MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2004 Owners Manual (in English)
Page 131 of 347
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
ABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few 
seconds when the ignition switch is turned 
to the ON position.
If the ABS warning light stays on while 
you’re driving, the ABS control unit has 
detected a system malfunction. If this 
occurs, your brakes will function 
normally as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized 
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.Air Bag/Front Seat Belt 
Pretensioner System Warning 
Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner 
system is OK, the warning light comes on 
when the ignition switch is turned to the 
ON position or after the engine is cranked. 
After about 6 seconds it goes out.
A system malfunction is indicated when 
the warning light constantly flashes, stays 
on or doesn’t come on at all when the 
ignition switch is turned to the ON 
position. If any of these occur, consult an 
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as 
possible. The system may not work in an 
accident.
ABS Warning Light and Brake 
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system 
warning light and ABS warning light 
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear 
wheels could lock more quickly in an 
emergency stop than under normal 
circumstances.
Don’t drive with both lights on, and 
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer 
to have the brakes inspected as soon 
as possible.
WARNING
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to 
charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs 
and the ABS warning light comes on. 
This is due to a weak battery, not a 
malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Low Fuel Warning Light
This warning light in the fuel gauge 
signals that the fuel tank will soon be 
empty.
Refuel as soon as possible.
Seat Belt Warning Light
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened 
when the ignition switch is turned to the 
ON position, the seat belt warning light 
will remain on until the belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate correctly, 
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Door-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any 
door isn’t securely closed.
Low Washer Fluid Level 
Wa r n i n g  L i g h t *
This warning light reveals that little 
windshield washer fluid remains. Add 
fluid (page 8-17).
Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the 
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally 
activate or become disabled. This 
could cause serious injuries. Never 
tamper with the systems and always 
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer 
perform all servicing and repairs.
WARNING
Low fuel warning light
*Some models.
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Automatic Transmission 
Wa r n i n g  L i g h t
This warning light stays on for a few 
seconds when the ignition switch is turned 
to the ON position.
The light illuminates when the 
transmission has a problem.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System 
Warning Light*
This warning light illuminates for a few 
seconds when the ignition switch is turned 
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates 
when tire pressure is too low or too high 
in one or more tires, and flashes when 
there is a system malfunction.Warning light illuminates/Warning 
beep sounds
When the warning light illuminates, and 
the warning beep sounds (about 3 
seconds), tire pressure is too low or too 
high in one or more tires.
Adjust the tire pressure to the correct tire 
pressure at an Authorized Mazda Dealer 
or the nearest service station. Refer to the 
specification charts (page 10-7). If the automatic transmission warning 
light illuminates, the transmission has 
an electrical problem. Continuing to 
drive your Mazda in this condition 
could cause damage to your 
transmission. Consult an Authorized 
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION
Vehicle Handling When Tire Pressure 
Monitoring System Warning Light 
Illuminates/Flashes:
When the tire pressure monitoring 
system warning light illuminates or 
flashes, or the tire pressure warning 
beep sounds, it is dangerous to drive 
the vehicle at high speeds, or perform 
sudden maneuvering or braking. 
Vehicle drivability could worsen and 
result in an accident.
When the tire pressure monitoring 
system warning light illuminates or 
flashes, or the tire pressure warning 
beep sounds, decrease vehicle speed 
immediately and avoid sudden 
maneuvering and braking. Have the 
system and tires checked or perform 
the appropriate repair as soon as 
possible.
Ignoring the Warning Light:
Ignoring the warning light is 
dangerous, even if you know why it is 
illuminated. Have the problem taken 
care of as soon as possible before it 
develops into a more serious situation 
that could lead to tire failure and a 
dangerous accident.
WARNING
*Some models.
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
If the warning light illuminates again even 
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there 
may be a tire puncture.
Vehicles with Instant Mobility System 
(IMS) emergency flat tire repair kit
If an emergency tire repair is needed, 
repair the punctured tire with the 
emergency flat tire repair kit (page 7-5).
Vehicles with optional temporary spare 
tire
If you have bought the optional temporary 
spare tire, replace the punctured tire with 
the temporary spare tire . Refer to the 
manufacturer’s instructions.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may 
be a system malfunction. Consult an 
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Security Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 
2 seconds when the ignition switch is 
turned from the ON to the ACC position 
and the immobilizer system is armed.
The light stops flashing when the ignition 
switch is turned to the ON position with 
the correct ignition key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is 
disarmed and the light illuminates for 
about 3 seconds and then goes out.
If the engine doesn’t start with the correct 
ignition key, and the security indicator 
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the 
system may have a malfunction. Consult 
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Headlight High-Beam Indicator 
Light
This light indicates one of two things:
•The high-beam headlights are on.
•The turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position. When replacing/repairing the tires or 
wheels or both, have the work done by 
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the 
tire pressure sensors may be damaged.
Do not use non-genuine tire sealant. It 
may damage the tire pressure sensor.
NOTE
A tire pressure sensor is not installed 
to the temporary spare tire. The 
warning light will flash continuously 
while the temporary spare tire is being 
used.
CAUTION
CAUTION
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Shift Position Indicator Light 
(Automatic Transmission)
This indicates the selected shift position 
when the ignition switch is in the ON 
position.
In manual mode, the "M" of the shift 
position indicator illuminates and the 
numeral for the selected gear illuminates 
in the gear position indicator.
TCS/DSC Indicator Light*
This indicator light stays on for a few 
seconds when the ignition switch is turned 
to the ON position. 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.
DSC OFF Indicator Light*
This indicator light stays on for a few 
seconds when the ignition switch is turned 
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the DSC OFF 
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is 
switched off.
If the light stays on when the TCS/DSC is 
not switched off, take your vehicle to an 
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The dynamic 
stability control may have a malfunction.
Gear position indicator
*Some models.
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Cruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF 
switch is pressed and the cruise control 
system is activated.
Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed 
is set.
Light-On Indicator Light
This indicator light comes on when the 
exterior lights are on.
Power Steering Malfunction 
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the 
ignition switch is turned to the ON 
position and goes off when the engine is 
started.
If this light illuminates while driving, it 
indicates a malfunction of the power 
steering system. Consult an Authorized 
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the battery is disconnected, the DSC 
will be inoperable. In this case, the 
DSC OFF indicator light flashes and 
the TCS/DSC indicator light 
illuminates.
To make the DSC operable, do the 
following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON 
position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully, 
then turn it counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the DSC OFF indicator 
goes off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF 
position, then turn it to the ON 
position again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator 
light goes off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the 
DSC OFF indicator light remain 
illuminated even after turning the 
ignition switch to the ON position, 
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Headlight Auto-Leveling 
Malfunction Indicator Light*
This indicator light stays on far a few 
seconds when the ignition switch is turned 
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will 
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.
If the indicator light illuminates, contact 
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Turn-Signal/Hazard Warning 
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn-signal lights, the 
left or right turn-signal indicator light 
flashes to indicate which turn-signal light 
is operating (page 5-50).
When operating the hazard warning 
lights, both turn-signal indicator lights 
flash (page 5-55).
NOTE
The power steering system is 
inoperable when the malfunction 
indicator light illuminates. Manual 
steering is possible, but requires more 
physical effort.
NOTE
If an indicator light remains 
illuminated (does not flash) or if it 
flashes abnormally, the turn signal bulb 
may be burned out.
*Some models.
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Seat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened 
when the ignition switch is turned to the 
ON position, a beep will sound for about 
6 seconds.
Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or 
ACC position, a beep will sound when the 
driver’s door is opened.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed 
from the ignition switch, a beep will 
sound when the driver’s door is opened.
Engine Overrev Warning Beep
The beep sounds to indicate engine 
overrev when the tachometer needle 
enters the striped zone (page 5-31).
Tire Inflation Pressure Warning 
Beep*
The warning beep sounds for about 3 
seconds when there is any abnormality in 
tire inflation pressures.
(page 5-24)
Beeps
*Some models.
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Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Switches and Controls
Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the headlight 
switch on the end of the control lever.
Xenon fusion headlight bulbs*
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights 
have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a 
bright white beam over a wide area.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed 
from the ignition switch, a beep will 
sound when the driver’s door is opened.
Headlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beam.
Pull it back for low.
Lighting Control
Switch Position OFF
Headlights Off Off On
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lightsOff On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery, 
don’t leave the lights on while the 
engine is off.
Xenon Fusion Bulb Replacement:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs by 
yourself is dangerous. Because the 
xenon fusion bulbs require high 
voltage, you could receive an electric 
shock if the bulbs are handled 
incorrectly. Do not replace the xenon 
fusion bulbs by yourself. Consult an 
Authorized Mazda Dealer when the 
replacement is necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flash, or the 
brightness weakens, the bulb-life may 
be depleted and a replacement is 
necessary. Consult an Authorized 
Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Low beamHigh beam
*Some models.
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Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully 
toward you. The headlight switch need 
not be on, and the lever will return to the 
normal position when released.
Headlight Leveling*
The number of riders and weight of cargo 
in the luggage compartment change the 
angle of the headlights.
The angle of the headlights will be 
automatically adjusted when turning on 
the headlights.Headlight auto-leveling malfunction 
indicator light
This indicator light stays on far a few 
seconds when the ignition switch is turned 
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will 
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.
If the indicator light illuminates, contact 
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Daytime Running Lights 
(Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with 
the headlights on during daytime 
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights 
automatically turn on when the ignition 
switch is turned to the ON position.
NOTE
The running lights go off when the 
parking brake is applied.
*Some models.
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