2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 ignition

3-26
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
After adjusting the mirror, lock the
control by placing the selector switch in
the middle position.
Folding the mirror
Fold the outside mirror rearward until it is
locked.
Mirror defroster*
If your vehicle has mirror defrosters, turn
them on by turning the ignition switch to
the ON position and pushing the rear
window defroster switch (page 5-53).

Rearview Mirror
Rearview mirror adjustment
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to center on the scene through the rear
window.
Reducing glare from headlights
Manual day/night mirror*
Push the day/night lever forward for day
driving. Pull it back to reduce glare of
headlights from cars at the rear.
Driving with Mirrors Folded In:
Driving with the outside mirrors
folded in is dangerous. Your rear view
will be restricted, and you could have
an accident. Always return the
outside mirrors to the driving position
before you start driving.
WARNING
Blocked View:
Cargo stacked higher than the
seatbacks is dangerous. It can block
your view in the rearview mirror,
which might cause you to hit another
car when changing lanes. Don’t stack
things higher than the seatbacks.
NOTE
For the manual day/night mirror,
perform the adjustment with the day/
night lever in the day position.
WARNING
Day/Night lever
Day
Night
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 26 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

3-27
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Auto-dimming mirror*
The auto-dimming mirror automatically
reduces glare of headlights from cars at
the rear when the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
Press the OFF button ( ) to cancel the
automatic dimming function. The
indicator light will go off.
To reactivate the automatic dimming
function, press the ON button ( ). The
indicator light will illuminate.
OFF button
ON button
Indicator light
NOTE
•Do not use glass cleaner or suspend
objects on or around the light
sensor. Otherwise, light sensor
sensitivity will be affected and may
not operate normally.
•For information regarding the
3 buttons ( , , ) on the
auto-dimming mirror, refer to
HomeLink Wireless Control
System (page 5-55).
Light sensor
Light sensor
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 27 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

4-3
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
Emission Control System
Parking Over Things That Burn:
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system could ignite it because the exhaust system
gets very hot during normal use. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
Never park over or near anything flammable.
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst inside
the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will damage the
converter and cause poor performance.
•USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
•Don’t drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
•Don’t coast with the ignition switch turned off.
•Don’t descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.
•Don’t operate the engine at high idle for more than 5 minutes.
•Don’t tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments must
be made by a qualified technician.
•Don’t try to push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control
system before the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some
states, such modification made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
WARNING
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 3 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
•Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
•Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
•If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.•Are all doors closed and locked?
•Is the seat adjusted properly?
•Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•Do all the lights work?
•Check all gauges.
•Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
•Release the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 6 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
•Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
•Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•Use only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-9).
•Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
•Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-17).
•Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2,
4.3 psi) more than recommended on the
tire pressure label (driver’s door), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter
months.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tires with steel wire reinforcement in
the sidewalls (page 5-26).
WARNING
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 9 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

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.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 1 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

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
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 2 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

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.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 3 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM