MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2006 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (271,1)
Towing Description
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.
Wheel dollies
CAUTION
Don't tow the vehicle pointed forward
with driving wheels on the ground. This
may cause internal damage to the
transmission.
CAUTION
Don't tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage your vehicle. Use
wheel-lift or flatbed equipment.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
7-25
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page271
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (272,1)
Tiedown Hooks
CAUTION
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.
qTiedown Hooks
1. Remove the tiedown eyelet and the lug
wrench from the trunk (page 7-3).
2. Wrap the lug wrench with a soft cloth
to prevent damage to the bumper and
open the cap located on the front and
rear bumper.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
The cap cannot be completely removed.
Do not use excessive force as it may
damage the cap or scratch the painted
bumper surface.
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet
using the lug wrench.
Front
Rear
7-26
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page272
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (273,1)
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedown
eyelet.
Front
Rear
CAUTION
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.
Recreational Towing
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 7-25) and
“Tiedown Hooks”(page 7-26) and
carefully follow the instructions.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
7-27
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page273
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (274,1)
7-28
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page274
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (275,1)
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 ..................................................................... 8-8
Owner Maintenance Schedule .................................................. 8-8
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................... 8-9
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-11
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-12
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-15
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-18
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-19
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-20
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-21
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-22
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-24
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-27
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-32
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-39
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-44
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-44
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-46
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-49
8-1
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page275
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (276,1)
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.
8-2
Maintenance and Care
Introduction
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page276
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (277,1)
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).
lRepeated short-distance driving
lDriving in dusty conditions
lDriving with extended use of brakes
lDriving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
lDriving on rough or muddy roads
lExtended periods of idling or low-speed operation
lDriving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
NOTE
After the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-3
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page277
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (278,1)
qSchedule 1
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×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
Engine oilRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRR
Drive belt I I
AIR FILTER
Air filter C C R C
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs R
FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel filter Replace every 160,000 km (100,000 miles)
Fuel lines, hoses and connections
*1II
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolantFL22 type
*2Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 120 months ;
after that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 60 months
OthersReplace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 48 months ;
after that, every 24 months
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake line, hoses and connection I I
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front and rear suspension and ball joints I I
Manual transmission oilR
Rear differential oilR
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 60 months
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLL
Flat tire repair kit
*3Inspect every year
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page278
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (279,1)
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
Cabin air filter (if installed) Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) or 24 months
Chart symbols
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R:Replace
L:Lubricate
C:Clean
Remarks
*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 Use FL22 type coolant in vehicles with the inscription“FL22”on the radiator cap itself or the surrounding
area. Use FL22 when replacing the coolant.
*3 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 and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-5
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page279
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (280,1)
qSchedule 2
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
ENGINE
Engine oilPuerto Rico Replace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
OthersRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRRRRRR
Drive belt I I
AIR FILTER
Air filter C C R C
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs R
FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel filter Replace every 160,000 km (100,000 miles)
Fuel lines, hoses and connections
*1II
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolantFL22 type
*2Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 120 months ;
after that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 60 months
OthersReplace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 48 months ;
after that, every 24 months
Engine coolant levelIIIIIIIIIIII
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lightsIIIIIIIIIIII
8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page280
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J