2011 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 check engine

Black plate (218,1)
Operating Tips
qOperating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being discharged,
do not leave the fan control dial on for a long
period of time with the ignition switched ON
when the engine is not running.
qClearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions such as leaves,
snow and ice from the hood and the air
inlet in the cowl grille to improve the
system efficiency.
qFoggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the
air conditioner to dehumidify the air.
NOTE
The air conditioner may be used along with the
heater to dehumidify the air.
qParking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.
qNot Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated.
qCheck the Refrigerant before the
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qReplacement of the Cabin Air Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary
to change the filter periodically as
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.
6-2
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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NOTE
When checking the tire inflation pressure with
the tire pressure gauge on the compressor unit,
make sure the compressor switch is turned off.
21. If the tire inflation pressure remains
stable, the tire repair is complete.
Drive the vehicle with care to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
tire replaced.
CAUTION
ØA tire that has been temporarily
repaired with the tire sealant
cannot be reused. Mazda
recommends replacing the tire
with a new one.
ØThe wheel can be reused after any
sealant adhering to it is wiped off
and carefully inspected. However,
replace the tire valve with a new
one.
qInspecting the IMS Emergency
Flat Tire Repair Kit
Inspect the emergency tire repair kit at
regular intervals.
lCheck the tire sealant period of
effective use.
lCheck the operation of the tire
compressor.
NOTE
The tire sealant has a period of effective use.
Check the period of effective use indicated on
the bottle label and do not use it if it has
expired. Have the tire sealant replaced at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer before the period of
effective use has expired.
Changing the Tire
WARNING
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a jack:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure
someone.
Never allow anyone inside a vehicle
supported by a jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury.
CAUTION
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
The wheels equipped on your Mazda
are specially designed for installation
of the tire pressure sensors. Do not
use non-genuine wheels, otherwise it
may not be possible to install the tire
pressure sensors.
NOTE
lMake sure the jack is well lubricated before
using it.
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
lBe sure to register the tire pressure sensor
ID signal code whenever tires or wheels are
changed (page 5-34).
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Reverse (R) or 1, and
turn off the engine.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
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Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
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.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
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.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Do not go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the
engine temperature will increase.
Stop the engine and call an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant reservoir
level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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Black plate (341,1)
Owner Maintenance Precautions
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions only
for items that are easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 8-2), several procedures can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If
you're unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and fluids. Please
dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Do not perform maintenance work if you lack sufficient knowledge and experience or
the proper tools and equipment to do the work. Have maintenance work done by a
qualified technician:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You
can be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures.
If you must run the engine while working under the hood, make certain that you
remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and all
neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or cooling
fan which may turn on unexpectedly:
Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even
more dangerous when you wear jewelry or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
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 leave items in the engine compartment:
After you have finished checking or doing servicing in the engine compartment, do
not forget and leave items such as tools or rags in the engine compartment.
Tools or other items left in the engine compartment could cause engine damage or a
fire leading to an unexpected accident.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-9
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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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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
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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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T
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-24
Replacement ............................... 8-25
Rotation ...................................... 8-25
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
Towing
Description ................................. 7-24
Emergency towing ..................... 7-24
Recreational towing ................... 7-27
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-26
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-27
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-37
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-31
Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-33
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-32
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-63
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-78
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-41
ABS ............................................ 5-44
Air bag system ........................... 5-47
Automatic transmission .............. 5-49
Brake system .............................. 5-43
Charging system ......................... 5-45
Check engine .............................. 5-46
Door-ajar .................................... 5-49
Engine coolant level ................... 5-46
Engine oil level .......................... 5-45
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-47
KEY ............................................ 5-52
Low fuel ..................................... 5-47
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-49
Seat belt ...................................... 5-47
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-50
Warranty ............................................ 9-11
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-17
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-27
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-34
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-41
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-67
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-64
Blades replacement .................... 8-19
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
11-7
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