2008 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 overheating

Black plate (121,1)
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces 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.
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving: The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
lDo not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) on page 5-8.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear wheels.
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle: When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is
dangerous. The spinning tire could
overheat and explode. This could
cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure,
and tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
RX-8_8X44-EA-07G_Edition1 Page121
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

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Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
GearVehicle speed
M1 to M2 19 km/h (12 mph)
M2 to M3 35 km/h (22 mph)
M3 to M4 47 km/h (29 mph)
M4 to M5 58 km/h (36 mph)
M5 to M6 78 km/h (49 mph)
For cruising Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 5 km/h (3 mph)
M2 to M3 30 km/h (19 mph)
M3 to M4 40 km/h (25 mph)
M4 to M5 50 km/h (31 mph)
M5 to M6 67 km/h (42 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steep downgrade , downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
q Driving 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.
5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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CAUTION
Don't run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine
damage.
NOTE
lThe beep sounds to indicate engine overrev
when the tachometer needle enters the
striped zone.
lTo protect the engine, when the engine
coolant temperature is low, the engine does
not run at high speeds. The fuel supply will
be cut at an rpm lower than the red zone.
qEngine Coolant Temperature Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle is near H, it indicates
overheating.
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-16).
q Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Low fuel warning light
NOTE
The direction of the arrow () shown that
the fuel-filler lid is on the left side of the
vehicle.
q Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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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
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

Black plate (190,1)
HomeLink should now activate your
rolling code equipped device.
NOTE
To program the remaining two HomeLink
buttons, begin with“Programming ”― step 2.
Do not repeat step 1.
For questions or comments, please contact
HomeLink at www.homelink.com or1-
800-355-3515.
q Gate operator/Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out ”(or quit)
after several seconds of transmission ―
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian
law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed to “time-out ”in the same
manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
by using the “Programming ”procedures
(regardless of where you live), replace
“ Programming HomeLink ”step 3 with
the following:
NOTE
If programming a garage door opener or gate
operator, it is advised to unplug the device
during the “cycling ”process to prevent
possible overheating.
Continue to press and hold the HomeLink
button while you press and release ―
every two seconds (“ cycle ”) your hand-
held transmitter until the frequency signal
has successfully been accepted by
HomeLink. (The indicator light will flash
slowly and then rapidly.)
Proceed with “Programming ”step 4 to
complete.
q Operating the HomeLink System
Press the programmed HomeLink button
to operate a programmed device. The
code will continue being transmitted for a
maximum of 20 seconds.
qReprogramming the HomeLink
system
To program a device to HomeLink using a
HomeLink button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink
button. DO NOT release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds. Without releasing the
HomeLink button, proceed with
“Programming ”- step 2.
q Erasing Programmed HomeLink
Buttons
To erase the existing programming from
all three operating channels, press and
hold the two outside buttons (
,)
on the auto-dimming mirror until the
HomeLink indicator light begins to flash
after approximately 20 seconds.
Verify that the programming has been
erased when you resell the vehicle.
5-64
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

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CAUTION
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy
traffic, closely monitor the
temperature gauge (page 5-36).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off (page 7-16).
NOTE
lWhen maximum cooling is desired, set the
temperature control dial to the extreme cold
position and set the air intake selector to
the
position, then set the fan control
dial to position 4.
lIf warmer air is desired at floor level, set
the mode selector switch at the
position
and adjust the temperature control dial to
maintain maximum comfort.
lThe air to the floor is warmer than air to
the face (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the extreme hot or cold
position).
q Ventilation
1. Press the mode selector switch to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
qWindshield Defrosting and Defogging
1. Press the windshield defroster switch.
2. Set the temperature control dial to thedesired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
WARNING
Do not defog the windshield using the
position with the temperature
control set to the cold position:
Using the
position with the
temperature control set to the cold
position is dangerous as it will cause
the outside of the windshield to fog
up. Your vision will be hampered,
which could lead to a serious
accident. Set the temperature control
to the hot or warm position when
using the
position.
NOTE
lFor maximum defrosting, set the
temperature control dial to the extreme hot
position and the fan control dial to position
4.
lIf warm air is desired at the floor, set the
mode selector switch to the
position.lIn the,,orposition, the air
conditioner is automatically turned on
(however, the indicator light does not
illuminate) and the
position is
automatically selected to defrost the
windshield.
In the
orposition, the
position cannot be changed to the
position.
6-8
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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CAUTION
ØDon't touch the metal part of the
lighter, you may burn yourself.
Ø Don't hold the lighter in because it
will overheat.
Ø Don't use the lighter socket for
plug-in accessories such as
shavers and coffee pots. They may
damage it or cause electrical
failure. Use only a genuine Mazda
lighter or the equivalent.
Ø If the lighter doesn't pop out
within 30 seconds, remove it to
prevent overheating.
Ashtray
CAUTION
Do not use the ashtray for trash. You
might start a fire.
To use, open the cover.
To remove, open the cover and pull up the
ashtray.
6-48
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
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Form No.8X44-EA-07G

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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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