2006 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 power steering

Black plate (61,1)
3Knowing Your Mazda
Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment
of various parts.
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System ................................ 3-2
Advanced Keysí...................................................................... 3-2
Operation Using Advanced Keyless Functions ......................... 3-7
Operation Using Advanced Key Functions ............................. 3-14
Advanced Key Suspend Function ........................................... 3-17
Warning and Beep Sounds ...................................................... 3-18
Setting Change (Function Customization) .............................. 3-20
User Mis-Operation Warning Indicators ................................. 3-21
Doors and Locks ......................................................................... 3-22
Keys (without Advanced Key) ................................................ 3-22
Keyless Entry System (with Retractable Type Key) ............... 3-23
Door Locks ............................................................................. 3-28
Trunk Lid ................................................................................ 3-33
Inside Trunk Release Lever ..................................................... 3-36
Power Windows ...................................................................... 3-37
Rear Quarter Windows ............................................................ 3-39
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap ........................................................... 3-40
Hood ....................................................................................... 3-42
Moonroof
í............................................................................. 3-43
Security System ........................................................................... 3-45
Immobilizer System (with Advanced Key) ............................. 3-45
Immobilizer System (without Advanced Key) ........................ 3-48
Theft-Deterrent System
í........................................................ 3-51
Steering Wheel and Mirrors ...................................................... 3-53
Steering Wheel ........................................................................ 3-53
Mirrors .................................................................................... 3-53
3-1íSome models.
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

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Steering Wheel
WARNING
Adjusting the Steering Wheel:
Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident. Never adjust the
steering wheel while the vehicle is
moving.
qTilt Steering Wheel
To change the angle of the steering wheel,
stop the vehicle, pull the tilt wheel release
lever under the steering column down,
adjust the wheel, then push the release
lever up to lock the column.
Tilt wheel release
lever
After adjusting, push the wheel up and
down to be certain it's locked before
driving.
Mirrors
qOutside Mirrors
Check the mirror angles before driving.
Mirror type
Flat type (driver's side)
Flat surface mirror.
Convex type (front passenger side)
The mirror has single curvature on its
surface.
WARNING
Convex Mirror:
Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears. Be
sure to look over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Power control mirror
The ignition switch must be in the ACC
or ON position.
To adjust:
1. Press the left or right side of the
selector switch to choose the left or
right side mirror.
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
3-53
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

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Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
lDon't race the engine.
lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm (over 7,000 rpm) for
extended periods of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.
lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.
lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.
lKeep the tires properly inflated.
lDon't carry unnecessary weight.
lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.
lKeep windows closed at high speeds.
lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Coasting:
Stopping the engine when going down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident. Never stop the engine when
going down a hill.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

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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

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Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
NOTE
The steering may feel rigid if you
continuously attempt to steer when the
vehicle is stopped or moving extremely
slowly. This has been designed to
protect the system and doesn't indicate a
malfunction. If you don't attempt to
steer for a minute, power steering will
be restored.
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.
NOTE
The power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical
effort.
5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

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NOTE
If the battery is disconnected or a fuse is
replaced, 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 with the battery
connected.
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.
qDSC OFF Switch
Press the DSC OFF switch to turn off the
TCS/DSC. The DSC OFF indicator light
will illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS/
DSC back on. The DSC OFF indicator
light will go out.
NOTE
lWhen DSC is on and you attempt to
free the vehicle when it is stuck, or
drive it out of freshly fallen snow,
the TCS (part of the DSC system)
will activate. Depressing the
accelerator will not increase engine
power and freeing the vehicle may
be difficult.
When this happens, turn off the TCS/
DSC.
lIf the TCS/DSC is off when the
engine is turned off, it automatically
activates when the ignition switch is
turned on.
lLeaving the TCS/DSC on will
provide the best stability. When the
TCS/DSC is off, the TCS/DSC does
not activate but the brake LSD
(Limited Slip Differentials) function
remains.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-25
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (169,1)
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-45
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-45
Automatic Transmission Warning Light 5-45
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-45
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green) 5-47
Security Indicator Light 5-48
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-49
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-49
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-50
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-50
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-50
Light-On Indicator Light 5-51
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-51
Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light 5-51
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-51
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-39
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

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Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)
The indicator light illuminates amber
when the ON/OFF switch is pressed and
the cruise control system is activated.
Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green)
The indicator light illuminates green when
a cruising speed has been set.
qLight-On Indicator Light
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights and dashboard illumination
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.
NOTE
The power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical
effort.
qHeadlight Auto-Leveling
Malfunction Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on far a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.
If the indicator light illuminates, contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qTurn-Signal/Hazard Warning
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn signal lights, the
left or right turn signal indicator light
flashes to indicate which turn signal light
is operating (page 5-56).
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-51íSome models. RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page181
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J