2005 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 Owners Manual (in English)

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Exterior Care
Followalllabel and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read all warnings and cautions.
qMaintaining the Finish
Washing
To help protect the finish from rust and
deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.
If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.
Scratches occur on the paint surface
when:
lThe vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign
matter.
lThe vehicle is washed with a rough,
dry, or dirty cloth.
lThe vehicle is washed at a car wash
that uses brushes that are dirty or too
stiff.
lCleansers or wax containing abrasives
are used.
NOTE
lMazda is not responsible for
scratches caused by automatic car
washes or improper washing.
lScratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint finishes.To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint finish:
lRinse off any dirt or other foreign
matter using lukewarm or cold water
before washing.
lUse plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
lRub gently when washing or drying the
vehicle.
lTake your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained.
lDon't use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
CAUTION
Don't use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
or strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-
plated or anodized aluminum parts.
This may damage the protective
coating; also, cleaners and detergents
may discolor or deteriorate the paint.
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material from
the underside of the fenders, and make
sure the drain holes in the lower edges of
the doors and rocker panels are clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the finish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Don't allow soap
to dry on the finish.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.
WARNING
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
Dry the brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance is normal.
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.
Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for
metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the
sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas even if
the rest of the vehicle doesn't need it.
qRepairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.
CAUTION
If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced, make
sure the body shop applies anti-
corrosion materials to all parts, both
repaired and new. This will prevent
them from rusting.
qBright-Metal Maintenance
lUse tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
lTo prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
lDuring cold weather or in coastal areas,
cover bright-metal parts with a coating
of wax or preservative heavier than
usual. It would also help to coat them
with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or
some other protective compound.
CAUTION
Don't use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
or strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-
plated or anodized aluminum parts.
This may result in damage to the
protective coating and cause
discoloration or paint deterioration.
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Appearance Care
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qUnderbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try also
to do this every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt.It
will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped
there will cause rusting.
WARNING
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
Dry the brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance is normal.
qAluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
NOTE
lDon't use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminum
wheels. They may damage the
coating.
lOnly use a mild soap or neutral
detergent and always use a sponge or
soft cloth to clean the wheels.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or
cold water. Also, be sure to clean the
wheels after driving on dusty or
salted roads. This helps prevent
corrosion.
lAvoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.
lIf your aluminum wheels lose luster,
wax the wheels.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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Interior Care
qDashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They'll damage and discolor it.
If these solutions get on the dashboard,
wipe them off immediately.
CAUTION
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
qCleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leatherí
Real leather isn't uniform and may have
scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it
with a leather cleaner or mild soap.
If the leather gets wet from rain, remove
the moisture as soon as possible and dry
in a shaded area.
If the seats get wet, promptly remove
moisture with a dry cloth and allow it to
further dry in a shaded area.
If moisture is not removed, it will cause
hardening and shrinkage of the leather.
Do not leave vinyl products on the seats
for long periods as they may affect the
leather quality and coloring.
Fabricí
Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean it with a mild soap solution good
for upholstery and carpets. Remove fresh
spots immediately with a fabric spot
cleaner.
To keep the fabric looking clean and
fresh, take care of it. Otherwise its color
will be affected, it can be stained easily,
and its fire-resistance may be reduced.
CAUTION
Use only recommended cleaners and
procedures. Others may affect
appearance and fire-resistance.
Suede-like materialí
Stains which are not treated immediately
will be difficult to remove later, and may
cause fading or discoloration.
Remove stains as soon as possible.
To clean,wipe with a soft, damp cloth.
Then buff with a soft, dry cloth.
If stains cannot be removed, using plain
water, try wiping with soapy water or a
mild detergent.
CAUTION
Don't clean the suede with leather
cleaner, a detergent, or soap. It will
cause discoloration.
To dry away any water,wipe with a soft,
dry cloth.
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Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Appearance Care
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CAUTION
Sharp or pointed metal objects can
damage the suede beyond repair.
Piano black panel
The center panel and door switch panels
have been treated with a special coating
that resists scratching.
When the panel needs to be cleaned, use a
soft cloth to wipe off dirt from the surface.
NOTE
Scratches or nicks on the center and
door switch panels resulting from the
use of a hard brush or cloth may not be
repairable.
qCleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt
Webbing
Clean the webbing with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Follow instructions. Don't bleach
or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.
After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry
the belt webbing and make sure there is
no remaining moisture before retracting
them.
WARNING
Damaged Seat Belt:
Using damaged seat belts is
dangerous. In a collision, damaged
belts cannot provide adequate
protection. Have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer replace damaged belts
immediately.
qCleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with an
oily, greasy, or waxy film, clean them
with glass cleaner. Follow the directions
on the container.
CAUTION
lDon't scrape or scratch the inside of
the rear window. You may damage
the rear window defroster grid.
lWhen washing the inside rear
window, use a soft cloth dampened
in lukewarm water, gently wiping
the antenna lines.
Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the antenna.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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9
Customer Information and Reporting
Safety Defects
Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.
Customer Assistance ..................................................................... 9-2
Customer Assistance (U.S.A.) .................................................. 9-2
Customer Assistance (Canada) ................................................. 9-4
Customer Assistance (Puerto Rico) ........................................... 9-7
Mazda Importer/Distributors ...................................................... 9-8
Importer/Distributor .................................................................. 9-8
Distributor in Each Area ........................................................... 9-8
Warranty ....................................................................................... 9-9
Warranties for Your Mazda ....................................................... 9-9
Outside the United States ........................................................ 9-10
Outside Canada ....................................................................... 9-11
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign Country (Except United
States and Canada) .................................................................. 9-12
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and Accessories ......................... 9-13
Cell Phones .................................................................................. 9-14
Cell Phones Warning ............................................................... 9-14
Type Approval of Equipment .................................................... 9-15
Type Approval of Equipment .................................................. 9-15
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS) .................... 9-16
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS) ................... 9-16
Reporting Safety Defects ............................................................ 9-18
Reporting Safety Defects ........................................................ 9-18
Service Publications .................................................................... 9-19
Service Publications ................................................................ 9-19
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Customer Assistance (U.S.A.)
Your complete and permanent satisfaction is our business. We are here to serve you. All
Authorized Mazda Dealers have the knowledge and the tools to keep your Mazda vehicle
in top condition.
If you have any questions or recommendations for improvement regarding the service of
your Mazda vehicle or servicing by Mazda Dealer personnel, we recommend that you take
the following steps:
qSTEP 1: Contact Your Mazda Dealer
Discuss the matter with an Authorized Mazda Dealer. This is the quickest and best way to
address the issue. If your concern has not been resolved by the CUSTOMER RELATIONS,
SALES, SERVICE, or PARTS MANAGER, then please contact the GENERAL
MANAGER of the dealership or the OWNER.
qSTEP 2: Contact Mazda North American Operations
If for any reason you feel the need for further assistance after contacting your dealership
management, you can reach Mazda North American Operations by one of three ways.
By email at: www.mazdaUSA.com (Click the TALK TO US link at the top of the
home page).
Answers to many of your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), including how to
locate or contact a local Mazda Dealership in the U.S., can be found here.
By phone at: 1 (800) 222-5500
By letter at:
Attn: Customer Assistance
Mazda North American Operations
7755 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618-2922
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623-9734
In order to serve you efficiently and effectively, please help us by providing the following
information:
1. Your name, address, and telephone number
2. Year and model of vehicle
3. Vehicle Identification Number (17 digits, noted on your registration or title or located on
the upper driver's side corner of the dash)
9-2
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Customer Assistance
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