2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 tow

5-49
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch need
not be on, and the lever will return to the
normal position when released.

Headlight Leveling*
The number of riders and weight of cargo
in the luggage compartment change the
angle of the headlights.
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.Headlight auto-leveling malfunction
indicator light
This indicator light stays on far a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.
If the indicator light illuminates, contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Daytime Running Lights
(Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
NOTE
The running lights go off when the
parking brake is applied.
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 49 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-50
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Turn Signal
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to
its original position.
Green indicators on the dashboard show
which signal is working.
Lane-change signals
Move the lever slightly toward the
direction of the change —until the
indicator flashes— and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released.Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
They help you to see as well as to be seen.
To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the
fog light switch to the position.
The headlight switch must be in the
position to turn on the front fog lights.
To turn them off, rotate the fog light
switch to the or OFF position or turn
the headlight switch to the OFF position.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
NOTE
If an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, the
turn signal bulb may be burned out.
Right turn
Left turn Right lane
change
Left lane
changeOFF
Fog Lights*
NOTE
The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
Fog light switch
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 50 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-52
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
One-touch wipers
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to MIST.

Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
If the washer doesn’t work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-17). If it’s OK, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT
position, the wipers will operate
continuously until the lever is released.
OFF MIST
NOTE
(With headlight washers)
When the headlights are on, the
headlight washers operate
automatically once every fifth time the
windshield washer operates.
Refer to Headlight Washer (page 5-53).
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 52 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-53
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position and the headlights must be turned
on.
The headlight washers operate
automatically once every fifth time the
windshield washer operates.
If you want to operate only the headlight
washers, pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you twice rapidly.The rear window defroster clears frost,
fog, and thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster. The rear window
defroster operates for about 15 minutes
and turns off.
The indicator light illuminates during
operation.
To turn off the rear window defroster
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Headlight Washer*
NOTE
When you pull the windshield wiper
lever twice, the windshield washer
may spray a little.
Rear Window Defroster
Don’t use sharp instruments or
window cleaners with abrasives to
clean the inside of the rear window
surface. They may damage the
defroster grid inside the window.
Indicator light
CAUTION
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 53 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-55
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning flasher and
all four turn signals will flash at once.The HomeLink system replaces up to 3
hand-held transmitters with a single built-
in component in the auto-dimming mirror.
Pressing the HomeLink button on the
auto-dimming mirror activates garage
doors, gates and other devices
surrounding your home.
Hazard Warning Flasher
NOTE
•The turn signals don’t work when
the hazard warning lights are on.
•Check local regulations about the
use of hazard warning lights while
the vehicle is being towed. They
may forbid it.
Hazard warning flasher
HomeLink Wireless
Control System*
NOTE
HomeLink and HomeLink house are
registered trademarks of Johnson
Controls.
HomeLink buttonIndicator light
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 55 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

6-12
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Strong signal noise
This occurs very close to a transmitter
tower. The broadcast signals are
extremely strong, so the result is noise and
sound breakup at the radio receiver.
Station drift noise
When a vehicle reaches the area of two
strong stations broadcasting at similar
frequencies, the original station may be
temporarily lost and the second station
picked up. At this time there will be some
noise from this disturbance.
Operating Tips for Cassette Tape
Player
Cleaning the cassette tape player
The tape head, capstans, and pinch rollers
will gather oxide residue from cassette
tapes. This can cause weak or wavering
sounds and damage to the cassette tapes
and player. Use a good quality head-
cleaning tape or a liquid cleaner cassette
tape to remove it.
Should the unit not operate normally,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Never attempt to repair it or insert a
screwdriver or anything else.
Handling the cassette tape player
The following precautions should be
observed.
•Do not spill any liquid on the audio
system.
•Do not insert any objects, other than
cassette tape, into the slot.
Station 1
88.1 MHzStation 2
88.3 MHz
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 12 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

6-45
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Overhead Console
This console box is designed to store
accessories. Push and release to open.

Coin Box
To open, press the release catch down and
pull the lid downward.

Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch
toward you.
Insert the master key and turn it clockwise
to lock, counterclockwise to unlock.
Storage Compartments
Open Storage Boxes:
Driving with the storage boxes open is
dangerous. To reduce the possibility
of injury in an accident or a sudden
stop, keep the storage boxes closed
when driving.
In hot weather, don’t leave
combustible materials such as lighters
or objects which will deform in
extreme heat such as eye glasses in the
vehicle.
WARNING
CAUTION
Don’t leave eyeglasses or lighters in
the overhead console while parked
under the sun. A lighter could explode
or the plastic material in eyeglasses
could deform and crack from high
temperature.
CAUTION
Unlock
Lock
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 45 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-1
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency
............................................................. 7-2
Parking in an Emergency ........................................................... 7-2
Flat Tire
.......................................................................................... 7-3
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ...................................................... 7-3
Instant Mobility System (IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit
............................................................................................. 7-5
Changing the Tire .................................................................... 7-13
Overheating
................................................................................. 7-18
Overheating ............................................................................. 7-18
Emergency Starting
.................................................................... 7-20
Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-20
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-20
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-22
Emergency Towing
...................................................................... 7-23
Towing Description ................................................................. 7-23
Tiedown Hooks ........................................................................ 7-24
Recreational Towing ................................................................ 7-26
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 1 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM