Mazda RX-8 (2011 year). Instruction

Black plate (344,1)

Engine Oil

CAUTION

Do not use either synthetic or semi-
synthetic motor oil. Otherwise engine
starting performance could worsen.

NOTE

Changing the engine oil should be done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

The Mazda RX-8 requires regular checking
of the engine oil level. The compact, high
performance RENESIS rotary engine in
your vehicle consumes a small amount of
engine oil due to its structural design. An
oil pump optimizes the amount of oil
injected to lubricate the rotor seals in the
combustion cycle. Although your vehicle is
equipped with an engine oil level warning
light, it is best to keep the engine oil level in
the range between full and low by checking
the oil dipstick regularly. Mazda
recommends checking the oil level at every
second fuel filling. The oil consumption of
the engine depends on engine speed and
engine load. Under extreme driving
conditions, oil consumption can be higher.

qRecommended Oil

Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.

U.S.A. and CANADA

(ILSAC)

Only use oils

“Certified For Gasoline

Engines

” by the American Petroleum

Institute (API). An oil with this trademark
symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards
and fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC),
comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.

5W-20

120

100

–20

–10

–20

–30

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Black plate (345,1)

Except U.S.A. and CANADA

(ILSAC)

The quality designation SL,SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label.

5W-20

120

100

–20

–10

–20

–30

qInspecting Engine Oil Level

1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level

surface.

2. Warm up the engine to normal

operating temperature.

3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes

for the oil to return to the oil pan.

4. Remove the service cover.

5. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and

reinsert it fully.

Full

Low

6. Pull it out again and examine the level.

The level is normal if it is between
Low and Full.
If it is near or below Low, add enough
oil to bring the level to Full.

CAUTION

Do not add engine oil over Full. This
may cause engine damage.

The distance between Low and Full on the
dipstick represents the following:

Oil capacity

L (US qt, Imp qt)

2.0 (2.1, 1.8)

Maintenance and Care

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NOTE

Each mark from the Full mark equates to
about 0.5 L (0.5 US qt, 0.4 Imp qt).
There are 3 marks between Low and Full.

Full

Low

0.5 L (0.5 US qt, 0.4 Imp qt)
1.0 L (1.1 US qt, 0.9 Imp qt)
1.5 L (1.6 US qt, 1.3 Imp qt)
2.0 L (2.1 US qt, 1.8 Imp qt)

Verify that the engine cover is securely
installed.

Engine Coolant

qInspecting Coolant Level

WARNING

Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:

A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become
very hot. You could be burned.
Carefully inspect the engine coolant
in the coolant reservoir, but do not
open it.

Turn off the ignition switch and

make sure the fan is not running before
attempting to work near the cooling
fan:

Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan
could continue running indefinitely
even if the engine has stopped and
the engine compartment temperature
is high. You could be hit by the fan
and seriously injured.

Do not remove the cooling

system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot:

When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury.

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Maintenance and Care

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Black plate (347,1)

NOTE

Once the engine coolant exceeds a preset
temperature, an electrical cooling fan turns
on. It will continue running for about 10
minutes after the Turn the ignition switch to
the ACC position.

NOTE

Changing the coolant should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year

―at the beginning of the

winter season

―and before traveling

where temperatures may drop below
freezing.

Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.

The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool.

If it's at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.

CAUTION

Ø Radiator coolant will damage

paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.

Ø Use only soft (demineralized)

water in the coolant mixture.
Water that contains minerals will
cut down on the coolant's
effectiveness.

Ø Don't add only water. Always add

a proper coolant mixture.

Ø The engine has aluminum parts

and must be protected by an
ethylene-glycol-based coolant to
prevent corrosion and freezing.

Ø DO NOT USE coolants Containing

Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
These coolants could damage the
cooling system.

Ø DO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol

with the coolant. This could
damage the cooling system.

Ø Don't use a solution that contains

more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.

Maintenance and Care

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NOTE

If the

“FL22” mark is shown on or near the

cooling system cap, it is recommended to use
Mazda Genuine FL22 engine coolant (page
8-3).

If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult 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.

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Black plate (349,1)

qAdding Brake/Clutch Fluid

WARNING

Be careful not to spill brake fluid on
yourself or on the engine:

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.

If the brake/clutch fluid level is low,
have the brakes and clutch inspected:

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 the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.

CAUTION

Ø Brake and clutch fluid will

damage painted surfaces. If brake
or clutch fluid does get on a
painted surface, wash it off with
water immediately.

Ø Using 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.

Washer Fluid

qInspecting Washer Fluid Level

WARNING

Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir:

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.

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.

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

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Black plate (350,1)

Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.

Full

Low

Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing.

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.

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Black plate (351,1)

Wiper Blades

CAUTION

Ø Hot waxes applied by automatic

car washers have been known to
affect the wiper's ability to clean
windows.

Ø To prevent damage to the wiper

blades, don't use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents on or near them.

Ø When the wiper lever is in the

AUTO position and the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the
wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:

If the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched.

If the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth.

If the windshield is struck with
a hand or other object.

If the rain sensor is struck with
a hand or other object from
inside the vehicle.

Be careful not to pinch hands or
fingers as it may cause injury, or
damage the wipers. When
washing or servicing your Mazda,
make sure the wiper lever is in the
OFF position.

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 try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.

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
let the wiper arm down easily, don't
let it slap down on the windshield.

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

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Black plate (352,1)

2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull

until the tabs are free of the metal
support.

Metal support

Tab

3. Remove the metal stiffeners from each

blade rubber and install them in the
new blade.

CAUTION

Ø Don't bend or discard the

stiffeners. You need to use them
again.

Ø If 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.

Ø Be 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.

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Black plate (353,1)

Battery

WARNING

Wash hands after handling the battery and related accessories:

Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.

Read the following precautions carefully before using the battery or inspecting

to ensure safe and correct handling:

Always wear eye protection when working near the battery:

Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID
which could cause blindness if splashed into your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode.

Wear eye protection and protective gloves to prevent contact with battery

fluid:

Spilled battery fluid is dangerous.
Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets in
eyes, or on the skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with
water for 15 minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention.

Always keep batteries out of the reach of children:

Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid could cause
serious injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin.

Keep flames and sparks away from open battery cells and do not allow metal

tools to contact the positive (

) or negative ( ) terminal of the battery when

working near a battery. Do not allow the positive (

) terminal to contact the vehicle

body:

Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. Keep all flames including
cigarettes and sparks away from open battery cells.

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

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Black plate (355,1)

NOTE

Remove the engine and battery covers
before performing battery maintenance.

Engine cover

Battery cover

If the cover has been removed, install it in
the reverse order of removal.

qBattery Maintenance

To get the best service from a battery:

Keep it securely mounted.

Keep the top clean and dry.

Keep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.

Rinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.

If 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.

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

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qTire Inflation Pressure

WARNING

Always inflate the tires to the correct
pressure:

Overinflation or underinflation of
tires is dangerous. Adverse handling
or unexpected tire failure could result
in a serious accident.
Refer to specification charts on page
10-6.

Use only a Mazda-genuine tire valve
cap:

Use of a non-genuine part is
dangerous as the correct tire air
pressure cannot be maintained if the
tire valve becomes damaged. If the
vehicle is driven under this condition,
the tire air pressure will decrease
which could result in a serious
accident. Do not use any part for the
tire valve cap that is not a Mazda-
genuine part.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System

does not alleviate the need to check the
tire condition every day, including
whether the tires all look inflated properly.
Inspect all tire pressure monthly when the
tires are cold. Maintain recommended
pressures for the best ride, handling, and
minimum tire wear.
When checking the tire pressures, use of a
digital tire pressure gauge is
recommended.

Refer to the specification charts (page
10-6).

NOTE

Always check tire pressure when tires are
cold.

Warm tires normally exceed recommended
pressures. Don't release air from warm tires
to adjust the pressure.

Underinflation can cause reduced fuel
economy, uneven and accelerated tire wear,
and poor sealing of the tire bead, which
will deform the wheel and cause separation
of tire from rim.

Overinflation can produce a harsh ride,
uneven and accelerated tire wear, and a
greater possibility of damage from road
hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the correct
levels. If one frequently needs inflating,
have it inspected.

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Maintenance and Care

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Black plate (357,1)

qTire Rotation

WARNING

Rotate tires periodically:

Irregular tire wear is dangerous. To
equalize tread wear for maintaining
good performance in handling and
braking, rotate the tires according to
the scheduled maintenance charts.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance on
page 8-3.

During rotation, inspect them for correct
balance.

NOTE

Because your vehicle is not equipped with a
spare tire, you cannot do a tire rotation safely
with the jack that comes with your vehicle.
Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform
tire rotation.

Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.

Forward

Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:

Incorrect tire pressure

Improper wheel alignment

Out-of-balance wheel

Severe braking

After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 10-6) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.

CAUTION

Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern or studs only from front to
rear, not from side to side. Tire
performance will be reduced if
rotated from side to side.

CAUTION

Limited-Slip Differential system;
don't use the following:

Ø Tires not of the designated size

Ø Tires of different sizes or types at

the same time

Ø Tires not sufficiently inflated

If these instructions aren't followed,
the rotation of the left and right
wheels will be different and will thus
apply a constant load on the limited-
slip differential.
This will cause a malfunction.

qReplacing a Tire

WARNING

Always use tires that are in good
condition:

Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.

Replace all four tires at the same time:

Replacing just one tire is dangerous.
It could cause poor handling and
poor braking resulting in loss of
vehicle control. Mazda strongly
recommends that you replace all four
tires at the same time.

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

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CAUTION

(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or
the tire pressure sensors may be
damaged.

NOTE

(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

When tires with steel wire reinforcement in
the sidewalls are used, the system may not
function correctly even with a genuine
wheel.
Refer to System Error Activation on page
5-34.

Be sure to install the tire pressure sensors
whenever tires or wheels are replaced.
Refer to Tires and Wheels on page 5-34.

If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator
will appear as a solid band across the
tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.

New tread

Tread wear indicator

Worn tread

You should replace the tire before the
band crosses the entire tread.

NOTE

Tires degrade over time, even when they are
not being used on the road. It is recommended
that tires generally be replaced when they are
6 years or older. Heat caused by hot climates
or frequent high loading conditions can
accelerate the aging process. You should
replace the spare tire when you replace the
other road tires due to the aging of the spare
tire. The period in which the tire was
manufactured (both week and year) is
indicated by a 4-digit number.
Refer to The tire labeling on page 9-21.

qTemporary Spare Tire

Your Mazda is not equipped with a spare
tire. If you require a spare tire, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Inspect the temporary spare tire at least
monthly to make sure it's properly inflated
and stored.

NOTE

The temporary spare tire condition gradually
deteriorates even if it has not been used.

The temporary spare tire is easier to
handle because of its construction which
is lighter and smaller than a conventional
tire. This tire should be used only for an
emergency and only for a short distance.

Use the temporary spare tire only until the
conventional tire is repaired, which should
be as soon as possible.

Maintain its pressure at 420 kPa (4.2
kgf/cm

or bar, 60 psi).

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Black plate (359,1)

CAUTION

Ø Do not use your temporary spare

tire rim with a snow tire or a
conventional tire. Neither will
properly fit and could damage
both tire and rim.

Ø The temporary spare tire has a

tread life of less than 5,000 km
(3,000 miles). The tread life may
be shorter depending on driving
conditions.

Ø The temporary spare tire is for

limited use, however, if the tread
wear solid-band indicator
appears, replace the tire with the
same type of temporary spare
(page 8-25).

NOTE

qReplacing a Wheel

WARNING

Always use wheels of the correct size
on your vehicle:

Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be affected, leading to loss of
control and an accident.

CAUTION

Ø A wrong-sized wheel may

adversely affect:

Tire fit

Wheel and bearing life

Ground clearance

Snow-chain clearance

Speedometer calibration

Headlight aim

Bumper height

Tire Pressure Monitoring
System

Limited-Slip Differential System

Ø (With Tire Pressure Monitoring

System)

When replacing/repairing the
tires or wheels or both, have the
work done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be
damaged.

The wheels equipped on your
Mazda are specially designed
for installation of the tire
pressure sensors. Do not use
non-genuine wheels, otherwise
it may not be possible to install
the tire pressure sensors.

NOTE

Be sure to install the tire pressure sensors
whenever tires or wheels are replaced. Refer to
Tires and Wheels on page 5-34.

When replacing a wheel, make sure the
new one is the same as the original factory
wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset.

Proper tire balancing provides the best
riding comfort and helps reduce tread
wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
vibration and uneven wear, such as
cupping and flat spots.

Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

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Mazda RX-8 (2011 year). Instruction - part 22