weight MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2005 Owners Manual (in English)

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Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
lDon't race the engine.
lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm (over 7,000 rpm) for
extended periods of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.
lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.
lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.
lKeep the tires properly inflated.
lDon't carry unnecessary weight.
lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.
lKeep windows closed at high speeds.
lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Coasting:
Stopping the engine when going down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident. Never stop the engine when
going down a hill.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
Dry the brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance returns to normal.
CAUTION
Make sure water does not enter the
vehicle interior or the engine area. The
vehicle interior could become wet or
the engine could be damaged.
Overloading
WARNING
Vehicle Load Weight:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can estimate the
weight of your load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle. Be careful not to
overload your vehicle.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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qDriving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
NOTE
The steering may feel rigid if you
continuously attempt to steer when the
vehicle is stopped or moving extremely
slowly. This has been designed to
protect the system and doesn't indicate a
malfunction. If you don't attempt to
steer for a minute, power steering will
be restored.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If this light illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction of the power
steering system. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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qFlashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch need
not be on, and the lever will return to the
normal position when released.
qHeadlight Levelingí
The number of riders and weight of cargo
in the luggage compartment change the
angle of the headlights.
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
Headlight auto-leveling malfunction
indicator light
This indicator light stays on far a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.If the indicator light illuminates, contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qDaytime Running Lights
(Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
NOTE
The Daytime Running Lights turn off
when the parking brake is applied.
5-50
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
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lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables.
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Use all radial, all bias-belted, or all
bias-type tires.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-6)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
qTire Inflation Pressure
WARNING
Incorrect Tire Inflation:
Overinflation or underinflation of tires
is dangerous. Adverse handling or
unexpected tire failure could result in
a serious accident. Always inflate the
tires to the correct pressure (page
10-6).
8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
ItemUnit
L US qt Imp qt
Engine oilWith oil filter replacement 3.5 3.7 3.1
Without oil filter replacement 3.3 3.5 2.9
Coolant 9.8 10.4 8.6
Manual transmission oil 1.75 1.8 1.5
Automatic transmission fluid 8.7 9.2 7.7
Rear differential oil 1.3 1.4 1.1
Fuel tank 60 15.9 (US gal) 13.2 (Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.
qDimensions
Item Model
Overall length 4,425 mm (174.2 in), 4,430 mm*(174.4 in)
Overall width 1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Overall height 1,340 mm (52.8 in)
Front tread 1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Rear tread 1,505 mm (59.3 in)
Wheelbase 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
* With license plate holder
qWeights
ItemWeight
Manual transmission Automatic transmission
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,728 kg (3,809 lb) 1,748 kg (3,854 lb)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)Front 827 kg (1,823 lb) 841 kg (1,854 lb)
Rear 901 kg (1,986 lb) 907 kg (2,000 lb)
CW (Curb Weight)U.S.A. 1,374 kg (3,029 lb) 1,385 kg (3,053 lb)
Canada 1,384 kg (3,051 lb) 1,394 kg (3,073 lb)
qAir Conditioner
Gas complies with SAE J639 Maximum operating charge
HFC134a (R-134a) 0.42 kg (14.8 oz)
Specifications
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Check the tire pressure label for tire size and inflation pressure. Refer to Tire Inflation
Pressure on page 8-28.
Tire sizeInflation pressure
Front Rear
225/55R16 94V
220 kPa
(2.2 kgf/cm
2, 32 psi or lb/po2)220 kPa
(2.2 kgf/cm2, 32 psi or lb/po2)
225/45R18 91W
Vehicle capacity weight:308 kg (680 lb)
qFuses
Refer to the fuse rating on page 8-40.
Specifications
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W
Warranty .............................................. 9-9
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-21
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-32
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-16
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-18
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-53
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-52
Blades replacement .................... 8-23
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
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