2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 key

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

5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence.
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
operating the shift lever or steering shift
switches.
Refer to Manual Shift Mode (page 5-11).

Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.

To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Move the shift lever.

Manual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transmission vehicle by operating
the shift lever or steering shift switches
and allows you to control engine rpm and
torque to the rear wheels much like a
manual transmission when more control is
desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
Shifting from N or P:
It’s dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine is
running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move
suddenly, causing an accident or
serious injury. If the engine is
running faster than idle, don’t shift
from N or P into a driving gear.
Shifting into N while Driving:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury. Do not shift into N when
driving the vehicle.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause
transmission damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
NOTE
•When the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position, the transaxle
cannot be shifted from P.
•To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 11 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-43
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture.
Vehicles with Instant Mobility System
(IMS) emergency flat tire repair kit
If an emergency tire repair is needed,
repair the punctured tire with the
emergency flat tire repair kit (page 7-5).
Vehicles with optional temporary spare
tire
If you have bought the optional temporary
spare tire, replace the punctured tire with
the temporary spare tire . Refer to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Security Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every
2 seconds when the ignition switch is
turned from the ON to the ACC position
and the immobilizer system is armed.
The light stops flashing when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position with
the correct ignition key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is
disarmed and the light illuminates for
about 3 seconds and then goes out.
If the engine doesn’t start with the correct
ignition key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Headlight High-Beam Indicator
Light
This light indicates one of two things:
•The high-beam headlights are on.
•The turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position. When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the
tire pressure sensors may be damaged.
Do not use non-genuine tire sealant. It
may damage the tire pressure sensor.
NOTE
A tire pressure sensor is not installed
to the temporary spare tire. The
warning light will flash continuously
while the temporary spare tire is being
used.
CAUTION
CAUTION
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5-47
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Seat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep will sound for about
6 seconds.

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.

Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep will
sound when the driver’s door is opened.

Engine Overrev Warning Beep
The beep sounds to indicate engine
overrev when the tachometer needle
enters the striped zone (page 5-31).

Tire Inflation Pressure Warning
Beep*
The warning beep sounds for about 3
seconds when there is any abnormality in
tire inflation pressures.
(page 5-24)
Beeps
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 47 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-48
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Switches and Controls

Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the headlight
switch on the end of the control lever.
Xenon fusion headlight bulbs*
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights
have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a
bright white beam over a wide area.

Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep will
sound when the driver’s door is opened.

Headlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beam.
Pull it back for low.
Lighting Control
Switch Position OFF
Headlights Off Off On
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lightsOff On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery,
don’t leave the lights on while the
engine is off.
Xenon Fusion Bulb Replacement:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs by
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Do not replace the xenon
fusion bulbs by yourself. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer when the
replacement is necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flash, or the
brightness weakens, the bulb-life may
be depleted and a replacement is
necessary. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Low beamHigh beam
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 48 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

6-37
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Interior Equipment
When you need a sunvisor, lower it for use
in front or swing it to the side.

Va n i t y M i r r o r s
To use the vanity mirror, lower the
sunvisor.
If your vehicle is equipped with a vanity
mirror light, it will illuminate when you
pull the cover up.

Illuminated Entry System
When the illuminated entry system
operates, the overhead light (switch is in
the DOOR position) and the courtesy
lights turn on for:
•About 30 seconds after the driver’s
door is unlocked and the ignition key is
removed.
•About 15 seconds after all doors are
closed.
•About 15 seconds after the key is
removed from the ignition with all
doors closed.
The light also turns off when:
•The ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and all doors are closed.
•The driver’s door is locked.
Sunvisors
Sunvisor
Interior Lights
NOTE
If any door is left opened, the light
goes out after about 5 minutes.
The light turns on again when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, or when any door is opened
after all doors have been closed.
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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
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6-47
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
To open, squeeze the latch and pull the lid
down.
When closing the storage box, put the
storage box back in its original position
until you hear a click sound.
Insert the master key and turn it clockwise
to lock, counterclockwise to unlock.Loading long objects with storage box
removed
The storage box can be removed for
convenient loading of long objects such as
skis placed through the trunk.
NOTE
When using the storage box to store
heavy accessories, remove the storage
box before placing or removing the
accessories.
Lock Unlock
Loading Long Objects Through
Removed Storage Box Area:
Sudden braking or maneuvering
while long objects are loaded through
the removed storage box area and into
the trunk is dangerous. Operation of
the shift/selector lever could be
obstructed resulting in a serious
accident. Secure long objects in the
trunk so that they cannot be thrown
forward in the cabin and avoid
sudden braking or maneuvering.
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 47 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM