2006 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 wipers

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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.
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page131
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

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Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
WARNING
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result
in an accident. Use only windshield
washer fluid or plain water in the
reservoir.
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing
temperatures is dangerous. The
washer fluid could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision. You
could have an accident. Don't use the
washer without first warming the
windshield and never use plain tap
water.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,
overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper
switch and park off the right-of-way,
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and
the blades should operate normally. If
they don't resume functioning, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. Drive to the side of the road
and park off the right-of-way. Wait until
the weather clears before trying to drive
with the wipers inoperative.
qWindshield Wipers
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
MIST―Mist
INT―Intermittent
1―Low speed
2―High speed
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to MIST.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-57
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

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Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to INT and choose the
interval timing by rotating the ring.
INT ring
qWindshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
OFF
Washer
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT
position, the wipers will operate
continuously until the lever is released.
If the washer doesn't work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-19). If it's OK, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
(With headlight washers)
When the headlights are on, the
headlight washers operate automatically
once every fifth time the windshield
washer operates.
Refer to Headlight Washer (page 5-59).
5-58
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page188
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

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Wiper Blades
CAUTION
lHot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the wiper's ability to clean windows.
lTo prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline, kerosene,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
qReplacing Windshield Wiper Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
NOTE
To prevent damage to the wiper arm
blades when raising both the driver and
passenger side wiper arms, raise the
driver side wiper arm first. Conversely,
when setting down the wiper arms, set
the passenger side wiper arm down
first.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade
assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the windshield let
the wiper arm down easily, don't let it
slap down on the windshield.
8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J

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V
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-38
ABS ............................................ 5-40
Air bag system ........................... 5-43
Automatic transmission .............. 5-45
Brake system .............................. 5-40
Charging system ......................... 5-41
Check engine .............................. 5-43
Door-ajar .................................... 5-45
Engine coolant level ................... 5-42
Engine oil level .......................... 5-42
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-43
KEY Warning Light
(Red)/KEY Indicator Light
(Green) ....................................... 5-47
Low fuel ..................................... 5-44
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-45
seat belt ...................................... 5-44
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-45
Warranty .............................................. 9-9
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-19
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-31
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-37
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-39
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-58
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-57
Blades replacement .................... 8-22
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
11-7
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J