2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 cruise control

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

5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).

Cruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.

Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.

Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON/OFF
switch.
The cruise main indicator light illuminates.
To deactivate the system, press the switch
again.
The cruise main indicator light turns off.
Cruise Control
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
•Hilly terrain
•Steep inclines
•Heavy or unsteady traffic
•Slippery or winding roads
•Similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don’t use cruise control in these
situations.
WARNING
Cruise Main Switch:
Leaving the ON/OFF switch on when
not using the cruise control is
dangerous as it may be switched on
accidentally. This could result in loss
of vehicle control. Keep the ON/OFF
switch off when cruise control is not
in use.
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 17 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

To Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 30 km/h (19 mph).
3. Press the SET/COAST button and
release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
Don’t continue to hold in the button.
Until you release it, speed will
continue to drop (unless you continue
to accelerate) and you’ll miss the
desired speed.

To Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
•Press the RES/ACCEL button and hold
it. Your vehicle will accelerate.
Release the button at the speed you
want.
Your vehicle has a tap-up feature that
allows you to increase your current
speed in increments of 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) by a momentary tap of the
RES/ACCEL button. Multiple taps will
increase your vehicle speed 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) for each tap.
•Accelerate to the desired speed.
Press the SET/COAST button and
release it immediately.
NOTE
•The SET function can’t be activated
until about 2 seconds after the ON/
OFF switch has been engaged.
•On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 18 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

To Decrease Cruising Speed
Press the SET/COAST button and hold it.
The vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the button at the speed you want.
Your vehicle has a tap-down feature that
allows you to decrease your current speed
in decrements of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the SET/COAST
button. Multiple taps will decrease your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.

To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 30 km/h (19 mph)
If some other method besides the ON/
OFF switch was used to cancel cruising
speed and the system is still activated, the
most recent set speed will automatically
resume when the RES/ACCEL button is
pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 30 km/h
(19 mph), increase the vehicle speed up
to 30 km/h (19 mph) and press the RES/
ACCEL button.
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up
temporarily when the cruise control is
on. Greater speed will not interfere
with it or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 19 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
•Press the ON/OFF switch.
•Slightly depress the brake pedal.
•Depress the clutch pedal. (Manual
transmission only)
•Press the CANCEL button.
The system is off when the ignition is off.The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by regulating
engine torque and breaking. When the
TCS detects driving wheel slippage, it
lowers engine torque and operates the
brakes to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about
15 km/h (9 mph) below the preset
speed or below 30 km/h (19 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)*
TCS and Unsafe Driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident. So don’t rely on the traction
control system as a substitute for safe
driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident. Use snow
tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and snow.
WARNING
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 20 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-45
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Cruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.

Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.

Light-On Indicator Light
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights are on.

Power Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If this light illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction of the power
steering system. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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 45 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

11-2
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Index
A
Accessory Socket ............................. 6-48
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories
...................................... 9-12
Air Bag Systems
.............................. 2-27
Air Filter
.......................................... 8-18
Ambient Temperature Display
........ 6-41
Antenna
............................................ 6-10
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
........ 5-7
Warning light
.............................. 5-7
Appearance Care
.............................. 8-39
Ashtray
............................................. 6-43
Audio System
................................... 6-10
Audio control switch
................ 6-34
Audio set
................................... 6-17
Operating tips for audio
system
....................................... 6-10
Safety certification
.................... 6-36
Automatic Transmission
Driving tips
............................... 5-15
Fluid
.......................................... 8-15
Manual shift mode
.................... 5-11
Shift-lock system
...................... 5-11
Transmission ranges
................. 5-10
B
Battery
Emergency starting
................... 7-20
Maintenance
............................. 8-21
Specifications
........................... 10-4
Beeps
Engine overrev warning
beep
........................................... 5-47
Ignition key reminder
............... 5-47
Lights-on reminder
................... 5-47
Seat belt warning beep
.............. 5-47
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep
........................................... 5-47
B
Before Starting the Engine ................. 4-6
After getting in
............................ 4-6
Before getting in
......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication
............................. 8-18
Brake/Clutch
Fluid
.......................................... 8-14
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
....5-7
Foot brake
................................... 5-4
Pad wear indicator
...................... 5-8
Parking brake
.............................. 5-5
Warning light
.............................. 5-5
Break-In Period
.................................. 4-7
Bulb Replacement
............................ 8-27
C
Capacities ......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide
.............................. 4-5
Catalytic Converter
............................ 4-3
Cell Phones
...................................... 9-13
Center Console
................................. 6-46
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions
........ 2-17
Installing child-restraint
systems
...................................... 2-20
LATCH child-restraint
systems
...................................... 2-25
Cigarette Lighter
.............................. 6-42
Climate Control System
.....................6-2
Gas specifications
..................... 10-6
Clock
................................................ 6-41
Coin Box
.......................................... 6-45
Courtesy Lights
................................ 6-39
Cruise Control
.................................. 5-17
Cup Holder
....................................... 6-44
Customer Assistance
.......................... 9-2
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 2 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

11-4
Index
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................. 5-55
Hazardous Driving
............................. 4-8
Headlight Washer
............................ 5-53
Headlights
Control
...................................... 5-48
Flashing
.................................... 5-49
High-low beam
......................... 5-48
Leveling
.................................... 5-49
On reminder
.............................. 5-48
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
.............................................. 5-55
Hood Release
................................... 3-18
Horn
................................................. 5-54
I
Ignition
Keys
............................................ 3-2
Switch
......................................... 5-2
Illuminated Entry System
................ 6-37
Immobilizer System
......................... 3-21
Indicator Lights
................................ 5-35
Cruise Main
.............................. 5-45
Cruise set
.................................. 5-45
DSC OFF
.................................. 5-44
Headlight auto-leveling
malfunction
............................... 5-46
Headlight high-beam
................ 5-43
Power steering malfunction
...... 5-45
Security
..................................... 5-43
Shift position
............................ 5-44
TCS/DSC
.................................. 5-44
Turn-signal/hazard warning
...... 5-46
Information Display
......................... 6-40
Ambient temperature display
... 6-41
Audio display
............................ 6-42
Climate control display
............. 6-42
Clock
......................................... 6-41
I
Information display
functions
.................................... 6-40
Instrument Cluster
............................ 5-29
Interior Care
..................................... 8-44
Interior Lights
.................................. 6-37
J
Jump-Starting ................................... 7-20
K
Keyless Entry System ........................ 3-3
Keys
................................................... 3-2
L
Label Information ............................ 10-2
Lane-Change Signals
....................... 5-50
Light Bulbs
Replacement
.............................. 8-27
Specifications
............................ 10-6
Lighter
.............................................. 6-42
Lighting Control
............................... 5-48
Lubricant Quality
............................. 10-5
M
Maintenance
Introduction
................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance
precautions
.................................. 8-7
Owner maintenance schedule
..... 8-6
Scheduled
.................................... 8-3
Manual Transmission Operation
........ 5-8
Recommendations for shifting
....5-9
Map Lights
....................................... 6-39
Meters and Gauges
........................... 5-29
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 4 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM