trailer MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2011 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (129,1)
4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ........................................ 4-2
Fuel Requirements .................................................................... 4-2
Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-3
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-4
Before Starting the Engine ........................................................... 4-5
Before Getting In ...................................................................... 4-5
After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-5
Driving Tips ................................................................................... 4-6
Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-6
Money-Saving Suggestions ...................................................... 4-6
Hazardous Driving .................................................................... 4-7
Floor Mat .................................................................................. 4-8
Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-8
Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-9
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-11
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-11
Driving on Uneven Road ........................................................ 4-12
Towing ......................................................................................... 4-13
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-13
4-1
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page129
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (140,1)
Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
lAscending or descending a slope with a sharp transition anglelAscending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle
Your vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use
care and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.
4-12
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page140
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (141,1)
Trailer Towing
The Mazda RX-8 is not designed for
towing. Never tow a trailer with your
Mazda RX-8.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
4-13
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page141
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (415,1)
Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings,
from the vehicle's Safety Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's
suspension system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure,
handling or steering problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the
distance required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail
completely, particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a
combination of the size of the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation
pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-33
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page415
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (419,1)
SAMPLE
WARNING
Exceeding Axle Weight Rating Limits:
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits is dangerous and
could result in death or serious injury as a result of substandard vehicle handling,
performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, or loss of control.
Always keep the vehicle within the axle weight rating limits.
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-37
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page419
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (421,1)
Steps for Determining the Correct Load Limit:
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:
(1) Locate the statement“The combined weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs”on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the“XXX”amount equals 1400 lbs. and there
will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400_
750 (5 × 150) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-39
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page421
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (441,1)
T
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-24
Replacement ............................... 8-25
Rotation ...................................... 8-25
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-19
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description ................................. 7-24
Emergency towing ..................... 7-24
Recreational towing ................... 7-27
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-26
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-27
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-37
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-31
Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-33
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-32
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-63
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-78
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-41
ABS ............................................ 5-44
Air bag system ........................... 5-47
Automatic transmission .............. 5-49
Brake system .............................. 5-43
Charging system ......................... 5-45
Check engine .............................. 5-46
Door-ajar .................................... 5-49
Engine coolant level ................... 5-46
Engine oil level .......................... 5-45
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-47
KEY ............................................ 5-52
Low fuel ..................................... 5-47
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-49
Seat belt ...................................... 5-47
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-50
Warranty ............................................ 9-11
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-17
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-27
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-34
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-41
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-67
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-64
Blades replacement .................... 8-19
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
11-7
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page441
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:53 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H