Mazda RX-8

• : Ti J - r n he r volution

Introduction Oil Engine Tyres and Pressures Fuel and Maintenance

Drive the revolution.
Congratulations! This guide provides you with know­
how on the Mazda RX-8's distinctive
You have chosen a sports car that IS features, rotary-engine innovatio 1,
unique in its class. The way you fe€1 unique operating requirements and
obout sports cars will never be the practical information on day-to-day
same. The Mazda RX-8 has strikingly driving, For more in-depth details,
original design in every detail. please refer to your Mazda RX-8
Owner's Manual (Page numbers are
You enter a new era of driving. With
given in brackets).
the award-winning RENESIS rotary
engine, you will experience cutting­
edge engine technology and enjoy
its unique characteristics. Its freestyle
door system allows four people to
share all that your Mazda RX-8 has
to offer,

A whole new spin on performance.

Unlike a conventional piston engine. spin within their own oval housings­ Each of the engine's five phases
the Mazda RX-S's rotary engine has and around a common output shaft ­ occurs in a different section of the
no cylinders. pistons, or valves. to generate a smooth and consistent oval housing,
Instead, two triangular-shaped rotors flow of power,

Intake: Compres5ion: Ignition: Combustion: Exhaust:

As the rotor passes the n'1e intake ports are The compressed fuel-air Th is causes the f lie-I air The rotor's continuing orbit
Intake ports, fuel-air covered by the rotor and mixture IS igMed by two mix to e,pand, lorcing forces exhaust gases out of
mixture is drawn In. the fuel-air mixture r50 spar pi ugs In each the rotor to spl n~ the e,h,u~l port, The cycle
compressed. combustion chamber, IS then repeated.

Introduction Oil Engine Tyres and Pressures Fuel and Maintenance

 Get startp,d

Get started.
While no special run-in is necessary,
a few precautions in the first 600
miles may add to performance. We
strongly recommend you do not
race the engine; maintain one
constant speed for long periods; or
drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm (over 7.000 rpm on
the 231 ps model and 5,500 rpm on
the 192ps model) for extended
periods. You should also avoid
unnecessarily hard braking, full
throttle starts and towi ng during
this time. (p 4-6)

Check the oil.

By design. rotary engines consume
small amounts of engine oil to
lubricate internal engine components
such as the rotor tip seals. The amount
of oil used depends upon how hard
the engine is driven. Driving the car
without enough oil can severely
damage the engine.
Mazda recommends checking the oil
at every second fuel fill. Before
inspecting the oil level, warm up the
engine to normal operating
temperature. Stop the engine and
allow oil to settle for a minute.
Remove the plastic engine cover.
Standing in front of the bonnet, the oil
dipstick is located to the right side of
the engine. Remove dipstick and wipe
with cloth. Reinsert dipstick and
remove 0 check level (p. 8-18). If it is
near or below 'Low', add enough oil
into the oil filler (mounted centrally
under the engine cover) to bring the
level to 'Full'.

Add only 5W-30 oil or 10W-30 oil with The activation of the engine oil level
the grades specified in the Owners' warning light will automatically cut
Manual (p 8-16) We recommend you power to the engine, reducing the oil
use original Mazda Dexelia oil. The usage until supply can be replenished.
special oil kit supplied with your new
car can be re-supplied by your dealer.
Part number RX8C-OP-FFE.
The use of synthetic or semi-synthetic
oil is not recommended. The use of
these oils may result in excessive
carbon build-up.

~ For added safety, an engine

~~ oil level warning light on the Tca.l.7l
~ instrument panel will indicate
low engine oil level.
IDipstick
i
If the engine oil level warning light is
illuminated, check, and if necessary.
add oil immediately.

Oil Engine Tyres and Pressures Fuel and Maintenance

 Get started Engine
Let it run.
Don't turn off a cold engine
To keep the engine in top condition,
the engine coolant temperature
gauge needle should, ideally, reach
the middle of the normal operating
range between C and H before
turning the engine off.
Starting procedure
Should the engine fail to start, please
use the following procedure.
With ignition off, press accelerator
pedal to the floor and hold
2 Turn key to start engine, keeping
pedal to the floor
3 If engine starts, release pedal to
avoid over-rewing engine
4 If engi ne does not start,
continue to hold key in the start
position for 8 seconds
5 After 8 seconds, release pedal and
engine should start
Stopping procedure
Should your Mazda RX·8 not reach
normal operating temperature before
the end of your journey, please use
the following stopping procedure.
With engine running and
transmission in neutral, increase
engine revs to 4,000 rpm
2 Hold revs at 4,000 rpm for
10 seconds
3 Turn off the ignition while the
engine is running at 4,000 rpm
4 With the pedal held in this position,
allow the engine to stop turning.
This purges any unburnt fuel out of
the chambers
Engine Tyres and
Note - Continue to hold engine revs
at 1,500-2,000 rpm until engine runs
smoothly. Allow engine to reach
operating temperature before
switching off, using the stopping
procedure.
If the engine still fails to start with
the above measure, have your
vehicle inspected at your dealer.
Do not keep holding the
ignition switch in the START
position for more than 8
seconds if the engine does
not start.
Please avoid racing the engine
immediately after starting.
If these tips are not followed,
the engine may be damaged
as a result.
Pre~sures Fuel and Maintenance
 Get started Engine Dynamics

As dynamic as it can be.

The Mazda RX-8 excels with an even
weight distribution between all four
wheels, which is key to realising its
optimal driving dynamics. This
distribution was realised by mounting
the compact RENESIS rotary eng ine
as low and as far back in the car as
possible in a front-midship layout.
Complemented by the location of the
fuel tank within the wheelbase, the
engine positioning helps to achieve a
50:50 front/rear weight distribution
and a low centre of gravity.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
The DSC automatically controls
braking and engine torque 0 control
side slip when driving on slippery
surfaces, or during sudden or evasive
manoeuvring. enhancing vehicle
safety. The DSC has a two-stage OFF­
mode. OfF1 suspends he DSC
fundion but retains the limited-slip
differential functionality and attitude
control during braking, thus
maintaining a degree of driver
support. OFFZ, adivated by a
7-second hold of the control button,
completely disables the DSC system
(limited-slip differential will continue
to operate during both stages of DSC
off), allowing a very skilled driver to
take full advantage of the Mazda
RX-S's driving dynamics. It is important
to note that the DSC system can only
be re-adivated at this stage by
switching off and re<;tarting the
engine. We recommend leaving the
DSC switched on. (p 5-22 to 5-25)

Tyres.
Spare wheel? Not for sports cars!
In sports cars, spare wheels take up
valuable space and add urmecessary
weight, so the Mazda RX-8 comes
with sophisticated technology that
makes a traditional spare wheel
unnecessary.
The Instan Mobility System (lMS)
emergency flat tyre repair kit, found
in the boot of the Mazda RX-8,
enables a temporary repa ir of a slightly
damaged flat tyre.
Follow the instructions in the kit
and the manual (p 7-7 to 7-13) to
repair and re-inflate the lyre.
After temporarily repairing a tyre
with the it, take the vehicle to an
Authorised Mazda Dealer/Repairer
or another specialist repairer to have
the pundure repaired.
However, if you prefer to have a
conventional spare wheel, you can
purchase it as an original Mazda
accessory from you dealer,

Pressures.
Tyre pressu res Up to 4 persons Full Lo~d
Make sure you check the tyre
225/45R1891W front 220 kP~ (2.2 b~r, 32 psi) 220 kP~ (2.2 b~r, 32 psi)
pressures regularly. This will maintain
optimum driving dynamics and help Rear 220 kP~ (2.2 b~f, 32 psi) 270 kP~ (2.7 bar, 39 psi)

maximise fuel economy.

lyres and Pressures Fuel and Maintenance

 Get started Engine Dynamics Controls

Toke control. Engine oil Tachometer

pressure gauge

Ambient temperature display

Audio system (p 6-23)1

Remote boot lid rl--k'-;'-T-'--""7-_.c::-''''F-::'I"~~

release lock-out switch

in glovebox (p 3-11)

Bonnet
release
Audio system handle
Air-conditioning system operating switches

Fuelling the revolution.

The Mazda RX-8 needs Premium The fuel flap release is found in front

unleaded fuel with an octane of the driving seat, to the right, near

number of 95 or above (conforming the door.

to EN 228). Tank capacity is 61 litres,

Keep it fit!

Your Mazda RX-8 needs regular maintenance by an expert repairer,

We recommend a Mazda authorised repairer.

Servite intervals are:

Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108
Miles 12,500 25,000 37,500 50,000 62,500 75,000 87,500 100,000 112,500

Fuel and Maintencmce

Mazda Service.
We at Mazda design and build vehicles with complete customer satisfadion in mind. Regular servicing of your
vehicle by an expert repairer helps maintain both its roadworthiness and its resale value. Our network of
Authorised Mazda Dealers/Repairers throughout Europe can help you with professional servicing expertise.
Our specially trained technicians are best qualified to service your Mazda RX-8 properly and exactly. Also, we
support a wide range of highly specialised tools and equipmen specially developed for servicing Mazda
vehicles, When maintenance or service is necessary, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Dealer/Repairer.

Peace of mind with Mazda European Assistance 0800 777 179

Wherever you are, wherever you're going, in more than 30 European countries Mazda European Assistance
will make sure you reach your destination. You benefit from rapid and reliable assistance in the event of an
-­.
~.­

emergency such as breakdown, theft or accident. For further details please see your owners' literature. WHAJrm
" \'

If you need help on the road, just call our hotline for immediate advice and assistance.
Mazda Helpline: 08457 48 48 48
Internet: www.mazda.co.uk
September 2006

Part No, MCAG844 09/06 (3031181U KJV 1)

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