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2008 Mazda B-Series

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 B-Series.

Body TRUCK

The 2008 Mazda B‑Series is a midsize truck that sits toward the end of the model’s 1996‑2009 production run, embodying the platform’s evolution while retaining the practical utility that defined the line. Across its lifespan the B‑Series recorded a modest 11 owner complaints for the 2008 year, with air‑bag issues emerging as the most frequent concern and three recalls documented for that model year. Compared with the series’ peak of 80 complaints in 1999, the 2008 vehicle reflects a markedly lower incidence of problems, approaching the low‑complaint end of the timeline that culminated in the 2009 record of just four complaints, indicating a relatively strong reliability standing for its era.

Model year201020092008200720062005200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque87-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery, OE oil filter LF0514302B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size255-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterLF0514302B
Engine air filter1F8023603
Fuel filter1F7013470A
Spark plug1F2018110D
Battery0000800059WB
Front wiper blades1F7067330
Serpentine belt1F2018381 alt 1F2318381
ThermostatLF0315165A alt L35715170B

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-108 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.6 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11-13 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) BearingsSOHC: 30-36 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings23-28 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsSOHC: 14-22 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54-64 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts40.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket148.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle85.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket76.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts87-108 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Turbo rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition TimingTurbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.06 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test20, Maximum pressure psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Pressure Test20; Maximum pressure. psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)60-65
RPM60-65 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket21-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket21-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 85 degrees SOHC33 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
171-77 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-9371–77 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
188 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 35-39 ft. lbs., step 4: 85-9588 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep M12 Bolts

19.0 ft. lbs.9 ft. lbs
218.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees; M8 Bolts90 degrees
124.0 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5210 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Wheel Lug Nut (torque)
At 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 10,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (replace) · Wheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The B-Series generation from 1996 to 2009 exhibits a general downward trend in complaints, falling from a peak of 80 in 1999 to just 4 by 2009, with occasional spikes such as 49 in 2004. The 2008 model year records only 11 complaints, tying the low set in 2006 and placing it among the least problematic years of the generation. Its 3 recalls are moderate compared to the range of 1 to 6 across these years, and no investigations were opened for 2008. However, 9 of the 11 complaints target the air bag system, accompanied by 2 crash complaints, though the data does not specify the root cause. This concentration implies that while overall reliability is strong, the air bag system warrants particular attention. Provided the air bag recalls have been addressed, the 2008 Mazda B-Series is a good year to buy, combining low complaint frequency with the generation’s mature engineering.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
72
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Air Bags9
Steering1
Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 72 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
09-038-242024-08-08Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
SA-011-24b2024-07-29Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…
SA-011-24a2024-06-07Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…
SA-011-242024-02-12SteeringMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific B-Series. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 59 batteryEngine oil filter LF0514302BEngine air filter 1F8023603Fuel filter 1F7013470ASpark plug 1F2018110D

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2008 B-Series have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.