2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 240

J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 15 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM Maintenance and Care Owner Maintenance M Adding Brake/Clutch Fluid WARNING Spilled Brake Fluid: 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. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on yourself or on the engine. Low Brake/Clutch Fluid Levels: 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 you find a low fluid level, have the brakes and clutch inspected. If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it reaches MAX. Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the area around the cap. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) M Inspecting Automatic Transmission Fluid Level The automatic transmission fluid level should be inspected regularly. Measure it as described below. The volume of fluid changes with the temperature. Fluid must be checked at idle without driving at normal operating temperature. CAUTION • Low fluid level causes transmission slippage. Overfilling can cause foaming, loss of fluid, and transmission malfunction. • Use specified fluid (page 10-5). A nonspecified fluid could result in transmission malfunction and failure. 1. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake firmly. 2. Idle the engine about two minutes. Push down on the brake pedal. 3. Move the shift lever through all ranges and set it at P. CAUTION • Brake and clutch fluid will damage painted surfaces. If brake or clutch fluid does get on a painted surface, wipe it off immediately. • Using nonspecified brake and clutch fluids (page 10-5) 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. 8-15 Form No. 8R65-EA-03C