Black plate (338,1)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-16)lEngine coolant level (page 8-14)lEngine oil level (page 8-13)lWasher fluid level (page 8-17)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-23)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
lEngine coolant (page 8-14)lEngine oil (page 8-12)
8-8
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page338
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (341,1)
Engine Compartment Overview
Windshield washer
fluid reservoirEngine oil-filler cap
Engine oil dipstickBrake/Clutch fluid
reservoir
Cooling system cap
Engine coolant reservoir
Battery
Fuse block
(near battery) Air filterFuse block (next
to air filter)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-11
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page341
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (347,1)
qAdding Brake/Clutch Fluid
WARNING
Be careful not to spill brake fluid on
yourself or on the engine:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Brake fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire.
If the brake/clutch fluid level is low,
have the brakes and clutch inspected:
Low brake/clutch fluid levels are
dangerous. Low levels could signal
brake lining wear or a brake system
leak. Your brakes could fail and
cause an accident.
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
CAUTION
ØBrake and clutch fluid will
damage painted surfaces. If brake
or clutch fluid does get on a
painted surface, wash it off with
water immediately.
ØUsing nonspecified brake and
clutch fluids (page 10-4) will
damage the systems. Mixing
different fluids will also damage
them.
If the brake/clutch system
frequently requires new fluid,
consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Washer Fluid
qInspecting Washer Fluid Level
WARNING
Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the
windshield, affect your visibility, and
could result in an accident.
Using Washer Fluid Without Anti-freeze
Protection in Cold Weather:
Operating your vehicle in
temperatures below 4 degrees C (40
degrees F) using washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection is dangerous
as it could cause impaired windshield
vision and result in an accident. In
cold weather, always use washer
fluid with anti-freeze protection.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict the use
of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which
are commonly used as anti-freeze agents in
washer fluid. A washer fluid with limited VOC
content should be used only if it provides
adequate freeze resistance for all regions and
climates in which the vehicle will be operated.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-17
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page347
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
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
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page348
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (434,1)
F
Flasher
Hazard warning .......................... 5-67
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 ......................................... 5-61
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-5
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-6
Front Seats
(Manually Operated Seats) ................. 2-2
Fuel
Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-43
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 .................... 5-67
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-7
Headlight Washer .............................. 5-65
H
Headlights
Control ....................................... 5-57
Flashing ...................................... 5-59
High-low beam .......................... 5-59
Leveling ..................................... 5-59
On reminder ............................... 5-59
HomeLink Wireless Control
System .............................................. 5-68
Hood Release .................................... 3-45
Horn .................................................. 5-67
I
Ignition
Keys ........................................... 3-22
Switch .......................................... 5-2
Illuminated Entry System ................. 6-77
Immobilizer System
(with Advanced Key) ........................ 3-48
Immobilizer System
(without Advanced Key) ................... 3-51
Indicator Lights ................................. 5-40
Cruise ......................................... 5-54
DSC OFF .................................... 5-53
Headlight auto-leveling
malfunction ................................ 5-55
Headlight high-beam .................. 5-52
Power steering malfunction ........ 5-54
Security ...................................... 5-52
Shift position .............................. 5-53
TCS/DSC ................................... 5-53
Turn-signal/hazard warning ....... 5-55
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_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page434
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (437,1)
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
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page437
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E