2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 steering wheel

5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

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. •The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
Use tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
Use tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
Do not mix worn tires.
•The DSC may not operate correctly
when using tire chains or the
temporary spare tire.
•If repair or replacement of the
steering or other surrounding
equipment is necessary, have it done
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. If
the center position of the steering
deviates, the DSC may not operate
correctly because there is a sensor
in the steering which detects driving
conditions.
CAUTION
NOTE
If the battery is disconnected, the DSC
will be inoperable. In this case, the DSC
OFF indicator light flashes and the
TCS/DSC indicator light illuminates.
To make the DSC operable, do the
following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully,
then turn it counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the DSC OFF indicator
goes off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position, then turn it to the ON
position again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator
light goes off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the
DSC OFF indicator light remain
illuminated even after turning the
ignition switch to the ON position,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 22 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-54
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
To sound the horn, press around the
mark of the steering wheel.
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the
defroster.
Horn
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 54 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-9
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
10. Hold the bottom of the bottle upright,
squeeze the bottle with your hands,
and inject the entire amount of tire
sealant into the tire.
11. Pull out the injection hose from the
valve. Reinsert the valve core into the
valve and turn it clockwise to install
it.
12. Attach the sticker that indicates
completion of the tire repair on a flat
outer surface of the repaired tire.13. Attach the vehicle speed restriction
sticker in a place where the driver can
easily see it.
NOTE
The tire sealant cannot be reused.
Purchase new tire sealant at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Valve
Repaired tire sticker
NOTE
Do not throw away the empty tire
sealant bottle as the sealant in the
bottle can be replenished when
replacing the tire. Take the bottle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Attaching Sticker to the Steering
Wheel Pad:
Attaching the vehicle speed restriction
sticker to the steering wheel pad is
dangerous. The sticker could interfere
with air bag inflation and cause
serious injury. Also, do not attach the
sticker to the meter panel, as it would
obstruct vision of areas such as
warning light indicators or the
speedometer.
Speed restriction sticker
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 9 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires
every 12,000 km (7,500 miles) or sooner
if irregular wear develops. During
rotation, inspect them for correct balance.
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:
•Incorrect tire pressure
•Improper wheel alignment
•Out-of-balance wheel
•Severe braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 10-7) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.

Replacing a Tire
NOTE
Because your vehicle is not equipped
with a spare tire, you cannot do a tire
rotation safely with the jack that comes
with your vehicle. Have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer perform tire rotation.
Front
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern or studs only from front to rear,
not from side to side. Tire performance
will be weakened if rotated from side
to side.
Limited-Slip Differential system;
don’t use the following:
•Tires not of the designated size
•Tires of different sizes or types at
the same time
•Tires not sufficiently inflated
If these instructions aren’t followed,
the rotation of the left and right wheels
will be different and will thus apply a
constant load on the limited-slip
differential.
This will cause a malfunction.
Worn Tires:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
Always use tires that are in good
condition.
CAUTION
CAUTION
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 24 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Your Mazda’s headlights and fog lights
have replaceable halogen bulbs.
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
1. Make sure the ignition switch is turned
off and the headlight switch is off.
2. Lift the hood and find the high and low
beam bulbs in the rear of the headlight
unit.
The outboard bulb is the LOW beam,
and the inboard one is the HIGH
beam.(page 8-27)
3. If you are changing the right headlight
bulb, start the engine, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the right, and turn
off engine. If you are changing the left
headlight bulb, turn the steering wheel
to the left.
4. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and partially peel back the
mudguard.
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.
Handling Halogen Bulbs:
When a halogen bulb breaks, it is
dangerous. These bulbs contain
pressurized gas. If one is broken, it
will explode and serious injuries
could be caused by the flying glass.
If the glass portion is touched with
bare hands, body oil could cause the
bulb to overheat and explode when lit.
Never touch the glass portion of the
bulb with your bare hands and always
wear eye protection when handling or
working around halogen bulbs.
Children and Halogen Bulbs:
Playing with a halogen bulb is
dangerous. Serious injuries could be
caused by dropping a halogen bulb or
breaking it some other way.
Always keep halogen bulbs out of the
reach of children.
WARNING
Removal
Installation
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 28 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
5. Carefully remove the headlight bulb
from the socket by pulling it straight
back.
6. Replace the bulb.
7. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.

Replacing a Fog Light Bulb*
Due to the complexity and difficulty of
the procedure, the bulbs should be
replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Replacing a Bulb (Front)
1. If you are changing the right bulb, start
the engine, turn the steering wheel all
the way to the right, and turn off
engine. If you are changing the left
bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
2. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and partially peel back the
mudguard.Front turn signal lights, Parking lights,
Front side-marker lights
1. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
2. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
NOTE
Use the protective cover and carton of
the replacement bulb to dispose of the
old bulb promptly out of the reach of
children.
Removal
Installation
Front turn signal
lights
Parking lights
Socket
Socket
Front side-marker lightsSocket
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 30 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

11-5
Index
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
M
Mirrors
Outside mirrors
......................... 3-25
Rearview mirror
........................ 3-26
Money-Saving Suggestions
............... 4-7
O
Odometer and Trip Meter ................ 5-30
Outside Mirrors
................................ 3-25
Overhead Console
............................ 6-45
Overhead Lights
............................... 6-38
Overheating
...................................... 7-18
Overloading
...................................... 4-11
P
Paint Damage ................................... 8-39
Parking Brake
..................................... 5-5
Parking in an Emergency
................... 7-2
Power Door Locks
............................. 3-8
Power Steering
................................. 5-16
Power steering malfunction
indicator light
............................ 5-16
Power Windows
............................... 3-14
Push-Starting
.................................... 7-22
R
Rear Quarter Windows .................... 3-16
Rear Seat
............................................ 2-7
Rear Window Defroster
................... 5-53
Rearview Mirror
............................... 3-26
Recreational Towing
........................ 7-26
Registering Your Vehicle in
A Foreign Country
........................... 9-11
Rocking the Vehicle
........................... 4-8
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................9-17
Seat Belt System
3-point type
...............................2-11
Automatic locking
.....................2-10
Emergency locking
...................2-10
Extender
....................................2-14
Pregnant women
........................2-10
Pretensioner and load
limiting
......................................2-12
Seat belt precautions
...................2-8
Warning beep
............................2-16
Warning light
............................2-15
Seats
Front seat
.....................................2-2
Rear seat
......................................2-7
Security System
Immobilizer system
...................3-21
Theft-deterrent system
..............3-23
Service Publications
.........................9-18
Spare Tire and Tool Storage
...............7-3
Specifications
...................................10-4
Speed Unit Selector
..........................5-30
Speedometer
.....................................5-30
SRS Air Bags
Air bag system description
........2-32
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions
................................2-27
Warning light
............................2-38
Starting the Engine
.............................5-3
Steering Wheel
.................................3-25
Horn
..........................................5-54
Storage Box
......................................6-46
Storage Compartments
.....................6-45
Center console
...........................6-46
Coin box
....................................6-45
Glove box
..................................6-45
Overhead console
......................6-45
Storage box
...............................6-46
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 5 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM