Black plate (353,1)
NOTElRemove the engine and battery covers
before performing battery maintenance.
Engine cover
Battery cover
lIf the cover has been removed, install it in
the reverse order of removal.
qBattery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:lKeep it securely mounted.lKeep the top clean and dry.lKeep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables.
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Use all radial, all bias-belted, or all
bias-type tires.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-6)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
qTire Inflation Pressure
WARNING
Always inflate the tires to the correct
pressure:
Overinflation or underinflation of
tires is dangerous. Adverse handling
or unexpected tire failure could result
in a serious accident.
Refer to specification charts on page
10-6.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-23
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page353
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (378,1)
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
ØDon't scrape or scratch the inside
of the rear window. You may
damage the rear window defroster
grid.
ØWhen 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_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page378
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (432,1)
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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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (436,1)
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................. 9-40
Seat Belt System
3-point type ................................ 2-18
Automatic locking ...................... 2-16
Belt minder ................................. 2-23
Emergency locking .................... 2-16
Extender ..................................... 2-21
Location of seat belt ................... 2-17
Pregnant women ........................ 2-16
Pretensioner and load limiting .... 2-19
Seat belt precautions .................. 2-14
Warning light/beep ..................... 2-23
Seats
Front seat
(Electrically operated seats) ......... 2-6
Front seat
(Manually operated seats) ............ 2-2
Rear seat ..................................... 2-11
Seat warmer ................................ 2-12
Security System
Immobilizer system
(with advanced key) ................... 3-48
Immobilizer system
(without advanced key) .............. 3-51
Service Publications .......................... 9-42
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ................ 7-3
Specifications .................................... 10-4
Speed Unit Selector ........................... 5-36
Speedometer ...................................... 5-36
SRS Air Bags
How the Air Bags Work ............. 2-44
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions ................................. 2-38
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-4
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-56
Horn ........................................... 5-67
Storage Box ...................................... 6-85
S
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-84
Center console ............................ 6-85
Coin box ..................................... 6-84
Glove box ................................... 6-84
Overhead console ....................... 6-84
Storage box ................................ 6-85
Sunshade ........................................... 3-47
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-77
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-37
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-26
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-53
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-25
Tire Information ................................ 9-21
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-29
System error activation .............. 5-33
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-31
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-33
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-23
Replacement ............................... 8-25
Rotation ...................................... 8-24
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-19
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
11-6
Index
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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
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E