brakes MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2004 (in English) Owner's Manual

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
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 43 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

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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