2009 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 steering wheel

Black plate (154,1)
Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M ”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Shift position
indicator
Gear position
indicator
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down when
driving at higher speeds, the gear position
indicator will flash twice to signal that the
gears cannot be shifted down.
Shifting
You can shift gears up and down by
operating the shift lever or the steering
shift switches.
NOTE
lIf the steering shift switches on both sides
(left and right) are operated simultaneously,
the gear will shift once.
lThe gear will not shift if:lThe steering shift switch and the shift
lever are operated simultaneously.
lThe UP switch and DOWN switch are
operated simultaneously.
Manually Shifting up
(M1
→M2 →M3 →M4 →M5 →M6)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back (
) once.
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, tap either of the
UP switches toward you once with your
fingers.
Up switches
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers or thumbs on
the steering shift switches: Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver air bag were to deploy in
a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (155,1)
NOTElWhen driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up depending on vehicle speed.
lIn manual shift mode, gears do not shift up
automatically. Don't run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE. If the
tachometer needle enters the RED ZONE,
you may feel engine-braking because the
fuel delivery will be stopped to protect the
engine. However, this does not indicate an
abnormality.
lWhen depressing the accelerator fully, the
transmission will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Manually Shifting down
(M6→M5 →M4 →M3 →M2 →M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward (
) once.
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, press either of the
DOWN switches away from you once
with your thumb.
DOWN switches
WARNING
Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds: Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which 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.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers or thumbs on
the steering shift switches: Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver air bag were to deploy in
a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (164,1)
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
í
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 5-8) and TCS (page
5-25).
WARNING
Do not rely on the dynamic stability
control as a substitute for safe driving:The dynamic stability control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident.
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.
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (204,1)
Horn
To sound the horn, press themark on
the steering wheel.
Hazard Warning Flasher
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Hazard warning flasher
Depress the hazard warning flasher and all
the turn signals will flash.
NOTE
lThe turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning lights are on.
lCheck local regulations about the use of
hazard warning lights while the vehicle is
being towed to verify that it is not in
violation of the law.
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Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (223,1)
Antenna
qAM/FM Radio Antenna
The rear window antenna receives both
AM and FM signals.
CAUTION
When washing the inside rear
window, use a soft cloth dampened
in lukewarm water, gently wiping the
antenna lines.
Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the antenna.
qSatellite Radio Antennaí
The satellite radio antenna receives
SIRIUS signals.
Satellite radio antenna
Operating Tips for Audio
System
WARNING
Do not adjust the audio control
switches while driving the vehicle:
Adjusting the audio while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could
distract your attention from the
vehicle operation which could lead to
a serious accident. Always adjust the
audio while the vehicle is stopped.
Even if the audio control switches are
equipped on the steering wheel, learn
to use the switches without looking
down at them so that you can keep
your maximum attention on the road
while driving the vehicle.
CAUTION
For the purposes of safe driving,
adjust the audio volume to a level
that allows you to hear sounds
outside of the vehicle.
NOTE
lDo not use the audio for long periods of
time while the engine is off. Otherwise the
battery could go dead.
lIf a cellular phone or CB radio is used in
or near the vehicle, it could cause noise to
occur from the audio system, however, this
does not indicate that the system has been
damaged.
Interior Comfort
Audio System
6-15íSome models.
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Black plate (262,1)
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 the CD being played is ejected and
the audio unit is turned off.
Without Bluetooth Hands-Free and
navigation system
With Bluetooth Hands-Free only/
Bluetooth Hands-Free and navigation
system
Use the Voice recognition/hands-free
switch for navigation system sound
operation.
For details, refer to the separate manual
“NAVIGATION SYSTEM ”.
Voice recognition/hands-
free switch
NOTElThe Voice recognition/hands-free switch is
operable with the audio unit turned off.
lMazda 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.
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Interior Comfort
Audio System
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (267,1)
Bluetooth Hands-Freeí
qWhat is Bluetooth Hands-Free?
Bluetooth Hands-Free Outline
By connecting a Bluetooth equipped
mobile telephone to the hands-free unit
equipped on the vehicle, making and
receiving calls are possible using the
voice recognition/hands-free switch
located on the steering wheel, and saying
the voice commands.
WARNING
Perform phonebook registration related
operations while the vehicle is parked:
Performing phonebook registration
while driving the vehicle could be a
distraction to your driving and result
in an unexpected accident. In
addition, a mistake in performing the
phonebook operation could result in
the loss of important data.
Bluetooth equipped mobile telephone
A Bluetooth equipped mobile telephone
communicates with the hands-free unit
equipped on the vehicle using radio
transmission (Bluetooth).
For example, if the mobile telephone is
placed in a coat pocket, the phone calls
can be made through your mobile service
without direct use of the mobile
telephone.
CAUTION
The types of mobile phones which
can be connected to the hands-free
unit are limited, so before purchasing
or changing your mobile phone
model, consult Mazda Bluetooth
Hands-Free Customer Service or visit
www.MazdaUSA.com/bluetooth for a
complete list of compatible phones.
Mobile phones which can be
connected to the hands-free system
need to be compliant with Bluetooth
specifications and the appropriate
profile, however, even among these
Bluetooth phones are some which
will not connect with your Mazda or
will have limited function. Therefore,
consult Mazda Bluetooth Hands-Free
Customer Service for information
regarding mobile phone
compatibility:
Phone: 800-430-0153
Web: www.MazdaUSA.com/
bluetooth
Applicable Bluetooth specification
Ver. 1.1 or higher
Response profile
lHFP (Hands Free Profile) Ver. 1.0lDUN (Dial-up Networking Profile)
Ver. 1.1
Bluetooth is the registered trademark of
Bluetooth SIG. Inc.
Interior Comfort
Bluetooth Hands-Free
6-59íSome models.
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (268,1)
NOTElIf the ignition switch is turned off during a
hands-free call, the line is transferred to the
mobile telephone automatically.
lIf the mobile telephone is in a location
where radio reception is difficult such as a
metal container or in the trunk, the call may
not be connected using Bluetooth. If
communication is not possible, change the
location of the mobile telephone.
qComponent parts
Bluetooth Hands-Free consists of the
following items:
lVoice Recognition/Hands-Free switchlInformation displaylMicrophonelAudio unit/Navigation system
Voice Recognition/Hands-Free switch
Basic functions of Bluetooth Hands-Free
can be used for such things as making
calls or hanging up using the voice
recognition/hands-free switch on the
steering wheel.
Voice recognition/hands-
free switch (Phone button)
Voice Recognition/Hands-Free switch
operations
A short press or a long press of the voice
recognition/hands-free switch is used to
operate the system as follows:
lShort press (Press the button less than
0.7 sec.)
lLong press (Press the button 0.7 sec. or
more.)
Information display
When available, the information display
shows telephone numbers, Bluetooth
Hands-Free messages, and operation
status.
Microphone
The microphone is used for speaking
voice commands or exchanging
conversation.
Microphone
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Interior Comfort
Bluetooth Hands-Free
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C