Black plate (135,1)
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
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.
qBrake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-9
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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
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (245,1)
7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ............................................................. 7-2Parking in an Emergency .......................................................... 7-2
Flat Tire ......................................................................................... 7-3 Spare Tire and Tool Storage ...................................................... 7-3
Instant Mobility System (IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit ............................................................................................. 7-5
Changing the Tire .................................................................... 7-11
Overheating ................................................................................. 7-16 Overheating ............................................................................. 7-16
Emergency Starting .................................................................... 7-18 Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-18
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-19
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-22
Emergency Towing ..................................................................... 7-23 Towing Description ................................................................. 7-23
Tiedown Hooks ....................................................................... 7-24
Recreational Towing ............................................................... 7-25
7-1
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (263,1)
Jump-Starting
Jump-starting is dangerous if done incorrectly. So follow the procedure carefully. If you
feel unsure about jump-starting, we strongly recommend that you have a competent service
technician do the work.
WARNING
Follow These Precautions Carefully:
To ensure safe and correct handling of the battery, read the following precautions
carefully before using the battery or inspecting it.
Always wear eye protection when working near the battery:
Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID
which could cause blindness if splashed into your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode.
Wear eye protection and protective gloves to prevent contact with battery
fluid: Spilled battery fluid is dangerous.
Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets in
eyes, skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with water for 15
minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention.
Always keep batteries out of the reach of children:
Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid could cause
serious injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin.
Do not allow the positive () terminal to contact any other metal object that
could cause sparks: Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. When working near a
battery, do not allow metal tools to contact the positive (
) or negative ()
terminal of the battery.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
7-19
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (264,1)
Keep all flames, including cigarettes, and sparks away from open battery cells:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries.
Do not jump-start a frozen battery or one with a low fluid level: Jump-starting a frozen battery or one with a low fluid level is dangerous. It may
rupture or explode, causing serious injury.
Connect the negative cable to a good ground point away from the battery: Connecting the end of the second jumper cable to the negative (
) terminal of the
discharged battery is dangerous.
A spark could cause the gas around the battery to explode and injure someone.
Route the jumper cables away from parts that will be moving: Connecting a jumper cable near or to moving parts (cooling fans, belts) is dangerous.
The cable could get caught when the engine starts and cause serious injury.
CAUTION
Use only a 12 V booster system. You can damage a 12 V starter, ignition system, and
other electrical parts beyond repair with a 24 V power supply (two 12 V batteries in
series or a 24 V motor generator set).
1. Remove the engine cover.
2. Remove the rubber hose from the battery cover.
7-20
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page264
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (265,1)
3. Remove the battery cover from its rearside.
4. Make sure the booster battery is 12 V
and that its negative terminal is
grounded.
5. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, don't allow the vehicles to
touch. Turn off the engine of the
vehicle with the booster battery and all
unnecessary electrical loads in both
vehicles.
6. Connect the jumper cables in the exact sequence as in the illustration.
lConnect one end of a cable to the
positive terminal on the discharged
battery (1).
lAttach the other end to the positive
terminal on the booster battery (2).
lConnect one end of the other cable
to the negative terminal of the
booster battery (3).
lConnect the other end to a solid,
stationary, exposed metallic point
(for example, the tightening bolt)
away from the discharged battery
(4).
Booster battery
Connect cables
in numerical
order and
disconnect in
reverse order.
Discharged
battery
7. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and run it a few minutes. Then start the
engine of the other vehicle.
8. When finished, carefully disconnect the cables in the reverse order described in
Step 6.
NOTE
Verify that the engine cover is securely
installed.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
7-21
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (369,1)
C
Child RestraintChild restraint precautions ......... 2-20
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-24
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-30
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-47
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-46
Coin Box ........................................... 6-50
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-44
Cruise Control ................................... 5-20
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-49
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-37
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-56
Defroster Rear window .............................. 5-60
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-26
Driving In Flooded Area ..................... 4-9
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-6 Automatic transmission .............. 5-18
Break-in period ............................ 4-6
Driving in flooded area ................ 4-9
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-7
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-7
Winter driving .............................. 4-8
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-24 DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-25
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-26
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-25
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-18Jump-starting .............................. 7-19
Push-starting .............................. 7-22
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-23
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine Coolant ....................................... 8-13
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-4
Hood release .............................. 3-38
Oil .............................................. 8-11
Overheating ................................ 7-16
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-10
Engine Coolant Overheating ................................ 7-16
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-36
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-4
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-41
F
Flasher Hazard warning .......................... 5-61
Headlights .................................. 5-55
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3 Changing .................................... 7-11
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit ................................................ 7-5
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Fluids Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance ..................... 8-8
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-57
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-5
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-5
Index
11-3
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G
Black plate (370,1)
F
Front Seats
(Manually Operated Seats) ................. 2-2
FuelFiller lid and cap ........................ 3-37
Gauge ......................................... 5-36
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Fuses ................................................. 8-34 Panel description ........................ 8-36
Replacement ............................... 8-34
G
Gauges .............................................. 5-33
Glove Box ......................................... 6-50
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 5-61
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-7
Headlight Washer .............................. 5-59
HeadlightsControl ....................................... 5-55
Flashing ...................................... 5-56
High-low beam .......................... 5-56
Leveling ..................................... 5-56
On reminder ............................... 5-55
HomeLink Wireless Control
System .............................................. 5-61
Hood Release .................................... 3-38
Horn .................................................. 5-60
I
Ignition Keys ........................................... 3-21
Switch .......................................... 5-2
Illuminated Entry System ................. 6-43
I
Immobilizer System
(with Advanced Key) ........................ 3-41
Immobilizer System
(without Advanced Key) ................... 3-43
Indicator Lights ................................. 5-39 Cruise ......................................... 5-52
DSC OFF .................................... 5-51
Headlight auto-leveling
malfunction ................................ 5-53
Headlight high-beam .................. 5-50
power steering malfunction ........ 5-52
Security ...................................... 5-50
Shift position .............................. 5-51
TCS/DSC ................................... 5-51
Turn-signal/hazard warning ....... 5-53
Information Display .......................... 6-45 Ambient temperature display ..... 6-46
Audio display ............................. 6-47
Climate control display .............. 6-46
Clock .......................................... 6-46
Information display functions .... 6-45
Inside Trunk Release Lever ............... 3-33
Instrument Cluster ............................. 5-33
Interior Care ...................................... 8-44
Interior Lights ................................... 6-43
J
Jump-Starting .................................... 7-19
K
Keyless Entry System ....................... 3-22
Keys .................................................. 3-21
L
Label Information ............................. 10-2
11-4
Index
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page370
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G