2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 Owners Manual (in English)

4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the rear tires.
Don’t use chains on the front tires.
Use only SAE Class "S" chains, and make
sure they fit.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2—
1 km (1/4—1/2 mile). •Chains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels. Install tire chains
on steel wheels only.
•Chains may affect handling.
•Don’t go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph)
or the chain manufacturer’s
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
•Drive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
•Avoid locked-wheel braking.
•Don’t use chains on a temporary
spare tire; it may result in damage to
the vehicle and to the tire. Your
vehicle is not equipped with a factory
installed temporary spare tire.
•Don’t use chains on roads that are
free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the
system may not function correctly
when using tire chains.
CAUTION
Driving In Flooded Area
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance
returns to normal.
Make sure water does not enter the
vehicle interior or the engine area. The
vehicle interior could become wet or
the engine could be damaged.
WARNING
CAUTION
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4-11
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Overloading
Vehicle Load Weight:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver’s door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can estimate the
weight of your load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle. Be careful not to
overload your vehicle.
WARNING
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4-12
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
To w i n g
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Tr a i l e r To w i n g
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5-1
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving
..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-3
Brake System ............................................................................. 5-4
Manual Transmission Operation ............................................... 5-8
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-10
Power Steering ......................................................................... 5-16
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-17
Traction Control System (TCS)* ............................................. 5-20
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)* ......................................... 5-21
Tire Pressure Monitoring System* .......................................... 5-24
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
............................................ 5-29
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-29
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
........................................ 5-35
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-35
Beeps ....................................................................................... 5-47
Switches and Controls
................................................................. 5-48
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-48
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-50
Fog Lights* .............................................................................. 5-50
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-51
Headlight Washer* .................................................................. 5-53
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-53
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-54
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-55
HomeLink Wireless Control System* ..................................... 5-55
*Some models.
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5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Starting and Driving

Ignition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transmission
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key in at the
ACC position.Automatic transmission
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, keep the shift lever in P.
Ignition Switch
LOCK
Push the key ACCON
Removing the Key:
It’s dangerous to remove the key from
the ignition switch while the vehicle is
moving. Removing the key allows the
steering wheel to lock. You will lose
steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked.
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver’s seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with
an automatic transmission or in 1 or
R with a manual transmission.
LOCKShift lever
engaged in P
(park) ACCON
WARNING
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5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-35).
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked after the
engine is started (page 5-35).

Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when the
driver’s door is opened.1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4.(Manual transmission)

Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transmission)

Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
NOTE
(Xenon fusion headlight models)

When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, the sound of the
headlight leveling motors operating at
the front of the engine compartment
can be heard. This does not indicate an
abnormality.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not
pushed down all the
way.
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever is not
in P or N.
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5-4
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
5. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold (up to 10 seconds at a
time) until the engine starts.
6. After starting the engine, let it idle for
about 10 seconds.

Foot Brake
Your Mazda has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual. Don’t try the starter for more than
10 seconds at a time. If the engine
stalls or fails to start, wait 10 seconds
before trying again. Otherwise, you
may damage the starter and drain the
battery.
NOTE
•In extremely cold weather, below
–18
°C (0
°F), or after the vehicle has
stood idle several days, let the
engine warm up without operating
the accelerator.
•Whether cold or warm, the engine
should be started without use of the
accelerator.
•To protect the engine, when the
engine coolant temperature is low,
the engine does not run at high
speeds. The fuel supply will be cut
at an rpm lower than the red zone.
CAUTION
Brake System
Driving with the Engine Off:
Continuing to drive when the engine
is stalled or turned off is dangerous.
Braking will require more effort, and
the brake’s power-assist could be
depleted if you pump the brake. This
will cause longer stopping distances
or even an accident. Don’t continue
driving when the engine is stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop.
Riding the Brakes:
Driving with your foot continuously
on the brake pedal or steadily
applying the brakes for long distances
is dangerous. This causes overheated
brakes, resulting in longer stopping
distances or even total brake failure.
This could cause loss of vehicle
control and a serious accident. Avoid
continuous application of the brakes.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep hills.
WARNING
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5-5
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Parking Brake
Setting the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then pull the
brake handle fully upward.Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then pull the
handle up and press the button. Lower the
handle to the release position while
holding in the button.

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
Dry the brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance is normal.
Driving with the parking brake on will
cause excessive wear of the brake
linings or pads.
NOTE
For parking in snow, refer to Winter
Driving (page 4-9) regarding parking
brake use.
WARNING
CAUTION
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