Black plate (184,1)
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
WARNING
Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir: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.
Do not use the washer without first
warming the windshield and never use
plain tap water: 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.
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.
q Windshield Wipers
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
INT ―Intermittent
1 ― Low speed
2 ― High speed
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to MIST.
MIST ―Mist
Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to INT and choose the
interval timing by rotating the ring.
INT ring
5-58
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page184
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (185,1)
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 8-16). 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).
Headlight Washerí
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position and the headlights must be turned
on.
The headlight washers operate
automatically once every fifth time the
windshield washer operates.
If you want to operate only the headlight
washers, pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you twice rapidly.
OFF
Washer
NOTE
When you pull the windshield wiper lever
twice, the windshield washer may spray a
little.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-59íSome models.
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page185
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (186,1)
Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster clears frost,
fog, and thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster. The rear window
defroster operates for about 15 minutes
and turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates during
operation.
To turn off the rear window defroster
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Indicator light
CAUTION
Don't use sharp instruments or
window cleaners with abrasives to
clean the inside of the rear window
surface. They may damage the
defroster grid inside the window.
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for melting snow.
If there is an accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the defroster.
Horn
To sound the horn, press themark on
the steering wheel.
5-60
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page186
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (192,1)
Operating Tips
qOperating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being discharged,
do not leave the fan control dial on for a long
period of time with the ignition switch in the
ACC position when the engine is not running.
qClearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in
the cowl grille to improve the system
efficiency.
qFoggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the
air conditioner to dehumidify the air.
NOTE
The air conditioner may be used along with the
heater to dehumidify the air.
qOutside/Recirculated Air Position
Use the outside air position in normal
conditions. The recirculated air position
should be used only when driving on
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the
interior.
qParking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.
qNot Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated.
qCheck the Refrigerant before the
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qReplacement of the Cabin Air Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary
to change the filter periodically as
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.
6-2
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page192
Friday, May 11 2007 5:4 PM
Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (212,1)
qPower/Volume/Sound Controls
Illustration is of a representative audio unit. Audio control dial
Power/Volume dial
Power ON/OFF
Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or
ON position.
Press the power/volume dial to turn the
audio system on.
Press the power/volume dial again to turn
the audio system off.
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being discharged,
do not leave the audio system on for a long
period of time when the engine is not running.
Volume adjustment
To adjust the volume, turn the power/
volume dial.
Turn the power/volume dial to the right to
increase volume, to the left to decrease it.
Audio sound adjustment
1. Press the audio control dial to select the
function. The selected function will be
indicated.
*
*
Standard audio-
equipped model
6-22
Interior Comfort
Audio System
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page212
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (220,1)
qOperating the Cassette Tape Playerí
APC button:
(next program)
(one being
played) Rewind
button
Dolby NR button Repeat button
Program button
Illustration is of a representative audio unit.Cassette tape eject button
Cassette tape play button
Fast-forward button
Cassette tape insert
Insert the cassette tape into the slot, open
edge to the right and cassette tape will
begin play, and “TAPE PLAY” will be
displayed. At the end of the cassette tape,
the unit automatically reverses cassette
tape play. When
is lit, the cassette
tape's top side is playing. When
is lit,
the bottom side is on.
Playing
Press the cassette tape play button
(
) to start play when a cassette
tape is in the unit. If there isn't a cassette
tape in the unit when the cassette tape
play button (
) is pressed,
“ NO TAPE ”will flash on and off.
Dolby noise reduction
When using a tape with Dolby NR
*, push
the Dolby NR button (
). The
symbol will be displayed. To play a tape
without Dolby NR, push the button once
again.
* Noise reduction system manufactured
under license from Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
Dolby and the double-D symbol
are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
Ejecting the cassette tape
Press the cassette tape eject button (
)to
eject the cassette tape.
NOTE
The cassette tape can be ejected when the
ignition switch is in the OFF position.
6-30
Interior Comfort
íSome models.
Audio System
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page220
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (227,1)
2. Wait 3 seconds or press the load button(
) again within 3 seconds after the
beep sound is heard.
3. When “IN ”is displayed, insert the CD.
4. When “IN ”is displayed again, insert
the next CD.
NOTE
The first-inserted CD will be played
automatically when:
lNo other CD is inserted within 15 seconds
after “IN ”is displayed.
lThe CD trays are full.
Displaying the CD-inserted tray
number
When you want to know the number for a
CD-inserted tray, press the display button
(
). The tray number will be displayed
for 5 seconds.
Ejecting the CD
Normal ejection
1. Press the CD eject button (
). The
disc number and “DISC OUT ”will be
displayed.
2. Pull out the CD.
NOTE
When the CD is ejected during play, the next
CD will be played automatically.
Ejecting CDs from desired tray number
1. Press and hold the CD eject button (
)
for about 2 seconds until a beep sound
is heard.
2. Press the channel preset button for the desired CD number within 3 seconds
after the beep sound is heard.
3. Pull out the CD. Multiple ejection
1. Press and hold the CD eject button (
)
for about 2 seconds until a beep sound
is heard.
2. Wait 3 seconds or press the CD eject button (
) again within 3 seconds
after the beep sound is heard.
3. Pull out the CD, then the next CD will be ejected.
NOTE
lCDs will be ejected starting with the one
with the lowest number.
lAll CDs in the tray will be ejected
continuously.
lCDs can be ejected when the ignition
switch is off. Press and hold the CD eject
button (
) for about 2 seconds and all
CDs will eject.
Playback
Press the CD play button (
) to start
play when a CD is in the unit.
If a CD is not in the unit when the CD
play button (
) is pressed, “NO DISC ”
will flash on and off.
Fast-forward/Reverse
Press and hold the fast-forward button
(
) to advance through a track at high
speed.
Press and hold the reverse button (
)
to reverse through a track at high speed.
Track search
Press the track up button (
) once to
skip forward to the beginning of the next
track.
Press the track down button (
) once to
skip back to the beginning of the current
track.
Interior Comfort
Audio System
6-37
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (230,1)
Audio Control Switch
Operation
When the audio unit is turned on,
operation of the audio unit from the
steering wheel is possible.
NOTE
Because the audio unit will be turned off under
the following conditions, the switches will be
inoperable.
lWhen the ignition switch is turned to the
LOCK position.
lWhen the power button on the audio unit is
pressed and the audio unit is turned off.
lWhen a cassette tape/CD being played is
ejected. (For the In-dash CD changer, when
all CDs are ejected.)
NOTE
Mazda has installed this system to prevent
distraction while driving the vehicle and using
audio controls on the dashboard.
Always make safe driving your first priority.
qAdjusting the Volume
To increase the volume, press the volume
button (
).
To decrease the volume, press the volume
button (
).
q Changing the Source
Press the mode switch () to change
the audio source (FM1 radio> FM2 radio>
AM radio> CD player or CD changer>
Cassette tape player> SIRIUS1>
SIRIUS2> SIRIUS3> cyclical).
6-40
Interior Comfort
Audio System
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page230
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G