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
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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 (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.
5-52
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 (216,1)
qOperating the Radio
Seek tuning
buttonScan button
Manual tuning dial/Auto
memory button/Electric
serial number button Satellite button
Band selector button Channel preset buttons
Radio ON
Press a band selector button (
)to
turn the radio on.
Band selection
Successively pressing the band selector
button (
) switches the bands as
follows: FM1 →FM2 →AM.
The selected mode will be indicated. If
FM stereo is being received, “ST ”will be
displayed.
NOTE
If the FM broadcast signal becomes weak,
reception automatically changes from
STEREO to MONO for reduced noise, and the
“ ST ”indicator will go out.
Tuning
The radio has the following tuning
methods: Manual, Seek, Scan, Preset
channel, and Auto memory tuning. The
easiest way to tune stations is to set them
on preset channels.
NOTE
If the power supply is interrupted (fuse blows
or the battery is disconnected), the preset
channels will be canceled.
Manual tuning
Turning the manual tuning dial will
change the frequency higher or lower.
Seek tuning
Pressing the seek tuning button (
,)
will cause the tuner to seek a higher or
lower frequency automatically.
6-26
Interior Comfort
Audio System
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page216
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (217,1)
NOTE
If you continue to press and hold the button,
the frequency will continue changing without
stopping.
Scan tuning
Press the scan button (
,)to
automatically sample strong stations.
Scanning stops at each station for about 5
seconds. To hold a station, press the scan
button (
,) again during this interval.
Preset channel tuning
The 6 preset channels can be used to store
6 AM and 12 FM stations.
1. To set a channel first select AM, FM1, or FM2. Tune to the desired station.
2. Depress a channel preset button for about 2 seconds until a beep sound is
heard. The preset channel number and
station frequency will be displayed.
The station is now held in the memory.
3. Repeat this operation for the other stations and bands you want to store.
To tune one in the memory, select AM,
FM1, or FM2 and then press its
channel preset button. The station
frequency and the channel number will
be displayed.
NOTE
If the power supply is interrupted (fuse blows
or the battery is disconnected), the preset
channels will be canceled.
Auto memory tuning
This is especially useful when driving in
an area where the local stations are not
known. Additional AM/FM stations can
be stored without disturbing the
previously set channels. Press and hold the auto memory button
(
) for about 2 seconds until a beep
sound is heard; the system will
automatically scan and temporarily store
up to 6 stations with the strongest
frequencies in each selected band in that
area.
After scanning is completed, the station
with the strongest frequency will be tuned
and its frequency displayed.
Press and release the auto memory button
(
) to recall stations from the auto-
stored stations. One stored station will be
selected each time; its frequency and
channel number will be displayed.
NOTE
If no stations can be tuned after scanning
operations, “A ” will be displayed.
SATELLITE RADIO (SAT)
Vehicles equipped with the separately
purchased SIRIUS digital satellite radio
unit have the ability to receive up to 100
channels of digital quality programming
coast to coast via satellite. For information
on use, read the Satellite Radio Kit
manual accompanying the SIRIUS digital
satellite radio unit. A subscription to
SIRIUS digital satellite radio service is
required (available in the U.S. - Except
Alaska and Hawaii) to enable this feature
once the separately purchased SIRIUS
digital satellite radio unit has been
installed. For subscription information or
digital satellite radio technical issues
contact SIRIUS directly at:
- Web: www.siriusradio.com
- Phone (24 hrs/day, 7 days/week): 888-
539-SIRI (7474)
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Mailing Address: Sirius Satellite Radio
Interior Comfort
Audio System
6-27
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (271,1)
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3 Scheduled Maintenance ............................................................ 8-3
Owner Maintenance ..................................................................... 8-8 Owner Maintenance Schedule .................................................. 8-8
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................... 8-9
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-10
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-11
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-13
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-15
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-16
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-17
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-18
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-20
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-22
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-27
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-34
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-39 How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-39
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-41
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-44
8-1
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (280,1)
Engine Compartment Overview
BatteryEngine oil dipstick
Engine oil-filler cap
Air filter
Engine coolant reservoir
Cooling system cap
Brake/Clutch fluid
reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Fuse block (next
to air filter)
Fuse block
(near battery)
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page280
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (304,1)
Fuses
Your vehicle's electrical system is
protected by fuses.
If any lights, accessories, or controls don't
work, inspect the appropriate circuit
protector. If a fuse has blown, the inside
element will be melted.
If the same fuse blows again, avoid using
that system and consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
qFuse Replacement
Replacing the fuses on the driver's side
If the electrical system does not work,
first inspect the fuses on the driver's side.
1. Turn off the ignition switch and other
switches.
2. Open the fuse panel cover.
3. Pull the fuse straight out with the fuse puller provided on the inside of the
engine compartment fuse block cover.
4. Inspect the fuse and replace it if it'sblown.
Normal Blown
5. Insert a new fuse of the same amperage
rating, and make sure it fits tightly. If it
does not fit tightly, have an expert
install it. We recommend an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If you have no spare fuses, borrow one
of the same rating from a circuit not
essential to vehicle operation, such as
the AUDIO or CIGAR circuit.
CAUTION
Always replace a fuse with one of the
same rating. Otherwise you may
damage the electric system.
8-34
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page304
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G