warning MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2010 (in English) Repair Manual

Black plate (113,1)
Hood
WARNING
Always check that the hood is closed
and securely locked:
A hood that is not closed and
securely locked is dangerous as it
could fly open while the vehicle is
moving and block the driver's vision
which could result in a serious
accident.
qOpening the Hood
1. With the vehicle parked, pull the
release handle to unlock the hood.
Release handle
2. Insert your hand into the hood opening
and slide the hood latch lever to the
right and lift the hood.
3. Grasp the support rod in the padded
area and secure it in the stay hole
indicated by the arrow to hold the hood
open.
Clip
Support rod Pad
qClosing the Hood
WARNING
Do not leave items in the engine
compartment:
After you have finished checking or
doing servicing in the engine
compartment, do not forget and
leave items such as tools or rags in
the engine compartment.
Tools or other items left in the engine
compartment could cause engine
damage or a fire leading to an
unexpected accident.
1. Check under the hood area to make
certain all filler caps are in place and
all loose items (e.g. tools, oil
containers, etc.) have been removed.
2. Insert the support rod in its clip while
holding up the hood. Verify that the
support rod is secured in the clip before
closing the hood.
3. Close the hood so that it locks securely.
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
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Moonroofí
The moonroof can be opened or closed
electrically only when the ignition switch
is in the ON position.
Tilt switch Slide switch
WARNING
Do not let passengers stand up or
extend part of their body through the
open moonroof while the vehicle is
moving:
Extending the head, arms, or other
parts of the body through the
moonroof is dangerous. The head or
arms could hit something while the
vehicle is moving. This could cause
serious injury or death.
Make sure the opening is clear before
closing the moonroof:
A closing moonroof is dangerous. The
hands, head, or even neck of a
person―especially a child―could
be caught in it as it closes, causing
serious injury or even death.NOTE
Before washing your Mazda, make sure the
moonroof is completely closed so that water
does not get inside the cabin area. After
washing your Mazda or after it rains, wipe the
water off the moonroof before operating it to
avoid water penetration which could cause
rust and water damage to your headliner.
qTilt Operation
The rear of the moonroof can be tilted
open to provide more ventilation.
To fully tilt automatically, momentarily
press the rear of the tilt switch.
To stop tilting partway, press any part of
the tilt or slide switch.
To close to the desired position, press the
front of the tilt or slide switch.
CloseTilt up
Close
qSlide Operation
To fully open automatically, momentarily
press the rear of the slide switch.
To stop sliding partway, press any part of
the tilt or slide switch.
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Knowing Your Mazda
íSome models.
Doors and Locks
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Black plate (121,1)
NOTElIf the security indicator light illuminates
and stays on or flashes when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position, the
engine will not start.
lSignals from a TV or radio station, or from
a transceiver or a mobile telephone, could
interfere with your immobilizer system. If
you are using the proper key and your
engine fails to start, check the security
indicator light. If it is flashing, remove the
ignition key and wait 2 seconds or more,
then reinsert it and try starting the engine
again. If it does not start after 3 or more
tries, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf the security indicator light flashes
continuously while you are driving, do not
shut off the engine. Go to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer and have it checked. If you
shut off the engine while the light is
flashing you will not be able to restart it.
lSince the electronic codes are reset when
repairing the immobilizer system, the keys
are needed. Bring all the existing keys to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qModification and Add-On
Equipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the immobilizer
system's operation if the system has been
modified or if any add-on equipment has
been installed.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to your vehicle, do
not modify the system or install any
add-on equipment to the immobilizer
system or the vehicle.
Theft-Deterrent System
If the theft deterrent system detects an
inappropriate entry into the vehicle, which
could result in the vehicle or its contents
being stolen, the alarm alerts the
surrounding area of an abnormality by
sounding the horn and flashing the hazard
warning lights.
Refer to Operation on page 3-53.
NOTE
lThe theft-deterrent system operates with the
key or the keyless entry system transmitter.
l(With advanced key)
The theft-deterrent system can also be
operated using the advanced keyless
function.
The system operates only when the driver is
in the vehicle or within operational range
while the advanced key is being carried.
lThe system will not function unless it is
properly armed. To properly secure the
vehicle, always make sure all windows are
completely closed and all doors and the
trunk lid are locked before leaving the
vehicle. Remember to take your key and
transmitter.
qOperation
System triggering conditions
The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 3
minutes when the system is triggered by
any one of the following:
lForcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid.
lUnlocking a door with the inside door-
lock knob.
lUnlocking a door with the door lock
switch.
lOpening the hood by operating the
hood release handle.
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
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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. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
(With advanced key)
Turn the start knob to the LOCK
position.
2. Make sure 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.
(With advanced key)
Press a request switch on the doors or
the lock button on the transmitter.
(Without advanced key)
The following method will also arm the
theft-deterrent system:
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 turn it to the ON position.
l(With advanced key)lPress a request switch on the doors
or the unlock button on the
transmitter.
lTurn the start knob to the ON
position.
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.
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Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
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Steering Wheel
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving:
Adjusting the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident.
qTilt Steering Wheel
To change the angle of the steering wheel,
stop the vehicle, pull the tilt wheel release
lever under the steering column down,
adjust the wheel, then push the release
lever up to lock the column.
Tilt wheel release
lever
After adjusting, push the wheel up and
down to be certain it's locked before
driving.
Mirrors
qOutside Mirrors
Check the mirror angles before driving.
Mirror type
Flat type (driver's side)
Flat surface mirror.
Convex type (front passenger side)
The mirror has single curvature on its
surface.
WARNING
Be sure to look over your shoulder
before changing lanes:
Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears.
Power mirror
The ignition switch must be in the ACC
or ON position.
To adjust:
1. Press the left or right side of the
selector switch to choose the left or
right side mirror.
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Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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Black plate (125,1)
2. Depress the mirror switch in the
appropriate direction.
Mirror switchSelector switch
Outside mirror
After adjusting the mirror, lock the control
by placing the selector switch in the
middle position.
Folding the mirror
Fold the outside mirror rearward until it is
locked.
WARNING
Always return the outside mirrors to
the driving position before you start
driving:
Driving with the outside mirrors
folded in is dangerous. Your rear view
will be restricted, and you could have
an accident.
qRearview Mirror
WARNING
Do not stack cargo or objects higher
than the seatbacks:
Cargo stacked higher than the
seatbacks is dangerous. It can block
your view in the rearview mirror,
which might cause you to hit another
car when changing lanes.
Rearview mirror adjustment
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to center on the scene through the rear
window.
Manual day/night mirror
Auto-dimming mirror
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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Black plate (131,1)
Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Never park over or near anything flammable:
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and
could ignite anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst
inside the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will
damage the converter and cause poor performance.
ØUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
ØDo not drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
ØDo not coast with the ignition switch turned off.
ØDo not descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.
ØDo not operate the engine at high idle for more than 2 minutes.
ØDo not tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments
must be made by a qualified technician.
ØDo not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control system before
the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some states, such modification
made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
NOTE
While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be heard from inside and
outside of the cabin interior, however this does not indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-
checking device and it operates while the engine is off.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
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Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)
WARNING
Do not drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle:
Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Do not run the engine when inside an enclosed area:
Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss
of consciousness or even death could occur.
Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw fresh air when
idling the engine:
Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed
and the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which
contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or
even death could occur.
Clear snow from underneath and around your vehicle, particularly the tail pipe,
before starting the engine:
Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The
exhaust pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin.
Because exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, it could cause loss of
consciousness or even death to occupants in the cabin.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
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Black plate (133,1)
Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
fluid leaks.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing is in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch fluid,
washer fluid, and other fluid levels should be
inspected. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?lIs the seat adjusted properly?lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs the steering wheel adjusted properly?lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?lCheck all gauges.lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
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Black plate (135,1)
WARNING
Never stop the engine when going
down a hill:
Stopping the engine when going
down a hill is dangerous. This causes
the loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause
damage to the drivetrain. Any loss of
steering or braking control could
cause an accident.
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
lDo not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) on page 5-8.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear wheels.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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