2010 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 transmission

Black plate (160,1)
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's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
lWhen driving at high speeds, the gear may
not shift down depending on vehicle speed.
lDuring deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed.
lWhen depressing the accelerator fully, the
transmission will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Second gear fixed mode
When the shift lever is tapped back (
)
while the vehicle is stopped, the
transmission is set in the second gear
fixed mode. The gear is fixed in second
while in this mode for easier starting and
driving on slippery roads. If the shift lever
is tapped back (
) or forward () while
in the second gear fixed mode, the mode
will be canceled.
Shifting specification
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1→M2Between 0 and 18 km/h
(0 and 11 mph), depending on how
much the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
M2→M3Between 20 and 33 km/h
(13 and 21 mph), depending on how
much the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
M3→M4Between 30 and 33 km/h
(19 and 21 mph), depending on how
much the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
M4→M5 43 km/h (27 mph)
M5→M6 65 km/h (41 mph)
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted to a lower gear so as to
protect the transmission.
Gear Vehicle speed
M6→M5 210 km/h (130 mph)
M5→M4 175 km/h (108 mph)
M4→M3Between 122 and 135 km/h
(75 and 83 mph), depending on how
much the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
M3→M2Between 77 and 90 km/h
(47 and 59 mph), depending on how
much the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
M2→M1 30 km/h (18 mph)
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (162,1)
lThe vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.
Gear position indicator Direct mode indicator
NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct mode may
not be possible depending on the vehicle
speed. In addition, because direct mode is
canceled (released) depending on the rate of
acceleration or if the accelerator is fully
depressed, use of the manual shift mode is
recommended if you need to drive the vehicle
in a particular gear for long periods.
qDriving Tips
WARNING
Do not allow the vehicle to move in
reverse on an up-slope while the
selector lever is in a forward gear
position, or move forward on a down-
slope while the selector lever is in the
reverse position.
Otherwise, the engine will stop,
causing the loss of the power brake
and power steering functions, and
make it difficult to control the vehicle
which could result in an accident.
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.
5-20
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (166,1)
To increase speed using accelerator
pedal
Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate
to the desired speed.
Press down the cruise control SET/-
switch and release it immediately.
Cruise
control
switch
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up temporarily
when the cruise control is on. Greater speed
will not interfere with or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to return to
the set speed.
qTo Decrease Cruising Speed
Press down the cruise control SET/-
switch and hold it. The vehicle will
gradually slow.
Release the switch at the speed you want.
Cruise
control
switch
Your vehicle has a tap-down feature that
allows you to decrease your current speed
in decrements of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the cruise control SET/-
switch. Multiple taps will decrease your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.
qTo Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 30 km/h (19 mph)
If some other method besides the ON/
OFF switch was used to cancel cruising
speed (such as applying the brake pedal)
and the system is still activated, the most
recent set speed will automatically resume
when the cruise control RES/+ switch is
pressed up.
If vehicle speed is below 30 km/h (19
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 30
km/h (19 mph) or more and press up the
cruise control RES/+ switch.
Cruise
control
switch
qTo Cancel
To cancel the system, useoneof these
methods:
lPress the ON/OFF switch.lSlightly depress the brake pedal.lDepress the clutch pedal (Manual
transmission only).
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (179,1)
NOTE
When the ignition switch is in the ACC or
LOCK position, the odometer or trip meters
cannot be displayed, however, pressing the
selector button can inadvertently switch the
trip meters or reset them during an
approximate ten-minute period in the following
cases:
lAfter the ignition switch is turned to the
ACC or LOCK position from the ON
position.
lAfter the driver's door is opened.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to“0.0”by holding
the selector depressed for 1 second or
more. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.NOTE
lOnly the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
lThe trip record will be erased when:lThe power supply is interrupted (blown
fuse or the battery is disconnected).
lThe vehicle is driven over 999.9 km
(mile).
qTachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Automatic transmission
Variable red zonesStriped zone
Red zone
Manual transmission
Variable red zonesStriped zone
Red zone
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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Black plate (183,1)
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-46
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep 5-46
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-48
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-48
Automatic Transmission Warning Light 5-48
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-48
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green) 5-51
Security Indicator Light 5-52
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-52
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-53
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-53
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-53
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-54
Lights-On Indicator Light 5-54
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-54
Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light 5-55
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (190,1)
NOTElTo allow the front passenger seat weight
sensor to function properly, do not place
and sit on an additional seat cushion on the
front passenger seat. The sensor may not
function properly because the additional
seat cushion could cause sensor
interference.
lWhen a small child sits on the front
passenger seat, it is possible that neither
the warning light nor the warning beep
operate.
qDoor-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when any
door or the trunk is not securely closed.
Close the door or the trunk securely
before driving the vehicle.
qLow Washer Fluid Level
Warning Lightí
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page
8-17).
qAutomatic Transmission Warning
Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
The light illuminates when the
transmission has a problem.
CAUTION
If the automatic transmission
warning light illuminates, the
transmission has an electrical
problem. Continuing to drive your
Mazda in this condition could cause
damage to your transmission.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
as soon as possible.
qTire Pressure Monitoring System
Warning Lightí
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates
and a beep is heard when tire pressure is
too low in one or more tires, and flashes
when there is a system malfunction.
5-48
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (195,1)
qShift Position Indicator Light
(Automatic Transmission)
This indicates the selected shift position
when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
Gear position indicator
Gear position indicator
The gear position indicator displays the
gear in use while in either manual shift or
direct mode.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Lightí
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.
qDSC OFF Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also illuminates when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off (page 5-28).
If the light stays on when the TCS/DSC is
not switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The dynamic
stability control may have a malfunction.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-53íSome models. RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page195
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Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (211,1)
NOTE
FCC ID: NZLOBIHL3
CANADA:4112A-OBIHL3
This device complies with FCC rules part 15.
Operation is subject to the following
conditions:
1- This device may not cause any harmful
interference and
2- This device must accept any interference
that may be received including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE
The programming will not be erased even if
the battery is disconnected.
qPre-programming the HomeLink
System
NOTE
It is recommended that a new battery be
placed in the hand-held transmitter of the
device being programmed to HomeLink for
quicker training and accurate transmission of
the radio-frequency signal.
lVerify that there is a remote control
transmitter available for the device you
would like to program.
lDisconnect the power to the device.
qProgramming the HomeLink System
CAUTION
When programming a garage door
opener or a gate, disconnect the
power to these devices before
performing programming, as
continuous operation of the devices
could damage the motor.The HomeLink system provides 3 buttons
which can be individually selected and
programmed using the transmitters for
current, on-market devices as follows:
1. Press and hold the two outer
HomeLink buttons (buttons one and
three)―releasing only when the
indicator light begins to flash (after 20
seconds).Do nothold the buttons for
longer than 30 seconds anddo not
repeat step 1to program a second and/
or third hand-held transmitter to the
remaining two HomeLink buttons.
2. Position the end of your hand-held
transmitter 2.5―7.5 cm (1―3 inches)
away from the HomeLink button you
wish to program while keeping the
indicator light in view.
3. Simultaneously press and hold both the
chosen HomeLink and hand-held
transmitter buttons.Do not release the
buttons until step 4 has been
completed.
NOTE
Some gate operators and garage door openers
may require you to replace this Programming
Step 3 with procedures noted in the“Gate
Operator/Canadian Programming”section.
4. After the HomeLink indicator light
changes from a slow to a rapidly
blinking light, release both the
HomeLink and hand-held transmitter
buttons.
NOTE
If the HomeLink indicator light does not
change to a rapidly blinking light, contact
HomeLink atwww.homelink.comor call1-
800-355-3515for assistance.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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