2009 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 windshield wipers

Black plate (139,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-5
Manual Transmission Operation ............................................. 5-10
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-13
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-20
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-21
Traction Control System (TCS)
í........................................... 5-25
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-26
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-29
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-35 Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-35
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-40 Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-40
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-55
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-56 Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-56
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-59
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-60
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-60
Headlight Washer
í................................................................. 5-64
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-65
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-66
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-66
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-67
5-1íSome models.
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page139
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (195,1)
CAUTION
ØDo not shade the light sensor by
adhering a sticker or a label on
the windshield. Otherwise the light
sensor will not operate correctly.
Light sensor
ØThe light sensor also works as a
rain sensor for the auto-wiper
control. Keep hands and scrapers
clear of the windshield when the
ignition switch is in the ON
position as fingers could be
pinched or the wipers and wiper
blades damaged when the wipers
activate automatically. If you are
going to clean the windshield, be
sure the wipers are turned off
completely - this is particularly
important when clearing ice and
snow - when it is particularly
tempting to leave the engine
running. NOTE
lThe light may not turn off immediately even
if the surrounding area becomes well-lit
because the light sensor determines that it
is nighttime if the surrounding area is
continuously dark for several minutes such
as inside long tunnels, traffic jams inside
tunnels, or in indoor parking lots.
In this case, the light turns off if the light
switch is turned to the OFF position.
lThe timing for turning on the headlights,
other exterior lights and dashboard
illumination can be delayed by adjusting
the sensitivity of the light sensor. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer regarding sensor
adjustment.
lThe sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be
changed by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Xenon fusion headlight bulbsí
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights
have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a
bright white beam over a wide area.
WARNING
Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer when the replacement
is necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flicker, or the brightness
weakens, the bulb-life may be depleted and a
replacement is necessary. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-57íSome models.
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page195
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (198,1)
Fog Lightsí
Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
They help you to see as well as to be seen.
To turn the fog lights on, rotate the fog
light switch to the
position.
The headlight switch must be in the
position to turn on the fog lights.
Fog light switch
To turn them off, rotate the fog light
switch to the OFF position or turn the
headlight switch to the
or OFF
position.
NOTE
lThe fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
l(With auto-light control)
If the fog light switch is in the ON position
and the headlight switch is in the AUTO
position, the fog lights will be turned on
when the headlights, the exterior lights and
dashboard illumination are automatically
turned on.
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.
Only use windshield washer fluid
mixed with anti-freeze protection in
freezing weather conditions: Using windshield washer fluid
without anti-freeze protection in
freezing weather conditions is
dangerous as it could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision
which could cause an accident.
In addition, make sure the
windshield is sufficiently warmed
using the defroster before spraying
the washer fluid.
5-60
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page198
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (199,1)
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 do not
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.
qWindshield Wipers
Type A (With INT position)
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
INT ―Intermittent
LO ―Low speed
HI ―High speed
For a single wiping cycle, press 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.
OFF
INT
INT ring
Type B (With AUTO position)
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
AUTO ―Auto control
LO ―Low speed
HI ―High speed
For a single wiping cycle, press the lever
up to MIST.
MIST ―Mist
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-61
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (201,1)
ØWhen the wiper lever is in the
AUTO position and the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the
wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:
ØIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched.
ØIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth.
ØIf the windshield is struck with
a hand or other object.
ØIf the rain sensor is struck with
a hand or other object from
inside the vehicle.
Keep hands and scrapers clear of
the windshield when the ignition
switch is in the ON position as
fingers could be pinched or the
wipers and wiper blades damaged
when they activate automatically.
If you are going to clean the
windshield, be sure the wipers are
turned off completely - this is
particularly important when
clearing ice and snow - when it is
particularly tempting to leave the
engine running. NOTE
lSwitching the auto-wiper lever from the
OFF to the AUTO position while driving at
a vehicle speed of 4 km/h (2 mph) or higher
(or after driving the vehicle) activates the
windshield wipers once, after which they
operate according to the rainfall amount.
lThe auto-wiper control may not operate
when the rain sensor temperature is about
_
10 °C (14 °F) or lower, or about 85 °C
(185 °F) or higher.
lIf the windshield is coated with water
repellent, the rain sensor may not be able to
sense the amount of rainfall correctly and
auto-wiper control may not operate
properly.
lIf dirt or foreign matter (e.g. ice or matter
containing salt water) adheres to the
windshield above the rain sensor or if the
windshield is iced, it could cause the wipers
to move automatically. However, if the
wipers cannot remove this ice, dirt or
foreign matter, the auto-wiper control will
stop operation. In this case, pull the wiper
lever to the low speed or high speed
position for manual operation, or remove
the ice, dirt or foreign matter by hand to
restore the auto-wiper operation.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (202,1)
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 (Type
A)/AUTO (Type B) position, the wipers will
operate continuously until the lever is
released.
If the washer doesn't work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-17). 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 5-64).
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.
5-64
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page202
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (341,1)
Wiper Blades
CAUTION
ØHot waxes applied by automatic
car washers have been known to
affect the wiper's ability to clean
windows.
Ø To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents on or near them.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
qReplacing Windshield Wiper Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
NOTE
To prevent damage to the wiper arm blades
when raising both the driver and passenger
side wiper arms, raise the driver side wiper
arm first. Conversely, when setting down the
wiper arms, set the passenger side wiper arm
down first.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the windshield
let the wiper arm down easily, don't
let it slap down on the windshield.
2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull until the tabs are free of the metal
support.
Metal support
Ta b
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-19
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (429,1)
T
TowingDescription ................................. 7-23
Emergency towing ..................... 7-23
Recreational towing ................... 7-25
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-25 TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-25
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-36
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-32 Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-34
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-33
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-59
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-77
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-40 ABS ............................................ 5-42
Air bag system ........................... 5-45
Automatic transmission .............. 5-48
Brake system .............................. 5-42
Charging system ......................... 5-43
Check engine .............................. 5-45
Door-ajar .................................... 5-47
Engine coolant level ................... 5-44
Engine oil level .......................... 5-43
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-45
KEY Warning Light
(Red)/KEY Indicator Light
(Green) ....................................... 5-50
Low fuel ..................................... 5-46
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-47
Seat belt ...................................... 5-46
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-48
Warranty ............................................ 9-11
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-17
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-27
Windows Power windows .......................... 3-35
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-41
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-64
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-61 Blades replacement .................... 8-19
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
11-7
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Form No.8Z09-EA-08C