Vehicle Segment:
Compact Sports Car / Grand Tourer
Target Audience:
Enthusiasts seeking a unique driving experience, performance-oriented buyers, and those appreciating distinctive design.
Key Competitors 2007:
Nissan 350Z, Mitsubishi Eclipse GT, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro.
Unique Selling Proposition:
Rotary engine (Renesis Wankel), distinctive 'suicide' rear doors, sporty handling, and high-revving engine characteristics.
Engine Type:
Naturally aspirated rotary piston engine.
Drivetrain:
Rear-wheel drive (RWD).
Navigation System Operation:
Detailed coverage of the factory-installed navigation system, including map display, destination entry, route planning, and point of interest searches.
Instrument Cluster And Gauges:
Explanation of all warning lights, indicators, tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge, oil temperature gauge, and rotary engine specific indicators.
Interior Controls And Features:
Operation of climate control system, audio system, power windows, power locks, sunroof (if equipped), and other interior amenities.
Rotary Engine Operation:
Basic operational principles of the Renesis rotary engine, including lubrication requirements and start-up procedures.
Safety Systems:
Information on airbags, seatbelts, ABS, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), and traction control.
Basic Operation:
Instructions for starting the engine, shifting gears, and basic driving techniques.
Navigation Usage:
Step-by-step guidance on using the navigation system for various scenarios.
Maintenance Checks:
Guidance on owner-level maintenance checks, such as fluid levels and tire pressure.
Troubleshooting Basic:
Information on common indicators and what they mean, though not in-depth repair procedures.
Depth:
Owner-level information focusing on system operation, features, and basic care. Not a repair manual but provides foundational knowledge for owners.
Required Software:
PDF Reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader)
Searchable:
Yes (typically, depending on PDF conversion quality)
Quality:
High resolution, digital reproduction of original factory manual.
Binding:
N/A (Digital Download)
Paper:
N/A (Digital Download)
Engine Code:
13B-MSP Renesis
Engine Configuration:
Two-rotor, naturally aspirated, Wankel rotary.
Displacement:
1.3 L (654 cc x 2 rotor housings)
Horsepower Gt Trim:
232 hp @ 8200 rpm (GT Trim)
Horsepower Sport Trim:
212 hp @ 7600 rpm (Sport/Base Trim)
Torque Gt Trim:
159 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm (GT Trim)
Torque Sport Trim:
151 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm (Sport/Base Trim)
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Recommended Fuel:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 octane or higher)
Oil Type Rotary:
Specific Rotary Engine Oil (e.g., Idemitsu Racing Rotary Engine Oil or equivalent API SN/SP, ILSAC GF-5 or higher with JASO-MA specification, though often specific rotary blends are preferred).
Oil Capacity Rotary:
Approximately 5.8 US quarts (5.5 Liters) for Renesis.
Type Gt Trim:
6-speed Manual Transmission (with optional Automatic)
Type Sport Trim:
5-speed Manual Transmission (with optional 4-speed Automatic)
Clutch Type:
Hydraulic Actuated Clutch
Differential:
Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) standard on GT, optional on Sport.
Transmission Fluid Manual:
API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil (check specific manual for exact viscosity, typically 75W-90).
Transmission Fluid Automatic:
Mazda ATF JWS3317 or equivalent (check specific manual).
Length:
174.6 inches (4435 mm)
Width:
69.1 inches (1755 mm)
Height:
53.0 inches (1345 mm)
Wheelbase:
106.4 inches (2700 mm)
Seating Capacity:
4 passengers (2+2 configuration)
Cargo Volume Rear:
Approximately 7.6 cubic feet (rear trunk)
Curb Weight Manual Sport:
Approx. 2,998 lbs (1360 kg)
Curb Weight Manual Gt:
Approx. 3,042 lbs (1380 kg)
Curb Weight Automatic Gt:
Approx. 3,109 lbs (1410 kg)
NHTSA Front Impact Driver:
5 Stars (2007 Model Year)
NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:
5 Stars (2007 Model Year)
NHTSA Side Impact Front Seat:
5 Stars (2007 Model Year)
NHTSA Side Impact Rear Seat:
5 Stars (2007 Model Year)
IIHS Front Offset Crash Rating:
Good (2007 Model Year)
IIHS Side Impact Crash Rating:
Good (2007 Model Year)
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (Standard)
Dsc:
Dynamic Stability Control (Standard on GT, optional on Sport)
Traction Control:
Traction Control System (TCS) (Standard)
Airbags:
Front dual-stage airbags, front side-impact airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags.
Seatbelts:
3-point seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters for all seating positions.
Audio System:
Bose premium audio system (often standard on GT trims) with AM/FM/CD player, and possibly MP3 capability.
Navigation System:
Factory-integrated touchscreen navigation system.
Dsc System:
Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control systems to enhance handling and stability.
Auxiliary Input:
Likely an auxiliary audio input jack for connecting external music players.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically 5,000 miles or 6 months, but more frequent checks are recommended for rotary engines due to oil consumption. Refer to manual for specific guidance. Mazda also recommended injecting 2-stroke oil into the intake manifold regularly (e.g., every oil change) via a specific service procedure (often requiring dealer intervention or specific products) to aid apex seal lubrication.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Refer to manual. Rotary engines use specific 'long-life' and 'normal' spark plugs. Replacement interval is critical for engine health, often around 30,000-60,000 miles depending on plug type and driving conditions.
Air Filter Replacement:
Refer to manual, typically 15,000-30,000 miles.
Coolant Type:
Mazda Genuine Super Long Life Antifreeze (Blue) or equivalent (Ethylene Glycol based with protection for aluminum alloys).
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.
Apex Seal Wear:
Apex seal wear and failure is a well-known potential issue with the Renesis engine. Symptoms include loss of compression, hard starting, rough idle, and reduced power. Proper maintenance, especially ensuring adequate lubrication, is crucial.
Carbon Buildup:
Carbon buildup in the rotor housings and exhaust ports can occur, leading to reduced performance and starting issues. Regular high-RPM driving and specific cleaning procedures can help mitigate this.
Ignition Coils:
Degradation of the ignition coils (which were relocated to be directly on the spark plug for better ignition) could lead to misfires and performance issues. Replacement of coils and spark plugs is a common maintenance item.
Oil Consumption:
Rotary engines inherently consume oil as part of their lubrication system. Owners must regularly check and top up engine oil to prevent damage.
Mazda Rotary Legacy:
Mazda has a long and distinctive history with rotary engines, dating back to the Cosmo series and particularly the iconic RX-7.
Rx-8 Introduction Year:
First generation introduced for the 2004 model year.
2007 Model Updates:
For 2007, the RX-8 received minor updates including refreshed interior materials, updated suspension tuning, and minor aerodynamic tweaks. The GT trim received a more powerful 232 hp engine variant.
Production Location:
Mazda's Hiroshima Plant, Japan.
Production Years:
2003-2012