Black plate (342,1)
Engine Oil
CAUTION
Do not use either synthetic or semi-
synthetic motor oil. Otherwise engine
starting performance could worsen.
NOTE
lChanging the engine oil should be done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lThe Mazda RX-8 requires regular checking
of the engine oil level. The compact, high
performance RENESIS rotary engine in
your vehicle consumes a small amount of
engine oil due to its structural design. An
oil pump optimizes the amount of oil
injected to lubricate the rotor seals in the
combustion cycle. Although your vehicle is
equipped with an engine oil level warning
light, it is best to keep the engine oil level in
the range between full and low by checking
the oil dipstick regularly. Mazda
recommends checking the oil level at every
second fuel filling. The oil consumption of
the engine depends on engine speed and
engine load. Under extreme driving
conditions, oil consumption can be higher.
qRecommended Oil
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Only use oils“Certified For Gasoline
Engines”by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark
symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards
and fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC),
comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
5W-20
120 100 80
60 40
20
0 –20
50 40 30
20 10
0 –10
–20 –30
8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (343,1)
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
50 40 30
20 10
0 –10
–20 –30
qInspecting 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.
The level is normal if it is between
Low and Full.
If it is near or below Low, add enough
oil to bring the level to Full.
CAUTION
Do not 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
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (348,1)
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
Full
LowOK
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing.
Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
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qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Item Capacity
Engine oilWith oil filter replacement 4.4 L (4.6 US qt, 3.9 Imp qt)
Without oil filter
replacement4.2 L (4.4 US qt, 3.7 Imp qt)
CoolantManual 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.
qDimensions
Item Specification
Overall lengthWithout license plate
holder4,460 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 tread18-inch wheel vehicle 1,500 mm (59.1 in)
19-inch wheel vehicle 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Rear tread18-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
ItemWeight
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)
qAir Conditioner
Item Classification
Refrigerant Type HFC134a (R-134a)
Specifications
10-5
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
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A
Accessory Socket .............................. 6-87
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-15
Advanced Key ..................................... 3-2
Advanced key maintenance ......... 3-5
Advanced key suspend
function ...................................... 3-17
Auxiliary key .............................. 3-17
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 .................. 6-52
Audio set .................................... 6-25
AUX mode ................................. 6-54
Operating tips for audio
system ........................................ 6-15
Safety certification ..................... 6-56
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
Battery
Emergency starting .................... 7-19
Maintenance ............................... 8-21
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds
Engine Oil Level Warning
Beep ........................................... 5-56
Engine overrev warning beep .... 5-56
Ignition key reminder ................. 5-56
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-56
Seat belt warning beep ............... 5-56
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep ............................................ 5-56
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-5
After getting in ............................. 4-5
Before getting in .......................... 4-5
Bluetooth Hands-Free ....................... 6-57
Basic Bluetooth Hands-Free
Operation ................................... 6-61
Convenient Use of the Hands-Free
System ........................................ 6-65
Hands-Free Telephone Setting .... 6-70
Mazda Bluetooth Hands-Free
Customer Service ....................... 6-76
Safety certification ..................... 6-76
When 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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T
Towing
Description ................................. 7-24
Emergency towing ..................... 7-24
Recreational towing ................... 7-27
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-25
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-26
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-36
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-33
Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-35
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-34
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-60
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-77
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-40
ABS ............................................ 5-43
Air bag system ........................... 5-46
Automatic transmission .............. 5-48
Brake system .............................. 5-42
Charging system ......................... 5-44
Check engine .............................. 5-45
Door-ajar .................................... 5-48
Engine coolant level ................... 5-45
Engine oil level .......................... 5-44
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-46
KEY Warning Light
(Red)/KEY Indicator Light
(Green) ....................................... 5-51
Low fuel ..................................... 5-46
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-48
Seat belt ...................................... 5-46
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-48
Warranty ............................................ 9-11
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-17
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-26
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-36
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-43
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-65
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-62
Blades replacement .................... 8-19
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
11-7
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