2008 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 battery

Black plate (151,1)
CAUTION
ØThe DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
ØUse tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
ØUse tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
ØDo not mix worn tires.
Ø The DSC may not operate correctly
when tire chains are used or a
temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
Ø If 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.
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-25
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page151
Friday, May 11 2007 5:3 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (161,1)
NOTE
When the ignition switch is in the ACC or
LOCK position, the odometer or trip meters
cannot be displayed, however, pressing the
selector button can inadvertently switch the
trip meters or reset them during an
approximate ten-minute period in the following
cases:
lAfter the ignition switch is turned to the
ACC or LOCK position from the ON
position.
lAfter any door is opened.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to“0.0 ”by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption. NOTE
lOnly the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
lThe trip record will be erased when:lThe power supply is interrupted (blown
fuse or the battery is disconnected).
lThe vehicle is driven over 999.9 km
(mile).
q
Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Automatic transmission
Red zone
Striped zone
Manual transmission
Red zone
Striped zone
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-35
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (168,1)
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to charge the
battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light comes on. This is due to a weak
battery, not a malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light and the ABS warning light
on at the same time. The problem is likely
to be the electronic brake force
distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated at the same time is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
qCharging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated because the engine could
stop unexpectedly.
qEngine Oil Level Warning Light
This warning light indicates low engine
oil level.
If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
5-42
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page168
Friday, May 11 2007 5:3 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (175,1)
qKEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY
Indicator Light (Green) (with
Advanced Key)
This indicator has two colors.
KEY Warning Light (Red)
When illuminated
lWhen the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, it illuminates
momentarily and then goes out.
lIf any malfunction occurs in the
advanced keyless system, it illuminates
continuously.
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the KEY
warning light illuminated:
If the KEY warning light remains
illuminated, do not continue to drive
using the advanced key system. Park
the vehicle in a safe place and use
the auxiliary key to continue driving
the vehicle. Have the vehicle
inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible. When flashing
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) flashes to
inform the driver that the start knob
will not rotate to the ACC position
even if it is pushed in from the LOCK
position.
lThe advanced key battery is dead.lThe advanced key is not within
operational range.
lThe advanced key is placed in areas
where it is difficult for the system to
detect the signal (page 3-7).
lA key from another manufacturer
similar to the advanced key is in the
operational range.
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) will flash
continuously when the start knob has
not been returned to the LOCK
position to notify the driver that the
advanced key has been removed from
the vehicle. It will stop flashing when
the advanced key is back inside the
vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the LOCK position, the driver's
door is open, and the advanced key
is removed from the vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the LOCK position and all the
doors are closed after removing the
advanced key from the vehicle.
NOTE
The flashing KEY warning light (red) and the
beep sound operate simultaneously (page
3-20).
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-49
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Friday, May 11 2007 5:3 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (176,1)
KEY Indicator Light (Green)
When illuminated
When the start knob is pushed in from the
LOCK position, the system confirms that
the correct advanced key is inside the
vehicle, the KEY indicator light (green)
illuminates, and the start knob can be
turned to the ACC position (page 3-9).
When flashing
When the advanced key battery power is
low, the KEY indicator light flashes for 30
seconds after the start knob is turned from
the ON position to the ACC or LOCK
position. Replace with a new battery
before the advanced key becomes
unusable (page 3-6).
NOTE
The advanced key can be set so that the KEY
indicator light (green) does not flash even if
the battery power is low.
Refer to Setting Change (Function
Customization)(page 3-19).
qSecurity Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 2
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
from the ON to the ACC position and the
immobilizer system is armed. The light stops flashing when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position with
the correct ignition key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is
disarmed and the light illuminates for
about 3 seconds and then goes out.
If the engine doesn't start with the correct
ignition key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
q
Headlight High-Beam Indicator
Light
This light indicates one of two things:lThe high-beam headlights are on.lThe turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position.
5-50
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page176
Friday, May 11 2007 5:3 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (178,1)
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 turnit 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.
q Cruise 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.
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.
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page178
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (181,1)
Lighting Control
qHeadlights
To turn on the lights, turn the headlight
switch on the end of the control lever.
Switch Position
Headlights Off Off On
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights
Dashboard
illumination Off On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery, don't leave
the lights on while the engine is off unless
safety requires them.
Xenon fusion headlight bulbsí
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights
have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a
bright white beam over a wide area.
WARNING
Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer when the replacement
is necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flicker, or the brightness
weakens, the bulb-life may be depleted and a
replacement is necessary. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
q Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a continuous
beep sound will be heard when the
driver's door is opened.
NOTE
When the advanced keyless function is used
and the start knob is in the ACC position, the
“Start Knob Not in LOCK Warning Beep ”
(page 3-16) overrides the lights-on reminder.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-55íSome models.
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page181
Friday, May 11 2007 5:4 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (188,1)
WARNING
Do not use the HomeLink system with
any garage door opener that lacks the
safety stop and reverse feature:Using the HomeLink system with any
garage door opener that lacks the
safety stop and reverse feature as
required by federal safety standards
is dangerous. (This includes garage
doors manufactured before April 1,
1982.)
Using these garage door openers can
increase the risk of serious injury or
death. For further information,
contact HomeLink at 1-800-355-3515
or www.homelink.com or your
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Always check the areas surrounding
garage doors and gates for people or
obstructions before programming or
during operation of the HomeLimk
system: Programming or operating the
HomeLink system without verifying
the safety of areas surrounding
garage doors and gates is dangerous
and could result in an unexpected
accident and serious injury if
someone were to be hit.
CAUTION
HomeLink has been tested and
complies with FCC and Industry
Canada rules. Changes or
modifications not expressly approved
by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the device. NOTE
FCC ID: NZLSTDHL3
CANADA:4112104541A
This device complies with FCC rules part 15.
Operation is subject to the following
conditions:
1- This device may not cause any harmful
interference and
2- This device must accept any interference
that may be received including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE
The programming will not be erased even if
the battery is disconnected.
q
Pre-programming the HomeLink
System
NOTE
It is recommended that a new battery be
placed in the hand-held transmitter of the
device being programmed to HomeLink for
quicker training and accurate transmission of
the radio-frequency signal.
lVerify that there is a remote control
transmitter available for the device you
would like to program.
lDisconnect the power to the device.
qProgramming the HomeLink System
CAUTION
When programming a garage door
opener or a gate, disconnect the
power to these devices before
performing programming, as
continuous operation of the devices
could damage the motor.
5-62
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page188
Friday, May 11 2007 5:4 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G