2005 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 engine

Black plate (145,1)
Lighting Control
qHeadlights
To turn on the lights, turn the headlight
switch on the end of the control lever.
Switch Position
Headlights Off Off On
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lightsOff On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery, don't
leave the lights on while the engine is
off.
Xenon fusion headlight bulbsí
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights
have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a
bright white beam over a wide area.
WARNING
Xenon Fusion Bulb Replacement:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs by
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Do not replace the xenon
fusion bulbs by yourself. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer when the
replacement is necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flash, or the brightness
weakens, the bulb-life may be depleted
and a replacement is necessary. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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.
qHeadlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beam.
Pull it back for low.
High beam
Low beam
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-49íSome models. RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page145
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (158,1)
Operating Tips
qOperating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the fan control
dial on for a long period of time when
the engine is not running.
qClearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in
the cowl grille to improve the system
efficiency.
qFoggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the
air conditioner to dehumidify the air.
qOutside/Recirculated Air Position
Use the outside air position in normal
conditions. The recirculated air position
should be used only when driving on
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the
interior.
qParking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.
qNot Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated.
qCheck the Refrigerant before the
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qReplacement of the Cabin Air
Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary
to change the filter periodically as
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.
6-2
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (164,1)
CAUTION
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-33).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner off.
NOTE
lWhen maximum cooling is desired,
set the temperature control dial to the
extreme cold position and set the air
intake selector to the
position,
then set the fan control dial to
position 4.
lIf warmer air is desired at floor level,
set the mode selector switch at the
position and adjust the
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
lThe air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
qVentilation
1. Press the mode selector switch to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
qWindshield Defrosting and
Defogging
1. Press the windshield defroster switch.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
WARNING
Foggy Windshield:
Using the
position with the
temperature control set to the cold
position will cause the outside of the
windshield to fog up. Your vision will
be hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident. Set the temperature
control to the hot or warm position
when using the
position.
NOTE
lFor maximum defrosting, set the
temperature control dial to the
extreme hot position and the fan
control dial to position 4.
lIf warm air is desired at the floor, set
the mode selector switch to the
position.
lIn theorposition, air
conditioning is automatically turned
on to defrost the windshield quickly
(however, the indicator light does not
illuminate) and the
position is
automatically selected. The air intake
selector switch cannot be changed to
the
position.
6-8
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page164
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (166,1)
Antenna
qRear Window Antenna
The rear window antenna receives both
AM and FM signals.
CAUTION
When 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.
Operating Tips for Audio
System
WARNING
Do Not Adjust Audio While Driving
the Vehicle:
Adjusting the audio while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could
distract your attention from the vehicle
operation which could lead to a
serious accident. Always adjust the
audio while the vehicle is stopped.
CAUTION
For the purposes of safe driving, adjust
the audio volume to a level that allows
you to hear sounds outside of the
vehicle.
NOTE
lDo not use the audio for long periods
of time while the engine is off.
Otherwise the battery could go dead.
lIf a digital cellular phone or CB
radio is used in or near the vehicle, it
could cause noise to occur from the
audio system, however, this does not
indicate that the system has been
damaged.
6-10
Interior Comfort
Audio System
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (174,1)
qPower/Volume/Sound Controls
Audio control dial Power/Volume dial
Illustration is of a representative audio unit.
Power ON/OFF
Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or
ON position.
Press the power/volume dial to turn the
audio system on.
Press the power/volume dial again to turn
the audio system off.
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the audio
system on for a long period of time
when the engine is not running.
Volume adjustment
To adjust the volume, turn the power/
volume dial.Turn the power/volume dial to the right to
increase volume, to the left to decrease it.
Audio sound adjustment
1. Press the audio control dial to select the
function. The selected function will be
indicated.
*
*
Standard audio-
equipped model
6-18
Interior Comfort
Audio System
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (206,1)
Accessory Socket
The ignition switch must be in the ACC
or ON position.
Only use genuine Mazda accessories or
the equivalent requiring no greater than
120 W (DC12 V, 10 A).
The accessory socket is in the center
console.
CAUTION
To prevent accessory socket damage or
electrical failure, pay attention to the
following:
lDon't use accessories that require
more than 120 W (DC12 V, 10 A).
lDon't use accessories that are not
genuine Mazda accessories or the
equivalent.
lClose the cover when the accessory
socket is not in use.
lCorrectly insert the plug into the
accessory socket.
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery, don't
use the socket for long periods with the
engine off or idling.
6-50
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (207,1)
7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ............................................................. 7-2
Parking in an Emergency .......................................................... 7-2
Flat Tire ......................................................................................... 7-3
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ...................................................... 7-3
Instant Mobility System (IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit ............................................................................................. 7-5
Changing the Tire .................................................................... 7-12
Overheating ................................................................................. 7-18
Overheating ............................................................................. 7-18
Emergency Starting .................................................................... 7-20
Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-20
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-21
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-24
Emergency Towing ..................................................................... 7-25
Towing Description ................................................................. 7-25
Tiedown Hooks ....................................................................... 7-26
Recreational Towing ............................................................... 7-27
7-1
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (213,1)
NOTE
lThe tire sealant cannot be reused.
Purchase new tire sealant at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lThe emergency flat tire repair kit
cannot be used in the following
cases.
Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
lThe period of effective use for the
tire sealant has expired. (The
period of effectiveness is
indicated on the bottle label.)
lThe tear or puncture exceeds
about 4 mm (0.16 in).
lThe damage has occurred to an
area of the tire other than the
tread.
lThe vehicle has been driven with
nearly no air remaining in the tire.
lThe tire has come off the wheel
rim.
lDamage to the wheel rim has
occurred.
lThe tire has two or more
punctures.
qUsing the IMS Emergency Flat
Tire Repair Kit
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and 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. Unload passengers and luggage, and
remove the emergency flat tire repair
kit.
5. Shake the tire sealant well.
CAUTION
If the bottle is shaken after the injection
hose is screwed on, tire sealant could
spray out from the injection hose. Tire
sealant contacting clothing or other
objects may be impossible to remove.
Shake the bottle before screwing on the
injection hose.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-7
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G