2011 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (137,1)
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-14.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lFor 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.
In addition, it is recommended that
short trips be avoided to ensure that the
engine reaches operating temperature
before turning off the engine.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-17).
lDo not use the parking brake in
freezing weather as it may freeze.
Instead, shift to P with an automatic
transmission and to 1 or R with a
manual transmission. Block the rear
wheels.
lDo not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
lNever use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows
and mirrors as it could result in the
glass cracking.
lBraking performance can be adversely
affected if snow or ice adheres to the
brake equipment. If this situation
occurs, drive the vehicle slowly,
releasing the accelerator pedal and
lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
qSnow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (rear door on the driver's
side), but never more than the maximum
cold-tire pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result
in an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page137
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (138,1)
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tires with
steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls (page
5-34).
qTire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
ØChains may affect handling.
ØDo not go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
ØDrive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
ØAvoid locked-wheel braking.
ØDo not use chains on a temporary
spare tire; it may result in damage
to the vehicle and to the tire. Your
vehicle is not equipped with a
factory installed temporary spare
tire.
ØDo not use chains on roads that
are free of snow or ice. The tires
and chains could be damaged.
ØChains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels.NOTE
lIf your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tire
chains.
lTire chains cannot be installed on vehicle
equipped with 19-inch tires. Before
attempting to install tire chains, the tires on
the front and rear must first be changed
from the 19-inch size to 18-inch tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Install the chains on the rear tires.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Use only TÜV standard chains, and make
sure they fit.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer's instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2
―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).
4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page138
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (139,1)
Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is
dangerous. Increased stopping
distance or the vehicle pulling to one
side when braking could result in a
serious accident. Light braking will
indicate whether the brakes have
been affected.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle on flooded
roads as it could cause short
circuiting of electrical/electronic
parts, or engine damage or stalling
from water absorption. If the vehicle
has been immersed in water, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Overloading
WARNING
Be careful not to overload your vehicle:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident
or vehicle damage. You can estimate
the weight of your load by weighing
the items (or people) before putting
them in the vehicle.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-11
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page139
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (140,1)
Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
lAscending or descending a slope with a sharp transition anglelAscending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle
Your vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use
care and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.
4-12
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page140
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (141,1)
Trailer Towing
The Mazda RX-8 is not designed for
towing. Never tow a trailer with your
Mazda RX-8.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
4-13
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page141
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (142,1)
4-14
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page142
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (143,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Turning the Engine Off ............................................................. 5-5
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-6
Manual Transmission Operation ............................................. 5-11
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-14
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-22
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-23
Traction Control System (TCS)
í........................................... 5-26
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-27
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-30
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-36
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-36
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-41
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-41
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-57
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-59
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-59
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-63
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-63
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-64
Headlight Washer
í................................................................. 5-68
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-68
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-69
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-70
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-70
5-1íSome models.
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page143
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (144,1)
Ignition Switch
Auxiliary key (with advanced key)
NOTE
When starting the engine using the advanced
key, refer to Starting the Engine (page 3-9).
When starting the engine with the
auxiliary key, perform the following
procedure.
1. Remove the auxiliary key from the
advanced key (page 3-16).
2. Make sure the start knob is in OFF/
LOCK position.
3. Remove the start knob by pulling it
outward while pressing the buttons on
both the left and right sides.
4. Insert the auxiliary key in the ignition
switch.
qIgnition Switch Positions
With advanced
key
Without advanced
key
The engraved mark (LOCK) indicated in
the illustration may differ from that
indicated on the actual vehicle (it may
read OFF).
OFF/LOCK
The power supply to electrical devices is
turned off. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transmission
To switch the ignition from ACC to OFF/
LOCK, push the key in at the ACC
position, then turn it to the OFF/LOCK
position.
Push the key
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page144
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H