Black plate (166,1)
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Low fuel warning light
NOTE
The direction of the arrow () shown
that the fuel-filler lid is on the left side
of the vehicle.
qEngine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
If the needle on the gauge doesn't move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3.
If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it's low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn't move, have
your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page166
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (227,1)
Multiple insertion
1. Press and hold the load button (
)
for about 2 seconds until a beep sound
is heard.
2. Wait 3 seconds or press the load button
(
) again within 3 seconds after the
beep sound is heard.
3. When“IN”is displayed, insert the CD.
4. When“IN”is displayed again, insert
the next CD.
NOTE
The first-inserted CD will be played
automatically when:
lNo other CD is inserted within 15
seconds after“IN”is displayed.
lThe CD trays are full.
Displaying the CD-inserted tray
number
When you want to know the number for a
CD-inserted tray, press the display button
(
). The tray number will be displayed
for 5 seconds.
Ejecting the CD
Normal ejection
1. Press the CD eject button (
). The
disc number and“DISC”“OUT”will
be displayed.
2. Pull out the CD.
NOTE
When the CD is ejected during play, the
next CD will be played automatically.Ejecting CDs from desired tray number
1. Press and hold the CD eject button (
)
for about 2 seconds until a beep sound
is heard.
2. Press the channel preset button for the
desired CD number within 3 seconds
after the beep sound is heard.
3. Pull out the CD.
Multiple ejection
1. Press and hold the CD eject button (
)
for about 2 seconds until a beep sound
is heard.
2. Wait 3 seconds or press the CD eject
button (
) again within 3 seconds
after the beep sound is heard.
3. Pull out the CD, then the next CD will
be ejected.
NOTE
lCDs will be ejected starting with the
one with the lowest number.
lAll CDs in the tray will be ejected
continuously.
lCDs can be ejected when the ignition
switch is off. Press and hold the CD
eject button (
) for about 2 seconds
and all CDs will eject.
Playing
Press the CD play button (
) to start
play when a CD is in the unit.
If there isn't a CD in the unit when the CD
play button (
) is pressed,“NO DISC”
will flash on and off.
Interior Comfort
Audio System
6-31
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Thursday, August 25 2005 4:58 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (247,1)
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
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page247
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:58 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (266,1)
Starting a Flooded Engine
If the engine does not start the first time,
perform the following procedure to start
the engine.
1. While the accelerator pedal is fully
depressed, turn the ignition switch to
the START position and crank the
engine for about 7 to 8 seconds.
2. Release the ignition switch and
accelerator pedal.
3. Start the engine as normally without
depressing the accelerator.
lThe fuel injection is cut by fully
depressing the accelerator pedal.
lIf the engine starts during Step 1, the
engine will rev up. Release the ignition
switch and accelerator pedal
immediately.
lAvoid racing the engine or driving the
vehicle right after starting the engine.
lDo not hold the ignition switch in the
START position for over 10 seconds. It
may damage the starter and drain the
battery.
lIf the engine still does not start using
the above procedure, have your vehicle
inspected by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
7-20
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page266
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (267,1)
Jump-Starting
Jump-starting is dangerous if done incorrectly. So follow the procedure carefully. If you
feel unsure about jump-starting, we strongly recommend that you have a competent service
technician do the work.
WARNING
Follow These Precautions Carefully:
To ensure safe and correct handling of the battery, read the following precautions
carefully before using the battery or inspecting it.
Eye Protection:
Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC
ACID which could cause blindness if splashed into your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas
produced during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to
explode. Always wear eye protection when working near the battery.
Spilled Battery Fluid:
Spilled battery fluid is dangerous.
Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets
in eyes, skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with water for
15 minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention. Wear eye
protection and protective gloves to prevent contact with battery fluid.
Children and Batteries:
Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid could cause
serious injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin. Always keep batteries out of the
reach of children.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
7-21
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Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (268,1)
WARNING
Keep Flames Away:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. Keep all flames including
cigarettes and sparks away from open battery cells. When working near a battery, do
not allow metal tools to contact the positive (
) or negative () terminal of the
battery. Do not allow the positive (
) terminal to contact any other metal object that
could cause sparks.
Battery-Related Explosion:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. Keep all flames, including
cigarettes, and sparks away from open battery cells.
Low Fluid Level or Frozen Battery:
Jump-starting a frozen battery or one with a low fluid level is dangerous. It may
rupture or explode, causing serious injury.
Don't jump-start a frozen battery or one with a low fluid level.
Connecting Jumper Cable Directly to Negative Terminal:
Connecting the end of the second jumper cable to the negative (
) terminal of the
discharged battery is dangerous.
A spark could cause the gas around the battery to explode and injure someone.
Connect the negative cable to a good ground point away from the battery.
Connecting Jumper Cable to Moving Parts:
Connecting a jumper cable near or to moving parts (cooling fans, belts) is dangerous.
The cable could get caught when the engine starts and cause serious injury. Route the
jumper cables away from parts that will be moving.
CAUTION
Use only a 12 V booster system. You can damage a 12 V starter, ignition system, and
other electrical parts beyond repair with a 24 V power supply (two 12 V batteries in
series or a 24 V motor generator set).
7-22
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page268
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (269,1)
1. Remove the engine cover.
2. Remove the rubber hose from the
battery cover.
3. Remove the battery cover from its rear
side.
4. Make sure the booster battery is 12 V
and that its negative terminal is
grounded.
5. If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, don't allow the vehicles to
touch. Turn off the engine of the
vehicle with the booster battery and all
unnecessary electrical loads in both
vehicles.
6. Connect the jumper cables in the exact
sequence as in the illustration.
lConnect one end of a cable to the
positive terminal on the discharged
battery (1).
lAttach the other end to the positive
terminal on the booster battery (2).
lConnect one end of the other cable
to the negative terminal of the
booster battery (3).
lConnect the other end to a solid,
stationary, exposed metallic point
(for example, the tightening bolt)
away from the discharged battery
(4).
Booster battery
Connect cables
in numerical
order and
disconnect in
reverse order.
Discharged
battery
7. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and run it a few minutes. Then start the
engine of the other vehicle.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
7-23
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Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (270,1)
8. When finished, carefully disconnect the
cables in the reverse order described in
Step 6.
NOTE
Verify that the engine cover is securely
installed.
Push-Starting
WARNING
Towing a Vehicle to Start It:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured. Never tow a vehicle to start it.
You can't start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
CAUTION
Do not push-start a vehicle that has a
manual transmission. It can damage the
emission control system.
7-24
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page270
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:59 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J