2011 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (81,1)
Starting the engine
NOTE
lEngine-starting is controlled by the spark
ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Standard
requirements regulating the impulse
electrical field strength of radio noise.
lThe advanced key must be carried because
the advanced key carries an immobilizer
chip that must communicate with the engine
controls at short range.
lWhen starting the engine, be sure the start
knob is securely attached before trying to
operate it. If the knob becomes detached
from the ignition switch, re-attach it by
pushing it on to the ignition switch.
1. Make sure the advanced key is being
carried.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Depress the brake pedal.5.(Manual transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the clutch pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transmission)
The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal
isnotdepressed all the way.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the shift lever is
not in P or N.
6. Push the start knob slowly all the way
in.
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
3-11
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page81
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (82,1)
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 3-19).
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. Switch the ignition to ACC while
pushing the start knob in.
9. Switch the ignition from ACC to
START 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 5-38.
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_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page82
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (83,1)
Turning the engine off
NOTE
For improved engine starting performance the
next time you start the engine after only
driving the vehicle a short distance, turn off
the engine after 1 or more of the variable red
zone lamps in the tachometer have turned off.
1. Move the shift lever to the P position
(Automatic transmission).
2. Switch the ignition from ON to ACC.
NOTE
When the engine is turned off and the ignition
is switched from ACC to OFF/LOCK, the KEY
indicator light (green) flashes in the instrument
cluster for about 30 seconds if the battery
power of the advanced key is low. Replace the
battery with a new one.
Refer to Battery Replacement (page 3-6).
3. Push in the start knob from the ACC
position and turn it to the OFF/LOCK.
CAUTION
When leaving the vehicle, make sure
the ignition is switched to OFF/LOCK.
NOTE
lWhen switching the ignition to OFF/LOCK,
the ignition switch has to be pushed in from
the ACC position and turned. Without being
pushed in, the ignition switch stops at the
ACC position and the vehicle battery may
be discharged if the ignition switch is left in
the ACC position. When leaving the vehicle,
make sure the ignition is switched to OFF/
LOCK.
lIf the vehicle is left with the ignition not
switched to OFF/LOCK, a beep sound is
heard and the indicator light flashes to
notify the driver.
Refer to Warning Beep (page 3-17).
Operation Using Advanced
Key Functions
qKeyless Entry System
This system uses the more traditional
keyless entry buttons to remotely lock and
unlock the doors and opens the trunk lid,
and opens the power windows.
It can also help you signal for attention.
Press the buttons slowly and carefully.
NOTE
lThe keyless entry system is designed to
operate up to about 2.5 m (8 ft) from the
center of the vehicle, but this may vary due
to local conditions.
lThe system does not operate when the
auxiliary key is in the ignition switch.
lWith the start knob installed in the OFF/
LOCK position, the system is fully
operational. If the ignition is not switched
off or the start knob is pushed in, the system
does not operate.
lAll doors cannot be locked by pressing the
lock button while any door is open. The
hazard warning lights will also not flash.
lIf the transmitter does not operate when
pressing a button or the operational range
becomes too small, the battery may be
dead. To install a new battery, refer to
Maintenance (page 3-5).
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
3-13
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page83
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (84,1)
Transmitter
Panic button
Unlock buttonLock button
Trunk button
Operation indicator light
NOTEl(U.S.A.)
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device
may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
l(CANADA)
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry CANADA. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this device
may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
NOTE
The unlock button can be used to open the
power windows. Refer to Opening the Power
Windows from Outside (page 3-38).
The operation indicator light flashes when
the buttons are pressed.
Lock button
To lock the doors, press the lock button. A
beep sound will be heard once and the
hazard warning lights will flash once.To confirm that all doors have been
locked, press the lock button again within
5 seconds. If they are closed and locked,
the horn will sound.
NOTE
The hazard warning lights flash when the theft
deterrent system is armed.
The hazard warning lights do not flash if all
the doors are locked before the theft-deterrent
system is properly armed.
When the doors are locked by pressing the lock
button on the transmitter while the theft-
deterrent system is armed, the hazard warning
lights will flash once to indicate that the
system is armed.
Refer to the theft-deterrent system on page
3-51.
NOTElAll doors cannot be locked when any door
is open.
lConfirm that all doors are locked visually
or audibly by use of the double click.
Unlock button
To unlock the driver's door, press the
unlock button. A beep will be heard twice
and the hazard warning lights will flash
twice.
To unlock all doors, press the unlock
button again within 3 seconds and two
more beep sounds will be heard.
3-14
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page84
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (85,1)
NOTE
The hazard warning lights flash when the theft
deterrent system is turned off.
The hazard warning lights do not flash unless
the theft deterrent system has been properly
turned off.
When the doors are unlocked by pressing the
unlock button on the transmitter while the
theft-deterrent system is turned off, the hazard
warning lights will flash twice to indicate that
the system is turned off.
Refer to the theft-deterrent system on page
3-51.
NOTE
(Auto re-lock function)
After unlocking with the transmitter, all doors
will automatically lock and the hazard
warning light will flash if any of the following
operations are not performed within about 30
seconds.
lA door is opened.lThe auxiliary key is inserted into the
ignition switch.
lThe start knob is pressed.
Trunk button
To open the trunk, press the trunk button
for more than 1 second.
Panic button
If you witness from a distance someone
attempting to break into or damage your
vehicle, pressing the panic button will
activate the vehicle's alarm.
NOTE
The panic button will work whether any door
is open or closed.
(Turning on the alarm)
Pressing the panic button for 1 second or
more will trigger the alarm for about 2
minutes and 30 seconds, and the
following will occur:
lThe horn sounds intermittently.lThe hazard warning lights flash.
NOTE
However, if the driver is too close to the
vehicle the panic button may not function.
(Turning off the alarm)
The alarm stops by pressing any button on
the transmitter.
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
3-15
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page85
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (86,1)
qAuxiliary Key Function
Use the auxiliary key stored in the
advanced key in the event of a dead
transmitter battery or malfunction.
Removing the auxiliary key
Pull out the auxiliary key from the
advanced key.
Locking, unlocking the doors
The doors can be locked/unlocked using
the auxiliary key, refer to Locking,
Unlocking with Key (page 3-26).
Opening the trunk lid
The trunk lid can be opened using the
auxiliary key, refer to Opening and
Closing the Trunk Lid (page 3-31).
Starting the engine
The engine can be started with the
auxiliary key, refer to Ignition Switch
(page 5-2).
Locking, unlocking the glove box
The glove box can be locked/unlocked
using the auxiliary key, refer to Glove
Box (page 6-85).
Advanced Key Suspend
Function
If one key is left in the vehicle or trunk
and the second key is used to lock the
vehicle, the functions of the advanced key
left in the vehicle or the trunk are
temporarily suspended to prevent theft of
the vehicle.
The following are inoperable:
lStarting the engine using the start
knob.
lOperating the request switches.
To restore these functions, perform any
one of the following:
lPress the lock or unlock button on the
advanced key which has had its
functions suspended.
lWhile carrying another advanced key,
push in the start knob until the KEY
indicator light (green) in the instrument
cluster illuminates.
lInsert the auxiliary key and switch the
ignition ON.
3-16
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page86
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (87,1)
Warning and Beep Sounds
qSystem Malfunction Warning Light
If any malfunction occurs in the advanced
keyless function, the KEY warning light
(red) in the instrument cluster illuminates
continuously.
CAUTION
If the KEY warning light (red) remains
illuminated, do not continue to drive
the vehicle with the advanced keyless
function. Park the vehicle in a safe
place and use the auxiliary key to
continue driving the vehicle. Have the
vehicle inspected at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Refer to Ignition Switch (page 5-2).
qStart Knob Not in LOCK
Warning Beep
If the ignition is switched to ACC and the
driver's door is opened, a continuous beep
sound will be heard to notify the driver
that the ignition has not been switched off.
In this case, the keyless entry system does
not operate, the car cannot be locked, and
the battery will run down.
qAdvanced Key Removed from
Vehicle Warning Beep
Under the following conditions, a beep
sound will be heard and the KEY warning
light (red) will flash continuously when
the ignition has not been switched off to
notify the driver that the advanced key has
been removed. The KEY warning light
(red) will stop flashing when the advanced
key is back inside the vehicle:
lThe ignition has not been switched off,
the driver's door is open, and the
advanced key is removed from the
vehicle. (A beep sound will be heard
three times.)
However the beep sound will be heard
continuously when the ignition is
switched to ACC and the door is open
due to the activation of the warning
beep sound indicating that the ignition
is not switched off.
lThe ignition has not been switched off
and all the doors are closed after
removing the advanced key from the
vehicle. (A beep sound will be heard
six times.)
NOTE
Because the advanced key utilizes low-intensity
radio waves, the Advanced Key Removed From
Vehicle Warning may activate if the advanced
key is carried together with a metal object or it
is placed in a poor signal reception area
within the vehicle.
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).
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
3-17
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page87
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (88,1)
lThe ignition has not been switched off.lThe auxiliary key is inserted into the
ignition switch.
qAdvanced Key Battery Dead
Warning
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
switched off from ON, 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 Personalization Features on page
10-8.
qEngine Start Not Permitted Warning
Under the following conditions, the KEY
warning light (red) flashes to inform the
driver that the ignition will not switch to
ACC even if the ignition is switched off.
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
3-16).
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
3-16).
3-18
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page88
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H