2005 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (81,1)
Steering Wheel
WARNING
Adjusting the Steering Wheel:
Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident. Never adjust the
steering wheel while the vehicle is
moving.
qTilt Steering Wheel
To change the angle of the steering wheel,
stop the vehicle, pull the tilt wheel release
lever under the steering column down,
adjust the wheel, then push the release
lever up to lock the column.
Tilt wheel release
lever
After adjusting, push the wheel up and
down to be certain it's locked before
driving.
Mirrors
qOutside Mirrors
Check the mirrors' angles before driving.
WARNING
Convex Mirror (Passenger Side):
Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears. Be
sure to look over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Power control mirror
The ignition switch must be in the ACC
or ON position.
To adjust:
1. Press the left or right side of the
selector switch to choose the left or
right side mirror.
2. Depress the mirror switch in the
appropriate direction.
Selector switch
Mirror switchOutside mirror
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
3-29
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page81
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (82,1)
After adjusting the mirror, lock the control
by placing the selector switch in the
middle position.
Folding the mirror
Fold the outside mirror rearward until it is
locked.
WARNING
Driving with Mirrors Folded In:
Driving with the outside mirrors
folded in is dangerous. Your rear view
will be restricted, and you could have
an accident. Always return the outside
mirrors to the driving position before
you start driving.
Mirror defrosterí
If your vehicle has mirror defrosters, turn
them on by turning the ignition switch to
the ON position and pushing the rear
window defroster switch (page 5-54).
qRearview Mirror
WARNING
Blocked View:
Cargo stacked higher than the
seatbacks is dangerous. It can block
your view in the rearview mirror,
which might cause you to hit another
car when changing lanes. Don't stack
things higher than the seatbacks.
Rearview mirror adjustment
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to center on the scene through the rear
window.
NOTE
For the manual day/night mirror,
perform the adjustment with the day/
night lever in the day position.
Reducing glare from headlights
Manual day/night mirror
Push the day/night lever forward for day
driving. Pull it back to reduce glare of
headlights from cars at the rear.
Night DayDay/Night lever
3-30
Knowing Your Mazda
íSome models.
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page82
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (83,1)
Auto-dimming mirror
The auto-dimming mirror automatically
reduces glare of headlights from cars at
the rear when the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
Press the OFF button (
) to cancel the
automatic dimming function. The
indicator light will go off.
To reactivate the automatic dimming
function, press the ON button (
). The
indicator light will illuminate.
Indicator lightOFF button
ON button
NOTE
lDo not use glass cleaner or suspend
objects on or around the light sensor.
Otherwise, light sensor sensitivity
will be affected and may not operate
normally.
Light sensor
Light sensor
lFor information regarding the 3
buttons (
,,) on the auto-
dimming mirror, refer to HomeLink
Wireless Control System (page
5-56).
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
3-31
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page83
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (84,1)
3-32
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page84
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (85,1)
4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ........................................ 4-2
Fuel Requirements .................................................................... 4-2
Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-3
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-5
Before Starting the Engine ........................................................... 4-6
Before Getting In ...................................................................... 4-6
After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-6
Driving Tips ................................................................................... 4-7
Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-7
Money-Saving Suggestions ...................................................... 4-7
Hazardous Driving .................................................................... 4-8
Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-8
Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-9
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-11
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-11
Towing ......................................................................................... 4-12
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-12
4-1
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page85
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (86,1)
Fuel Requirements
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
Fuel Octane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel 91 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
You may use a regular unleaded fuel with an Octane Rating from 87 to 90 (91 to 95 RON)
but this will slightly reduce performance.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
CAUTION
lUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter or the oxygen sensor. The lead will
accumulate on the oxygen sensor and the catalyst inside the converter. This will result
in a malfunction of the emission control system, causing poor performance.
lYour vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10% ethanol by
volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any
kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.
lNever add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those specified
by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name“Gasohol”.
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not
be covered by the Mazda warranty.
lGasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.
lGasoline or gasohol containing methanol.
lLeaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
4-2
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page86
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (87,1)
Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Parking Over Flammable Objects:
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system could ignite it because the exhaust system
gets very hot during normal use. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
Never park over or near anything flammable.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst inside
the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will damage the
converter and cause poor performance.
lUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
lDon't drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
lDon't coast with the ignition switch turned off.
lDon't descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.
lDon't operate the engine at high idle for more than 5 minutes.
lDon't tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments must
be made by a qualified technician.
lDon't try to push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control
system before the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some
states, such modification made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
4-3
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page87
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (88,1)
NOTE
After driving some distance and turning off the engine, the sound of a valve opening and
closing can be heard from inside and outside of the cabin interior, however this does not
indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-checking device and it operates after
turning off the engine.
4-4
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page88
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G