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NOTE
When the ignition switch is in the ACC
or LOCK position, the odometer or trip
meters cannot be displayed, however,
pressing the selector button can
inadvertently switch the trip meters or
reset them during an approximate ten-
minute period in the following cases:
lAfter the ignition switch is turned to
the ACC or LOCK position from the
ON position.
lAfter any door is opened.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to“0.0”by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.
NOTE
lOnly the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
lThe trip record will be erased when:
lThe power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
lThe vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
qTachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Automatic transmission
Red zone Striped zone
5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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Page 138 of 364

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WARNING
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
performs all servicing and repairs.
qLow Fuel Warning Light
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.
qSeat 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.
qDoor-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any
door isn't securely closed.
qLow Washer Fluid Level
Warning Lightí
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page
8-21).
qAutomatic Transmission Warning
Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
The light illuminates when the
transmission has a problem.
5-42
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page138
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
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CAUTION
If the automatic transmission warning
light illuminates, the transmission has
an electrical problem. Continuing to
drive your Mazda in this condition
could cause damage to your
transmission. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
qTire Pressure Monitoring System
Warning Lightí
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates
when tire pressure is too low or too high
in one or more tires, and flashes when
there is a system malfunction.
WARNING
Vehicle Handling When Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Warning Light
Illuminates/Flashes:
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, it is dangerous to
drive the vehicle at high speeds, or
perform sudden maneuvering or
braking. Vehicle drivability could
worsen and result in an accident.
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, decrease vehicle
speed immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking. Have the
system and tires checked or perform
the appropriate repair as soon as
possible.
Ignoring the Warning Light:
Ignoring the warning light is
dangerous, even if you know why it is
illuminated. Have the problem taken
care of as soon as possible before it
develops into a more serious situation
that could lead to tire failure and a
dangerous accident.
Warning light illuminates/Warning
beep sounds
When the warning light illuminates, and
the warning beep sound is heard (about 3
seconds), tire pressure is too low or too
high in one or more tires.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-43íSome models. RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page139
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Page 141 of 364

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lThe turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position.
qShift Position Indicator Light
(Automatic Transmission)
This indicates the selected shift position
when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
Gear position indicator
Gear position indicator
When the shift lever is in the D or M
position, the numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS or DSC is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qDSC OFF Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off.
If the light stays on when the TCS/DSC is
not switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The dynamic
stability control may have a malfunction.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-45íSome models. RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page141
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Page 143 of 364

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NOTE
The power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical
effort.
qHeadlight Auto-Leveling
Malfunction Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on far a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.
If the indicator light illuminates, contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qTurn-Signal/Hazard Warning
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn-signal lights, the
left or right turn-signal indicator light
flashes to indicate which turn-signal light
is operating (page 5-51).When operating the hazard warning
lights, both turn-signal indicator lights
flash (page 5-56).
NOTE
If an indicator light remains illuminated
(does not flash) or if it flashes
abnormally, the turn signal bulb may be
burned out.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-47íSome models. RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page143
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Page 144 of 364
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Beep Sounds
qSeat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
qIgnition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep sound will be heard
when the driver's door is opened.
qLights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep sound
will be heard when the driver's door is
opened.
qEngine Overrev Warning Beep
The beep sounds to indicate engine
overrev when the tachometer needle
enters the striped zone (page 5-32).
qTire Inflation Pressure Warning
Beepí
The warning beep sound will be heard for
about 3 seconds when there is any
abnormality in tire inflation pressures
(page 5-25).
5-48
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page144
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
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qFlashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch need
not be on, and the lever will return to the
normal position when released.
qHeadlight Levelingí
The number of riders and weight of cargo
in the luggage compartment change the
angle of the headlights.
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
Headlight auto-leveling malfunction
indicator light
This indicator light stays on far a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.If the indicator light illuminates, contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qDaytime Running Lights
(Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
NOTE
The Daytime Running Lights turn off
when the parking brake is applied.
5-50
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page146
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Page 162 of 364

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Mode selector switch
Press the mode selector switch to select
airflow mode (page 6-4).
NOTE
To set the air vent to, press the
windshield defroster switch.
A/C switch
Push the switch to turn the air conditioner
on. The indicator light on the switch will
illuminate when the fan control dial is set
at position 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Push the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function
when the outside temperature
approaches 0 °C (32 °F).
Air intake selector
This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
Press the switch to alternate between the
andpositions. The indicator
light for the selected mode will illuminate.
It is recommended that under normal
conditions the switch be kept in the
outside air position.
Outside air position (
)
Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use
this position for normal ventilation and
heating.
Recirculated air position (
)
Outside air is shut off. Air within the
vehicle is recirculated.
This position can be used when driving on
a dusty road or in similar conditions. It
also helps to provide quicker cooling of
the interior.
6-6
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G