2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 hood release

1-2
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Dashboard Overview
Climate control system
Glove box
Shift lever Parking brakeAudio system
Passenger-side air bag Hazard warning flasher switch Wiper and washer lever
Ashtray/Lighter Information display
Fog lights switch*
Power window lock switch Lighting control/Turn signals Instrument cluster
Power window switches Driver-side air bag
Ignition switch Hood release handle
Audio control switchCup holder
Steering column release lever
(page 5-51)
(page 2-27)
(page 5-29)
(page 5-48)
(page 5-50)
(page 3-15)
(page 3-14)
(page 3-18)
(page 6-34)
(page 3-25)(page 6-40)
(page 5-5)
(page 5-8)/(page 5-10)
(page 6-43)/(page 6-42)(page 6-44)
(page 5-2) (page 5-55)
(page 6-10)
(page 6-2)
(page 2-27)
(page 6-45)
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 2 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

3-1
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
3Knowing Your Mazda
Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment
of various parts.
Doors and Locks
............................................................................ 3-2
Keys ........................................................................................... 3-2
Keyless Entry System ................................................................ 3-3
Door Locks ................................................................................ 3-7
Trunk Lid ................................................................................. 3-11
Trunk Release Slide Lever ....................................................... 3-13
Power Windows ....................................................................... 3-14
Rear Quarter Windows ............................................................ 3-16
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap ........................................................... 3-16
Hood ........................................................................................ 3-18
Sunroof* .................................................................................. 3-19
Security System
........................................................................... 3-21
Immobilizer System ................................................................ 3-21
Theft-Deterrent System* ......................................................... 3-23
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
...................................................... 3-25
Steering Wheel ........................................................................ 3-25
Mirrors ..................................................................................... 3-25
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 1 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

3-18
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Opening the Hood
1. With the vehicle parked, pull the
release handle to unlock the hood.2. Slide the hood latch to the right and lift
the hood.
3. Use the support rod to hold the hood
open.

Closing the Hood
1. Check under the hood area to make
certain all filler caps are in place and
all loose items (e.g. tools, oil
containers, etc.) have been removed.
2. Secure the rod in its clip, while holding
up the hood.
3. Close the hood so that it locks securely.
Hood
Closed and Securely Locked Hood:
A hood that is not closed and securely
locked is dangerous as it could fly
open while the vehicle is moving and
block the driver’s vision which could
result in a serious accident. Always
check that the hood is closed and
securely locked.
WARNING
Release handle
Clip
Support rod
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 18 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

3-23
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Modification and Add-On
Equipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the system’s
operation if the system has been modified
or if any add-on equipment has been
installed to it.The optional theft-deterrent system is
designed to prevent your vehicle or its
contents from being stolen when all the
doors, hood, and trunk lid are locked.
If forcible entry is attempted, the system
sounds the horn and flashes the hazard
warning lights.
The system won’t function unless it’s
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, lock all the doors, close all the
windows, take your key, your transmitter.

Operation
What turns it on:
•Forcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid.
•Opening a door, the hood or the trunk
lid by operating an inside door-lock
knob, the hood release handle or the
trunk lid release button.
What it does:
•The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash.
•The alarm continues for about 3 minutes,
then stops.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until a door is
unlocked or the trunk lid is opened with
the key or with the transmitter.
NOTE
•The keys carry a unique electronic
code. For this reason, and to assure
your safety, replacement keys
require some waiting time to obtain.
They are only available through an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
•Always keep a replacement key, in
case one is lost. If a key is lost,
contact an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
•If you lose a key, an Authorized
Mazda Dealer will reset the
electronic codes of your remaining
keys and immobilizer system.
Starting the vehicle with a key that
has not been reset is not possible.
To avoid damage to your vehicle, do
not modify the system or install any
add-on equipment to it.
CAUTION
Theft-Deterrent System*
NOTE
The theft-deterrent system operates
with the key or the keyless entry
system transmitter.
*Some models.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 23 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the engine hood’s secondary
latch keeps the hood from opening when
the primary latch is released.This air filter may be cleaned with
compressed air and reused, or replaced,
depending on its condition. Unless it is
very dirty, simply shake it to remove
foreign particles. Each time you inspect it,
wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a
damp cloth.

Replacing the Air Filter
1. Make sure the ignition switch is turned
off.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector.
Body LubricationAir Filter
Don’t drive without an air filter. This
could result in excessive engine wear.
NOTE
If the vehicle is operated in very dusty
or sandy areas, replace the filter more
often than recommended intervals.
CAUTION
Electrical
connector
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 18 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

11-3
Index
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
D
Dashboard Illumination ................... 5-34
Daytime Running Lights
.................. 5-49
Defroster
Rear window
............................. 5-53
Dimensions
...................................... 10-5
Door Locks
......................................... 3-7
Driving In Flooded Area
.................. 4-10
Driving Tips
....................................... 4-7
Automatic transmission
............ 5-15
Break-in period
........................... 4-7
Driving in flooded area
............. 4-10
Hazardous driving
....................... 4-8
Money-saving suggestions
.......... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle
.................... 4-8
Winter driving
............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
.... 5-21
DSC OFF indicator light
........... 5-22
DSC OFF switch
....................... 5-23
TCS/DSC Indicator light
.......... 5-22
E
Emergency Starting .......................... 7-20
Flooded engine
.......................... 7-20
Jump-starting
............................ 7-20
Push-starting
............................. 7-22
Emergency Towing
.......................... 7-23
Emission Control System
................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant
...................................... 8-12
Exhaust gas
................................. 4-5
Hood release
............................. 3-18
Oil
............................................... 8-9
Overheating
............................... 7-18
Starting
........................................ 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview
........ 8-8
Engine Coolant
Overheating
............................... 7-18
E
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
...............................................5-32
Exhaust Gas
........................................4-5
Exterior Care
....................................8-41
F
Flasher
Hazard warning
.........................5-55
Headlights
.................................5-48
Flat Tire
..............................................7-3
Changing
...................................7-13
Instant Mobility System (IMS)
Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit
................................................7-5
Spare tire and tool storage
...........7-3
Fluids
Classification
.............................10-5
Owner maintenance
.....................8-6
Fog Lights
........................................5-50
Foot Brake
..........................................5-4
Front seats
..........................................2-2
Fuel
Filler lid and cap
.......................3-16
Gauge
........................................5-33
Requirements
..............................4-2
Tank capacity
............................10-5
Fuses
.................................................8-33
Panel description
.......................8-36
Replacement
..............................8-33
G
Gauges ..............................................5-29
Glove Box
........................................6-45
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 3 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