Black plate (197,1)
NOTElThe power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical effort.
lRepeatedly jerking the steering wheel left
and right while the vehicle is stopped or
moving extremely slowly will cause the
power steering system to go into protective
mode which will make the steering feel
heavy, but this does not indicate a
malfunction. If this occurs, park the vehicle
safely and wait a few minutes for the system
to return to normal.
qHeadlight Auto-Leveling
Malfunction Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on far a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.
If the indicator light illuminates, contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qTurn-Signal/Hazard Warning
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn signal lights, the
left or right turn signal indicator light
flashes to indicate which turn signal light
is operating (page 5-60).
When operating the hazard warning
lights, both turn signal indicator lights
flash (page 5-67).
NOTE
If an indicator light remains illuminated (does
not flash) or if it flashes abnormally, one of the
turn signal bulbs may be burned out.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-55íSome models. RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page197
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (198,1)
Beep Sounds
qSeat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
If the driver or the front passenger's seat
belt is not fastened and the vehicle is
driven at a speed faster than about 20
km/h (12 mph), a beep sound will be
heard again for a specified period of time.
Refer to Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep on
page 5-46.
qIgnition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position with the key inserted, a
continuous beep sound will be heard
when the driver's door is opened.
qLights-On Reminderí
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a continuous
beep sound will be heard when the
driver's door is opened.
NOTE
When the advanced keyless function is used
and the start knob is in the ACC position, the
Start Knob Not in Lock Warning Beep (page
3-18) overrides the lights-on reminder.
qEngine Overrev Warning Beep
The beep sounds to indicate engine
overrev when the tachometer needle
enters the striped zone (page 5-37).
qTire Inflation Pressure Warning
Beepí
The warning beep sound will be heard for
about 3 seconds when there is any
abnormality in tire inflation pressures
(page 5-29).
qAdvanced Keyless Warning (with
Advanced Key)
Warning indicators for the advanced key,
such as“the advanced key removed from
vehicle warning”, use a beep sound and
warning/indicator lights in the instrument
cluster.
Refer to Warning and Beep Sounds on
page 3-18.
qEngine Oil Level Warning Beep
When the engine oil level is low, the
engine oil level warning light flashes and
the warning beep activates for a brief
period. After the warning light stops
flashing and illuminates, the beeper stops.
If the warning light continues to flash due
to a system malfunction, the beeper does
not sound.
Refer to Engine Oil Level Warning Light
on page 5-44.
5-56
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page198
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (200,1)
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
wiper lever is in the AUTO position
and 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 headlights, other exterior lights and
dashboard illumination 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.
5-58
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page200
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (201,1)
qLights-On Reminderí
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a continuous
beep sound will be heard when the
driver's door is opened.
NOTE
When the advanced keyless function is used
and the start knob is in the ACC position, the
Start Knob Not in Lock Warning Beep (page
3-18) overrides the lights-on reminder.
qHeadlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beam.
Pull back to original position for low
beam.
High beam
Low beam
qFlashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch does
not need to be on, and the lever will return
to the normal position when released.
OFF
Flashing
qHeadlight Levelingí
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
Headlight auto-leveling malfunction
indicator light
This indicator light stays on far a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-59íSome models. RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page201
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (221,1)
Mode selector switch
Press the mode selector switch to select
airflow mode (page 6-4).
NOTE
To set the air vent to, press the windshield
defroster switch.
A/C switch
Press the A/C switch to turn the air
conditioner on. The indicator light on the
switch will illuminate when the fan
control dial is set at position 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Press the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.NOTE
lThe air conditioner may not function when
the outside temperature approaches 0 °C
(32 °F).
l(U.S.A., Canada)
When the mode is set to
orwith the
fan control dial in a position other than 0
and the temperature control dial in the
maximum cold position, the air intake
selector switches to the recirculated air
mode and the A/C turns on automatically.
If A/C is not desired, press the A/C switch
to turn it off.
Air intake selector
This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
Press the switch to alternate between the
andpositions. The indicator
light for the selected mode will illuminate.
It is recommended that under normal
conditions the switch be kept in the
outside air position.
Outside air position (
)
Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use
this position for normal ventilation and
heating.
Recirculated air position (
)
Outside air is shut off. Air within the
vehicle is recirculated.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-7
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page221
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (242,1)
NOTE
About 5 seconds after selecting any mode, the
volume function will be automatically selected.
To reset bass, treble, fade, and balance, press
the audio control dial for 2 seconds. The unit
will beep and“CLEAR”will be displayed.
Automatic Level Control (ALC)
The automatic level control is a feature
that automatically adjusts audio volume
and sound quality according to the vehicle
speed.
The volume increases in accordance with
the increase in vehicle speed, and
decreases as vehicle speed decreases.
Select the desired ALC mode.
Mode Volume change
No change
Minimum
Medium
Maximum
Turn the audio control dial to select ALC
OFF or ALC LEVEL1―7 modes. The
selected mode will be indicated.
*AudioPilot®2 (Bose®Sound System-
equipped model)
AudioPilot
®2 automatically adjusts audio
volume and sound quality in accordance
with the level of noise entering the vehicle
interior while driving. When AudioPilot
®
2 is turned on, the system automatically
calculates the conditions for optimum
hearing of sound which may be difficult
to hear depending on exterior noise.
* AudioPilot
®2 is a registered trademark
of Bose Corporation.
*Centerpoint®(Bose®Sound System-
equipped model)
Centerpoint
®offers you the experience of
5.1-channel surround sound in your
vehicle even with your conventional 2-
channel stereo CDs.
6-28
Interior Comfort
Audio System
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page242
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (244,1)
qOperating the Radio
Seek tuning
button
Scan button
Manual tuning dialBand selector button Channel preset buttons
Auto memory
button
Radio ON
Press a band selector button (
)to
turn the radio on.
Band selection
Successively pressing the band selector
button (
) switches the bands as
follows: FM1→FM2→AM.
The selected mode will be indicated. If
FM stereo is being received,“ST”will be
displayed.
NOTE
If the FM broadcast signal becomes weak,
reception automatically changes from
STEREO to MONO for reduced noise, and the
“ST”indicator will go out.
Tuning
The radio has the following tuning
methods: Manual, Seek, Scan, Preset
channel, and Auto memory tuning. The
easiest way to tune stations is to set them
on preset channels.
NOTE
If the power supply is interrupted (fuse blows
or the battery is disconnected), the preset
channels will be erased.
Manual tuning
Turning the manual tuning dial will
change the frequency higher or lower.
Seek tuning
Pressing the seek tuning button (
,)
will cause the tuner to seek a higher or
lower frequency automatically.
6-30
Interior Comfort
Audio System
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page244
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E
Black plate (248,1)
SIRIUS service uses an ID code to
identify your radio. This code is needed to
activate SIRIUS service, and report any
problems.
To activate you SIRIUS radio tuner, call a
SIRIUS customer service specialist at 1-
888-539-7474 or you can visit SIRIUS
online at www.sirius.com.
Please have the following information
ready:
lSIRIUS ID (12-digit electronic serial
no., or ESN*)lValid credit card information (may not
be required at initial sign-up)
Be sure you are parked outside with a
clear view of open sky, you will be
instructed to turn on your radio (in SAT
mode and tuned to channel 184).
Activation typically takes only 2―5
minutes.
*ESN: Electronic Serial Number
SIRIUS operation
All operations of the satellite radio are
conducted by means of the audio unit.
SIRIUS radio mode selection
When the satellite button is pressed during
ACC ON, it will play the last SIRIUS
channel in use before the mode was
switched over to another mode or the
power was turned off.
When the satellite button is pressed in a
mode other than the SIRIUS mode, the
last channel in use will be received.Every time the satellite button is pressed,
the bank changes in the order shown
below.
SR2 SR1
SR3
NOTE
SR1, SR2 and SR3: six stations can be stored
in each bank for convenient access to your
favorite stations.
Operation in the initial state
It may take some time to start up the
equipment when it is in the initial state,
when there is a change in the user's
subscription condition, or when the
SIRIUS channel map is changed.
“UPDATING xx%”is displayed when the
SIRIUS channel map is changed. If the
unit is initialized or the user contract
content is changed,“UPDATING”is
displayed. Updating could take as long as
three minutes depending on the
geographical area. When the unit is in an
initialized state, channel 184 is displayed
after the display indicates
“UPDATING 100%”. If the SIRIUS
channel map or the user contract content
is changed, the channel prior to the
change is displayed after“UPDATING”is
displayed. After the initialization display,
it may take as long as 12 seconds to
receive channel 184.
6-34
Interior Comfort
Audio System
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page248
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E