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
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Always check the Owner’s Manual for more operating information and safety features
Instrument
Cluster
Instrument
Cluster
Quick Tips 2004 Mazda Mazda RX-8 page 6
page 7
H C
F
EHP
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• Power steering
malfunction
Dealer inspection required
if light remains on
• Air bag readiness
Front, side and curtain air bag
malfunction; warning light
constantly flashes or stays on
or never comes on with ignition
on, dealer inspection required
• Door ajar
• Always fasten
safety belts
• Low washer fluid level*
• Engine coolant level
• Headlight auto
leveling malfunction
9. Engine oil pressure gauge,
Indicates normal engine oil
pressure when needle is
halfway between L and H
with engine running
10. Manual mode gear
indicator (A/T only)*
Displays current gear of Sport AT
during manual shift mode
• Lights on
Traction Control
System (TCS)*/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)*,
see Getting Started
• Traction Control
System* off,
System turned off manually
• Cruise control main
power on, see Driver Controls
• Brake system
Parking brake on/low fluid level
• Check engine
Dealer inspection required
• Immobilizer system,
see Locks
Engine oil level
warning light,
see Getting Started
CRUISE
MAIN
DSC
6. Speedometer
7. Odometer/trip odometer
selector
Press to select among trip A,
trip B, and odometer
Press and hold to reset
selected trip meter
8. Odometer/trip odometer
WARNING LIGHTS
• Low fuel
• Turn signals/hazard
warning on
• Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)*
ABS malfunction, normal brakes
only, dealer inspection required
• Cruise set,
see Driver Controls
• Automatic transaxle
indicator
Dealer inspection required
if light remains on
• High beams on
• Charging system
warning light
Dealer inspection required
Tire pressure
monitoring system,
see Getting Started
GAUGES
1. Fuel gauge
2. Engine coolant
temperature gauge
If above normal range, stop
vehicle and turn off engine,
check coolant level when safe
3. Speed unit selector
Select km/h or mph
4. Tachometer
5. Engine over-rev
warning buzzer
The rotary engine design
allows RPM ranges of up to
7000 RPM (A/T) and 9000
RPM (M/T), if you exceed a
given RPM, a warning buzzer
will remind you to up-shift
to the next higher gear
Always obey all local speed
limits and traffic signs
*Denotes optional equipment
