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2006 Mazda RX-8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 RX-8.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2006 Mazda RX-8 is a passenger car equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission and achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined, placing it among the less fuel-efficient vehicles in its class. This model year represents a middle point in the RX-8's production run from 2004 to 2011, a period during which owner complaints declined substantially from 514 in the inaugural year to just 4 by 2011; the 2006 model's 60 recorded complaints reflect this trajectory toward improved reliability, though five recalls—most notably in the air bags category—indicate persistent issues that remain a consideration for researchers examining this vehicle's service history.

Model year2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy16/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 640 CCA battery, OE oil filter B6Y114302A. 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 35 · 640 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	B6Y114302A
Engine air filter	N3H113Z40A9U
Spark plug	N3Y818110A9U alt N3Y118110A9U
Battery	0000800035WB
Front wiper blades	BE5J67330 alt DC2067330
Serpentine belt	N3H118381A
Thermostat	N3H115171
Cabin air filter	LDY461J6X

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	174.4 in
Overall width	69.7 in
Overall height	52.8 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	3051 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 23 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	89 cu ft
Cargo volume	8 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RX-8 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.9–6.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.90 sec — 2004 Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2007	Grand Touring Coupe 1.3L R2	6.50 sec	15.00 sec	232 hp	RWD
2004	Coupe 1.3L R2	5.90 sec	14.50 sec	238 hp	RWD
2004	Coupe 1.3L R2	5.90 sec	14.50 sec	238 hp	RWD
2004	Coupe 1.3L R2	6.00 sec	14.49 sec	238 hp	RWD
2004	Coupe 1.3L R2	6.10 sec	14.60 sec	238 hp	RWD
2004	Coupe 1.3L R2	6.40 sec	14.80 sec	238 hp	RWD
2004	Coupe 1.3L R2	6.50 sec	14.81 sec	238 hp	RWD
2004	Coupe 1.3L R2	6.60 sec	15.10 sec	238 hp	RWD

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. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0-30.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	9.2
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3 Pints
Manual Transmission Fluid	75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	6

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	7-10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Rear Wheel Hub

174-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug Gap	0.045-0.049 in
Ignition Timing	Trailing: 10, Leading: -5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	.95 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	2.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	640 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	13.8 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	72.5 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	36-50 ft-lbs / 58-75 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.9 in / 0.66 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.87 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Models w/out variable valve timing:

44-80 inch lbs., Step 2: 10-13 ft. lbs.; Models equipped w/variable valve timing:; Center and Rear Cap Bolts: Step 1: 44-80 inch lbs., Step 2: 10-13 ft. lbs.; Front Cap Bolts: 71-102 inch lbs.

44–80 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 22,500 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 25,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 37,500 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 60,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & 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 2006 Mazda RX-8 falls on a steep downward slope in the federal record: complaints dropped from 514 in 2004 and 168 in 2005 to 60 in 2006, then kept falling to 38 in 2007 and single digits from 2009 onward. Recalls traced a similar arc, declining from 10 in 2004 and 6 in 2005 to 5 in 2006, where they held steady through 2008 before tapering to 4 and then 3. As the third model year, 2006 sits past the launch-year spike but still records more complaints than 2007-2011 and carries the same 4 open investigations as 2004-2005. Its top complaint areas were Air Bags (12), Visibility (9), Power Train (8), and Steering (5), with 1 crash-related complaint and no fire complaints. Overall, 2006 is a materially better bet than the 2004-2005 RX-8s by these metrics, though buyers seeking the quietest federal record should look toward 2009-2011.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

172

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 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

’04 ’05’06’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 60 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags12

Visibility9

Power Train8

Steering5

Air Bags,Structure4

Engine3

Fuel/Propulsion System3

Power Train,Unknown Or Other2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V402000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/06/2018

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an…

18V404000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/06/2018

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota… Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 172 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SA-029-26	2026-04-21	Power Train	This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-039/25	2025-08-21	Structure	Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…
SA-036-25	2025-08-14	Unknown Or Other	When replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM…
SA-032-25	2025-06-18	Unknown Or Other	Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air…
SA-058-24	2024-08-15	Structure	Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…

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 RX-8. 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 35 battery Engine oil filter B6Y114302A Engine air filter N3H113Z40A9U Spark plug N3Y818110A9U Battery 0000800035WB

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2006 RX-8 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RX-8 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.