2011 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 coolant temperature

Black plate (342,1)
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
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (346,1)
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
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Black plate (347,1)
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
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Black plate (379,1)
qAluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
CAUTION
Do not use any detergent other than
a mild detergent. Otherwise, the
aluminum wheels can be stained or
discolored. Check the ingredients
when using various kinds of cleaners.
NOTE
lDo not use a wire brush or any abrasive
cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent on
aluminum wheels. They may damage the
coating.
lAlways use a sponge or soft cloth to clean
the wheels.
Rinse the wheels thoroughly with lukewarm
or cold water. Also, be sure to clean the
wheels after driving on dusty or salted
roads to help prevent corrosion.
lAvoid washing your vehicle in an automatic
car wash that uses high-speed or hard
brushes.
lIf your aluminum wheels lose luster, wax
the wheels.
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Check special requirements for Tire Pressure
Monitoring System.
Refer to Tires and Wheels on page 5-34.
qPlastic Part Maintenance
lWhen cleaning the plastic lenses of the
lights, do not use gasoline, kerosene,
rectified spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolor or damage the
surfaces resulting in a significant loss
in functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, flush with water
immediately.
lIf plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fluids such as
gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery
fluid, it could cause discoloration,
staining, or paint peeling. Wipe off any
such chemical agents or fluids using a
soft cloth immediately.
lHigh water temperature and high water
pressure car washers are available
depending on the type of high pressure
car washer device. If the car washer
nozzle is put too close to the vehicle or
aimed at one area for an extended
period of time, it could deform plastic
parts or damage the paint.
lDo not use wax containing compounds
(polish). Otherwise, it could result in
paint damage.
lIn addition, do not use an electrical or
air tool to apply wax. Otherwise, the
frictional heat generated could result in
deformation of plastic parts or paint
damage.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-47
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Black plate (437,1)
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-4
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-3
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-16
Center Console .................................. 6-86
Child Restraint
Child-restraint system installation
position ...................................... 2-30
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-31
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-37
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-82
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-81
Coin Box ........................................... 6-85
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-79
Cruise Control ................................... 5-23
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-84
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-39
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-62
Defroster
Mirror ......................................... 5-69
Rear window .............................. 5-68
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-26
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving on Uneven Road .................. 4-12
D
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-6
Automatic transmission .............. 5-21
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) ..... 5-27
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-28
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-29
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-28
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 .............................. 3-43
Oil .............................................. 8-12
Overheating ................................ 7-17
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-11
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-17
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-39
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-4
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-44
Index
11-3
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