MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (351,1)
WARNING
Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself:Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer when the replacement
is necessary.
Never touch the glass portion of a
halogen bulb with your bare hands and
always wear eye protection when
handling or working around the bulbs: When a halogen bulb breaks, it is
dangerous. These bulbs contain
pressurized gas. If one is broken, it
will explode and serious injuries
could be caused by the flying glass.
If the glass portion is touched with
bare hands, body oil could cause the
bulb to overheat and explode when
lit.
Always keep halogen bulbs out of the
reach of children: Playing with a halogen bulb is
dangerous. Serious injuries could be
caused by dropping a halogen bulb
or breaking it some other way.
qReplacing Exterior Light Bulbs
Replacing a headlight bulb
Low-beam bulb
(Xenon fusion bulb)
You cannot replace the low beam bulbs by
yourself.
The bulbs must be replaced at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. High-beam bulb
1. Make sure the ignition switch is turned
off and the headlight switch is off.
2. If you are changing the right headlight bulb, start the engine, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the right, and turn
off engine. If you are changing the left
headlight bulb, turn the steering wheel
to the left.
3. Turn the center section of the plastic retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and partially peel back the
mudguard.
Removal
Installation
4. Disconnect the electrical connectorfrom the bulb by pressing the tab on
the connector with your finger and
pulling the connector downward.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-29
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page351
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (352,1)
5. Turn the socket and bulb assembly toremove it. Carefully remove the bulb
from its socket in the reflector by
gently pulling it straight backward out
of the socket.
6. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of the removal procedure.
NOTE
lTo replace the bulb, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
lIf the halogen bulb is accidentally touched,
it should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol
before being used.
lUse the protective cover and carton of the
replacement bulb to dispose of the old bulb
promptly out of the reach of children.
Replacing a Fog Light Bulb
1. Remove the fog light cover by pulling it outward using both hands.
2. Loosen the screws securing the foglight unit.
8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page352
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (353,1)
3. Remove the fog light unit by pulling itdownward and then straight out using
both hands.
NOTE
When pulling out the fog light unit, be careful
not to allow the bulb socket to contact the oil
cooler.
4. Press the tab on the bulb socket anddisconnect the connector cord.
5. Rotate the bulb socket counterclockwise as shown in the
figure and remove it.
6. Replace the bulb.
7. Reinstall the bulb socket in the reverse
order of the removal procedure.
Front turn signal lights/Parking lights
1. Make sure the ignition switch is turnedoff and the headlight switch is off.
2. If you are changing the right bulb, start the engine, turn the steering wheel all
the way to the right, and turn off
engine. If you are changing the left
bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
3. Turn the center section of the plastic retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and partially peel back the
mudguard.
Removal
Installation
4. Turn the socket and bulb assemblycounterclockwise and remove it.
5. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
6. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-31
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page353
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (354,1)
Side-turn signal lights
1. Slide the light unit rearward.
2. Rotate the light unit clockwise asshown in the figure and pull it out.
3. Press the tab on the bulb socket anddisconnect the connector cord.
4. Replace with a new light unit and
install it in the reverse order of the
removal procedure
NOTE
The side-turn signal light bulb cannot be
replaced. The entire light unit itself has to be
replaced, therefore consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer for a replacement light unit.
Brake lights/Taillights
Due to the complexity and difficulty of
the procedure, the LED bulbs should be
replaced by an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Rear turn signal lights, Reverse lights,
Rear side marker lights
1. Pull the center section of the plastic retainer and remove the retainers and
partially open the trunk side trim.
Removal
Installation
2. Turn the socket and bulb assemblycounterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
Rear turn signal lights
8-32
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page354
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (355,1)
Reverse lights
Rear side marker lights
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse orderof the removal procedure.
High-mount brake light
1. Wrap the end of a flathead screwdriverin a soft cloth and remove the trunk
handle by inserting the flathead
screwdriver in the position shown in
the figure and carefully prying the
handle off.
2. Disengage the pin in each clip securing
the trunk trim using a (+) screwdriver,
remove the screws and clips, and then
remove the trunk trim.
Removal
Installation
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-33
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page355
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (356,1)
3. Press the tab on the bulb socket andremove the connector cord.
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise as shown in the
figure and pull it out, then pull out the
bulb from the socket.
5. Replace the bulb.
6. Reinstall the bulb socket in the reverseorder of the removal procedure.
NOTE
When re-installing the trunk trim, set the trunk
trim in place and insert the clips without the
internal pin, then insert the pins and engage
them.
License plate light
1. Press the front of the lens to detach the front tabs. 2. Wrap the end of a flathead screwdriver
in a soft cloth to prevent damage to the
lens and remove the lens by carefully
prying on the edge of the lens with the
flathead screwdriver.
3. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
8-34
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page356
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (357,1)
qReplacing Interior Light Bulbs
Overhead light/Map lights (Front)
1. Remove the screws with a Phillips
screwdriver.
2. Wrap a flathead screwdriver with a soft cloth to prevent damage to the trim and
gently insert it in the overhead light as
shown in the figure, and then remove
the overhead light unit.
3. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
4. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
Overhead light (Rear), Courtesy lights,
Vanity mirror lights
1. Wrap a small flathead screwdriver witha soft cloth to prevent damage to the
lens and remove the lens by carefully
prying on the edge of the lens with the
screwdriver.
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-35
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page357
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (358,1)
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse orderof removal.
Trunk light
1. Press both sides of the lens cap toremove it.
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
Fuses
Your vehicle's electrical system is
protected by fuses.
If any lights, accessories, or controls don't
work, inspect the appropriate circuit
protector. If a fuse has blown, the inside
element will be melted.
If the same fuse blows again, avoid using
that system and consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
qFuse Replacement
Replacing the fuses on the driver's side
If the electrical system does not work,
first inspect the fuses on the driver's side.
1. Turn off the ignition switch and other
switches.
2. Open the fuse panel cover.
8-36
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page358
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (359,1)
3. Pull the fuse straight out with the fusepuller provided on the inside of the
engine compartment fuse block cover.
4. Inspect the fuse and replace it if it'sblown.
Normal Blown
5. Insert a new fuse of the same amperage
rating, and make sure it fits tightly. If it
does not fit tightly, have an expert
install it. We recommend an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If you have no spare fuses, borrow one
of the same rating from a circuit not
essential to vehicle operation, such as
the AUDIO or CIGAR circuit.
CAUTION
Always replace a fuse with one of the
same rating. Otherwise you may
damage the electric system.
Replacing the fuses under the hood
If the headlights or other electrical
components do not work and the fuses in
the cabin are normal, inspect the fuse
block under the hood. If a fuse is blown, it
must be replaced. Follow these steps:
1. Turn off the ignition switch and all
other switches.
2. Remove the fuse block cover.
Next to air filter
Engine cover
Battery cover
Near battery
NOTE
Remove the engine and battery covers before
removing the fuse block cover near the battery.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-37
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page359
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (360,1)
3. If any fuse but the MAIN fuse isblown, replace it with a new one of the
same amperage rating .
Normal
Blown
WARNING
Do not replace the main fuse by
yourself. Have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer perform the replacement:
Replacing the fuse by yourself is
dangerous because the MAIN fuse is
a high current fuse. Incorrect
replacement could cause an electrical
shock or a short circuit resulting in a
fire.
NOTE
Verify that the engine cover is securely
installed.
8-38
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page360
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:24 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C