2005 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 cruise control

Black plate (97,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-3
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-4
Manual Transmission Operation ............................................... 5-8
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-10
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-16
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-17
Traction Control System (TCS)
í........................................... 5-21
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-22
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-25
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-30
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-30
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-36
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-36
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-48
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-49
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-49
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-51
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-51
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-52
Headlight Washer
í................................................................. 5-54
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-54
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-55
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-56
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-56
5-1íSome models.
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page97
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (113,1)
NOTE
The power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical
effort.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
WARNING
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
lHilly terrainlSteep inclineslHeavy or unsteady trafficlSlippery or winding roadslSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don't use cruise control in these
situations.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-17
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (114,1)
qCruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
qActivation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON/OFF
switch.
The cruise main indicator light
illuminates.
To deactivate the system, press the switch
again.
The cruise main indicator light turns off.
WARNING
Cruise Main Switch:
Leaving the ON/OFF switch on when
not using the cruise control is
dangerous as it may be switched on
accidentally. This could result in loss
of vehicle control. Keep the ON/OFF
switch off when cruise control is not in
use.
qTo Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 30 km/h (19 mph).
3. Press the SET/COAST button and
release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
Don't continue to hold in the button. Until
you release it, speed will continue to drop
(unless you continue to accelerate) and
you'll miss the desired speed.
5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (115,1)
NOTE
lThe SET function can't be activated
until about 2 seconds after the ON/
OFF switch has been engaged.
lOn a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
qTo Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
lPress the RES/ACCEL button and hold
it. Your vehicle will accelerate.
Release the button at the speed you
want.
Your vehicle has a tap-up feature that
allows you to increase your current speed
in increments of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the RES/ACCEL
button. Multiple taps will increase your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.
lAccelerate to the desired speed.
Press the SET/COAST button and
release it immediately.
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up
temporarily when the cruise control is
on. Greater speed will not interfere with
it or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-19
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (117,1)
lPress the CANCEL button.
The system is off when the ignition is off.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed or
below 30 km/h (19 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)
í
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque and breaking.
When the TCS detects driving wheel
slippage, it lowers engine torque and
operates the brakes to prevent loss of
traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
WARNING
TCS and Unsafe Driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident. So
don't rely on the traction control
system as a substitute for safe driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and/or ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident. Use snow
tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-21íSome models. RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page117
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (142,1)
NOTE
If the battery is disconnected, the DSC
will be inoperable. In this case, the DSC
OFF indicator light flashes and the
TCS/DSC indicator light illuminates.
To make the DSC operable, do the
following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully,
then turn it counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the DSC OFF indicator
goes off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position, then turn it to the ON
position again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator
light goes off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the
DSC OFF indicator light remain
illuminated even after turning the
ignition switch to the ON position,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
qCruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
qLight-On Indicator Light
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights are on.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If this light illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction of the power
steering system. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
5-46
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (316,1)
A
Accessory Socket .............................. 6-50
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-13
Air Bag Systems ............................... 2-29
Air Filter ............................................ 8-22
Ambient Temperature Display .......... 6-43
Antenna ............................................. 6-10
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ......... 5-7
Warning light ............................... 5-7
Appearance Care ............................... 8-45
Ashtray .............................................. 6-45
Audio System ................................... 6-10
Audio control switch .................. 6-36
Operating tips for audio
system ........................................ 6-10
Safety certification ..................... 6-38
Automatic Transmission
Driving tips ................................ 5-16
Fluid ........................................... 8-19
Manual shift mode ..................... 5-12
Shift-lock system ........................ 5-11
Transmission ranges ................... 5-10
B
Battery
Emergency starting .................... 7-20
Maintenance ............................... 8-26
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds
Engine overrev warning beep .... 5-48
Ignition key reminder ................. 5-48
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-48
Seat belt warning beep ............... 5-48
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep ............................................ 5-48
B
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-6
After getting in ............................. 4-6
Before getting in .......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication .............................. 8-22
Brake/Clutch
Fluid ........................................... 8-18
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..... 5-7
Foot brake .................................... 5-4
Pad wear indicator ........................ 5-8
Parking brake ............................... 5-5
Warning light ............................... 5-6
Break-In Period ................................... 4-7
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-33
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-5
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-3
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-14
Center Console .................................. 6-48
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions ......... 2-20
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-23
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-27
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-44
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-43
Coin Box ........................................... 6-47
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-41
Cruise Control ................................... 5-17
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-46
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
11-2
Index
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (318,1)
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 5-56
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-8
Headlight Washer .............................. 5-54
Headlights
Control ....................................... 5-49
Flashing ...................................... 5-50
High-low beam .......................... 5-49
Leveling ..................................... 5-50
On reminder ............................... 5-49
HomeLink Wireless Control
System .............................................. 5-56
Hood Release .................................... 3-21
Horn .................................................. 5-55
I
Ignition
Keys ............................................. 3-2
Switch .......................................... 5-2
Illuminated Entry System ................. 6-39
Immobilizer System .......................... 3-24
Indicator Lights ................................. 5-36
Cruise main ................................ 5-46
Cruise set .................................... 5-46
DSC OFF .................................... 5-45
Headlight auto-leveling
malfunction ................................ 5-47
Headlight high-beam .................. 5-44
power steering malfunction ........ 5-46
Security ...................................... 5-44
Shift position .............................. 5-45
TCS/DSC ................................... 5-45
Turn-signal/hazard warning ....... 5-47
I
Information Display .......................... 6-42
Ambient temperature display ..... 6-43
Audio display ............................. 6-44
Climate control display .............. 6-44
Clock .......................................... 6-43
Information display functions .... 6-42
Instrument Cluster ............................. 5-30
Interior Care ...................................... 8-50
Interior Lights ................................... 6-39
J
Jump-Starting .................................... 7-21
K
Keyless Entry System ......................... 3-3
Keys .................................................... 3-2
L
Label Information ............................. 10-2
Lane-Change Signals ........................ 5-51
Light Bulbs
Replacement ............................... 8-33
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Lighter ............................................... 6-44
Lighting Control ............................... 5-49
Lubricant Quality .............................. 10-4
M
Maintenance
Introduction .................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance precautions ... 8-9
Owner maintenance schedule ....... 8-8
Scheduled ..................................... 8-3
11-4
Index
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G