2011 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 overheating

Black plate (136,1)
Floor Mat
WARNING
Make sure the floor mats are hooked
on the retention pins to prevent them
from bunching up under the foot
pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured
is dangerous as it will interfere with
the accelerator and brake pedal
operation, which could result in an
accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on
top of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
In using a heavy duty floor mat for
winter use always remove the
original floor mat.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its eyelets are inserted
over the pointed end of the retention
posts.
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is
dangerous. The spinning tire could
overheat and explode. This could
cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure,
and tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page136
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (163,1)
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-21
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (181,1)
CAUTION
Do not run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine
damage.
NOTE
lThe beep sounds to indicate engine overrev
when the tachometer needle enters the
striped zone.
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.
qEngine Coolant Temperature Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle is near H, it indicates
overheating.
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-17).
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is remaining in the tank when
the ignition is switched ON.
We recommend keeping the tank over 1/4
full. When the low fuel warning light
illuminates or when the needle is near E,
refuel as soon as possible.
Low fuel warning light
NOTElAfter refueling, it may require some time for
the needle to stabilize. In addition, the
needle may deviate while driving on a slope
or curve since the fuel moves in the tank.
lThe direction of the arrow () indicates
that the fuel-filler lid is on the left side of
the vehicle.
qDashboard Illumination
Rotate the thumb wheel to adjust the
brightness of the instrument cluster and
other illuminations in the dashboard.
NOTE
lThe brightness of dashboard illuminations
(except instrument cluster) can be adjusted
when the headlight switch is in the
or
position.lThe brightness of the instrument cluster
illumination can be adjusted when the
headlight switch is in any position.
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-39
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (206,1)
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition must be switched ON.
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.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
Turn the wipers on by pressing the lever
up or down.
With INT position
Switch
PositionWiper operation
Single wipe cycle (mist)
Intermittent
Low speed
High speed
5-64
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page206
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (215,1)
HomeLink should now activate your
rolling code equipped device.
NOTE
To program the remaining two HomeLink
buttons, begin with“Programming”―step 2.
Do not repeat step 1.
For questions or comments, please contact
HomeLink atwww.homelink.comor1-
800-355-3515.
qGate operator/Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to“time-out”(or quit)
after several seconds of transmission―
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian
law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed to“time-out”in the same
manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
by using the“Programming”procedures
(regardless of where you live),replace
“Programming HomeLink”step 3with
the following:
NOTE
If programming a garage door opener or gate
operator, it is advised to unplug the device
during the“cycling”process to prevent
possible overheating.
Continue to press and hold the HomeLink
button while youpress and release―
every two seconds(“cycle”) your hand-
held transmitter until the frequency signal
has successfully been accepted by
HomeLink. (The indicator light will flash
slowly and then rapidly.)
Proceed with“Programming”step 4 to
complete.
qOperating the HomeLink System
Press the programmed HomeLink button
to operate a programmed device. The
code will continue being transmitted for a
maximum of 20 seconds.
qReprogramming the HomeLink
system
To program a device to HomeLink using a
HomeLink button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink
button.DO NOTrelease the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to flash
after 20 seconds. Without releasing the
HomeLink button, proceed with
“Programming”- step 2.
qErasing Programmed HomeLink
Buttons
To erase the existing programming from
all three operating channels, press and
hold the two outside buttons (
,)
on the auto-dimming mirror until the
HomeLink indicator light begins to flash
after approximately 20 seconds.
Verify that the programming has been
erased when you resell the vehicle.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-73
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (225,1)
CAUTION
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy
traffic, closely monitor the
temperature gauge (page 5-39).
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
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (299,1)
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.
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
6-83
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (305,1)
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
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H