2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 Owners Manual (in English)

6-2
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Climate Control System

Operating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.

Clearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in
the cowling grille to improve the system
efficiency.

Foggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the air
conditioner to dehumidify the air.

Outside/Recirculated Air
Position
Use the outside air position in normal
conditions. The recirculated air position
can be used temporarily when driving on
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the
interior.

Parking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.

Not Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner at least once a
month to keep internal parts lubricated.

Check the Refrigerant before the
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Replacement of the Cabin Air
Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary
to change the filter periodically as
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.
Operating Tips
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 2 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

6-3
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Adjusting the Vents
Directing airflow
Side Vents
To adjust the direction of airflow, open the
vents and rotate them left and right.Center Vents
To adjust the direction of airflow, move
the adjustment knob.
Vent Operation
Center vents
Side vents
NOTE
When using the air conditioner, mist
may come out from the vents. This is
not a sign of trouble but a result of
humid air being suddenly cooled.
Knob
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6-4
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Selecting the Airflow Mode
Dashboard and Floor Vents Defroster Vents
Floor Vents Dashboard Vents Defroster and Floor Vents
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6-5
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Climate control information is displayed on the information display.

Control Switches
Temperature control dial
This dial controls temperature. Turn it
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise
for cold.Fan control dial
This dial allows variable fan speeds.
0—Fan off
1—Low speed
2—Medium low speed
3—Medium high speed
4—High speed
Control Panel
Temperature control dial Fan control dial
Mode selector switch Air intake selectorA/C SwitchRear window defroster switch
Windshield defroster switch(page 5-53)
Hot Cold
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 5 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

6-6
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Mode selector switch
Press the mode selector switch to select
airflow mode (page 6-4).
A/C switch
Push the switch to turn the air conditioner
on. The indicator light on the switch will
illuminate when the fan control dial is set
at position 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Push the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.Air intake selector
This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
Press the switch to alternate between the
and positions. The indicator
light for the selected mode will
illuminate.
It is recommended that under normal
conditions the switch be kept in the
outside air position.
Outside air position ( )
Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use
this position for normal ventilation and
heating.
Recirculated air position ( )
Outside air is shut off. Air within the
vehicle is recirculated.
This position can be used when driving on
a dusty road or in similar conditions. It
also helps to provide quicker cooling of
the interior.
NOTE
To set the air vent to , press the
windshield defroster switch.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function
when the outside temperature
approaches 0
°C (32
°F).
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 6 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

6-7
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Windshield defroster switch
Press the switch to defrost the windshield
and front door windows.

Heating
1. Press the mode selector switch to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
hot position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.

Cooling (With Air Conditioner)
1. Press the mode selector switch to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
The Recirculated Air Position:
Using the position in cold or
rainy weather will cause the glass to
fog up. Your vision will be hampered,
which could lead to a serious
accident. Do not use the position
in cold or rainy weather.
WARNINGNOTE
•If the windshield fogs up easily, set
the mode selector switch to the
position.
•If cooler air is desired at face level,
set the mode selector switch at the
position and adjust the
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
•The air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
•In the position, air conditioning
is automatically turned on to defrost
the windshield (however, the
indicator light does not illuminate)
and the position is
automatically selected.
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6-8
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Ventilation
1. Press the mode selector switch to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.

Windshield Defrosting and
Defogging
1. Press the windshield defroster switch.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed. When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-32).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off.
NOTE
•When maximum cooling is desired,
set the temperature control dial to
the extreme cold position and set
the air intake selector to the
position, then set the fan control dial
to position 4.
•If warmer air is desired at floor
level, set the mode selector switch
at the position and adjust the
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
•The air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
CAUTION
Foggy Windshield:
Using the position with the
temperature control set to the cold
position will cause the outside of the
glass to fog up. Your vision will be
hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident. Set the temperature
control to the hot or warm position
when using the position.
NOTE
•For maximum defrosting, set the
temperature control dial to the
extreme hot position and the fan
control dial to position 4.
•If warm air is desired at the floor,
set the mode selector switch to the
position.
•In the or position, air
conditioning is automatically turned
on to defrost the windshield quickly
(however, the indicator light does
not illuminate) and the
position is automatically selected.
The air intake selector switch
cannot be changed to the
position.
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 8 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

6-9
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Dehumidifying (With Air
Conditioner)
Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold
weather to help defog the windshield and
side windows.
1. Press the mode selector switch to the
desired position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
5. Turn on the air conditioner.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 9 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM