2010 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 change time

Black plate (3,1)
Thank you for choosing a Mazda. We at Mazda design and build vehicles with complete
customer satisfaction in mind.
To help ensure enjoyable and trouble-free operation of your Mazda, read this manual
carefully and follow its recommendations.
An Authorized Mazda Dealer knows your vehicle best. So when maintenance or service is
necessary, that's the place to go.
Our nationwide network of Mazda professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best
possible service.
We assure you that all of us at Mazda have an ongoing interest in your motoring pleasure
and in your full satisfaction with your Mazda product.
Mazda Motor Corporation
HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
Important Notes About This Manual
Keep this manual in the glove box as a handy reference for the safe and enjoyable use of your Mazda. Should you
resell the vehicle, leave this manual with it for the next owner.
All specifications and descriptions are accurate at the time of printing. Because improvement is a constant goal at
Mazda, we reserve the right to make changes in specifications at any time without notice and without obligation.
Event Data Recorder
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder. In the event of a crash, this device records data related to
vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time. These data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur and lead to the designing of safer
vehicles.
Air Conditioning and the Environment
Your Mazda's genuine air conditioner is filled with HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that has been found not to
damage the earth's ozone layer. If the air conditioner does not operate properly, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Perchlorate
Certain components of this vehicle such as [air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, lithium batteries, ...] may
contain Perchlorate Material–Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Please be aware that this manual applies to all models, equipment and options. As a result, you may find
some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
©2009 Mazda Motor Corporation
Printed in Japan May 2009(Print1)
A Word to Mazda Owners
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page3
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:32 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (27,1)
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has
been expended:
One or both front air bags may deploy, and the corresponding pretensioner(s) may
also deploy at the same time. Like the air bags, the front seat belt pretensioners will
only function once. While it is safer to use a post-crash (a seat belt that was used in
an accident) than no front seat belt at all, using a front seat belt with an expended
pretensioner or load limiter loaded reduces the safety available to you. If the front
seat belt pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase.
Expended front seat belt pretensioners and air bags must be replaced after any
collision which caused them to deploy. Additionally, the load limiter will only limit
loads on the chest once in a collision and this is another reason to have the front
seat belts inspected. Always have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the front seat
belt pretensioners and air bags after any collision.
Make sure the seat belt is not caught or pinched in the door:
Wearing a seat belt that is caught or pinched in the door is dangerous. The seat belt
could become loose and not provide adequate protection in a sudden stop or
collision.
Make sure nothing is placed on the seat belt slide bar:
Placing your foot or other objects such as an umbrella on the seat belt slide bar is
dangerous. The front seat belt is built into the rear door, and the lower part of the
seat belt slides forward or backward along the seat belt slide bar as the rear door
opens or closes. If the seat belt slider is blocked, the seat belt could be improperly
positioned and would provide little or no protection in a collision.
CAUTION
Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and rings are soiled, so try to keep
them clean. For more details about cleaning the seat belts, refer to“Cleaning the
Lap/Shoulder Belt Webbing”(page 8-48).
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
2-15
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page27
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:32 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (32,1)
WARNING
Wear seat belts only as recommended
in this owner's manual:
Incorrect positioning of the driver and
front passenger seat belts is
dangerous. Without proper
positioning, the pretensioner and
load limiting systems cannot provide
adequate protection in an accident
and this could result in serious injury.
For more details about wearing seat
belts, refer to“Fastening the seat
belts”(page 2-18).
Have your seat belts changed
immediately if the pretensioner or load
limiter has been expended:
One or both front air bags may
deploy, and the corresponding
pretensioner(s) may also deploy at
the same time. Like the air bags, the
front seat belt pretensioners will only
function once. While it is safer to use
a post-crash (a seat belt that was
used in an accident) than no front
seat belt at all, using a front seat belt
with an expended pretensioner or
load limiter loaded reduces the safety
available to you. If the front seat belt
pretensioners are not replaced, the
risk of injury in a collision will
increase. Expended front seat belt
pretensioners and air bags must be
replaced after any collision which
caused them to deploy. Additionally,
the load limiter will only limit loads
on the chest once in a collision and
this is another reason to have the
front seat belts inspected. Always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
inspect the front seat belt
pretensioners and air bags after any
collision.Do not modify the components or
wiring, or use electronic testing devices
on the pretensioner system:
Modifying the components or wiring
of the pretensioner system, including
the use of electronic testing devices is
dangerous. You could accidentally
activate it or make it inoperable
which would prevent it from
activating in an accident. The
occupants or repairers could be
seriously injured.
Properly dispose of the pretensioner
system:
Improper disposal of the pretensioner
system or a vehicle with non-
deactivated pretensioners is
dangerous. Unless all safety
procedures are followed, injury could
result. Ask an Authorized Mazda
Dealer how to safely dispose of the
pretensioner system or how to scrap
a pretensioner-equipped vehicle.
NOTE
lThe pretensioner system will activate in a
moderate or greater frontal or near-frontal
collision. The pretensioner system for the
front passenger is designed to only deploy
in accordance with the total seated weight
on the front passenger seat. It will not
activate in most rollovers, side or rear
impacts.
lSome smoke (non-toxic gas) will be
released when the air bags and
pretensioners deploy. This does not indicate
a fire. This gas normally has no effect on
occupants, however, those with sensitive
skin may experience light skin irritation. If
residue from the deployment of the air bags
or the front pretensioner system gets on the
skin or in the eyes, wash it off as soon as
possible.
2-20
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page32
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:32 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (80,1)
7. Verify that the KEY indicator light
(green) illuminates in the instrument
cluster. The KEY warning light (red)
means you cannot continue to start the
engine using the Advanced Keyless
System. You may have to use the
auxiliary key instead (page 3-21).
NOTE
In the following cases, the KEY warning light
(red) illuminates and the engine will not start.
lThe advanced key battery is dead.lThe advanced key is out of operational
range.
lThe advanced key is placed in areas where
it is difficult for the system to detect the
signal (page 3-7).
lA key from another manufacturer similar to
the advanced key is in the operational
range.
8. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC
position while pushing the start knob
in.
9. Turn the ignition switch from the ACC
position to the START position and
hold (up to 10 seconds at a time) until
the engine starts.
CAUTION
Do not try the starter for more than
10 seconds at a time. If the engine
stalls or fails to start, wait 10 seconds
before trying again. Otherwise, you
may damage the starter and drain
the battery.
10. After starting the engine, let it idle for
about 15 seconds.Then perform the
shift operation.
NOTE
lIn extremely cold weather (below 0°C
(32°F)) or after the vehicle has not been
driven in several days, let the engine warm
up without operating the accelerator.
lWhether the engine is cold or warm, it
should be started without use of the
accelerator.
lThe display of the variable red zone in the
tachometer changes according to the
temperature of the engine coolant. To
protect the engine, when the engine coolant
temperature is low, the engine does not run
at high speeds. The fuel supply will be cut
at an rpm lower than the red zone.
Refer to Tachometer on page 5-37.
lIf the engine does not start the first time,
refer to Starting a Flooded Engine under
Emergency Starting. If the engine still does
not start, have your vehicle inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer (page 7-19).
3-12
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page80
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:32 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (87,1)
qRequest Switch Inoperable
Warning Beep
If the request switch for a front door is
pressed under the following conditions
while the advanced key is being carried, a
beep will be heard 6 times to indicate that
the front doors cannot be locked.
lA door is open (door ajar included).lThe start knob has not been returned to
the LOCK position.
lThe auxiliary key is inserted into the
ignition switch.
qAdvanced Key Battery Dead
Warning
When the start knob is returned to the
ACC or LOCK position from the ON
position, the KEY indicator light (green)
flashes for approximately 30 seconds
indicating that the remaining battery
power is low. Replace with a new battery
before the advanced key becomes
unusable.
Refer to Advanced Key Maintenance
(page 3-5).
NOTE
The advanced key can be set so that the KEY
indicator light (green) does not flash even if
the battery power is low.
Refer to Setting Change (page 3-20).
qEngine Start Not Permitted Warning
Under the following conditions, the KEY
warning light (red) flashes to inform the
driver that the start knob will not rotate to
the ACC position even if it is pushed in
from the LOCK position.
lThe advanced key battery is dead.lThe advanced key is not within
operational range.
lThe advanced key is placed in areas
where it is difficult for the system to
detect the signal (page 3-7).
lA key from another manufacturer
similar to the advanced key is in the
operational range.
qAdvanced Key Left-in-trunk
Warning Beep
If the advanced key is left in the trunk
compartment with all doors locked and
the trunk lid closed, a beep sound is heard
for about 10 seconds to remind the driver
the advanced key has been left in the
trunk compartment. If this happens, open
the trunk lid by pressing the request
switch and remove the advanced key. An
advanced key removed from the trunk
may not function because its functions
may have been temporarily suspended. To
restore the advanced key function,
perform the applicable procedure (page
3-17).
qAdvanced Key Left-in-vehicle
Warning Beep
If an advanced key is left in the vehicle
cabin and all doors are locked using a
separate advanced key, a beep sound is
heard for about 10 seconds to remind the
driver that the advanced key has been left
in the vehicle cabin. If this happens, the
doors lock but the functions of the
advanced key left in the vehicle cabin
may be temporarily suspended. Perform
the following procedure to restore the
functions of the advanced key (page
3-17).
Refer to the Setting Change (Function
customization) on page 3-20.
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
3-19
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page87
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:32 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (107,1)
NOTElThe two-step down function cannot be
canceled if the procedure is not completed
within the specified times, or the procedure
is changed along the way. To redo the
procedure, first turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position and proceed from the
beginning.
lIf you are unable to cancel the function
despite carrying out the cancellation
procedure, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Restoring the two-step down function
With the two-step down function in the
canceled state, repeat the previous
procedure for canceling the function on
each door switch and it will be restored.
NOTE
If you are unable to restore the function despite
doing the restore procedure, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Jam-safe window
If a person's hands, head or an object
blocks the window during the manual
closing operation or the auto-closing
operation, the window will stop and open
halfway.
WARNING
Make sure nothing blocks the window
just before it reaches the fully closed
position or while fully holding up the
power window switch:
Blocking the power window just
before it reaches the fully closed
position or while fully holding up the
power window switch is dangerous.
In this case, the jam-safe function
cannot prevent the window from
closing all the way. If fingers are
caught, serious injuries could occur.NOTE
lDepending on driving conditions, a closing
power window could stop and start opening
when the window feels a shock that is
similar to something blocking it.
In the event the jam-safe function activates
and the power window cannot be closed
automatically, pull and hold the switch fully
and the window will close.
lThe jam-safe window function does not
operate until the system is re-initialized.
Engine-off power window operation
The power window can be operated for
about 40 seconds after the ignition switch
is turned from the ON position to the
ACC or LOCK position with all doors
closed. If any door is opened, the power
window will be inoperable.
NOTE
lFor engine-off operation of the power
window, the switch must be held up firmly
throughout window closure because the
auto-closing function will be inoperable.
lThe two-step down function is inoperable
during engine-off operation.
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
3-39
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page107
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (147,1)
6. After starting the engine, let it idle for
about 15 seconds. Then perform the
shift operation.
NOTE
lIn extremely cold weather (below 0°C
(32°F)) or after the vehicle has not been
driven in several days, let the engine warm
up without operating the accelerator.
lWhether the engine is cold or warm, it
should be started without use of the
accelerator.
lThe display of the variable red zone in the
tachometer changes according to the
temperature of the engine coolant. To
protect the engine, when the engine coolant
temperature is low, the engine does not run
at high speeds. The fuel supply will be cut
at an rpm lower than the red zone.
Refer to Tachometer on page 5-37.
lIf the engine does not start the first time,
refer to Starting a Flooded Engine under
Emergency Starting. If the engine still does
not start, have your vehicle inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer (page 7-19).
Brake System
qFoot Brake
Your Mazda has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-5
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page147
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E

Black plate (157,1)
qActive Adaptive Shift (AAS)
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
automatically controls the transmission
shift points to best suit the road conditions
and driver input. This optimizes engine
performance and improves driving
comfort. When cornering the vehicle,
AAS mode will hold the transmission in
the gear the vehicle was in before entering
the curve, allowing the vehicle to be
accelerated from the same gear after
exiting the curve.
If the driver accelerates rapidly, or
accelerates and decelerates rapidly by
operating the accelerator and brake pedal
for a certain period of time while the
selector lever is in the D position, AAS
mode could activate. When this occurs,
AAS mode will maintain the transmission
in the optimum gear and the driver may
sense that the transmission is not shifting,
however this does not indicate an
abnormality.
qShift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Move the shift lever.NOTE
lWhen the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position, the shift lever cannot be shifted
from P.
lTo be sure the vehicle is in park,the
ignition key cannot be removed unless the
shift lever is in P.
l(With Advanced Key)
The ignition switch cannot be turned from
the ACC to the LOCK position when the
shift lever is not in P.
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transmission vehicle by operating
the shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the rear wheels
much like a manual transmission when
more control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
Changing to manual mode can be done while
driving the vehicle with no damage occurring
to the transmission.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-15
RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page157
Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM
Form No.8AT5-EA-09E