Name: RotaryMotion
Address: Maundrell Road, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9PU, UK
Telephone: 01249 408888

Quick Reference Guide

The original Mazda RX-8 Quick Tips Guide

In our quick reference guide, we’ve replicated the original Mazda supplied RX-8 Quick Tips guide that was supplied with all new Mazda RX-8s in the UK. In many cases, these Quick Tips guides have often been misplaced or simply not transferred between owners meaning that vital information may not have been passed down through the car’s owner’s history and potentially causing damage to many an engine. It is a failure to adhere to these quick tips that have helped give the Mazda RX-8 a poor reliability record and ultimately caused a huge misconception about these great cars.

So let’s see what Mazda had to say when they initially released the car to the world.

Keep your engine in tip-top condition!

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. If you can’t, Mazda produced a quick guide on the appropriate starting and stopping procedures for the RX-8 Renesis which we’ve replicated below:

Having problems starting the engine?

Starting Procedure

Should the engine fail to start, please use the following procedure:

With the ignition off, press the accelerator pedal to the floor and hold
Turn the key to start the engine, keeping the pedal to the floor
If the engine starts, release the pedal to avoid over-revving the engine
If the engine does not start, continue to hold the key in the start position for 8 seconds
After 8 seconds, release the pedal and the engine should start

Note: Continue to hold engine revs at 1,500-2,000 rpm until the engine runs smoothly. Allow the engine to reach operating temperature before switching off, using the stopping procedure.

Know when and how to switch your engine off!

Stopping Procedure

Should the engine fail to start, please use the following procedure:

With the engine running and transmission in neutral, increase engine revs to 4,000 rpm
Hold revs at 4,000 rpm for 10 seconds
Turn off the ignition while the engine is running at 4,000 rpm
With the pedal held in this position, allow the engine to stop turning. This purges any unburnt fuel out of the chambers

If the engine fails to start with the above procedure, give us a call on 01249 408888 or contact us for assistance
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

Tyre Pressures

Make sure you check the tyre pressures regularly. This will maintain optimum driving dynamics and help maximise fuel economy.

Tyre Pressures		Up to 4 persons	Full Load
225/45R18 91W	Front	220 kPa (2.2 bar, 32 psi)	220 kPa (2.2 bar, 32 psi)
225/45R18 91W	Rear	220 kPa (2.2 bar, 32 psi)	270 kPa (2.7 bar, 39 psi)

Fuel & Service Intervals

The Mazda RX-8 needs Premium Unleaded fuel with an octane number of 95 or above (conforming to EN 228). The tank capacity is 61 litres.

Recommended Service Intervals are:

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

Yes it's supposed to use oil!

Check the Oil

By design, rotary engines consume small amounts of engine oil to lubricate internal engine components such as 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 the oil to settle for a minute. Remove the plastic engine cover and standing in front of the bonnet, the oil dipstick is located to the right side of the engine. Remove the dipstick and wipe with a cloth. Reinsert the dipstick and remove to check the level. 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'.

RM Note: The distance between 'Low' and 'Full' indicators on the dipstick is roughly 1.7 litres.

Add only 5W-30 oil or 10W-30 oil with the grades specified in the Owners' Manual. Mazda recommend you use original Mazda Dexelia oil. The special oil kit supplied originally with the car when it was new can be re-supplied by your Mazda 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 instrument panel will indicate low engine oil level. If the engine oil level warning light is illuminated, check, and if necessary, add oil immediately. The activation of the engine oil level warning light will automatically cut power to the engine, reducing the oil usage until supply can be replenished.

If you are unable to add engine oil straight away, do not drive at high speed and keep the engine revs low until you have the first opportunity to refill.

As Dynamic as it can be

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

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 engine 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.

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) automatically controls braking and engine torque to 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 the DSC function but retains the limited-slip differential functionality and attitude control during braking, thus maintaining a degree of driver support.

OFF2, activated 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), allowed a very skilled driver to take full advantage of the Mazda RX-8's driving dynamics.

It is important to note that the DSC system can only be re-activated at this stage by switching off and restarting the engine. Mazda recommend leaving the DSC switched on. Our RX-8 race car has had the DSC permanently removed.

No Hidden Extra Guarantee

Our NO HIDDEN EXTRA GUARANTEE ensures you only pay for your chosen package. If, once your engine is stripped we find you need internal parts including Rotors, Rotor Housings, Engine Plates or the e-Shaft, we will replace these at no extra cost!

**FREE Recovery

At RotaryMotion, we offer a FREE vehicle collection/recovery service within a 100 mile radius when booking your vehicle in for an engine rebuild.

Please note: We cannot be held liable or responsible for your vehicle prior to collection. This includes vehicle taxation, parking charges and/or subsequent fines.

About us

Customer Reviews

So glad I decided to bring my RX7 fd3s to Rotary Motion!! Quick rebuild turn around with constant updates on progress, professional job done and a really nice genuine bunch of guys. Would recommend them to anyone and couldn’t have asked for a better service. Thanks again for all the hard work the guys put in and looking forward to coming down again for more work!

Tom B.

Having chose RotaryMotion for the development of my RX8 NA race engines I’ve been astounded by the support, technical knowledge and abilities of the team. Having used lots of engine ‘builders’ in the past I wouldn’t trust my rotary with anyone else!

Antony W.

Very nice people to deal with, quick turn around, expert advice, excellent prices, my RX8 is running 100% better than before! I had the silver package engine rebuild with a new clutch. I’m really pleased with the work from Rotary Motion and will deffo use again and recommend to anybody who owns an RX! Thanks for everything!

Jack M.

Since getting into Rotary Chris has always been my go to guy. When I had the RX8 he was who made sure I knew how to look after the car, now on my second rotary an FC convertible. Correctly diagnosed a fault with the car that another garage had missed. Chris is a amazingly knowledgeable guy who works magic at what he does.

Aaron J

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Official Mazda Quick Tips Guide

Mazda RX-8 Quick Tips