warning MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2004 Owners Manual (in English)

8-42
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material from
the underside of the fenders, and make
sure the drain holes in the lower edges of
the doors and rocker panels are clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the finish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Don’t allow soap
to dry on the finish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.
Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for
metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the
sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.

Repairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance is
normal.
WARNING
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax. Rewax these areas even if
the rest of the vehicle doesn’t need it.
If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced, make
sure the body shop applies anti-
corrosion materials to all parts, both
repaired and new. This will prevent
them from rusting.
CAUTION
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8-43
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Bright-Metal Maintenance
•Use tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
•To prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
•During cold weather or in coastal
areas, cover bright-metal parts with a
coating of wax or preservative heavier
than usual. It would also help to coat
them with noncorrosive petroleum jelly
or some other protective compound.

Underbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try also to
do this every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt. It
will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.

The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped
there will cause rusting. Don’t use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating and
cause discoloration or paint
deterioration.
CAUTION
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance is
normal.
WARNING
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8-46
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Cleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt
We b b i n g
Clean the webbing with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Follow instructions. Don’t bleach
or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.
After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry
the belt webbing and make sure there is
no remaining moisture before retracting
them.

Cleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with an
oily, greasy, or waxy film, clean them with
glass cleaner. Follow the directions on the
container.
Damaged Seat Belt:
Using damaged seat belts is
dangerous. In a collision, damaged
belts cannot provide adequate
protection. Have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer replace damaged belts
immediately.
•Don’t scrape or scratch the inside of
the rear window. You may damage
the rear window defroster grid.
•When washing the inside rear
window, use a soft cloth dampened
in lukewarm water, gently wiping
the antenna lines.
Use of glass cleaning products
could damage the antenna.
WARNING
CAUTION
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9-1
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
9
Customer Information and Reporting
Safety Defects
Important consumer information including warranties and add-on
equipment.
Customer Assistance
..................................................................... 9-2
Customer Assistance (U.S.A.) ................................................... 9-2
Customer Assistance (Canada) .................................................. 9-3
Customer Assistance (Puerto Rico) ........................................... 9-6
Mazda Importer/Distributors
...................................................... 9-7
Importer/Distributor .................................................................. 9-7
Distributor in Each Area ............................................................ 9-7
Warranty
........................................................................................ 9-8
Warranties for Your Mazda ........................................................ 9-8
Outside the United States .......................................................... 9-9
Outside Canada ........................................................................ 9-10
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign Country (Except United
States and Canada) .................................................................. 9-11
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and Accessories ......................... 9-12
Cell Phones
................................................................................... 9-13
Cell Phones Warning ............................................................... 9-13
Type Approval of Equipment
..................................................... 9-14
Type Approval of Equipment .................................................. 9-14
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
.................... 9-15
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS) ................... 9-15
Reporting Safety Defects
............................................................ 9-17
Reporting Safety Defects ......................................................... 9-17
Service Publications
.................................................................... 9-18
Service Publications ................................................................ 9-18
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9-12
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Wa r r a n t y
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Non-genuine parts and accessories for Mazda vehicles can be found in stores.
These may fit your vehicle, but they are not approved by Mazda for use with Mazda
vehicles. When you install non-genuine parts or accessories, they could affect your
vehicle’s performance or safety system; the Mazda warranty doesn’t cover this. Before you
install any non-genuine parts or accessories, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Mazda assumes no responsibility for death, injury, or expenses that may result from the
installation of add-on non-genuine parts or accessories.
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and Accessories
Installation of Non-Genuine Parts or Accessories:
Installation of non-genuine parts or accessories is dangerous. Improperly designed
parts or accessories could seriously affect your vehicle’s performance or safety system.
This could cause you to have an accident or increase your chances of injuries in an
accident. Always consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer before you install non-genuine
parts or accessories.
Add-On Electrical and Electronic Equipment:
Incorrectly choosing or installing improper add-on equipment or choosing an
improper installer is dangerous. Essential systems could be damaged, causing engine
stalling, air-bag (SRS) activation, ABS inactivation, or a fire in the vehicle.
Be very careful in choosing and installing add-on electrical equipment, such as
mobile telephones, two-way radios, stereo systems, and car alarm systems.
WARNING
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9-13
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Cell Phones
Cell Phones Warning
Use of Cell Phones and Other Devices by Driver:
Use of any electrical devices such as cell phones, computers, portable radios, vehicle
navigation or other devices by the driver while the vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Dialing a number on a cell phone while driving also ties-up the driver’s hands. Use of
these devices will cause the driver to be distracted and could lead to a serious accident.
If a passenger is unable to use the device, pull off the right-of-way to a safe area
before use. If use of a cell phone is necessary despite this warning, use a hands-free
system to at least leave the hands free to drive the vehicle. Never use a cell phone or
other electrical devices while the vehicle is moving and, instead, concentrate on the
full-time job of driving.
Please comply to the legal regulations concerning the use of communication
equipment in vehicles in your country.
WARNING
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9-15
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.

Tre a d We a r
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.

Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
WARNING
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9-16
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
These grades will be added to the sidewalls of passenger vehicle tires over the next several
years according to a schedule established by the NHTSA and the tire manufacturers.
The grade of tires available as standard or optional equipment on Mazda vehicle may vary
with respect to grade.
ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO THESE GRADES AND
TO ALL OTHER FEDERAL TIRE-SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A

The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
WARNING
UTQGS MARK (example)
TREADWEAR 200 TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A
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11-2
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Index
A
Accessory Socket ............................. 6-48
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories
...................................... 9-12
Air Bag Systems
.............................. 2-27
Air Filter
.......................................... 8-18
Ambient Temperature Display
........ 6-41
Antenna
............................................ 6-10
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
........ 5-7
Warning light
.............................. 5-7
Appearance Care
.............................. 8-39
Ashtray
............................................. 6-43
Audio System
................................... 6-10
Audio control switch
................ 6-34
Audio set
................................... 6-17
Operating tips for audio
system
....................................... 6-10
Safety certification
.................... 6-36
Automatic Transmission
Driving tips
............................... 5-15
Fluid
.......................................... 8-15
Manual shift mode
.................... 5-11
Shift-lock system
...................... 5-11
Transmission ranges
................. 5-10
B
Battery
Emergency starting
................... 7-20
Maintenance
............................. 8-21
Specifications
........................... 10-4
Beeps
Engine overrev warning
beep
........................................... 5-47
Ignition key reminder
............... 5-47
Lights-on reminder
................... 5-47
Seat belt warning beep
.............. 5-47
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep
........................................... 5-47
B
Before Starting the Engine ................. 4-6
After getting in
............................ 4-6
Before getting in
......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication
............................. 8-18
Brake/Clutch
Fluid
.......................................... 8-14
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
....5-7
Foot brake
................................... 5-4
Pad wear indicator
...................... 5-8
Parking brake
.............................. 5-5
Warning light
.............................. 5-5
Break-In Period
.................................. 4-7
Bulb Replacement
............................ 8-27
C
Capacities ......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide
.............................. 4-5
Catalytic Converter
............................ 4-3
Cell Phones
...................................... 9-13
Center Console
................................. 6-46
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions
........ 2-17
Installing child-restraint
systems
...................................... 2-20
LATCH child-restraint
systems
...................................... 2-25
Cigarette Lighter
.............................. 6-42
Climate Control System
.....................6-2
Gas specifications
..................... 10-6
Clock
................................................ 6-41
Coin Box
.......................................... 6-45
Courtesy Lights
................................ 6-39
Cruise Control
.................................. 5-17
Cup Holder
....................................... 6-44
Customer Assistance
.......................... 9-2
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11-3
Index
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
D
Dashboard Illumination ................... 5-34
Daytime Running Lights
.................. 5-49
Defroster
Rear window
............................. 5-53
Dimensions
...................................... 10-5
Door Locks
......................................... 3-7
Driving In Flooded Area
.................. 4-10
Driving Tips
....................................... 4-7
Automatic transmission
............ 5-15
Break-in period
........................... 4-7
Driving in flooded area
............. 4-10
Hazardous driving
....................... 4-8
Money-saving suggestions
.......... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle
.................... 4-8
Winter driving
............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
.... 5-21
DSC OFF indicator light
........... 5-22
DSC OFF switch
....................... 5-23
TCS/DSC Indicator light
.......... 5-22
E
Emergency Starting .......................... 7-20
Flooded engine
.......................... 7-20
Jump-starting
............................ 7-20
Push-starting
............................. 7-22
Emergency Towing
.......................... 7-23
Emission Control System
................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant
...................................... 8-12
Exhaust gas
................................. 4-5
Hood release
............................. 3-18
Oil
............................................... 8-9
Overheating
............................... 7-18
Starting
........................................ 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview
........ 8-8
Engine Coolant
Overheating
............................... 7-18
E
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
...............................................5-32
Exhaust Gas
........................................4-5
Exterior Care
....................................8-41
F
Flasher
Hazard warning
.........................5-55
Headlights
.................................5-48
Flat Tire
..............................................7-3
Changing
...................................7-13
Instant Mobility System (IMS)
Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit
................................................7-5
Spare tire and tool storage
...........7-3
Fluids
Classification
.............................10-5
Owner maintenance
.....................8-6
Fog Lights
........................................5-50
Foot Brake
..........................................5-4
Front seats
..........................................2-2
Fuel
Filler lid and cap
.......................3-16
Gauge
........................................5-33
Requirements
..............................4-2
Tank capacity
............................10-5
Fuses
.................................................8-33
Panel description
.......................8-36
Replacement
..............................8-33
G
Gauges ..............................................5-29
Glove Box
........................................6-45
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