Page 340 of 438
Black plate (340,1)
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.
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page340
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Page 344 of 438

Black plate (344,1)
NOTElEach mark from the Full mark equates to
about 0.5 L (0.5 US qt, 0.4 Imp qt).
There are 3 marks between Low and Full.
Full
Low
0.5 L (0.5 US qt, 0.4 Imp qt)
1.0 L (1.1 US qt, 0.9 Imp qt)
1.5 L (1.6 US qt, 1.3 Imp qt)
2.0 L (2.1 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)
lVerify that the engine cover is securely
installed.
Engine Coolant
qInspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become
very hot. You could be burned.
Carefully inspect the engine coolant
in the coolant reservoir, but do not
open it.
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.
8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page344
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Page 345 of 438

Black plate (345,1)
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 Turn the ignition switch to
the ACC position.
NOTE
Changing the coolant should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year―at the beginning of the
winter season―and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool.
If it's at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.
CAUTION
ØRadiator coolant will damage
paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
ØUse only soft (demineralized)
water in the coolant mixture.
Water that contains minerals will
cut down on the coolant's
effectiveness.
ØDon't add only water. Always add
a proper coolant mixture.
ØThe engine has aluminum parts
and must be protected by an
ethylene-glycol-based coolant to
prevent corrosion and freezing.
ØDO NOT USE coolants Containing
Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
These coolants could damage the
cooling system.
ØDO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol
with the coolant. This could
damage the cooling system.
ØDon't use a solution that contains
more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-15
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page345
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Page 433 of 438

Black plate (433,1)
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-4
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-3
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-16
Center Console .................................. 6-85
Child Restraint
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-29
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-35
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-81
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-80
Coin Box ........................................... 6-84
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-78
Cruise Control ................................... 5-22
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-83
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-38
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-60
Defroster
Mirror ......................................... 5-66
Rear window .............................. 5-66
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-28
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving on Uneven Road .................. 4-12
D
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-6
Automatic transmission .............. 5-20
Break-in period ............................ 4-6
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Driving on uneven road ............. 4-12
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-7
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-8
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-26
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-27
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-28
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-27
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-19
Jump-starting .............................. 7-20
Push-starting .............................. 7-23
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-24
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant ....................................... 8-14
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-4
Hood release .............................. 3-45
Oil .............................................. 8-12
Overheating ................................ 7-17
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-11
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-17
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-38
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-4
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-44
Index
11-3
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page433
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E