Mazda RX-7 1989 User manual

OWNERS
MANUAL

Mazda RX-7
6 7UO D010E
Important Instructions for
Owner and Driver
Operation, Maintenance,
and Service
The specifications and descrip ti ons in this manual
are accurate at t
he ti me of pr in ti ng. Beca us e i m-
provement is a constant goa l at Mazda, we reserve
the ri
gh t to make changes in specifications at any
ti
me without no ti ce and without i nc urri ng any ob -
li
ga ti on. Please notethatthis manual applies to all
mode ls in this series an d explains all equ i pment ,
i
nc luding opt ions. You may therefore find exp la-
nations for equipment not i
ns ta ll ed on yourvehicle.
© 1989 Mazda Motor Corporation
Printed
in Japan

67 U0-0020E
A Word to Mazda Owners....
We ur ge you to read this manual carefully
and follow its recommendations to help en•
su re the e nj oyable and trouble-free opera•
tion of your new Mazda. Please keep it in
the glove box as a permanent and con-
venient reference.
When service is necessary,
re member that
your Au
th o ri zed Mazda Dealer knows your
ve
hi cle best and is vita ll y interested in your
complete satisfaction. He is ready to help
you with a ll maintenance and service needs.
Thank you
fo r choosing a Mazda. We assu re
you of our
co n ti nuing interest in your mo tor·
ing pleasure and satisfac
ti on.
Mazda Motor Corporation
HIROSHIMA, JAPAN

G7L':JC03CE
NOTE
The number above each exp lanation in this
man ual (e.g. 67U2-0170E) is not directly
connec ted with the contents of th is manua l.
IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY
INFORMATION
I BEFORE DRIVING
_YOUR VEHICLE
ISTARTING AND OPERATING
SPECIAL AND EMERGENCY
OPERATING CONDITIONS
APPEARANCE
CARE- REQUIRED
OWNER'S MAINTENANCE
IMAINTENANCE
ICONSUMER INFORMATION
ISPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX

1. IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
67U1·0010E
PAYING ATTENTION TO MAINTENANCE WILL HELP ENSURE
YOUR VEHICLE'S SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE.
CheGK
011 lMI
1-1
67Ul ·0020E
Check the engine oil level.
Refer to ENGINE OIL LEVEL in Section 6.
NOTE
It is normal for your rotary engine to consume a sl i ght amount of
oi l, since the gas seals are lubricated by metering oil into the com-
bustion chambers. The oil consumption rate vari
es depending on
the
dr iving conditions (e .g. hard dr iving, mountain driving, on a
highway, in a city, in heavy traffic, and in varying tra
ffi c ). Because
of these variables, it
is possible that the oilconsumption rate might
be as high as 500 miles/q t.
~ ~ ~ IT71®7 5l PUSH-R ESET
~ LiiiLl ~ ~ ~ ~ H,--. M
~l[:37 ~ [ifl!Cl ®
~ ~ lf N EL ~ ~ DO NO T 08S 1 AUCT VI F:N OF VIAAN l!I G LI GH TS
OIL L EVEL WARNING LAMP
I

6/U 1·0030E
Check the coolant level.
Refer
to ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL in Section 6.
'
I
I I
~
Check
J
Ooolant
I.Ml
d
Do not remove the thermostat
If removed, overheating will resu lt.
1;1 ' ,,
11
1-2
67U ·00 40E
Check the fan belt tension and condition.
Refer to CHECKING BELT TENSION
in Sec ti on 6.
Oh6c~
DrtwBelt
~ ,, t;,t~ if I~ !Tl '®7 icil PUSH ,A ES ET
~ s~ ~~~lJnj H~M
COOLA NT LEVEL
WARNING LAMP
□ ~ !iflral (@)
C'kAP.GE ~ ~ ~ DO N OT 08S1RUCT VI FYI Of WAI\N!NG LIGH TS
ALTERNATOR
WARNING LAMP

67U I 005 DE
Use specified spark plugs,
Refer to Recommended spark plu
gs in Section 6.
Use a
genu ine Mazda air cleaner element or its equi va lent.
Refer
to AIR CLEANER in Section 6.
1-3
67 1.J I O OG OE
MAINTENANCE AND WARRANTIES
Yo ur new Mazdarotary engine is a unique produc t. Protectits high
performance
by following both the operating instru ct ions and the
maintenance instructions set forth in this owner's manua
l.
Your rotary engine is covered by an excellent warranty. Read and
understand the written
wa rranty comp letely and comply with the
recommended maintenance schedul
es.
Between regular servicing pe ri ods, pay careful attention to o il and
coolant levels and to proper fan
be lt tension.
Wh
il e operating your Ma zda, observe your instrument panel
gauges and indicator lights. Comp liance wi th the above instruc-
tions is essential for the preventi
on of damage to your high-
performance Mazda engine.
If you do operate yo ur Mazda when the engine is overh ea t ed or
oil or
coo lant is low, se ri ous dam ag e to your engine may resu lt.
In the event of any unusual operating cond iti ons, such as over-
heating, you should stop your vehicle and promptly contact your
nearest Authorized
Ma z da Servi ce facilitv (orother aua lified main-
tenance establishment.
).
T ha nk you.

97U1- 007 0E
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Your new Mazda is designed to obtain maximum performance with
UNLEADED GASOLINE with an octane rating (anti-knock index)
of 87 or higher (average of Research Octane
Number and Motor
Octane
Numbe r}. Octane Rating is required to be posted on the
pumps of gas stations by federal law in the Unit ed States.
Be aware that use of fuel that has a lower octane rating than re-
quired by your vehicle could cause the emission
co ntrol system
to lose its effectiveness and could cause engine knock or serious
engine damage.
Unleaded gasoline wi
ll minimize exhaust emissions and spark plug
fouling.
CAUTION
NEVER USE LEADED GASOLINE. Never add any fuel system
cleaning agents
to the fuel tank other than Mazda specifi ed or
equivalent. (Consultyour Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.) Use
of leaded gasoline is
de trimental to the catalytic converter.
Leaded gasoline wi
ll damagethe oxygen sensor (if equipped) and
affect emission control.
Gasohol, a mixture
of gasoline and ethanol (also known as grain
alcohol), and gasoline or gasohol containing methanol
(a lso known
as wood alcohol) are being marketed in various places inthe coun-
try al
ong with or instead of leaded or unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasohol containi ng mo re than 10% ethanol, or gaso-
li ne orgasoholcontaini ng any me t hano l, becausethe use of such
fuel may cause
prob lems in driveability and damage to the fuel
system.
Discontinue using gasohol if
dr iveability problems o ccur .
1-4
Damage or driveability problems on your Mazda resulti ng from
the use of
1) gasohol containing more than 1 0% ethanol;
2) gasoline or gasohol containi
ng methanol; or
3) leaded gasoline or leaded gasohol
may not be co vered by the manufacturer's warranty app licable
to your Mazda.
97U 1-0 080 E
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
An y modification to the original-equipment emission control sys-
tems prior
to fi rst sale and registration of a new vehicle is subject
to penalties under Federal law in the Un ited States. Any such
modifications
made thereafter may also be subject to penalties in
some states.
97 U1·0090E
MOBILE TWO-WAY RADIO SYSTEM
If a mob ile two - way radio system is instal 1ed i mproper l y, or if a
wr
ong type is used, the fuel injection system, the crui s~ control
syst
em and other systems may be affected. To avoid any dam-
age to your vehicle, be sure to check wi th an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for pr
oper installation of a mobile two-way radio.

97U1-0100E
WARRANTIES FOR YOUR MAZDA VEHICLE
• New Veh icle 36 Month/50,000 Mile Limited Warranty
• Anti-Perforation Limited Warranty
• Emi
ss ion Control System Warranty
•
Ca lifornia Emission Control System Warranty (if applicable)
• Emission Performance Warranty
• Replacement Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty
• Tire Warranty
NOTE
Detailed warranty information is provided with your Mazda vehicl e.
1 -5
97U1-0110E
ENGINE EXHAUST GAS CAUTION {CARBON
MONOXIDE)
Engine exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide. Though color-
le ss and odor l ess, it is dangerous, even lethal, if inhaled.
• Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, but can be pres-
ent with all other exhaust fume s. Therefore, if you ever sme ll
exhaust fumes of any kind inside yo ur vehicle, have itinspect-
ed immediately by your dealer and have thecondition correct-
ed.
Do not dr ive with exhaust fumes presen t. If it is necessary
to drive undersuch conditions, do so only with all windows ful-
ly open.
•
Do not operate the engine in confined or closed areas (su ch
as
ga rages) any more than is needed to move vehicle in or
out of the area.
• When the vehicle is stopped
in an unconfined area with the
engine running for more
th an a short length of time, adjust the
heating
or coo ling system to draw outside air into the vehicl e.
• Ne ver sit in a parked or stopped v eh icle for any extended
amount of time with the engine running.
Driving with the hatch lid open
is not recommended. Under so me
conditions, exhaust gases may be drawn intothecar. If the hatch-
back lid must remain open for some reason while movin
g, fol l ow
these precautions:
• Close all windows.
• Adjust the heat
in g or cooling system to force outside air into
the
car and set the fan to high speed.

97U1-0130E
OPERATING PRECAUTIONS FOR CATALYTIC
CONVERTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter for exhaust emis-
sion purposes.
The following precautions must be observed:
1.
UNLEADED FUEL only must be used.
2. Do not
park the vehicle over or near flammable objects such
as
dry grass. Under certain conditions, these materials could
be ignited by a hot exhaust system.
3.
Do not operatethe vehicle when there are signs of engine mal-
function, such as engine misfire
or other noticeab le loss of per-
formance.
4.
Do not misuse or abuse the engine. Examples of misuse are,
coasting with ignition off,
go ing down steep grades in gear with
ignition otf.
5.
Do not operate engine at high idle speed for extended peri-
ods (five minutes or more).
6. Do not allow the fuel tank
to become empty.
7. Do not modify or tamper with any part of the engine or emis-
sion control system. All inspections and adjustments must
be
made by a qualifi ed technician.
Failure to observe the above precautions could result in damages
to the catalytic converter and your vehicle.
1-6
Heat Hazard Warning Lamp
If the catalytic converter should begin to overheat, the heat haz-
ard warning
lamp will come on.
HEAT HAZARD WARNING LAMP
What to do :
1. Reduce speed, park your vehicle in a safe spot where there
are no flammable materials and turn the engine off, Wait five
minutes or more.
2.
Check the spark plug wire connections. If any of them are dis-
connected, reconnect them properly (see page 6-24).
3.
If the spark plug wires are properly connected, have your Autho-
rized
Ma zda Dealer locate and correct the trouble as soon as
possible. Park your vehicle until the heat hazard warning lamp
goes out and then drive your vehicleto a dealer at slowspeeds.
This warning .lampalso comes on when the ignition switch is turned
on (
to check bulb operation), and should go out atter the engine
has been started.