MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2005 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (251,1)
For mixture percentage:
ProtectionVolume
Antifreeze
solutionDemineralized
water
Above–16°C
(3°F)35% 65%
Above–26°C
(–15°F)45% 55%
Above–40°C
(–40°F)55% 45%
To change coolant
WARNING
Removing the Cooling System Cap:
Removing the cooling system cap
while the engine is running or hot is
dangerous. This might lead to cooling
system and engine damage and could
result in serious injury from escaping
hot coolant or steam. Turn off the
engine and wait until it's cool. Even
then, be very careful when removing
the cap. Wrap a thick cloth around the
cap and slowly turn it
counterclockwise to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you're sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap―still
using a cloth―turn the cap, and
remove it.
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
2. Only when the engine is cool, loosen
the radiator drain plug and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
Properly dispose of the used coolant.3. With the drain plug loose but not fully
removed, flush out the system with
running water.
Tighten Loosen Loosen
Tighten
4. Drain the system completely and
retighten the plug. Add as much
ethylene-glycol-based coolant mixture
and water as necessary to provide
freezing and corrosion protection.
5. In extremely cold climates, add the
mixture percentage recommended in
the coolant mixture percentage table.
6. Reinstall the cooling system cap.
7. Run the engine at idle for about 10
minutes, then turn it off. If the coolant
level warning light comes on during
this time, turn the engine off.
After turning off the engine, inspect the
drain plug and the water hoses for
leaks.
8. After the engine has cooled, remove
the cooling system cap and inspect the
coolant level. If it's low, repeat steps 5
to 7.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-17
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page251
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (252,1)
NOTE
Because this procedure requires
technical expertise, we recommend that
it be done by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Brake/Clutch Fluid
qInspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid
Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page252
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (253,1)
qAdding Brake/Clutch Fluid
WARNING
Spilled Brake Fluid:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with water
and get medical attention. Brake fluid
spilled on a hot engine could cause a
fire. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on yourself or on the engine.
Low Brake/Clutch Fluid Levels:
Low brake/clutch fluid levels are
dangerous. Low levels could signal
brake lining wear or a brake system
leak. Your brakes could fail and cause
an accident. If you find a low fluid
level, have the brakes and clutch
inspected.
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
CAUTION
lBrake and clutch fluid will damage
painted surfaces. If brake or clutch
fluid does get on a painted surface,
wipe it off immediately.
lUsing nonspecified brake and clutch
fluids (page 10-4) will damage the
systems. Mixing different fluids will
also damage them.
If the brake/clutch system frequently
requires new fluid, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF)
qInspecting Automatic
Transmission Fluid Level
The automatic transmission fluid level
should be inspected regularly. Measure it
as described below.
The volume of fluid changes with the
temperature. Fluid must be checked at idle
without driving at normal operating
temperature.
CAUTION
lLow fluid level causes transmission
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and
transmission malfunction.
lUse specified fluid (page 10-4). A
nonspecified fluid could result in
transmission malfunction and failure.
1. Park on a level surface and set the
parking brake firmly.
2. Idle the engine about two minutes.
Push down on the brake pedal.
3. Move the shift lever through all ranges
and set it at P.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-19
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page253
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (254,1)
WARNING
Sudden Vehicle Movement:
Shifting the shift lever without first
depressing the brake pedal is
dangerous. The vehicle could move
suddenly and cause an accident.
Make sure the brake pedal is applied
before shifting the shift lever.
4. Remove the engine cover.
5. With the engine still idling, pull out the
dipstick, wipe it clean, and put it back.
6. Pull it out again.
The proper fluid level is marked on the
dipstick as follows.
Full
A
Low
Full
B
Low
Fluid hot scale A
When the vehicle has been driven and the
fluid is at normal operating temperature,
about 65°C (150°F), the level must be
between Full and Low.
Fluid cold scale B
When the engine has not been running
and the outside temperature is about 20°C
(70°F), the level must be between Full
and Low.
CAUTION
lUse the cold scale only as a
reference.
lIf outside temperature is lower than
about 20°C (70°F), start the engine
and inspect the fluid level after the
engine reaches operating
temperature.
lIf the vehicle has been driven for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic in hot weather, inspect the
level only after stopping the engine
and allowing the fluid to cool for 30
minutes.
Fully insert the dipstick. When adding
fluid, inspect with the dipstick to make
sure it doesn't pass full.
NOTE
lInspect the fluid on both sides of the
dipstick in a well lit area for an
accurate reading.
lVerify that the engine cover is
securely installed.
8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page254
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (255,1)
Washer Fluid
qInspecting Washer Fluid Level
WARNING
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result
in an accident. Use only windshield
washer fluid or plain water in the
reservoir.
Using Washer Fluid Without Anti-
freeze Protection in Cold Weather:
Operating your vehicle in
temperatures below 4 degrees C (40
degrees F) using washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection is dangerous as
it could cause impaired windshield
vision and result in an accident. In
cold weather, always use washer fluid
with anti-freeze protection.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict
the use of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), which are commonly used as
anti-freeze agents in washer fluid. A
washer fluid with limited VOC content
should be used only if it provides
adequate freeze resistance for all
regions and climates in which the
vehicle will be operated.Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
Full
LowOK
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-21
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page255
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (256,1)
Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
Air Filter
CAUTION
Don't drive without an air filter. This
could result in excessive engine wear.
This air filter may be cleaned with
compressed air and reused, or replaced,
depending on its condition. Unless it is
very dirty, simply shake it to remove
foreign particles. Each time you inspect it,
wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a
damp cloth.
qReplacing the Air Filter
NOTE
If the vehicle is operated in very dusty
or sandy areas, replace the filter more
often than recommended intervals.
1. Make sure the ignition switch is turned
off.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector.
8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page256
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (257,1)
3. Unfasten the clamps.
4. Lift off the air filter cover and remove
the filter.
Air filter cover
Air filter
5. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing
with a damp cloth.
6. Clean or replace the filter.
7. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Replace the filter according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
NOTE
After installing the air filter cover, make
sure the electrical connector is securely
connected.
Wiper Blades
CAUTION
lHot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the wiper's ability to clean windows.
lTo prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline, kerosene,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
qReplacing Windshield Wiper
Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't move the
wipers by hand.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-23
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page257
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (258,1)
NOTE
To prevent damage to the wiper arm
blades when raising both the driver and
passenger side wiper arms, raise the
driver side wiper arm first. Conversely,
when setting down the wiper arms, set
the passenger side wiper arm down
first.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade
assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the windshield,
don't let the wiper arm fall on it.2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull
until the tabs are free of the metal
support.
Metal support
Ta b
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the
blade rubber and install them in new
blades.
8-24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page258
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (259,1)
CAUTION
lDon't bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
lIf the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade's wiping efficiency could
be reduced.
So don't use the driver's side metal
stiffeners on the passenger's side, or
vice versa.
lBe sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was in
the old blade rubber.
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-25
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page259
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (260,1)
Battery
WARNING
Battery-Related Lead Materials:
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
Follow These Precautions Carefully:
To ensure safe and correct handling of the battery, read the following precautions
carefully before using the battery or inspecting it.
Eye Protection:
Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC
ACID which could cause blindness if splashed into in your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas
produced during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to
explode. Always wear eye protection when working near the battery.
Spilled Battery Fluid:
Spilled battery fluid is dangerous.
Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets
in eyes, skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with water for
15 minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention. Wear eye
protection and protective gloves to prevent contact with battery fluid.
Children and Batteries:
Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid could cause
serious injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin. Always keep batteries out of the
reach of children.
8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page260
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G