Black plate (121,1)
NOTE
lWhen DSC is on and you attempt to
free the vehicle when it is stuck, or
drive it out of freshly fallen snow,
the TCS (part of the DSC system)
will activate. Depressing the
accelerator will not increase engine
power and freeing the vehicle may
be difficult.
When this happens, turn off the TCS/
DSC.
lIf the TCS/DSC is off when the
engine is turned off, it automatically
activates when the ignition switch is
turned on.
lLeaving the TCS/DSC on will
provide the best stability. When the
TCS/DSC is off, the TCS/DSC does
not activate but the brake LSD
function remains.
lIf the DSC OFF switch is pressed
and held for a second or more, the
TCS/DSC system may become
inoperative due to the system
detecting switch trouble. If the TCS/
DSC system becomes inoperative,
the TCS/DSC and the DSC OFF
indicator lights illuminate
simultaneously. In this case, turn off
the engine and restart it to restore the
TCS/DSC.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System
í
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire.
If tire pressure is too low or too high in
one or more tires, the system will inform
the driver via the warning light in the
instrument panel and by the warning beep
sound.
The tire pressure sensors installed on each
wheel send tire pressure data by radio
signal to the receiver unit in the vehicle.
Tire pressure sensors
TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires before you drive each day.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-25íSome models. RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page121
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (123,1)
WARNING
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.
Adjust the tire pressure to the correct tire
pressure at an Authorized Mazda Dealer
or the nearest service station. Refer to the
specification charts (page 10-6).
CAUTION
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be damaged.
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture.
Vehicles with Instant Mobility System
(IMS) emergency flat tire repair kit
If an emergency tire repair is needed,
repair the punctured tire with the
emergency flat tire repair kit (page 7-5).
CAUTION
Do not use non-genuine tire sealant. It
may damage the tire pressure sensor.
Vehicles with optional temporary spare
tire
If you have bought the optional temporary
spare tire, replace the punctured tire with
the temporary spare tire . Refer to the
manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE
A tire pressure sensor is not installed to
the temporary spare tire. The warning
light will flash continuously while the
temporary spare tire is being used.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qSystem Error Activation
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
A system error activation may occur in
the following cases:
lWhen there is equipment or a device
near the vehicle using the same radio
frequency as that of the tire pressure
sensors.
lWhen a metallic device such as a non-
genuine navigation system is equipped
near the center of the dashboard, which
may block radio signals from the tire
pressure sensor to the receiver unit.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-27
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (124,1)
lWhen using the following devices in
the vehicle that may cause radio
interference with the receiver unit.
lA digital device such as a personal
computer.
lA current converter device such as a
DC-AC converter.
lWhen excess snow or ice adheres to
the vehicle, especially around the
wheels.
lWhen the tire pressure sensor batteries
are exhausted.
lWhen using a wheel with no tire
pressure sensor installed.
lWhen using tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the side walls.
lWhen using tire chains.
qTires and Wheels
Changing tires and wheels
The following procedure allows the
TPMS to recognize a tire pressure sensor's
unique ID signal code whenever tires or
wheels are changed, such as changing to
and from winter tires.
NOTE
Each tire pressure sensor has a unique
ID signal code. The signal code must be
registered with the TPMS before it can
work. The easiest way to do it is to have
an Authorized Mazda Dealer change
your tire and complete ID signal code
registration.When having tires changed at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer
Tire pressure sensor ID signal code
registration is completed when an
Authorized Mazda Dealer changes your
vehicle's tires.
When changing tires yourself
If you or someone else changes tires, you
or someone else can also undertake the
steps for the TPMS to complete the ID
signal code registration.
1. After tires have been changed, turn the
ignition switch to the ON position, then
turn it back to the ACC or LOCK
position.
2. Wait for about 15 minutes.
3. After about 15 minutes, drive the
vehicle at a speed of at least 20 km/h
(12 mph) for several minutes and the
tire pressure sensor ID signal code will
be registered automatically.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven within about 15
minutes of changing tires, the tire
pressure monitoring system warning
light will flash because the sensor ID
signal code would not have been
registered. If this happens, park the
vehicle for about 15 minutes, after
which the sensor ID signal code will
register upon driving the vehicle for
several minutes.
5-28
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (125,1)
Replacing tires and wheels
CAUTION
lWhen replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or
the tire pressure sensors may be
damaged.
lThe wheels equipped on your Mazda
are specially designed for installation
of the tire pressure sensors. Do not
use non-genuine wheels, otherwise it
may not be possible to install the tire
pressure sensors.
Be sure to have the tire pressure sensors
installed whenever tires or wheels are
replaced.
When having a tire or wheel or both
replaced, the following types of tire
pressure sensor installation are possible.
lThe tire pressure sensor is removed
from the old wheel and installed to the
new one.
lThe same tire pressure sensor is used
with the same wheel. Only the tire is
replaced.
lA new tire pressure sensor is installed
to a new wheel.
NOTE
lThe tire pressure sensor ID signal
code must be registered when a new
tire pressure sensor is purchased. For
purchase of a tire pressure sensor and
registration of the tire pressure
sensor ID signal code, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lWhen reinstalling a previously
removed tire pressure sensor to a
wheel, replace the grommet for the
tire pressure sensor.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-29
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (140,1)
Adjust the tire pressure to the correct tire
pressure at an Authorized Mazda Dealer
or the nearest service station. Refer to the
specification charts (page 10-6).
CAUTION
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be damaged.
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture.
Vehicles with Instant Mobility System
(IMS) emergency flat tire repair kit
If an emergency tire repair is needed,
repair the punctured tire with the
emergency flat tire repair kit (page 7-5).
CAUTION
Do not use non-genuine tire sealant. It
may damage the tire pressure sensor.
Vehicles with optional temporary spare
tire
If you have bought the optional temporary
spare tire, replace the punctured tire with
the temporary spare tire . Refer to the
manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE
A tire pressure sensor is not installed to
the temporary spare tire. The warning
light will flash continuously while the
temporary spare tire is being used.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qSecurity Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 2
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
from the ON to the ACC position and the
immobilizer system is armed.
The light stops flashing when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position with
the correct ignition key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is
disarmed and the light illuminates for
about 3 seconds and then goes out.
If the engine doesn't start with the correct
ignition key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qHeadlight High-Beam Indicator
Light
This light indicates one of two things:
lThe high-beam headlights are on.
5-44
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (211,1)
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the temporary
spare or to the vehicle, observe the
following precautions:
lDon't exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).
lAvoid driving over obstacles.
Also, don't drive through an
automatic car wash. This tire's
diameter is smaller than a
conventional tire's, so the ground
clearance is reduced about 25 mm (1
in).
lDon't use a tire chain on this tire
because it won't fit properly.
lDon't use your temporary spare on
any other vehicle; it has been
designed only for your Mazda.
lUse only one temporary spare tire on
your vehicle at the same time.
(With limited slip differential)
When using the temporary spare tire on
the rear axle, replace it with a standard
tire as soon as possible. The size
difference between the spare and the
standard tire will cause the limited slip
differential to malfunction.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
A tire pressure sensor is not installed to
the temporary spare tire. The warning
light will flash continuously while the
temporary spare tire is being used (page
5-26).
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat
Tire Repair Kit
The IMS emergency flat tire repair kit
included with your Mazda is for a
temporary repair of a slightly damaged
flat tire resulting from running over nails
or similar sharp objects on the road
surface.
NOTE
Your vehicle is not equipped with a
spare tire. In the event of a flat tire, use
the emergency flat tire repair kit to
repair the tire temporarily. When doing
the repair, refer to the instructions
included in the emergency flat tire
repair kit. After temporarily repairing a
tire with the emergency flat tire repair
kit, take your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the tire replaced.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-5
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (218,1)
21. If the tire inflation pressure remains
stable, the tire repair is complete.
Drive the vehicle with care to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
tire replaced.
CAUTION
lA tire that has been temporarily
repaired with the tire sealant cannot
be reused. Mazda recommends
replacing the tire with a new one.
lThe wheel can be reused after any
sealant adhering to it is wiped off
and carefully inspected. However,
replace the tire valve with a new one.
qInspecting the IMS Emergency
Flat Tire Repair Kit
Inspect the emergency tire repair kit at
regular intervals.
lCheck the tire sealant period of
effective use.
lCheck the operation of the tire
compressor.
NOTE
The tire sealant has a period of effective
use. Check the period of effective use
indicated on the bottle label and do not
use it if it has expired. Have the tire
sealant replaced at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer before the period of
effective use has expired.
Changing the Tire
WARNING
Jacking a Vehicle:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure someone.
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a
jack.
Passenger in Vehicle Supported by a
Jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury. Never allow anyone inside a
vehicle supported by a jack.
CAUTION
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
The wheels equipped on your Mazda
are specially designed for installation of
the tire pressure sensors. Do not use
non-genuine wheels, otherwise it may
not be possible to install the tire
pressure sensors.
7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (219,1)
NOTE
lMake sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
lBe sure to register the tire pressure
sensor ID signal code whenever tires
or wheels are changed (page 5-28).
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Reverse (R) or 1, and
turn off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, and tool (page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the tire to be changed. When blocking
a wheel, place a block both in front and
behind the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or
wood blocks of sufficient size to hold
the tire in place.
qRemoving the Tire
1. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn each, but
don't remove any until the tire has been
raised off the ground.
2. Place the jack under the jacking
position closest to the tire being
changed.
Jacking position
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-13
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G