2006 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 fog light

Black plate (131,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-5
Manual Transmission Operation ............................................... 5-9
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-11
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-18
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-19
Traction Control System (TCS)
í........................................... 5-22
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-23
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-26
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-32
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-32
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-38
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-38
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-52
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-54
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-54
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-56
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-56
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-57
Headlight Washer
í................................................................. 5-59
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-59
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-60
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-61
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-61
5-1íSome models.
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (167,1)
NOTE
The Mazda RX-8 requires regular
checking of the engine oil level. The
compact, high performance RENESIS
rotary engine in your vehicle consumes
a small amount of engine oil due to its
structural design. An oil pump
optimizes the amount of oil injected to
lubricate the rotor seals in the
combustion cycle. Although your
vehicle is equipped with an engine oil
level warning light and an engine oil
pressure gauge, it is best to keep the
engine oil level in the range between
full and low by checking the oil
dipstick regularly. Mazda recommends
checking the oil level at every second
fuel filling. The oil consumption of the
engine depends on engine speed and
engine load. Under extreme driving
conditions, oil consumption can be
higher.
qDashboard Illumination
Rotate the thumb wheel to adjust the
brightness of the instrument cluster and
other illuminations in the dashboard.
NOTE
lThe brightness of dashboard
illuminations (except instrument
cluster) can be adjusted when the
headlight switch is in the
or
position.
lThe brightness of the instrument
cluster illumination can be adjusted
when the headlight switch is in any
position.
Bright
Dim
Canceling the illumination dimmer
When the headlight switch is in the
or
position, the illumination of the
instrument cluster and the information
display dims (the instrument cluster
illumination color turns to red).
When driving on snowy or foggy roads,
or in other situations when the instrument
cluster or information display's visibility
is reduced due to glare from surrounding
brightness, cancel the illumination
dimmer and increase the illumination
intensity.
To cancel the illumination dimmer, rotate
the thumb wheel upward fully. You may
hear a click sound and the illumination
dimmer will be canceled (instrument
cluster illumination color turns to white).
NOTE
If the dashboard illumination switch is
kept at the illumination dimmer cancel
position, the instrument cluster and the
information display will not dim when
the headlight switch is turned to the
orposition again.
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-37
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (186,1)
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
qTurn Signal
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to
its original position.
Right turn
Left turnOFFRight lane
change
Left lane
change
Green indicators on the dashboard show
which signal is working.
Lane-change signals
Move the lever slightly toward the
direction of the change―until the
indicator flashes―and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released.
NOTE
If an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, one
of the turn signal bulbs may be burned
out.
Fog Lightsí
Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
They help you to see as well as to be seen.
To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the
fog light switch to the
position.
The headlight switch must be in the
position to turn on the front fog lights.
Fog light switch
To turn them off, rotate the fog light
switch to the OFF position or turn the
headlight switch to the
or OFF
position.
NOTE
The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
5-56
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (189,1)
Headlight Washerí
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position and the headlights must be turned
on.
The headlight washers operate
automatically once every fifth time the
windshield washer operates.
If you want to operate only the headlight
washers, pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you twice rapidly.
OFF
Washer
NOTE
When you pull the windshield wiper
lever twice, the windshield washer may
spray a little.
Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster clears frost,
fog, and thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster. The rear window
defroster operates for about 15 minutes
and turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates during
operation.
To turn off the rear window defroster
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Indicator light
CAUTION
Don't use sharp instruments or window
cleaners with abrasives to clean the
inside of the rear window surface. They
may damage the defroster grid inside
the window.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-59íSome models. RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page189
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (198,1)
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 with
the ignition switch in the ACC position
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.
NOTE
The air conditioner may be used along
with the heater 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.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (203,1)
WARNING
The Recirculated Air Position:
Using the
position in cold or
rainy weather will cause the windows
to fog up. Your vision will be
hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident. Do not use the
position in cold or rainy weather.
Windshield defroster switch
Press the switch to defrost the windshield
and front door windows.
qHeating
1. Press the mode selector switch to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
hot position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
NOTE
lIf the windshield fogs up easily, set
the mode selector switch to the
position.
lIf cooler air is desired at face 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).
lIn the,,orposition, the
air conditioner is automatically
turned on (however, the indicator
light does not illuminate) and the
position is automatically
selected to defrost the windshield.
In the
orposition, the
position cannot be changed to
the
position.
qCooling (With Air Conditioner)
1. Press the mode selector switch to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
cold position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing
the A/C switch.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-7
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (204,1)
CAUTION
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-35).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner off
(page 7-18).
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 the,,orposition, the
air conditioner is automatically
turned on (however, the indicator
light does not illuminate) and the
position is automatically
selected to defrost the windshield.
In the
orposition, the
position cannot be changed to
the
position.
6-8
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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Black plate (212,1)
lWhen driving over uneven surfaces,
the sound may jump.
lThe CD player/changer has been
designed to play CDs bearing the
identification logo as shown. No other
discs can be played.
lBe sure never to touch the signal
surface when handling the CDs. Pick
up a CD by grasping the outer edge or
the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
lDo not stick paper or tape on the CD.
Avoid scratching the reverse side (the
side without a label).
lDust, finger smudges, and dirt can
decrease the amount of light reflected
from the signal surface, thus affecting
sound quality. If the CD should
become soiled, gently wipe it with a
soft cloth from the center of the CD to
the edge.
lDo not use record sprays, antistatic
agents, or household spray cleaners.
Volatile chemicals such as benzine and
thinner can also damage the surface of
the CD and must not be used. Anything
that can damage, warp, or fog plastic
should never be used to clean CDs.
lCDs, like traditional audio records, are
made of plastic. To avoid warping,
keep the CDs in their cases and do not
store them where they will be exposed
to direct sunlight.
lThe CD player/changer ejects the CD if
the CD is inserted upside down. Also
dirty and/or defective CDs may be
ejected.
l8 cm (3 in) CDs and CD accessories
(e.g. 8 cm disc adapter) cannot be used
in the CD player/changer.
lDo not insert cleaning discs in the CD
player/changer.
lDo not insert any disc with a peel-off
or seal on it.
6-16
Interior Comfort
Audio System
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