Black plate (122,1)
lOpening the trunk lid by operating the
trunk lid release button.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until a door is
unlocked or the trunk lid is opened with
the key or with the transmitter.
(With advanced key)
The lights and horn can also be
deactivated by pressing the request switch
on a door.
NOTE
If the battery goes dead while the theft-
deterrent system is armed, the horn will
activate and the hazard warning lights will
flash when the battery is charged or replaced.
qHow to Arm the System
1. Close the windows and the moonroofí
securely.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
(With advanced key)
Switch the ignition off with the start
knob.
3. Make sure all windows, the
moonroof
í, the hood and the trunk lid
are closed. Close and lock all doors
from the outside using the key or press
the lock button on your keyless entry
system transmitter.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once to indicate that the system is
armed.
The following method will also arm the
theft-deterrent system:
(With advanced key)
Press a request switch on the doors or
the lock button on the transmitter.
(Without advanced key)
Close the hood and the trunk lid. Press
the area on the door-lock switch
marked“LOCK”once. Close all doors.NOTE
Locking the doors with the inside door-lock
knob will not arm the system.
NOTE
When the doors are locked by pressing the lock
button on the transmitter or request switch on
the front doors or using the key while the theft-
deterrent system is armed, the hazard warning
lights will flash once to indicate that the
system is armed.
qTo Turn off an Armed System
An armed system can be turned off by any
one of the following methods:
lUnlock a door with the key.lPress the unlock button on the keyless
entry system transmitter.
lInsert the key into the ignition switch
and switch the ignition ON.
l(With advanced key)lPress a request switch on the doors
or the unlock button on the
transmitter.
lSwitch the ignition ON with the
start knob.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice
to indicate that the system is turned off.
NOTE
lThe trunk lid can be opened with the key or
the transmitter even when the system is
armed. The alarm will not come on and the
system will remain armed.
lWhen the doors are unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the transmitter or
request switch on the front doors or using
the key while the theft-deterrent system is
turned off, the hazard warning lights will
flash twice to indicate that the system is
turned off.
3-52
Knowing Your Mazda
íSome models.
Security System
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page122
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (145,1)
Automatic transmission
To switch the ignition from ACC to OFF/
LOCK, the shift lever must be in the P
position.
Shift lever
engaged in P
(park)
WARNING
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked (with steering lock
mechanism):
Removing the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. Removing the key allows
the steering wheel to lock. You will
lose steering control and a serious
accident could occur. (For vehicles
equipped with the advanced key, the
steering wheel locks when the starter
knob is turned to the OFF/LOCK
position.)
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition to OFF/LOCK, set the
parking brake and make sure the shift
lever is in P with an automatic
transmission or in 1 or R with a manual
transmission:
It is important to switch the ignition
to OFF/LOCK even if you are not
removing the key from the ignition or
leaving the vehicle. Leaving the key
in other positions will disable some of
the vehicle security systems and run
the battery down.
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition to OFF/LOCK,
setting the parking brake and
shifting the shift lever to P with an
automatic transmission, or to 1 or R
with a manual transmission is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur. This could
cause an accident.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-3
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (146,1)
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the steering
wheel from side to side.
Leaving the key or start knob in any position
but the OFF/LOCK position also disables
some of the security features and may run the
battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
In this position, some electrical
accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. Some indicator
lights/warning lights should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-41).
NOTE
When the ignition is switched ON, the sound of
the fuel pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not indicate an
abnormality.
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key. It
then returns to the ON position.
qIgnition Key Reminder
If the ignition is switched off or the
ignition is switched to ACC with the key
inserted, a continuous beep sound will be
heard when the driver's door is opened.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-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.
1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4.(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 unless the clutch is
depressed sufficiently.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the shift lever is
notin P or N.
5. Switch the ignition 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.
5-4
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page146
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (149,1)
CAUTION
ØDo not drive with your foot held
on the clutch pedal or brake pedal,
or hold the clutch pedal depressed
halfway unnecessarily. Doing so
could result in the following:
ØThe clutch and brake parts will
wear out more quickly.
ØThe brakes can overheat and
adversely affect brake
performance.
ØAlways depress the brake pedal
with the right foot. Applying the
brakes with the unaccustomed left
foot could slow your reaction time
to an emergency situation
resulting in insufficient braking
operation.
ØWear shoes appropriate for driving
in order to avoid your shoe
contacting the brake pedal when
depressing the accelerator pedal.
qParking Brake
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition to OFF/LOCK, set the
parking brake and make sure the shift
lever is in P with an automatic
transmission or in 1 or R with a manual
transmission:
It is important to switch the ignition
to OFF/LOCK even if you are not
removing the key from the ignition or
leaving the vehicle. Leaving the key
in other positions will disable some of
the vehicle security systems and run
the battery down.
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition to OFF/LOCK,
setting the parking brake and
shifting the shift lever to P with an
automatic transmission, or to 1 or R
with a manual transmission is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur. This could
cause an accident.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
linings or pads.
NOTE
For parking in snow, refer to Winter Driving
(page 4-9) regarding parking brake use.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-7
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page149
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (195,1)
When flashing
lUnder 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 OFF/
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.
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) will flash
continuously when the start knob has
not been returned to the OFF/LOCK
position to notify the driver that the
advanced key has been removed from
the vehicle. It will stop flashing when
the advanced key is back inside the
vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the OFF/LOCK position, the
driver's door is open, and the
advanced key is removed from the
vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the OFF/LOCK position and all
the doors are closed after removing
the advanced key from the vehicle.
NOTE
The flashing KEY warning light (red) and the
beep sound operate simultaneously (page
3-19).
KEY Indicator Light (Green)
When illuminated
When the start knob is pushed in from the
OFF/LOCK position, the system confirms
that the correct advanced key is inside the
vehicle, the KEY indicator light (green)
illuminates, and the start knob can be
turned to the ACC position (page 3-9).
When flashing
When the advanced key battery power is
low, the KEY indicator light flashes for 30
seconds after the start knob is turned from
the ON position to the ACC or OFF/
LOCK position. Replace with a new
battery before the advanced key becomes
unusable (page 3-6).
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.
qSecurity Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 2
seconds when the ignition is switched
from ON to ACC and the immobilizer
system is armed.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-53
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page195
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (294,1)
Sunvisors
When you need a sunvisor, lower it for
use in front or swing it to the side.
Sunvisor
qVanity Mirrors
To use the vanity mirror, lower the
sunvisor.
The vanity mirror light will illuminate
when you open the cover.
Interior Lights
qIlluminated Entry System
When the illuminated entry system
operates, the overhead light (switch is in
the DOOR position)and the courtesy
lights turn on for:
lAbout 30 seconds after the driver's
door is unlocked and the ignition is
switched off (with the ignition key
removed).
lAbout 15 seconds after all doors are
closed.
(With Advanced key)
About 5 seconds after all doors are
closed when the advanced key is
outside of the vehicle.
lAbout 15 seconds after the ignition is
switched off (with the ignition key
removed) with all doors closed.
The light also turns off when:
lThe ignition is switched ON and all
doors are closed.
lThe driver's door is locked.
NOTE
Battery saver
If any door is left opened, the light turns off
after about 30 minutes to save the battery.
The light turns on again when the ignition is
switched ON, or when any door is opened after
all doors have been closed.
6-78
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page294
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (434,1)
Personalization Features
The following“Personalization Features”are possible. These settings can only be changed by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Setting Function Initial Setting After Setting Change
Advanced keyless
entryThe advanced key's remaining battery level
warning light in the instrument cluster can be
deactivated.Activated Deactivated
The beep sound which is heard when
locking/unlocking all doors or the trunk lid can
be deactivated.
*1Activated Deactivated
The function to automatically lock doors when
leaving the vehicle while carrying the key can
be activated.
*2Deactivated Activated
*1 When the autolock function is operating, the warning sound will be heard regardless of the setting.
*2 When the autolock function is enabled, windows will not automatically close. You must close them before
leaving vehicle.
10-8
Personalization Features
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page434
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H
Black plate (436,1)
A
Accessory Socket .............................. 6-88
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-15
Advanced Key ..................................... 3-2
Advanced key maintenance ......... 3-5
Advanced key suspend
function ...................................... 3-16
Auxiliary key .............................. 3-16
Locking, unlocking with request
switch ........................................... 3-8
Opening the trunk lid with request
switch ........................................... 3-9
Operational range ......................... 3-7
Remote control function ............. 3-13
Service ......................................... 3-6
Air Bag Systems ............................... 2-40
Antenna ............................................. 6-15
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ......... 5-9
Warning light ............................... 5-9
Appearance Care ............................... 8-42
Ashtray .............................................. 6-83
Audio System ................................... 6-15
Audio control switch .................. 6-52
Audio set .................................... 6-25
AUX mode ................................. 6-54
Operating tips for audio
system ........................................ 6-15
Safety certification ..................... 6-56
Automatic Transmission
Direct mode ................................ 5-20
Driving tips ................................ 5-21
Manual shift mode ..................... 5-16
Shift-lock system ....................... 5-16
Transmission ranges ................... 5-15
B
Battery
Emergency starting .................... 7-19
Maintenance ............................... 8-21
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds
Engine oil level warning ............ 5-58
Engine overrev warning ............. 5-57
Ignition key reminder ................. 5-57
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-57
Seat belt warning ........................ 5-57
Tire inflation pressure warning ... 5-58
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-5
After getting in ............................. 4-5
Before getting in .......................... 4-5
Bluetooth Hands-Free ....................... 6-57
Basic Bluetooth Hands-Free
Operation ................................... 6-61
Convenient Use of the Hands-Free
System ........................................ 6-65
Hands-Free Telephone Setting .... 6-71
Mazda Bluetooth Hands-Free
Customer Service ....................... 6-77
Safety certification ..................... 6-76
When Bluetooth Hands-Free cannot
be used ....................................... 6-76
Body Lubrication .............................. 8-18
Brake/Clutch
Fluid ........................................... 8-16
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..... 5-9
Foot brake .................................... 5-6
Pad wear indicator ...................... 5-10
Parking brake ............................... 5-7
Warning light ............................... 5-8
Break-In Period ................................... 4-6
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-28
11-2
Index
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H