MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2004 Owners Manual (in English)
Page 151 of 347
5-60
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
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6-1
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
6Interior Comfort
Use of various features for drive comfort, including climate control 
and audio system.
Climate Control System 
................................................................ 6-2
Operating Tips  ........................................................................... 6-2
Vent Operation ........................................................................... 6-3
Control Panel  ............................................................................. 6-5
Audio System 
............................................................................... 6-10
Antenna ................................................................................... 6-10
Operating Tips for Audio System ............................................ 6-10
Audio Set  ................................................................................. 6-17
Audio Control Switch Operation ............................................. 6-34
Safety Certification .................................................................. 6-36
Interior Equipment 
..................................................................... 6-37
Sunvisors ................................................................................. 6-37
Interior Lights  .......................................................................... 6-37
Information Display  ................................................................ 6-40
Lighter ..................................................................................... 6-42
Ashtray .................................................................................... 6-43
Cup Holder  .............................................................................. 6-44
Storage Compartments  ............................................................ 6-45
Accessory Socket  .................................................................... 6-48
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6-2
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Climate Control System
Operating the Climate Control 
System
Operate the climate control system with 
the engine running.
Clearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow 
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in 
the cowling grille to improve the system 
efficiency.
Foggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid 
weather. Use the climate control system to 
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the air 
conditioner to dehumidify the air.
Outside/Recirculated Air 
Position
Use the outside air position in normal 
conditions. The recirculated air position 
can be used temporarily when driving on 
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the 
interior.
Parking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct 
sunlight during hot weather, open the 
windows to let warm air escape, then run 
the climate control system.
Not Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner at least once a 
month to keep internal parts lubricated.
Check the Refrigerant before the 
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before 
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant 
may make the air conditioner less 
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda 
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with 
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will 
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant 
or has a malfunction, consult an 
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Replacement of the Cabin Air 
Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air 
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary 
to change the filter periodically as 
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page 
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda 
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air 
filter.
Operating Tips
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6-3
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Adjusting the Vents
Directing airflow
Side Vents
To adjust the direction of airflow, open the 
vents and rotate them left and right.Center Vents
To adjust the direction of airflow, move 
the adjustment knob.
Vent Operation
Center vents
Side vents
NOTE
When using the air conditioner, mist 
may come out from the vents. This is 
not a sign of trouble but a result of 
humid air being suddenly cooled.
Knob
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6-4
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Selecting the Airflow Mode
Dashboard and Floor Vents Defroster Vents
Floor Vents Dashboard Vents Defroster and Floor Vents
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6-5
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Climate control information is displayed on the information display.
Control Switches
Temperature control dial
This dial controls temperature. Turn it 
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise 
for cold.Fan control dial
This dial allows variable fan speeds.
0—Fan off
1—Low speed
2—Medium low speed
3—Medium high speed
4—High speed
Control Panel
Temperature control dial Fan control dial
Mode selector switch Air intake selectorA/C SwitchRear window defroster switch
Windshield defroster switch(page 5-53)
Hot Cold
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6-6
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Mode selector switch
Press the mode selector switch to select 
airflow mode (page 6-4).
A/C switch
Push the switch to turn the air conditioner 
on. The indicator light on the switch will 
illuminate when the fan control dial is set 
at position 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Push the switch once again to turn the air 
conditioner off.Air intake selector
This switch controls the source of air 
entering the vehicle.
Press the switch to alternate between the 
 and   positions. The indicator 
light for the selected mode will 
illuminate.
It is recommended that under normal 
conditions the switch be kept in the 
outside air position.
Outside air position ( )
Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use 
this position for normal ventilation and 
heating.
Recirculated air position ( )
Outside air is shut off. Air within the 
vehicle is recirculated.
This position can be used when driving on 
a dusty road or in similar conditions. It 
also helps to provide quicker cooling of 
the interior.
NOTE
To set the air vent to  , press the 
windshield defroster switch.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function 
when the outside temperature 
approaches 0 
°C (32 
°F).
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Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Windshield defroster switch
Press the switch to defrost the windshield 
and front door windows.
Heating
1. Press the mode selector switch to the 
 position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the 
hot position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired 
speed.
Cooling (With Air Conditioner)
1. Press the mode selector switch to the 
 position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the 
desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired 
speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and 
temperature control dial to maintain 
maximum comfort.
The Recirculated Air Position:
Using the   position in cold or 
rainy weather will cause the glass to 
fog up. Your vision will be hampered, 
which could lead to a serious 
accident. Do not use the   position 
in cold or rainy weather.
WARNINGNOTE
•If the windshield fogs up easily, set 
the mode selector switch to the   
position.
•If cooler air is desired at face level, 
set the mode selector switch at the 
 position and adjust the 
temperature control dial to maintain 
maximum comfort.
•The air to the floor is warmer than 
air to the face (except when the 
temperature control dial is set at the 
extreme hot or cold position).
•In the   position, air conditioning 
is automatically turned on to defrost 
the windshield (however, the 
indicator light does not illuminate) 
and the   position is 
automatically selected.
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Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Ventilation
1. Press the mode selector switch to the 
 position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the   
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the 
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired 
speed.
Windshield Defrosting and 
Defogging
1. Press the windshield defroster switch.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the 
desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired 
speed. When using the air conditioner while 
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic, 
closely monitor the temperature gauge 
(page 5-32).
The air conditioner may cause engine 
overheating. If the gauge indicates 
overheating, turn the air conditioner 
off.
NOTE
•When maximum cooling is desired, 
set the temperature control dial to 
the extreme cold position and set 
the air intake selector to the   
position, then set the fan control dial 
to position 4.
•If warmer air is desired at floor 
level, set the mode selector switch 
at the   position and adjust the 
temperature control dial to maintain 
maximum comfort.
•The air to the floor is warmer than 
air to the face (except when the 
temperature control dial is set at the 
extreme hot or cold position).
CAUTION
Foggy Windshield:
Using the   position with the 
temperature control set to the cold 
position will cause the outside of the 
glass to fog up. Your vision will be 
hampered, which could lead to a 
serious accident. Set the temperature 
control to the hot or warm position 
when using the   position.
NOTE
•For maximum defrosting, set the 
temperature control dial to the 
extreme hot position and the fan 
control dial to position 4.
•If warm air is desired at the floor, 
set the mode selector switch to the 
 position.
•In the   or   position, air 
conditioning is automatically turned 
on to defrost the windshield quickly 
(however, the indicator light does 
not illuminate) and the   
position is automatically selected. 
The air intake selector switch 
cannot be changed to the   
position.
WARNING
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6-9
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Dehumidifying (With Air 
Conditioner)
Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold 
weather to help defog the windshield and 
side windows.
1. Press the mode selector switch to the 
desired position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the   
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the 
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired 
speed.
5. Turn on the air conditioner.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book  Page 9  Saturday, April 26, 2003  1:48 PM