🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Mazda Model: RX-3 Model Year: 1975 Codes Chassis Code: S102 Engine Code: 12A (Rotary) 👋 Introduction Market Position Market Position: The 1975 Mazda RX-3 was a popular compact sports coupe and sedan that offered a unique rotary engine experience, positioning it as an accessible performance alternative in its segment. Known for its nimble handling and distinctive engine sound. Competitive Analysis Competitive Analysis: Competed with vehicles like the Datsun 240Z/260Z, Toyota Corolla SR5, and smaller European sports cars, offering a different approach to performance with its Wankel rotary engine. Key Features Key Features: Distinctive rotary engine, sporty styling, rear-wheel drive, agile handling, efficient for its class. 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Coverage Areas: Complete Service & Repair Page Count Page Count: Estimated 1000+ Manual Type Manual Type: Factory Service Manual / Repair Manual Language Language: English Format Format: PDF (Digital Download) 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Systems Covered: Engine (Rotary), Fuel System, Ignition System, Cooling System, Lubrication System, Exhaust System, Drivetrain (Transmission, Driveshaft, Rear Axle), Suspension (Front & Rear), Steering System, Brakes (Front Disc, Rear Drum), Electrical System (Wiring Schematics, Charging System, Starting System, Lighting, Accessories), Body & Chassis, Climate Control (if equipped), Interior Components Procedures Included Procedures Included: Routine Maintenance, Scheduled Servicing, Component Removal & Installation, Troubleshooting & Diagnosis, Engine Rebuild/Overhaul, Transmission Repair, Brake System Servicing, Suspension Alignment & Repair, Electrical System Diagnosis & Repair, Body Panel Repair, Tune-up Procedures, Emission Controls, Torque Specifications, Component Testing Technical Depth Technical Depth: Comprehensive: Covers all aspects from basic fluid changes to full engine rebuilds and complex electrical diagnostics. 📊 Manual Specifications File Format File Format: PDF Print Quality Print Quality: High-resolution, printable pages with zoom-in capabilities for detailed diagrams. Binding Type Binding Type: N/A (Digital) Paper Type Paper Type: N/A (Digital) ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Primary Engine: Mazda 12A Rotary Engine Performance Displacement: 1146 cc (equivalent to ~2.3 L piston engine displacement) Horsepower Gross: Approx. 110-120 hp (varies by market and specific tune) Torque Gross: Approx. 110-125 lb-ft (varies by market and specific tune) Fuel System Fuel System: Two Barrel Downdraft Carburetor (e.g., Hitachi SH20 or similar) Fuel Type: Unleaded Gasoline (87 octane or higher recommended) Cooling System Cooling System Type: Water Cooled (Pressurized) Lubrication System Oil Capacity With Filter: Approx. 5 US Quarts (4.7 Liters) - Consult manual for precise capacity. Recommended Oil Viscosity: 10W-30 or 10W-40 (API SE service classification recommended) Rotary Specific Apex Seal Material: Typically carbon or ceramic composite Oil Metering: Separate oil injection system (often integrated with carburetor or intake manifold) to lubricate apex and side seals. 🔧 Transmission Standard Standard Transmission: 4-Speed Manual Optional Optional Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic (Model's own design) Features Transmission Fluid Type Manual: GL-4 Gear Oil (e.g., SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90) Transmission Fluid Type Automatic: Dexron II or equivalent ATF 📐 Dimensions Exterior Wheelbase: Approx. 95.3 inches (2420 mm) Length: Approx. 162.8 inches (4135 mm) Width: Approx. 64.0 inches (1625 mm) Height: Approx. 51.2 inches (1300 mm) Weights Curb Weight: Approx. 2200-2400 lbs (1000-1090 kg) depending on body style and equipment. 🛡️ Safety Features Ratings Safety Ratings: No formal crash test ratings available from modern agencies (e.g., NHTSA, IIHS) for this era. Active Features Active Features: Front Disc Brakes, Rear Drum Brakes, Hydraulic Power Assisted Brakes (optional on some models) Passive Features Passive Features: Lap and Shoulder Seatbelts (front), Basic Body Structure designed for the era. 💡 Technology Features Infotainment Infotainment System: Basic AM/FM Radio (likely with manual tuning), optional 8-track player. Driver Assistance Driver Assistance: None by modern standards. Focus on mechanical systems. 🔧 Maintenance Service Intervals Oil Change Interval: Every 3,000 miles (5,000 km) or 3 months, whichever comes first. (Consult manual for exact factory recommendation). Spark Plug Replacement: Every 12,000-15,000 miles (20,000-24,000 km) - Rotary specific spark plugs. Consult manual. Air Filter Replacement: Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or as needed based on operating conditions. Fluid Specifications Brake Fluid Type: DOT 3 or DOT 4 Coolant Type: Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze mixed with distilled water (50/50 ratio recommended) Coolant Capacity: Approx. 6 US Quarts (5.7 Liters) - Consult manual for precise capacity. Known Issues Known Issues: Apex seal wear leading to compression loss (common to all early rotaries if not maintained properly), carburetor tuning sensitivity, oil consumption (inherent to rotary design, managed by metering system), potential for oil seal failure if engine overheated or run extremely hard without proper warm-up/cool-down. Rotary Specific Maintenance: Regular checks of oil metering system functionality and proper lubrication are critical. Avoid prolonged idling or lugging the engine. 📚 Vehicle History Brand Heritage Brand Heritage: Mazda has a long history of innovation, famously pioneering the Wankel rotary engine for mass production in the late 1960s and 70s. This engine technology became a signature of the brand. Model Evolution Model Evolution: The RX-3 (initially known as the Savanna in Japan) was...
The 1975 Mazda RX-3 was a popular compact sports coupe and sedan that offered a unique rotary engine experience, positioning it as an accessible performance alternative in its segment. Known for its nimble handling and distinctive engine sound.
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis:
Competed with vehicles like the Datsun 240Z/260Z, Toyota Corolla SR5, and smaller European sports cars, offering a different approach to performance with its Wankel rotary engine.
Key Features
Key Features:
Distinctive rotary engine, sporty styling, rear-wheel drive, agile handling, efficient for its class.
Comprehensive: Covers all aspects from basic fluid changes to full engine rebuilds and complex electrical diagnostics.
📊 Manual Specifications
File Format
File Format:
PDF
Print Quality
Print Quality:
High-resolution, printable pages with zoom-in capabilities for detailed diagrams.
Binding Type
Binding Type:
N/A (Digital)
Paper Type
Paper Type:
N/A (Digital)
⚙️ Engine Specifications
Primary Engine
Primary Engine:
Mazda 12A Rotary Engine
Performance
Displacement:
1146 cc (equivalent to ~2.3 L piston engine displacement)
Horsepower Gross:
Approx. 110-120 hp (varies by market and specific tune)
Torque Gross:
Approx. 110-125 lb-ft (varies by market and specific tune)
Fuel System
Fuel System:
Two Barrel Downdraft Carburetor (e.g., Hitachi SH20 or similar)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Gasoline (87 octane or higher recommended)
Cooling System
Cooling System Type:
Water Cooled (Pressurized)
Lubrication System
Oil Capacity With Filter:
Approx. 5 US Quarts (4.7 Liters) - Consult manual for precise capacity.
Recommended Oil Viscosity:
10W-30 or 10W-40 (API SE service classification recommended)
Rotary Specific
Apex Seal Material:
Typically carbon or ceramic composite
Oil Metering:
Separate oil injection system (often integrated with carburetor or intake manifold) to lubricate apex and side seals.
🔧 Transmission
Standard
Standard Transmission:
4-Speed Manual
Optional
Optional Transmission:
3-Speed Automatic (Model's own design)
Features
Transmission Fluid Type Manual:
GL-4 Gear Oil (e.g., SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90)
Transmission Fluid Type Automatic:
Dexron II or equivalent ATF
📐 Dimensions
Exterior
Wheelbase:
Approx. 95.3 inches (2420 mm)
Length:
Approx. 162.8 inches (4135 mm)
Width:
Approx. 64.0 inches (1625 mm)
Height:
Approx. 51.2 inches (1300 mm)
Weights
Curb Weight:
Approx. 2200-2400 lbs (1000-1090 kg) depending on body style and equipment.
🛡️ Safety Features
Ratings
Safety Ratings:
No formal crash test ratings available from modern agencies (e.g., NHTSA, IIHS) for this era.
Active Features
Active Features:
Front Disc Brakes, Rear Drum Brakes, Hydraulic Power Assisted Brakes (optional on some models)
Passive Features
Passive Features:
Lap and Shoulder Seatbelts (front), Basic Body Structure designed for the era.
💡 Technology Features
Infotainment
Infotainment System:
Basic AM/FM Radio (likely with manual tuning), optional 8-track player.
Driver Assistance
Driver Assistance:
None by modern standards. Focus on mechanical systems.
🔧 Maintenance
Service Intervals
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,000 miles (5,000 km) or 3 months, whichever comes first. (Consult manual for exact factory recommendation).
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 12,000-15,000 miles (20,000-24,000 km) - Rotary specific spark plugs. Consult manual.
Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or as needed based on operating conditions.
Fluid Specifications
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4
Coolant Type:
Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze mixed with distilled water (50/50 ratio recommended)
Coolant Capacity:
Approx. 6 US Quarts (5.7 Liters) - Consult manual for precise capacity.
Known Issues
Known Issues:
Apex seal wear leading to compression loss (common to all early rotaries if not maintained properly), carburetor tuning sensitivity, oil consumption (inherent to rotary design, managed by metering system), potential for oil seal failure if engine overheated or run extremely hard without proper warm-up/cool-down.
Rotary Specific Maintenance:
Regular checks of oil metering system functionality and proper lubrication are critical. Avoid prolonged idling or lugging the engine.
📚 Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Brand Heritage:
Mazda has a long history of innovation, famously pioneering the Wankel rotary engine for mass production in the late 1960s and 70s. This engine technology became a signature of the brand.
Model Evolution
Model Evolution:
The RX-3 (initially known as the Savanna in Japan) was introduced in 1971 as Mazda's compact sports car, following the success of the RX-2 Capella. It evolved through several updates before being replaced by the RX-7.
Production
Production Years:
1971-1978
Body Styles:
Coupe, Sedan, Station Wagon
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Recognitions
Recognitions:
The RX-3, along with other rotary Mazdas of the era, received acclaim for their unique engineering and performance characteristics, contributing to Mazda's reputation as an innovative automaker.
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