2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 open hood

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.
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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
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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.
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3-24
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

How to Arm the System
1. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
2. Close the hood and the trunk lid. Then
close and lock all doors from the
outside using the key. If you have the
keyless entry system, press the LOCK
button on the transmitter. The hazard
warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.
The following method will also arm the
theft-deterrent system:
Close the hood and the trunk lid. Press
the area on the door-lock switch
marked "LOCK" once. Close all doors.

To Tu r n o f f a n A r m e d S y s t e m
An armed system can be turned off by any
one of the following methods:
•Unlock a door with the key.
•Press the UNLOCK button on the
keyless entry system transmitter.
•Insert the key into the ignition switch
and turn it to the ON position.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice
to indicate that the system is turned off.

To Stop an Alarm
A triggered alarm can be turned off by any
one of the following methods:
•Unlock a door or the trunk lid with the
key.
•Press the UNLOCK button or
button on the keyless entry system
transmitter.

Theft-Deterrent Labels
Labels indicating that your vehicle is
equipped with a Theft-Deterrent System
are in the glove box.
Mazda recommends that you affix them to
the lower rear corner of the front door
windows.
NOTE
Locking the doors with the inside
door-lock knob will not arm the
system.
NOTE
The trunk lid can be opened with the
key or the transmitter even when the
system is armed. The alarm will not
come on and the system will remain
armed.
NOTE
If you have any problem with the theft-
deterrent system, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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6-2
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Climate Control System

Operating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.

Clearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in
the cowling grille to improve the system
efficiency.

Foggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the air
conditioner to dehumidify the air.

Outside/Recirculated Air
Position
Use the outside air position in normal
conditions. The recirculated air position
can be used temporarily when driving on
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the
interior.

Parking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.

Not Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner at least once a
month to keep internal parts lubricated.

Check the Refrigerant before the
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Replacement of the Cabin Air
Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary
to change the filter periodically as
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.
Operating Tips
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7-18
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don’t go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
6. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it’s low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
If you find a leak or other damage,
or if coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-12).
Overheating
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
WARNING
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
Coolant reservoir
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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