2011 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 engine

Black plate (168,1)
lPress the CANCEL switch.
The system turns off when the ignition is
off.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15 km/h (9
mph) below the preset speed (such as may
happen when climbing a long, steep grade).
Traction Control System
(TCS)
í
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque and braking.
When the TCS detects driving wheel
slippage, it lowers engine torque and
operates the brakes to prevent loss of
traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
WARNING
Do not rely on the traction control
system as a substitute for safe driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive
at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and/or ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF switch
(page 5-29).
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Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page168
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (169,1)
qTCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lIn addition to the indicator light flashing, a
slight lugging sound will come from the
engine. This indicates that the TCS is
operating properly.
lOn slippery surfaces, such as fresh snow, it
will be impossible to achieve high rpm
when the TCS is on.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
í
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 5-9) and TCS (page
5-26).
WARNING
Do not rely on the dynamic stability
control as a substitute for safe driving:
The dynamic stability control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-27íSome models. RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page169
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (171,1)
qDSC OFF Switch
Press the DSC OFF switch to turn off the
TCS/DSC. The DSC OFF indicator light
will illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS/
DSC back on. The DSC OFF indicator
light will go out.NOTE
lWhen DSC is on and you attempt to free the
vehicle when it is stuck, or drive it out of
freshly fallen snow, the TCS (part of the
DSC system) will activate. Depressing the
accelerator will not increase engine power
and freeing the vehicle may be difficult.
When this happens, turn off the TCS/DSC.
lIf the TCS/DSC is off when the engine is
turned off, it automatically activates when
the ignition is switched ON.
lLeaving the TCS/DSC on will provide the
best stability. When the TCS/DSC is off, the
TCS/DSC does not activate but the brake
LSD (Limited Slip Differentials) function
remains.
lIf the DSC OFF switch is pressed and held
for a second or more, the TCS/DSC system
may become inoperative due to the system
detecting a switch problem. If the TCS/DSC
system becomes inoperative, the TCS/DSC
and the DSC OFF indicator lights
illuminate simultaneously. In this case, turn
off the engine and restart it to restore the
TCS/DSC.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (178,1)
Meters and Gauges
Speedometer ...................................................................................................... page 5-37
Speed Unit Selector ........................................................................................... page 5-37
Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector .................................................. page 5-37
Tachometer ........................................................................................................ page 5-38
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .................................................................. page 5-39
Fuel Gauge ........................................................................................................ page 5-39
NOTE
When the ignition is switched ON, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
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Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (180,1)
NOTE
When the ignition is switched to ACC or the
ignition is switched off, the odometer or trip
meters cannot be displayed, however, pressing
the selector button can inadvertently switch the
trip meters or reset them during an
approximate ten-minute period in the following
cases:
lAfter the ignition is switched to ACC or the
ignition is switched off from ON.
lAfter the driver's door is opened.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to“0.0”by holding
the selector depressed for 1 second or
more. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.NOTE
lOnly the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
lThe trip record will be erased when:lThe power supply is interrupted (blown
fuse or the battery is disconnected).
lThe vehicle is driven over 999.9 km
(mile).
qTachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Automatic transmission
Variable red zonesStriped zone
Red zone
Manual transmission
Variable red zonesStriped zone
Red zone
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Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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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
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (183,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-43
Charging System Warning Light 5-45
Engine Oil Level Warning Light 5-45
Engine Coolant Level Warning Light 5-46
Check Engine Light 5-46
ABS Warning Light 5-44
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-47
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page183
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (185,1)
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-57
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Brake system warning
Illuminates when there is a malfunction in
the brake switch.
Parking brake warning
The light illuminates when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switched
to START or ON. It turns off when the
parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
depress or that it may go closer to the
floor. In either case, it will take longer to
stop the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, open the
hood and check the brake fluid level
immediately, and then add fluid if
required (page 8-16).2. After adding fluid, check the light
again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light turns off have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes an
indicator of leakage. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible even if the
brake light is no longer illuminated.
WARNING
Do not drive with the brake system
warning light illuminated. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible:
Driving with the brake system
warning light illuminated is
dangerous. It indicates that your
brakes may not work at all or that
they could completely fail at any
time. If this light remains
illuminated, after checking that the
parking brake is fully released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H