MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2004 Owners Manual (in English)

7-22
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
7. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and run it a few minutes. Then start the
engine of the other vehicle.
8. When finished, carefully disconnect
the cables in the reverse order
described in Step 6.You can’t start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
Connecting to Negative Terminal:
Connecting the end of the second
cable to the negative ( ) terminal of
the discharged battery is dangerous.
A spark could cause the gas around
the battery to explode and injure
someone. Connect the cable to a point
away from the battery.
Connecting Jumper Cable to Moving
Par ts:
Connecting a jumper cable near or to
moving parts (cooling fans, belts) is
dangerous. The cable could get
caught when the engine starts and
cause serious injury. Never connect a
jumper cable to or near any part that
moves.
NOTE
Verify that the engine cover is securely
installed.
WARNINGPush-Starting
Towing a Vehicle to Start It:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured. Never tow a vehicle to start it.
You shouldn’t push-start a vehicle that
has a manual transmission. It can
damage the emission control system.
WARNING
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 22 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-23
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Emergency Towing
We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
rear wheels off the ground. If excessive
damage or other conditions prevent this,
use wheel dollies.
Towing Description
Wheel dollies
Don’t tow the vehicle pointed forward
with driving wheels on the ground.
This may cause internal damage to the
transmission.
Don’t tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage your vehicle. Use
wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.
CAUTION
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 23 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-24
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Tiedown Hooks
1. Remove the tiedown eyelet and the lug
wrench from the trunk (page 7-3).
2. Wrap a lug wrench with a soft cloth to
prevent damage to the bumper and
open the cap located on the front and
rear bumper.
Tiedown Hooks
Don’t use the tiedown hooks under the
front and rear for towing.
They are designed ONLY for tying
down the vehicle when it’s being
transported. Using them for towing
will damage the bumper.
CAUTION
The cap cannot be completely
removed. Do not use excessive force as
it may damage the cap or scratch the
painted bumper surface.
Cap Front
Cap Rear
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 24 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-25
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet
using the lug wrench.4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedown
eyelet.
Tiedown eyelet
Lug wrench Front
Tiedown eyelet
Lug wrench Rear
If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying down the
vehicle. Make sure that the tiedown
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
Tiedown eyelet Front
Tiedown eyelet Rear
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 25 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-26
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
An example of “ recreational towing ” is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to “
Towing Description ” (page 7-23) and “
Tiedown Hooks ” (page 7-24) and
carefully follow the instructions.
Recreational Towing
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 26 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-1
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction
................................................................................... 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance
................................................................ 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance ............................................................. 8-3
Owner Maintenance
...................................................................... 8-6
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................... 8-6
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................... 8-7
Engine Compartment Overview ................................................ 8-8
Engine Oil .................................................................................. 8-9
Engine Coolant ........................................................................ 8-12
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-14
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ...................................... 8-15
Washer Fluid ............................................................................ 8-17
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-18
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-18
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-19
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-21
Tires ......................................................................................... 8-23
Light Bulbs .............................................................................. 8-27
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-33
Appearance Care
......................................................................... 8-39
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage ..................... 8-39
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-41
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-44
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 1 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-2
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Introduction
Be extremely careful and prevent injury to yourself and others or damage to your vehicle
when using this manual for inspection and maintenance.
If you’re unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you to have a reliable
and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are best for your vehicle.
Without this expertise and the parts that have been designed and made especially for your
Mazda, inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient servicing may result in problems. This
could lead to vehicle damage or an accident and injuries.
For expert advice and quality service, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The owner should retain evidence that proper maintenance has been performed as
prescribed.
Claims against the warranty resulting from lack of maintenance, as opposed to defective
materials or authorized Mazda workmanship, will not be honored.
Any auto repair shop using parts equivalent to your Mazda’s original equipment may
perform maintenance. But we recommend that it always be done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer using genuine Mazda parts.
Introduction
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 2 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-3
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Scheduled Maintenance
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
apply.
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 (Canada and Puerto Rico residents follow Schedule 2).
•Repeated short-distance driving
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Driving with extended use of brakes
•Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
•Driving on rough or muddy roads
•Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
•Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
Scheduled Maintenance
NOTE
After the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 3 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Schedule 1
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R
: Replace
L
: Lubricate
C
:Clean
ENGINE
AIR CLEANER
IGNITION SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
COOLING SYSTEM
CHASSIS & BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
*1 According to state / provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage / kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date.
Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers
(miles), whichever comes first)Months 6 12182430364248
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
Engine oilRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRR
Drive beltII
Air filterCCRC
Spark plugsR
Fuel filterReplace every 160,000km (100,000miles)
Fuel lines, hoses and connections
*1II
Cooling systemII
Engine coolantR e p l a c e a t f i r s t 9 6 , 0 0 0 k m ( 6 0 , 0 0 0 m i l e s ) o r 4 8 m o n t h s ;
after that, every 24 months
Brake line, hoses and connectionII
Disk brakesIIII
Steering operation and linkagesII
Front and rear suspension and ball jointsII
Manual transmission oilR
Rear differential oilR
Driveshaft dust bootsII
Bolts and nut on seatsII
Exhaust system heat shieldsII
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLL
Flat tire repair kit
*2Inspect every year
Cabin air filter (If installed)Replace every 40,000km (25,000miles) or 24 months
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 4 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Schedule 2
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R
: Replace
L
:Lubricate
C
:Clean
ENGINE
AIR CLEANER
IGNITION SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
COOLING SYSTEM
CHASSIS & BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
*1 According to state / provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage / kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date.
Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers
(miles), whichever comes first)Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 1624324048566472808896
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Engine oilPuerto RicoReplace every 5,000km (3,000miles) or 3 months
OthersRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRRRRRR
Drive beltII
Air filterCCRC
Spark plugsR
Fuel filterReplace every 160,000km (100,000miles)
Fuel lines, hoses and connections
*1II
Cooling systemII
Engine coolantReplace at first 96,000km (60,000miles) or 48 months ;
after that, every 24 months
Brake line, hoses and connectionII
Brake fluidRR
Disk brakesIIII
Steering operation and linkagesII
Front and rear suspension and ball jointsII
Manual transmission oilRR
Rear differential oilRR
Driveshaft dust bootsII
Bolts and nut on seatsII
Exhaust system heat shieldsII
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Flat tire repair kit
*2Inspect every year
Cabin air filter (If installed)Replace every 40,000km (25,000miles) or 24 months
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 5 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM