GETTING STARTED
Always check the Owner’s Manual for more operating information and safety features
Getting
Started
Getting
Started
Quick Tips 2004 Mazda Mazda RX-8 page 4
page 5
Instant Mobility System
emergency flat tire
repair kit (IMS)
Temporary spare tire is not
equipped with your Mazda, if
tire repair is required, repair tire
with emergency flat tire repair
kit, see Owner’s Manual
If a temporary spare tire is
required, consult your
Authorized Mazda Dealer
Tire pressure
monitoring system
Warning light illuminates for a
few seconds when ignition is on
If tire pressure is too high or low,
or tire temperature is too high
warning light will illuminate
Short trip driving procedure
Any trip that is too short for the
engine to reach normal operating
temperature; needle in middle
of temperature gauge indicates
normal temperature
The following procedure should
be followed when moving vehicle
a short distance**:
1. Start engine
2. Move vehicle
3. Warm engine for 5-minutes
at idle
4. Raise engine speed to 3000
RPM for 10-seconds
5. Return to idle
6. Turn off engine
Tip: Warming up engine
improves engine life
Traction Control
System (TCS)*/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)*
DSC light may occasionally flash
while driving, this indicates
that the DSC was performing a
correction to help maintain your
best vehicle control, if DSC light
remains on, see your Mazda Dealer
If DSC light remains on after
disconnecting battery or jump-
starting, you will need to perform
a Steering Angle Sensor calibration
procedure, after battery power is
restored: Ignition ON; turn steering
wheel to full left lock position;
then full right lock position; turn
ignition OFF, then ONTips: Close rear door first,
then front door; damage may
occur otherwise
To prevent alarm arming with
passenger inside vehicle, driver
must manually lock door by
pressing lock knob
RX-8 rotary engine
precautions
Check engine oil level when refueling
Rotary engine design uses an oil
injection system in addition to
lubrication of internal parts
It is important to maintain
proper oil level
Engine oil level
warning light
Indicates low engine oil if
illuminated; pull over to a safe
location; turn engine off and
check engine oil level when
engine is cool, add engine
oil if necessary
Instrument panel
lighting
With headlights on:
To brighten/dim turn thumbwheel
up/down
Maximum illumination:
Rotate thumbwheel upward
until click is heard; instrument
cluster and information display
illumination color goes from
red to white
Headlights/parking lights OFF:
Instrument panel lighting defaults
to maximum brightness
Headlights/parking lights ON:
Illumination changes brightness
with dimmer switch adjustment Rear doors
For a rear occupant to exit with
a front passenger:
1. Front occupant must release
seatbelt
2. Front occupant must open door
3. Open rear door
For a rear occupant to exit without
a front occupant:
1. Release front seat to forward
position
2. Unlock and open front door
3. Open rear door
*Denotes optional equipment
**Moving vehicle at a car wash or moving
vehicle to access another vehicle would
be considered a short distance
CLIMATE CONTROLS
Always check the Owner’s Manual for more operating information and safety features
Climate
Controls
Trunk
Quick Tips 2004 Mazda Mazda RX-8 page 18
page 19
Trunk
To open: Use key, remote
trunk-lid release or remote
keyless entry fob
Remote trunk-lid release,
see Driver’s View
Remote trunk-lid
release lock-out
Switch in ON position,
remote trunk release
functions normal; OFF position
disables system; located in glove box
1. Instant Mobility System
emergency flat tire
repair kit (IMS)
†,
see Getting Started2. Jack/jack handle
3. Lug wrench
Tire economy and tips
Check pressure regularly when
tires are cold, maintain correct
front-end alignment and tire
balance; rotate tires at the mileage
shown in the Maintenance
Guide; see Owner’s Manual
for rotation chart
Tire pressure
P225/55R16 94V,
P225/45R18 91W
Front/rear: 32psi cold
Tips: Correct tire pressure ensures
safe handling and ride comfort
If you experience pull/drift while
driving, possible causes may
be road crown, tire pressure,
or wheel alignment
The suspension is sport-tuned
with firmer ride for optimum
handling and responseTire chains*
†Tire chains can damage
aluminum wheels; use on
steel wheels only
Tips: Use only SAE class “S”
chains, install only on rear
tires; install as tightly as
possible and retighten
after driving 1/4 -1/2 miles;
chains may affect handling
Never exceed 30 mph with
tire chains
132
1. Air flow selections
= air to dash
= air to dash and floor
= air to floor
= air to floor and
windshield
2. Fan control
Rotate knob between 0 (OFF)
and 4 (HIGH)
3. Temperature control
Cooler/warmer = rotate knob
counterclockwise/clockwise
4. A/C= air conditioner
Press to turn on/off
5. Air intake control
= recirculate inside air;
use for maximum cooling
= fresh air
WARNING: Do not use
position in cold
weather, windows may
fog and hamper vision
6. Rear window defogger
Press on/off; shuts off with
ignition; also operates heated
side mirrors*
Control positions for
maximum defrost
Fan to maximum, temperature to
maximum hot, selectedTips: To help prevent windshield
fogging in humid weather,
select before starting engine
To prevent moisture buildup,
never drive with system off
Objects placed under the
front seats may interfere
with air flow to the rear
7. Front windshield
defogger
A/C switches ON and air
intake switches to fresh air
A/C01
2
3
4MODE
4231
756
*Denotes optional equipment†See Owner’s Manual
Luggage
compartment
internal safety
release
Allows you to escape
should you become locked in trunk
Slide illuminated release lever in
direction of arrow; lever will glow
if it has been exposed to light
Located on interior trunk lid
OFF ONTRUNK OPENER
