Black plate (304,1)
Accessory Socket
The accessory socket can be used
regardless of whether the ignition is on or
off.
Only use genuine Mazda accessories or
the equivalent requiring no greater than
120 W (DC 12 V, 10 A).
The accessory socket is in the center
console.
CAUTION
ØTo prevent accessory socket
damage or electrical failure, pay
attention to the following:
ØDo not use accessories that
require more than 120 W (DC 12
V, 10 A).
ØDo not use accessories that are
not genuine Mazda accessories
or the equivalent.
ØClose the cover when the
accessory socket is not in use to
prevent foreign objects and
liquids from getting into the
accessory socket.
ØCorrectly insert the plug into
the accessory socket.
ØNoise may occur on the audio
playback depending on the device
connected to the accessory socket.
ØDepending on the device
connected to the accessory socket,
the vehicle's electrical system may
be affected, which could cause the
warning light to illuminate.
Disconnect the connected device
and make sure that the problem is
resolved. If the problem is
resolved, disconnect the device
from the socket and switch the
ignition off. If the problem is not
resolved, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
To prevent discharging of the battery, do not
use the socket for long periods with the engine
off or idling.
6-88
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page304
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:52 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (306,1)
Parking in an Emergency
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning flasher and all
the turn signals will flash.
NOTE
lThe turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning lights are on.
lCheck local regulations about the use of
hazard warning lights while the vehicle is
being towed to verify that it is not in
violation of the law.
7-2
In Case of an Emergency
Parking in an Emergency
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page306
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:52 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (308,1)
qJack
To remove the jack
1. Open the tool box.
2. Turn the jack screw counterclockwise.
To secure the jack
Perform the removal procedure in reverse.
qSpare Tire
A temporary spare tire is not equipped
with your Mazda. If an emergency tire
repair is needed, repair the flat tire with
the emergency flat tire repair kit (page
7-5). If you require a temporary spare tire,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
When installing a temporary spare tire,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
the temporary spare tire.The temporary spare tire is lighter and
smaller than a conventional tire, and is
designed only for emergency use and
should be used only for VERY short
periods. Temporary spare tires should
NEVER be used for long drives or
extended periods.
WARNING
Do not install the temporary spare tire
in place of the rear wheels (driving
wheels):
Driving with the temporary spare tire
on one of the rear driving wheels is
dangerous. Especially on ice or snow.
Handling will be affected. You could
lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Move a regular tire to
the rear wheel and install the
temporary spare tire to the front.
7-4
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page308
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:52 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (309,1)
CAUTION
ØWhen using the temporary spare
tire, driving stability may decrease
compared to when using only the
conventional tire.
Drive carefully.
ØTo avoid damage to the temporary
spare tire or to the vehicle, observe
the following precautions:
ØDo not exceed 80 km/h (50
mph).
ØAvoid driving over obstacles.
Also, do not drive through an
automatic car wash. This tire's
diameter is smaller than a
conventional tire's, so the
ground clearance is reduced
about 25 mm (1 in).
ØDo not use a tire chain on this
tire because it won't fit
properly.
ØDo not use your temporary
spare tire on any other vehicle;
it has been designed only for
your Mazda.
ØUse only one temporary spare
tire on your vehicle at the same
time.
(With limited slip differential)
When using the temporary spare tire
on the rear axle, replace it with a
standard tire as soon as possible. The
size difference between the spare and
the standard tire will cause the
limited slip differential to
malfunction.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
A tire pressure sensor is not installed to the
temporary spare tire. The warning light will
flash continuously while the temporary spare
tire is being used (page 5-32).
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat
Tire Repair Kit
The IMS emergency flat tire repair kit
included with your Mazda is for a
temporary repair of a slightly damaged
flat tire resulting from running over nails
or similar sharp objects on the road
surface.
NOTE
Your vehicle is not equipped with a spare tire.
In the event of a flat tire, use the emergency
flat tire repair kit to repair the tire temporarily.
When doing the repair, refer to the instructions
included in the emergency flat tire repair kit.
After temporarily repairing a tire with the
emergency flat tire repair kit, take your vehicle
to an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the tire
replaced.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-5
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page309
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:52 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (313,1)
NOTE
Do not throw away the empty tire sealant
bottle after use. Return the empty tire sealant
bottle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer when
replacing the tire. The empty tire sealant bottle
will need to be used to extract and dispose of
the used sealant from the tire.
13. Attach the vehicle speed restriction
sticker in a place where the driver can
easily see it.
WARNING
Do not attach the vehicle speed
restriction sticker to the instrument
panel, as it would obstruct vision of
areas such as warning light indicators
or the speedometer:
Attaching the vehicle speed
restriction sticker to the steering
wheel pad is dangerous. The sticker
could interfere with air bag inflation
and cause serious injury.14. Install the compressor hose to the tire
valve.
Valve
Compressor hose
15. Insert the compressor plug into the
interior accessory socket and turn the
ignition switch to the ACC position
(page 6-88).
Compressor Compressor
plug
Center console
CAUTION
ØBefore pulling out the compressor
plug from the electrical socket,
make sure the compressor power
switch is off.
ØThe compressor turns on and off
with the push-button switch.
16. Turn the compressor switch on and
inflate the tire carefully to the correct
inflation pressure.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-9
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page313
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:52 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (314,1)
WARNING
Never operate the compressor above
300 kPa (3.1 kgf/cm2, 3 bar, 43.5 psi):
Operating the compressor above 300
kPa (3.1 kgf/cm
2, 3 bar, 43.5 psi) is
dangerous. When the inflation
pressure rises above 300 kPa (3.1
kgf/cm
2, 3 bar, 43.5 psi), heated air
will be exhausted from the back of
the compressor and you could be
burned.
CAUTION
If the compressor operates slowly or
becomes hot, it indicates
overheating. Turn the compressor off
immediately and leave it turned off
for 30 minutes or longer.
NOTE
lCheck the tire inflation pressure label (rear
door on the driver's side) for the correct tire
inflation pressure.
lDo not use the compressor for longer than
10 minutes because using the compressor
for long periods could damage it.
lIf the tire does not inflate, repair of the tire
may not be possible. If the tire does not
reach the correct inflation pressure within a
10-minute period, it probably has received
more extensive damage. When this happens,
the emergency flat tire repair kit cannot be
used to repair the tire. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf the tire has been over-inflated, loosen the
screw cap on the compressor and bleed
some of the air out.
17. When the tire has been inflated to the
proper inflation pressure, turn the
compressor switch off and remove the
compressor hose from the tire valve.18. Install the tire valve cap.
19. Put the emergency flat tire repair kit
in the trunk and continue driving.
CAUTION
ØDrive carefully to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer and keep the
vehicle speed below 80 km/h (50
mph).
ØIf the vehicle is driven 80 km/h (50
mph) or higher, the vehicle might
begin to vibrate.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
If the tire is not properly inflated, the tire
pressure monitoring system warning light will
illuminate (page 5-32).
20. After driving the vehicle for 10
minutes or 5 km (3 miles), check the
tire pressure with the tire pressure
gauge equipped with the compressor.
If the tire pressure has fallen below
the correct tire pressure, inflate the
tire to the correct pressure again
following the steps from number 15.
CAUTION
ØIf the tire inflation pressure falls
below 130 kPa (1.3 kgf/cm2or bar,
18.9 psi), repair cannot be done
with the repair kit. Park the
vehicle on a level surface off the
right-of-way and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
ØIf the tire inflation pressure
continues to remain low after
repeating steps 14 to 21, park the
vehicle on a level surface off the
right-of-way and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
7-10
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page314
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:52 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (320,1)
NOTE
To prevent the jack and tool from rattling, store
them properly.
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
A tire pressure sensor is not installed to the
temporary spare tire. The warning light will
flash continuously while the temporary spare
tire is being used (page 5-32).
7-16
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page320
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:52 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (344,1)
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
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page344
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:52 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H