2007 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (128,1)
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary
to downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
lDo not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) on page 5-7.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear
wheels.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page128
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (129,1)
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than
56 km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-14.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but don't use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-17).
lDon't use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (130,1)
qSnow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (rear door on the driver's
side), but never more than the maximum
cold-tire pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all
four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tires with steel wire reinforcement in
the sidewalls (page 5-30).
qTire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
lChains may affect handling.
lDo not go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
lDrive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
lAvoid locked-wheel braking.
lDo not use chains on a temporary
spare tire; it may result in damage to
the vehicle and to the tire. Your
vehicle is not equipped with a
factory installed temporary spare
tire.
lDo not use chains on roads that are
free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
lChains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tire chains.
Install the chains on the rear tires.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Use only SAE Class“S”chains, and make
sure they fit.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (131,1)
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer's instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2
―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
CAUTION
Make sure water does not enter the
vehicle interior or the engine area.
Interior materials could get moldy, and
many electronic devices in the cabin
and the engine could be damaged.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (132,1)
Overloading
WARNING
Be careful not to overload your
vehicle:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can estimate the
weight of your load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (133,1)
Trailer Towing
The Mazda RX-8 is not designed for
towing. Never tow a trailer with your
Mazda RX-8.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (134,1)
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (135,1)
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........................................... 5-23
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-24
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-27
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-33
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-33
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-39
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-39
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-53
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-55
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-55
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-57
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-57
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-58
Headlight Washer
í................................................................. 5-60
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-60
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-61
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-62
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-62
5-1íSome models.
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F