Black plate (133,1)
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-14.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lFor improved engine starting
performance the next time you start the
engine after only driving the vehicle a
short distance, turn off the engine after
1 or more of the variable red zone
lamps in the tachometer have turned
off.
In addition, it is recommended that
short trips be avoided to ensure that the
engine reaches operating temperature
before turning off the engine.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze ―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-17).
lDo not use the parking brake in
freezing weather as it may freeze.
Instead, shift to P with an automatic
transmission and to 1 or R with a
manual transmission. Block the rear
wheels.
q Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (rear door on the driver's
side), but never more than the maximum
cold-tire pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels: Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result
in an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tires with
steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls (page
5-33).
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page133
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (179,1)
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-47
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light5-47
Automatic Transmission Warning Light5-48
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light5-48
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green)5-50
Security Indicator Light5-51
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light5-52
Shift Position Indicator Light5-52
TCS/DSC Indicator Light5-53
DSC OFF Indicator Light5-53
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-53
Light-On Indicator Light5-54
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light5-54
Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light5-54
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights5-54
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page179
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (418,1)
Specifications
qEngine
Item Model
Type Rotary engine
Displacement 654 ml × 2 (654 cc × 2, 40.0 cu in × 2)
Compression ratio 10.0
qElectrical System
Item Classification
Battery 12V-55AH/5HR
Spark-plug number Trailing side
N3Y1 18 110A, N3H1 18 110D
*1
Leading sideN3Y8 18 110A, N3Y9 18 110A, N3H5 18 110A*1
Spark-plug gap 1.15―1.25 mm (0.046 ―0.049 in)
*1 ex factory
CAUTION
When cleaning the iridium plugs, do not use a wire brush. The fine particulate
coating on the iridium alloy and platinum tips could be damaged.
q Lubricant Quality
Lubricant Classification
Engine oil Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-12.
Manual transmission oil API Service GL-4 (SAE 75W-90)
Automatic transmission fluid JWS3309
Rear differential oil API Service GL-5 (SAE 90)
API Service GL-5 (SAE 80W-90)
API Service GL-5 (SAE 75W-90)
*
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
* Not available from Mazda
10-4
Specifications
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page418
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C
Black plate (419,1)
qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Item Capacity
Engine oil With oil filter replacement
4.4 L (4.6 US qt, 3.9 Imp qt)
Without oil filter
replacement 4.2 L (4.4 US qt, 3.7 Imp qt)
Coolant Manual transmission
10.0 L (10.6 US qt, 8.80 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission 9.8 L (10 US qt, 8.6 Imp qt)
Manual transmission oil 1.95 L (2.06 US qt, 1.72 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission fluid 8.0 L (8.5 US qt, 7.0 Imp qt)
Rear differential oil 1.3 L (1.4 US qt, 1.1 Imp qt)
Fuel tank 64.0 L (16.9 US gal, 14.1 Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.
q Dimensions
Item Specification
Overall length Without license plate
holder
4,460 mm (175.6 in)
With license plate holder 4,470 mm (176.0 in)
Overall width 1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Overall height 1,340 mm (52.8 in)
Front tread 18-inch wheel vehicle
1,500 mm (59.1 in)
19-inch wheel vehicle 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Rear tread 18-inch wheel vehicle
1,505 mm (59.3 in)
19-inch wheel vehicle 1,510 mm (59.4 in)
Wheelbase 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
qWeights
Item Weight
Manual transmission Automatic transmission
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,732 kg (3,818 lbs) 1,752 kg (3,862 lbs)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Front 842 kg (1,856 lbs) 858 kg (1,892 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
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page419
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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 (429,1)
T
TowingDescription ................................. 7-23
Emergency towing ..................... 7-23
Recreational towing ................... 7-25
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-25 TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-25
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-36
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-32 Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-34
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-33
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-59
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-77
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-40 ABS ............................................ 5-42
Air bag system ........................... 5-45
Automatic transmission .............. 5-48
Brake system .............................. 5-42
Charging system ......................... 5-43
Check engine .............................. 5-45
Door-ajar .................................... 5-47
Engine coolant level ................... 5-44
Engine oil level .......................... 5-43
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-45
KEY Warning Light
(Red)/KEY Indicator Light
(Green) ....................................... 5-50
Low fuel ..................................... 5-46
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-47
Seat belt ...................................... 5-46
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-48
Warranty ............................................ 9-11
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-17
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-27
Windows Power windows .......................... 3-35
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-41
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-64
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-61 Blades replacement .................... 8-19
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
11-7
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C