Towing ......................... 7-25
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country ............................................. 9-14
Rocking the Vehicle ............................ 4-8
Index
11-5
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C