2007 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 steering

Black plate (148,1)
NOTE
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Shift position
indicator
Gear position
indicator
NOTE
lIf the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the
gear position indicator will flash
twice to signal that the gears cannot
be shifted down.
lIf the automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) temperature becomes too
high, there is the possibility that the
transmission will switch to automatic
shift mode, canceling manual shift
mode and turning off the gear
position indicator illumination. This
is a normal function to protect the
AT. After the ATF temperature has
decreased, the gear position indicator
illumination turns back on and
driving in manual shift mode is
restored.
Shifting
You can shift gears up and down by
operating the shift lever or the steering
shift switches.
NOTE
lIf the steering shift switches on both
sides (left and right) are operated
simultaneously, the gear will shift
once.
lThe gear will not shift if:
lThe steering shift switch and the
shift lever are operated
simultaneously.
lThe UP switch and DOWN
switch are operated
simultaneously.
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (149,1)
Manually Shifting up
(M1→M2→M3→M4→M5→M6)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back (
) once.
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, tap either of the
UP switches toward you once with your
fingers.
UP switches
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers or thumbs on
the steering shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous. If
the driver air bag were to deploy in a
collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
lWhen driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed.
lIn manual shift mode, gears do not
shift up automatically. Don't run the
engine with the tachometer needle in
the RED ZONE. If the tachometer
needle enters the RED ZONE, you
may feel engine-braking because the
fuel delivery will be stopped to
protect the engine. However, this
does not indicate an abnormality.
lWhen depressing the accelerator
fully, the transmission will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (150,1)
Manually Shifting down
(M6→M5→M4→M3→M2→M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward (
) once.
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, press either of the
DOWN switches away from you once
with your thumb.
DOWN switches
WARNING
Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which 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.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers or thumbs on
the steering shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous. If
the driver air bag were to deploy in a
collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
lWhen driving at high speeds, the
gear may not shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
lDuring deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
lWhen depressing the accelerator
fully, the transmission will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (152,1)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steepupgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steepdowngrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
qDriving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while
gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
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 stiffer than usual
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.
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (153,1)
NOTE
The power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical
effort.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control under
the following conditions:
Using the cruise control under the
following conditions is dangerous and
could result in loss of vehicle control.
lHilly terrainlSteep inclineslHeavy or unsteady trafficlSlippery or winding roadslSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
qCruise Main Indicator Light
(Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator
Light (Green)
The indicator light has two colors.
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.
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Starting and Driving
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Black plate (158,1)
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
í
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 5-7) and TCS (page
5-23).
WARNING
Do not rely on the dynamic stability
control as a substitute for safe driving:
The dynamic stability control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
CAUTION
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
lUse tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
lUse tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
lDo not mix worn tires.
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
when tire chains are used or a
temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
lIf repair or replacement of the
steering or other surrounding
equipment is necessary, have it done
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. If
the center position of the steering
deviates, the DSC may not operate
correctly because there is a sensor in
the steering which detects driving
conditions.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS or DSC is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (159,1)
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qDSC OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off (page 5-26).
If the light stays on when the TCS/DSC is
not switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The dynamic
stability control may have a malfunction.
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.
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8V89-EA-06F

Black plate (174,1)
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-46
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-46
Automatic Transmission Warning Light 5-46
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-46
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green) 5-48
Security Indicator Light 5-50
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-50
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-50
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-51
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-51
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-51
Light-On Indicator Light 5-52
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-52
Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light 5-52
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-52
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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