2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 manual transmission

5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
•Press the ON/OFF switch.
•Slightly depress the brake pedal.
•Depress the clutch pedal. (Manual
transmission only)
•Press the CANCEL button.
The system is off when the ignition is off.The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by regulating
engine torque and breaking. When the
TCS detects driving wheel slippage, it
lowers engine torque and operates the
brakes to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about
15 km/h (9 mph) below the preset
speed or below 30 km/h (19 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)*
TCS and Unsafe Driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident. So don’t rely on the traction
control system as a substitute for safe
driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident. Use snow
tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and snow.
WARNING
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 20 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating. Don’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
NOTE
•The beep sounds to indicate engine
overrev when the tachometer needle
enters the striped zone.
•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.
Red zone Striped zone
Manual transmission
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-18).
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 32 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-44
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Shift Position Indicator Light
(Automatic Transmission)
This indicates the selected shift position
when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
In manual mode, the "M" of the shift
position indicator illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear illuminates
in the gear position indicator.

TCS/DSC Indicator Light*
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS or DSC is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

DSC OFF Indicator Light*
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off.
If the light stays on when the TCS/DSC is
not switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The dynamic
stability control may have a malfunction.
Gear position indicator
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 44 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-7
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Using the IMS Emergency Flat
Tire Repair Kit
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Reverse (R) or 1, and
turn off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.4. Unload passengers and luggage, and
remove the emergency flat tire repair
kit.
5. Shake the tire sealant well.
NOTE
•The tire sealant cannot be reused.
Purchase new tire sealant at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
•The emergency flat tire repair kit
cannot be used in the following
cases.
Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
The period of effective use for
the tire sealant has expired. (The
period of effectiveness is
indicated on the bottle label.)
The tear or puncture exceeds
about 4 mm (0.16 in).
The damage has occurred to an
area of the tire other than the
tread.
The vehicle has been driven with
nearly no air remaining in the
tire.
The tire has come off the wheel
rim.
Damage to the wheel rim has
occurred.
The tire has two or more
punctures.
If the bottle is shaken after the
injection hose is screwed on, tire
sealant could spray out from the
injection hose. Tire sealant contacting
clothing or other objects may be
impossible to remove. Shake the bottle
before screwing on the injection hose.
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 7 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-13
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Reverse (R) or 1, and
turn off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, and tool (page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the tire to be changed. When blocking
a wheel, place a block both in front and
behind the tire.
Changing the Tire
Jacking a Vehicle:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure
someone.
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a
jack.
Passenger in Vehicle Supported by a
Jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury. Never allow anyone inside a
vehicle supported by a jack.
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)

The wheels equipped on your Mazda
are specially designed for installation
of the tire pressure sensors. Do not use
non-genuine wheels, otherwise it may
not be possible to install the tire
pressure sensors.
WARNING
CAUTION
NOTE
•Make sure the jack is well
lubricated before using it.
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)

•Be sure to register the tire pressure
sensor ID signal code whenever tires
or wheels are changed (page 5-27).
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 13 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-18
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don’t go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
6. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it’s low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
If you find a leak or other damage,
or if coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-12).
Overheating
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
WARNING
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
Coolant reservoir
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 18 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-22
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
7. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and run it a few minutes. Then start the
engine of the other vehicle.
8. When finished, carefully disconnect
the cables in the reverse order
described in Step 6.You can’t start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
Connecting to Negative Terminal:
Connecting the end of the second
cable to the negative ( ) terminal of
the discharged battery is dangerous.
A spark could cause the gas around
the battery to explode and injure
someone. Connect the cable to a point
away from the battery.
Connecting Jumper Cable to Moving
Par ts:
Connecting a jumper cable near or to
moving parts (cooling fans, belts) is
dangerous. The cable could get
caught when the engine starts and
cause serious injury. Never connect a
jumper cable to or near any part that
moves.
NOTE
Verify that the engine cover is securely
installed.
WARNINGPush-Starting
Towing a Vehicle to Start It:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured. Never tow a vehicle to start it.
You shouldn’t push-start a vehicle that
has a manual transmission. It can
damage the emission control system.
WARNING
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 22 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Schedule 1
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R
: Replace
L
: Lubricate
C
:Clean
ENGINE
AIR CLEANER
IGNITION SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
COOLING SYSTEM
CHASSIS & BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
*1 According to state / provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage / kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2 Check the tire repair fluid expiration date every year when performing the periodic maintenance. Replace the
tire repair fluid bottle with new one before the expiration date.
Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers
(miles), whichever comes first)Months 6 12182430364248
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
Engine oilRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRR
Drive beltII
Air filterCCRC
Spark plugsR
Fuel filterReplace every 160,000km (100,000miles)
Fuel lines, hoses and connections
*1II
Cooling systemII
Engine coolantR e p l a c e a t f i r s t 9 6 , 0 0 0 k m ( 6 0 , 0 0 0 m i l e s ) o r 4 8 m o n t h s ;
after that, every 24 months
Brake line, hoses and connectionII
Disk brakesIIII
Steering operation and linkagesII
Front and rear suspension and ball jointsII
Manual transmission oilR
Rear differential oilR
Driveshaft dust bootsII
Bolts and nut on seatsII
Exhaust system heat shieldsII
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLL
Flat tire repair kit
*2Inspect every year
Cabin air filter (If installed)Replace every 40,000km (25,000miles) or 24 months
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 4 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM