Vehicle Segment:
        
        
            Compact Sports Car / Rotary Sports Coupe
        
     
    
        
            Target Audience:
        
        
            Enthusiasts seeking a unique driving experience and owners looking for in-depth maintenance knowledge.
        
     
    
    
        
            Key Competitors:
        
        
            Nissan 350Z, Toyota Supra (later generations), Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4
        
     
    
    
        
            Unique Selling Proposition:
        
        
            Naturally aspirated rotary engine (RENESIS), rear-wheel drive, balanced chassis, and distinctive 'suicide' rear doors.
        
     
    
    
        
            Benefits For Owner:
        
        
            Empowers owners to perform maintenance and repairs, saving money and extending vehicle life. Facilitates informed decision-making with mechanics.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine System:
        
        
            Detailed information on the RENESIS rotary engine, including its unique lubrication, cooling, and ignition systems.
        
     
    
        
            Engine Control:
        
        
            Engine control module (ECM) operation, sensors, actuators, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and reprogramming.
        
     
    
        
            Transmission System:
        
        
            Coverage for both the manual (6-speed) and automatic transmissions, including removal, installation, and internal component repair.
        
     
    
        
            Drivetrain System:
        
        
            Components like the driveshaft, differential, axles, and wheel bearings.
        
     
    
        
            Brakes System:
        
        
            Hydraulic system, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), parking brake, and rotor/pad replacement.
        
     
    
        
            Steering System:
        
        
            Power steering system, steering rack, tie rods, and wheel alignment procedures.
        
     
    
        
            HVAC System:
        
        
            Air conditioning, heating, ventilation, climate control module, and refrigerant handling.
        
     
    
        
            Body System:
        
        
            Exterior panels, doors, hood, trunk, interior trim, and related hardware.
        
     
    
        
            Safety System:
        
        
            Airbags, seatbelts, crumple zones, and related restraint system components.
        
     
    
        
            Electrical System:
        
        
            Wiring diagrams, fuses, relays, lighting, power windows, starter, alternator, and battery.
        
     
    
        
            Diagnostic Troubleshooting:
        
        
            Systematic approach to diagnosing problems, using schematics and symptom-based troubleshooting guides.
        
     
    
    
        
            Maintenance Procedures:
        
        
            Routine maintenance tasks like oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug changes (specific to rotary), and fluid checks.
        
     
    
        
            Repair Procedures:
        
        
            Step-by-step instructions for component removal, disassembly, repair, and reassembly.
        
     
    
        
            Troubleshooting Guides:
        
        
            Detailed guides for diagnosing and resolving common and uncommon issues across all vehicle systems.
        
     
    
        
            Diagnostic Tools:
        
        
            Information on required diagnostic tools, scan tools, and specialized equipment.
        
     
    
    
        
            Depth Of Information:
        
        
            Comprehensive, suitable for professional technicians and advanced DIY enthusiasts.
        
     
    
        
            Diagnostic Level:
        
        
            Advanced diagnostics, including sensor data interpretation and circuit testing.
        
     
    
        
            Rebuild Procedures:
        
        
            Detailed procedures for rebuilding major components such as the RENESIS engine and transmissions.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine Type:
        
        
            Naturally Aspirated Rotary (Wankel)
        
     
    
        
            Engine Code:
        
        
            13B-MSP RENESIS
        
     
    
        
            Displacement:
        
        
            1.3L (654cc x 2 rotors = 1308cc nominal)
        
     
    
    
        
            Horsepower Early:
        
        
            247 hp @ 8,000 rpm (manual transmission)
        
     
    
        
            Horsepower Late:
        
        
            238 hp @ 8,000 rpm (automatic transmission)
        
     
    
        
            Torque:
        
        
            159 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm (manual transmission)
        
     
    
    
    
        
            Fuel Delivery:
        
        
            Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
        
     
    
        
            Fuel Type:
        
        
            Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 octane or higher recommended)
        
     
    
    
        
            Oil Type Recommendation:
        
        
            Full synthetic, API SG or higher, SAE 5W-30 or 10W-30 (refer to manual for specific Mazda recommendations)
        
     
    
    
        
            Coolant Type:
        
        
            Mazda FL22 or equivalent Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (50/50 mixture with distilled water)
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Transmission Type:
        
        
            6-speed Manual Transmission (RX-8 GT/GTS trims)
        
     
    
    
        
            Transmission Type:
        
        
            4-speed Automatic Transmission with Sequential Shift (RX-8 Sport/Touring trims)
        
     
    
    
        
            Manual Transmission Gear Ratios:
        
        
            Refer to manual for specific ratios; known for close ratios and high engagement.
        
     
    
        
            Automatic Transmission Features:
        
        
            Paddle shifters (Sport Shift) on some models, allows manual gear selection.
        
     
    
    
        
            Manual Transmission Fluid:
        
        
            GL-4 SAE 75W-90 API (refer to manual for specific Mazda part numbers, e.g., Mazda gear oil).
        
     
    
        
            Automatic Transmission Fluid:
        
        
            Mazda ATF SP-III or equivalent (refer to manual for exact specification).
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            NHTSA Frontal Crash Test Driver:
        
        
            Five-star rating
        
     
    
        
            NHTSA Frontal Crash Test Passenger:
        
        
            Five-star rating
        
     
    
        
            IIHS Front Offset Crash Test:
        
        
            Good rating
        
     
    
    
        
            ABS:
        
        
            Standard Anti-lock Braking System
        
     
    
        
            Ebd:
        
        
            Standard Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
        
     
    
        
            Traction Control:
        
        
            Available Traction Control System (TCS)
        
     
    
        
            Stability Control:
        
        
            Available Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
        
     
    
    
        
            Airbags:
        
        
            Front airbags, side-impact airbags
        
     
    
        
            Seatbelts:
        
        
            3-point front seatbelts with pretensioners, rear seatbelts
        
     
    
        
            Child Seat Anchors:
        
        
            LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Oil Change Interval:
        
        
            Every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (or as specified in the owner's manual).
        
     
    
        
            Air Filter Replacement:
        
        
            Every 30,000 miles or 2 years.
        
     
    
        
            Spark Plug Replacement:
        
        
            Every 30,000 miles (specific two-piece rotary spark plugs require careful attention).
        
     
    
        
            Coolant Flush:
        
        
            Every 5 years or 100,000 miles.
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Fluid Change Manual:
        
        
            Every 60,000 miles.
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Fluid Change Automatic:
        
        
            Every 60,000 miles.
        
     
    
    
        
            Engine Oil Capacity:
        
        
            Approx. 5.5 US quarts (5.2 L) with filter change (refer to manual for exact capacity and level checking procedure).
        
     
    
        
            Coolant Capacity:
        
        
            Approx. 7.2 US quarts (6.8 L)
        
     
    
    
        
            Apex Seal Wear:
        
        
            Premature wear of apex seals is a well-documented issue if the engine is not properly maintained, warmed up, and shut down.
        
     
    
        
            Carbon Buildup:
        
        
            Carbon deposit buildup in the rotor housings and exhaust ports can occur, requiring specific cleaning procedures.
        
     
    
        
            Oil Consumption:
        
        
            Rotary engines inherently consume oil for lubrication; owners must regularly check and top up the oil level.
        
     
    
        
            Ignition System:
        
        
            Coil packs and spark plugs can require more frequent replacement than in piston engines.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Mazda Rotary Legacy:
        
        
            Mazda's long and storied history with rotary engines, dating back to the Cosmo and RX-7 series, culminating in the RX-8.
        
     
    
    
        
            Introduction Year:
        
        
            The RX-8 was introduced globally in 2003 for the 2004 model year, replacing the RX-7 FD.
        
     
    
        
            Design Philosophy:
        
        
            Designed to be a practical sports car with unique styling, exceptional handling, and a high-revving rotary engine.
        
     
    
    
        
            Manufacturing Location:
        
        
            Mazda's Fuchu Plant, Hiroshima, Japan
        
     
    
        
            Production Years:
        
        
            2003-2012