2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 overheating

4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
•Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
•Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
•If your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don’t hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don’t pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
•If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the rear
wheels.
•For more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels.If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Hazardous Driving
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear
wheels.
WARNING
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don’t spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and
don’t allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 8 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-15
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Shifting specification
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted down to a lower gear.
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:Recommendations for shiftingUpshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade
, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steep downgrade
, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.

Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission
will shift to a lower gear, depending on
vehicle speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1→
M2You can shift up to M2
whether the vehicle is
stopped or moving.
M2→
M3 20 km/h (12 mph)
M3→
M4 20 km/h (12 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 163 km/h (101 mph)
M3→
M2 112 km/h (70 mph)
M2→
M1 45 km/h (28 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 31 km/h (19 mph)
M3 or M2→
M1 8 km/h (5 mph)
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven at a low speed
from a standing start while in M2, the
gear may not shift down to M1
automatically.
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 149 km/h (93 mph)
M4→
M2 56 km/h (35 mph)
M3→
M2 56 km/h (35 mph)
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 15 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating. Don’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
NOTE
•The beep sounds to indicate engine
overrev when the tachometer needle
enters the striped zone.
•To protect the engine, when the
engine coolant temperature is low,
the engine does not run at high
speeds. The fuel supply will be cut
at an rpm lower than the red zone.
Red zone Striped zone
Manual transmission
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-18).
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 32 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-51
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.

Windshield Wipers
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
INT
— Intermittent
1
— Normal
2
— Fast
Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to INT and choose the
interval timing by rotating the ring.
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid in
freezing temperatures is dangerous.
The washer fluid could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision.
You could have an accident. Don’t use
the washer without first warming the
windshield.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,
overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper
switch and park off the right-of-way,
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and
the blades should operate normally. If
they don’t resume functioning, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon
as possible.
WARNING
OFF
INT
1
2
OFF
INT
INT ring
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 51 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

5-58
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
7. Firmly press and release the "learn" or
"smart" button. (The name and color of
the button may vary by manufacturer.)
8. Return to the vehicle and firmly press,
hold for two seconds and release
the
programmed HomeLink button. Repeat
the "press/hold/release"
sequence a
second time, and, depending on the
brand of the garage door opener (or
other rolling code equipped device),
repeat this sequence a third time to
complete the programming process.
HomeLink should now activate your
rolling code equipped device.
For questions or comments, please contact
HomeLink at www.homelink.com or 1-
800-355-3515.
Gate operator/Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to "time-out"(or quit)
after several seconds of transmission -
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian
law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed to "time-out" in the same
manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
by using the "Programming" procedures
(regardless of where you live), replace
"Programming HomeLink" step 3
with
the following:
3. Continue to press and hold the
HomeLink button while you press and
release - every two seconds
("cycle")
your hand-held transmitter until the
frequency signal has successfully been
accepted by HomeLink. (The indicator
light will flash slowly and then
rapidly.)
Proceed with "Programming" step 4 to
complete.
NOTE
There are 30 seconds in which to
initiate step 8.
NOTE
To program the remaining two
HomeLink buttons, begin with
"Programming" - step 2. Do not
repeat step 1.
NOTE
If programming a garage door opener
or gate operator, it is advised to unplug
the device during the "cycling" process
to prevent possible overheating.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 58 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

6-8
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Ventilation
1. Press the mode selector switch to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.

Windshield Defrosting and
Defogging
1. Press the windshield defroster switch.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed. When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-32).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off.
NOTE
•When maximum cooling is desired,
set the temperature control dial to
the extreme cold position and set
the air intake selector to the
position, then set the fan control dial
to position 4.
•If warmer air is desired at floor
level, set the mode selector switch
at the position and adjust the
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
•The air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
CAUTION
Foggy Windshield:
Using the position with the
temperature control set to the cold
position will cause the outside of the
glass to fog up. Your vision will be
hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident. Set the temperature
control to the hot or warm position
when using the position.
NOTE
•For maximum defrosting, set the
temperature control dial to the
extreme hot position and the fan
control dial to position 4.
•If warm air is desired at the floor,
set the mode selector switch to the
position.
•In the or position, air
conditioning is automatically turned
on to defrost the windshield quickly
(however, the indicator light does
not illuminate) and the
position is automatically selected.
The air intake selector switch
cannot be changed to the
position.
WARNING
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 8 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

6-43
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
To use, open the cover.
To remove, open the cover and pull up the
ashtray. •Don’t touch the metal part of the
lighter, you may burn yourself.
•Don’t hold the lighter in because it
will overheat.
•Don’t use the lighter socket for
plug-in accessories such as shavers
and coffee pots. They may damage
it or cause electrical failure. Use
only a genuine Mazda lighter or the
equivalent.
•If the lighter doesn’t pop out within
30 seconds, remove it to prevent
overheating.
CAUTIONAshtray
Don’t use the ashtray for trash. You
might start a fire.
CAUTION
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 43 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

7-1
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency
............................................................. 7-2
Parking in an Emergency ........................................................... 7-2
Flat Tire
.......................................................................................... 7-3
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ...................................................... 7-3
Instant Mobility System (IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit
............................................................................................. 7-5
Changing the Tire .................................................................... 7-13
Overheating
................................................................................. 7-18
Overheating ............................................................................. 7-18
Emergency Starting
.................................................................... 7-20
Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-20
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-20
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-22
Emergency Towing
...................................................................... 7-23
Towing Description ................................................................. 7-23
Tiedown Hooks ........................................................................ 7-24
Recreational Towing ................................................................ 7-26
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 1 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM