Black plate (412,1)
Tire Maintenance
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can cause tires to wear abnormally. Here are
some important maintenance points:
qTire Inflation Pressure
Inspect all tire pressure monthly (including the spare) when the tires are cold. Maintain
recommended pressures for the best ride, top handling, and minimum tire wear. Use the
pressures specified on the vehicle tire information placard or tire label for optimum service.
qTire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires every 12,000 km (7,500 miles) or sooner if irregular
wear develops. During rotation, inspect them for correct balance.
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.Forward
Inspect the tires for uneven wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by one or a
combination of the following:
lIncorrect tire pressurelImproper wheel alignmentlOut-of-balance wheellSevere braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to specification (page 10-6) and inspect the lug nuts
for tightness.
9-30
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page412
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (413,1)
CAUTION
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial tires that have an asymmetrical tread pattern
or studs only from front to rear, not from side to side. Tire performance will be
weakened if rotated from side to side.
(With limited-slip differential)
Don't use the following:
ØTires not of the designated size
ØTires of different sizes or types at the same time
ØTires not sufficiently inflated
If these instructions aren't followed, the rotation of the left and right wheels will be
different and will thus apply a constant load on the limited-slip differential.
This will cause a malfunction.
qReplacing a Tire
WARNING
Always use tires that are in good condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous. Reduced braking, steering, and traction could
result in an accident.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator will appear as a solid band across the tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
New treadTread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace the tire before the band crosses the entire tread.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-31
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page413
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (414,1)
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used on the road. It is recommended that tires
generally be replaced when they are 6 years or older. Heat caused by hot climates or frequent high
loading conditions can accelerate the aging process. You should replace the spare tire when you
replace the other road tires due to the aging of the spare tire. The period in which the tire was
manufactured (both week and year) is indicated by a 4-digit number.
Refer to The tire labeling on page 9-21.
qSafety Practices
The way you drive has a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety. So cultivate
good driving habits for your own benefit.
lObserve posted speed limitslAvoid fast starts, stops and turnslAvoid potholes and objects on the roadlDo not run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking
CAUTION
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you suspect your
tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your speed. Drive with caution
until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tire for damage. If the tire
is under-inflated or damaged, deflate it, remove the tire and rim and replace it with
your spare tire. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
vehicle or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
9-32
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page414
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (420,1)
GCW
GCW (Gross Combination Weight)is the weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW).
GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)is the maximum allowable weight of the
vehicle - including all cargo and passengers - that the vehicle can handle without risking
damage.The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
WARNING
Exceeding GVWR or GAWR Specifications:
Exceeding the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification label is dangerous.
Exceeding any vehicle rating limitation could result in a serious accident, injury, or
damage to the vehicle.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the originals
because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement
tires with a higher limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.
Never exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification label.
9-38
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page420
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (432,1)
qLight Bulbs
Exterior light
Light bulbCategory
Wattage ECE R (SAE)
HeadlightsHigh beam 65 H9 (H9)
Low beamHalogen 55 H7 (H7)
Xenon fusion 35 D2S (D2S)
Front turn signal lights/Parking lights (Front side-marker lights) 27/8 B1157MA (―)
Fog lights
í51 HB4 (#9005)
Side turn signal lights*15―(―)
High-mount brake light 21 W21W (#7440)
Rear turn signal lights 21 WY21W (―)
Brake lights/Taillights LED
*2―(―)
Reverse lights 16 W16W (#921)
License plate lights 5 W5W (4CP)
Rear side-marker lights 5 W5W (4CP)
*1 Bulb replacement is not possible because it is built into the unit. Replace the unit.
*2 LED is the abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode.
Interior light
Light bulbCategory
Wattage ECE R
Trunk light 5 W5W
Overhead light/Map lights (Front) 5 W5W
Overhead light (Rear) 10―
Courtesy lights 5 W5W
Vanity mirror lights 2―
qTires
NOTE
The tires have been optimally matched with the chassis of your vehicle.
When replacing tires, Mazda recommends that you replace tires of the same type originally fitted to
your vehicle. For details, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Check the tire pressure label for tire size and inflation pressure.
Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure on page 8-24.
Tire sizeInflation pressure
Front Rear
225/45R18 91W
220 kPa (32 psi) 220 kPa (32 psi)
225/40R19 89W
Vehicle capacity weight: 308 kg (680 lbs)
10-6íSome models.
Specifications
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page432
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (440,1)
R
Rear Window Defroster .................... 5-68
Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-55
Recreational Towing ......................... 7-27
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country ............................................. 9-14
Rocking the Vehicle ............................ 4-8
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................. 9-40
Seat Belt System
3-point type ................................ 2-19
Automatic locking ...................... 2-17
Belt reminder .............................. 2-24
Emergency locking .................... 2-17
Extender ..................................... 2-22
Location of seat belt ................... 2-18
Pregnant women ........................ 2-17
Pretensioner and load limiting .... 2-20
Seat belt precautions .................. 2-15
Warning light/beep ..................... 2-24
Seats
Front seat
(Electrically operated seats) ......... 2-6
Front seat
(Manually operated seats) ............ 2-2
Rear seat ..................................... 2-12
Seat warmer ................................ 2-13
Security System
Immobilizer system
(with advanced key) ................... 3-46
Immobilizer system
(without advanced key) .............. 3-49
Service Publications .......................... 9-42
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ................ 7-3
Specifications .................................... 10-4
Speed Unit Selector ........................... 5-37
Speedometer ...................................... 5-37
S
SRS Air Bags
How the Air Bags Work ............. 2-46
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions ................................. 2-40
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-4
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-54
Horn ........................................... 5-69
Storage Box ...................................... 6-86
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-85
Center console ............................ 6-86
Coin box ..................................... 6-85
Glove compartment .................... 6-85
Overhead console ....................... 6-85
Storage box ................................ 6-86
Sunshade ........................................... 3-45
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-78
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-38
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-26
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-51
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-25
Tire Information ................................ 9-21
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-30
System error activation .............. 5-34
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-32
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-34
11-6
Index
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page440
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (441,1)
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
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page441
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H