Black plate (223,1)
CAUTION
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy
traffic, closely monitor the
temperature gauge (page 5-38).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off (page 7-17).
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).
qVentilation
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 the
desired 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.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-9
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page223
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (296,1)
CAUTION
ØDo not touch the metal part of the
lighter, you may burn yourself.
ØDo not hold the lighter in because
it will overheat.
ØDo not 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.
ØIf the lighter does not 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.
6-82
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page296
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (303,1)
7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ............................................................. 7-2
Parking 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 ................................................................................. 7-17
Overheating ............................................................................. 7-17
Emergency Starting .................................................................... 7-19
Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-19
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-20
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-23
Emergency Towing ..................................................................... 7-24
Towing Description ................................................................. 7-24
Tiedown Hooks ....................................................................... 7-25
Recreational Towing ............................................................... 7-27
7-1
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page303
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (312,1)
WARNING
Never operate the compressor above
300 kPa (3.1 kgf/cm2, 3 bar, 43.5 psi):
Operating the compressor above 300
kPa (3.1 kgf/cm
2, 3 bar, 43.5 psi) is
dangerous. When the inflation
pressure rises above 300 kPa (3.1
kgf/cm
2, 3 bar, 43.5 psi), heated air
will be exhausted from the back of
the compressor and you could be
burned.
CAUTION
If the compressor operates slowly or
becomes hot, it indicates
overheating. Turn the compressor off
immediately and leave it turned off
for 30 minutes or longer.
NOTE
lCheck the tire inflation pressure label (rear
door on the driver's side) for the correct tire
inflation pressure.
lDo not use the compressor for longer than
10 minutes because using the compressor
for long periods could damage it.
lIf the tire does not inflate, repair of the tire
may not be possible. If the tire does not
reach the correct inflation pressure within a
10-minute period, it probably has received
more extensive damage. When this happens,
the emergency flat tire repair kit cannot be
used to repair the tire. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf the tire has been over-inflated, loosen the
screw cap on the compressor and bleed
some of the air out.
17. When the tire has been inflated to the
proper inflation pressure, turn the
compressor switch off and remove the
compressor hose from the tire valve.18. Install the tire valve cap.
19. Put the emergency flat tire repair kit
in the trunk and continue driving.
CAUTION
ØDrive carefully to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer and keep the
vehicle speed below 80 km/h (50
mph).
ØIf the vehicle is driven 80 km/h (50
mph) or higher, the vehicle might
begin to vibrate.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
If the tire is not properly inflated, the tire
pressure monitoring system warning light will
illuminate (page 5-31).
20. After driving the vehicle for 10
minutes or 5 km (3 miles), check the
tire pressure with the tire pressure
gauge equipped with the compressor.
If the tire pressure has fallen below
the correct tire pressure, inflate the
tire to the correct pressure again
following the steps from number 15.
CAUTION
ØIf the tire inflation pressure falls
below 130 kPa (1.3 kgf/cm2or bar,
18.9 psi), repair cannot be done
with the repair kit. Park the
vehicle on a level surface off the
right-of-way and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
ØIf the tire inflation pressure
continues to remain low after
repeating steps 14 to 21, park the
vehicle on a level surface off the
right-of-way and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
7-10
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page312
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (319,1)
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
Turn off the ignition switch and
make sure the fan is not running before
attempting to work near the cooling
fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan
could continue running indefinitely
even if the engine has stopped and
the engine compartment temperature
is high. You could be hit by the fan
and seriously injured.
Do not remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot:
When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a preset
temperature, an electrical cooling fan turns
on. It will continue running for about 10
minutes after the ignition switch is turned to
off.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the
engine temperature will increase.
Stop the engine and call an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-17
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page319
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (320,1)
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-14).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the
cooling system inspected. The engine
could be seriously damaged unless
repairs are made. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
7-18
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page320
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:34 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (433,1)
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-4
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-3
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-16
Center Console .................................. 6-85
Child Restraint
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-29
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-35
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-81
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-80
Coin Box ........................................... 6-84
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-78
Cruise Control ................................... 5-22
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-83
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-38
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-60
Defroster
Mirror ......................................... 5-66
Rear window .............................. 5-66
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-28
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving on Uneven Road .................. 4-12
D
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-6
Automatic transmission .............. 5-20
Break-in period ............................ 4-6
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Driving on uneven road ............. 4-12
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-7
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-8
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-26
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-27
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-28
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-27
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-19
Jump-starting .............................. 7-20
Push-starting .............................. 7-23
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-24
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant ....................................... 8-14
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-4
Hood release .............................. 3-45
Oil .............................................. 8-12
Overheating ................................ 7-17
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-11
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-17
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-38
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-4
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-44
Index
11-3
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page433
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (435,1)
I
Inside Trunk Release Lever ............... 3-35
Instrument Cluster ............................. 5-35
Interior Care ...................................... 8-47
Interior Lights ................................... 6-77
J
Jump-Starting .................................... 7-20
K
Keyless Entry System ....................... 3-23
Keys .................................................. 3-22
L
Label Information ............................. 10-2
Lane-Change Signals ........................ 5-60
Light Bulbs
Replacement ............................... 8-28
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Lighter ............................................... 6-81
Lighting Control ............................... 5-57
Lubricant Quality .............................. 10-4
M
Maintenance
Introduction .................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance precautions ... 8-9
Owner maintenance schedule ....... 8-8
Scheduled ..................................... 8-3
Manual Transmission Operation ....... 5-10
Recommendations for shifting .... 5-11
Map Lights ........................................ 6-78
Meters and Gauges ........................... 5-35
Mirror Defroster ................................ 5-66
M
Mirrors
Outside mirrors .......................... 3-56
Rearview mirror ......................... 3-57
Money-Saving Suggestions ................ 4-6
Moonroof .......................................... 3-46
O
Odometer and Trip Meter .................. 5-36
Outside Mirrors ................................. 3-56
Overhead Console ............................. 6-84
Overhead Lights ................................ 6-78
Overheating ....................................... 7-17
Overloading ...................................... 4-11
P
Paint Damage .................................... 8-42
Parking Brake ..................................... 5-6
Parking in an Emergency .................... 7-2
Power Door Locks ............................ 3-29
Power Steering .................................. 5-21
Power steering malfunction indicator
light ............................................ 5-21
Power Windows ................................ 3-36
Push-Starting ..................................... 7-23
R
Rear Quarter Windows ..................... 3-43
Rear Seat ........................................... 2-11
Rear Window Defroster .................... 5-66
Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-57
Recreational Towing ......................... 7-27
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country ............................................. 9-14
Rocking the Vehicle ............................ 4-8
Index
11-5
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page435
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E