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

3-17
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Fuel-Filler Lid
To open, pull up the remote fuel-filler lid
release.

Fuel-Filler Cap
To remove the filler cap, turn it
counterclockwise.
To close the filler cap, turn it clockwise
until it clicks.
Remote fuel-filler
lid release
Close Open
Make sure the fuel-filler cap is
tightened securely. The check engine
light may illuminate on when the cap
isn’t tightened securely. If the light
remains on (even after you have
tightened the cap securely, driven, and
restarted the engine several times), it
may indicate a different problem.
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
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3-21
Knowing Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Security System
The immobilizer system allows the engine
to start only with a key the system
recognizes.
If someone attempts to start the engine
with an unrecognized key, the engine will
not start, thereby helping to prevent the
theft of your vehicle.

Operation
Arming
The system is armed when the ignition
switch is turned from the ON to the ACC
position.
The security indicator light in the
instrument panel flashes every 2 seconds
until the system is disarmed.
Disarming
The system is disarmed when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position with
the correct ignition key.
The security indicator light illuminates for
about 3 seconds and 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.
Immobilizer System
Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
NOTE
This device complies with RSS-210 of
I n du st ry CA NA DA. Op erati on is
subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not
cause interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
CAUTION
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3-22
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Maintenance
If you have a problem with the
immobilizer system or the key, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
•If the warning light comes on and
stays on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position, the
engine will not start.
•Signals 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 warning 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 doesn’t start after 3 or
more tries, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
•If the warning light flashes
continuously while you are driving,
don’t 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 won’t be able to restart it.
•To avoid damage to the key, do not:
Drop the key.
Get the key wet.
Expose the key to any kind of
magnetic field.
Expose the key to high
temperatures on places such as
the dashboard or hood, under
direct sunlight.
•When starting the engine, do not let
the following materials touch or
come near the key grip. The engine
may not start:
Spare keys.
Keys for other vehicles equipped
with an immobilizer system.
Metal objects that touch or pass
through the hole in the key.
Devices for electronic purchases,
and security passage.
CAUTION
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3-23
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Modification and Add-On
Equipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the system’s
operation if the system has been modified
or if any add-on equipment has been
installed to it.The optional theft-deterrent system is
designed to prevent your vehicle or its
contents from being stolen when all the
doors, hood, and trunk lid are locked.
If forcible entry is attempted, the system
sounds the horn and flashes the hazard
warning lights.
The system won’t function unless it’s
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, lock all the doors, close all the
windows, take your key, your transmitter.

Operation
What turns it on:
•Forcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid.
•Opening a door, the hood or the trunk
lid by operating an inside door-lock
knob, the hood release handle or the
trunk lid release button.
What it does:
•The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash.
•The alarm continues for about 3 minutes,
then stops.
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.
NOTE
•The keys carry a unique electronic
code. For this reason, and to assure
your safety, replacement keys
require some waiting time to obtain.
They are only available through an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
•Always keep a replacement key, in
case one is lost. If a key is lost,
contact an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
•If you lose a key, an Authorized
Mazda Dealer will reset the
electronic codes of your remaining
keys and immobilizer system.
Starting the vehicle with a key that
has not been reset is not possible.
To avoid damage to your vehicle, do
not modify the system or install any
add-on equipment to it.
CAUTION
Theft-Deterrent System*
NOTE
The theft-deterrent system operates
with the key or the keyless entry
system transmitter.
*Some models.
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3-24
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

How to Arm the System
1. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
2. Close the hood and the trunk lid. Then
close and lock all doors from the
outside using the key. If you have the
keyless entry system, press the LOCK
button on the transmitter. The hazard
warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.
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.

To Tu r n o f f a n A r m e d S y s t e m
An armed system can be turned off by any
one of the following methods:
•Unlock a door with the key.
•Press the UNLOCK button on the
keyless entry system transmitter.
•Insert the key into the ignition switch
and turn it to the ON position.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice
to indicate that the system is turned off.

To Stop an Alarm
A triggered alarm can be turned off by any
one of the following methods:
•Unlock a door or the trunk lid with the
key.
•Press the UNLOCK button or
button on the keyless entry system
transmitter.

Theft-Deterrent Labels
Labels indicating that your vehicle is
equipped with a Theft-Deterrent System
are in the glove box.
Mazda recommends that you affix them to
the lower rear corner of the front door
windows.
NOTE
Locking the doors with the inside
door-lock knob will not arm the
system.
NOTE
The 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.
NOTE
If you have any problem with the theft-
deterrent system, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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3-26
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
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.
Mirror defroster*
If your vehicle has mirror defrosters, turn
them on by turning the ignition switch to
the ON position and pushing the rear
window defroster switch (page 5-53).

Rearview Mirror
Rearview mirror adjustment
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to center on the scene through the rear
window.
Reducing glare from headlights
Manual day/night mirror*
Push the day/night lever forward for day
driving. Pull it back to reduce glare of
headlights from cars at the rear.
Driving with Mirrors Folded In:
Driving with the outside mirrors
folded in is dangerous. Your rear view
will be restricted, and you could have
an accident. Always return the
outside mirrors to the driving position
before you start driving.
WARNING
Blocked View:
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. Don’t stack
things higher than the seatbacks.
NOTE
For the manual day/night mirror,
perform the adjustment with the day/
night lever in the day position.
WARNING
Day/Night lever
Day
Night
*Some models.
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3-27
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Auto-dimming mirror*
The auto-dimming mirror automatically
reduces glare of headlights from cars at
the rear when the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
Press the OFF button ( ) to cancel the
automatic dimming function. The
indicator light will go off.
To reactivate the automatic dimming
function, press the ON button ( ). The
indicator light will illuminate.
OFF button
ON button
Indicator light
NOTE
•Do not use glass cleaner or suspend
objects on or around the light
sensor. Otherwise, light sensor
sensitivity will be affected and may
not operate normally.
•For information regarding the
3 buttons ( , , ) on the
auto-dimming mirror, refer to
HomeLink Wireless Control
System (page 5-55).
Light sensor
Light sensor
*Some models.
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4-2
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
*U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
You may use a regular unleaded fuel with Octane Rating from 87 to 90 (91 to 95 RON) but
this will slightly reduce performance.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name "Gasohol".
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not
be covered by the Mazda warranty.
•Gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.
•Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.
•Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
Fuel Requirements
Fuel Octane Rating* (Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel 91 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
•USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter or the oxygen sensor. The lead will
accumulate on the oxygen sensor and the catalyst inside the converter. This will result
in a malfunction of the emission control system, causing poor performance.
•Your vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10% ethanol by
volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any
kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.
•Never add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those specified
by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
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4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
•Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
•Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
•If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.•Are all doors closed and locked?
•Is the seat adjusted properly?
•Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•Do all the lights work?
•Check all gauges.
•Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
•Release the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
•Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
•Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
•If your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don’t hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don’t pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
•If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the rear
wheels.
•For 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.If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Hazardous Driving
Downshifting 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. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear
wheels.
WARNING
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don’t spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and
don’t allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
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