2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 washer fluid

4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
•Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
•Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
•If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.•Are all doors closed and locked?
•Is the seat adjusted properly?
•Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•Do all the lights work?
•Check all gauges.
•Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
•Release the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
•Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
•Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•Use only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-9).
•Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
•Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-17).
•Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2,
4.3 psi) more than recommended on the
tire pressure label (driver’s door), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter
months.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tires with steel wire reinforcement in
the sidewalls (page 5-26).
WARNING
CAUTION
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5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-41
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-41
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-41
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-41
Automatic Transmission Warning Light 5-42
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-42
Security Indicator Light 5-43
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-43
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-44
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-44
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-44
Cruise Main Indicator Light 5-45
Cruise Set Indicator Light 5-45
Light-On Indicator Light 5-45
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-45
Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light 5-46
Turn-Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-46
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5-41
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Low Fuel Warning Light
This warning light in the fuel gauge
signals that the fuel tank will soon be
empty.
Refuel as soon as possible.

Seat Belt Warning Light
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the seat belt warning light
will remain on until the belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate correctly,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Door-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any
door isn’t securely closed.

Low Washer Fluid Level
Wa r n i n g L i g h t *
This warning light reveals that little
windshield washer fluid remains. Add
fluid (page 8-17).
Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform all servicing and repairs.
WARNING
Low fuel warning light
*Some models.
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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
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5-52
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
One-touch wipers
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to MIST.

Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
If the washer doesn’t work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-17). If it’s OK, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT
position, the wipers will operate
continuously until the lever is released.
OFF MIST
NOTE
(With headlight washers)
When the headlights are on, the
headlight washers operate
automatically once every fifth time the
windshield washer operates.
Refer to Headlight Washer (page 5-53).
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8-1
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction
................................................................................... 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance
................................................................ 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance ............................................................. 8-3
Owner Maintenance
...................................................................... 8-6
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................... 8-6
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................... 8-7
Engine Compartment Overview ................................................ 8-8
Engine Oil .................................................................................. 8-9
Engine Coolant ........................................................................ 8-12
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-14
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ...................................... 8-15
Washer Fluid ............................................................................ 8-17
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-18
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-18
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-19
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-21
Tires ......................................................................................... 8-23
Light Bulbs .............................................................................. 8-27
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-33
Appearance Care
......................................................................... 8-39
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage ..................... 8-39
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-41
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-44
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8-6
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Owner Maintenance
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.

When Refueling
•Brake and clutch fluid level (page 8-14)
•Engine coolant level (page 8-12)
•Engine oil level (page 8-10)
•Washer fluid level (page 8-17)

At Least Monthly
•Tire inflation pressures (page 8-23)

At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
•Automatic transmission fluid level (page 8-15)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
•Air filter (page 8-18)
•Engine coolant (page 8-12)
•Engine oil (page 8-10)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 6 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM