steering MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2005 (in English) Owner's Manual

Black plate (112,1)
qDriving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
NOTE
The steering may feel rigid if you
continuously attempt to steer when the
vehicle is stopped or moving extremely
slowly. This has been designed to
protect the system and doesn't indicate a
malfunction. If you don't attempt to
steer for a minute, power steering will
be restored.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If this light illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction of the power
steering system. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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NOTE
The power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical
effort.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
WARNING
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
lHilly terrainlSteep inclineslHeavy or unsteady trafficlSlippery or winding roadslSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don't use cruise control in these
situations.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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CAUTION
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
lUse tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
lUse tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
lDo not mix worn tires.
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
when using tire chains or the
temporary spare tire.
lIf repair or replacement of the
steering or other surrounding
equipment is necessary, have it done
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. If
the center position of the steering
deviates, the DSC may not operate
correctly because there is a sensor in
the steering which detects driving
conditions.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS or DSC is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qDSC OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off.
If the light stays on when the TCS/DSC is
not switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The dynamic
stability control may have a malfunction.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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NOTE
If the battery is disconnected, the DSC
will be inoperable. In this case, the DSC
OFF indicator light flashes and the
TCS/DSC indicator light illuminates.
To make the DSC operable, do the
following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully,
then turn it counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the DSC OFF indicator
goes off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position, then turn it to the ON
position again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator
light goes off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the
DSC OFF indicator light remain
illuminated even after turning the
ignition switch to the ON position,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qDSC OFF Switch
Press the DSC OFF switch to turn off the
TCS/DSC. The DSC OFF indicator light
will illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS/
DSC back on. The DSC OFF indicator
light will go out.
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Starting and Driving
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Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-42
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-42
Automatic Transmission Warning Light 5-42
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-43
Security Indicator Light 5-44
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-44
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-45
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-45
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-45
Cruise Main Indicator Light 5-46
Cruise Set Indicator Light 5-46
Light-On Indicator Light 5-46
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-46
Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light 5-47
Turn-Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-47
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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NOTE
If the battery is disconnected, the DSC
will be inoperable. In this case, the DSC
OFF indicator light flashes and the
TCS/DSC indicator light illuminates.
To make the DSC operable, do the
following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully,
then turn it counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the DSC OFF indicator
goes off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position, then turn it to the ON
position again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator
light goes off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the
DSC OFF indicator light remain
illuminated even after turning the
ignition switch to the ON position,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
qCruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
qLight-On Indicator Light
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights are on.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If this light illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction of the power
steering system. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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NOTE
The power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical
effort.
qHeadlight Auto-Leveling
Malfunction Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on far a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the indicator light will
illuminate when the headlight auto-
leveling system has a malfunction.
If the indicator light illuminates, contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qTurn-Signal/Hazard Warning
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn-signal lights, the
left or right turn-signal indicator light
flashes to indicate which turn-signal light
is operating (page 5-51).When operating the hazard warning
lights, both turn-signal indicator lights
flash (page 5-56).
NOTE
If an indicator light remains illuminated
(does not flash) or if it flashes
abnormally, the turn signal bulb may be
burned out.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8T69-EA-04G

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NOTE
This defroster is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the
defroster.
Horn
To sound the horn, press around the
mark on the steering wheel.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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10. Hold the bottom of the bottle upright,
squeeze the bottle with your hands,
and inject the entire amount of tire
sealant into the tire.
Valve
NOTE
The tire sealant cannot be reused.
Purchase new tire sealant at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
11. Pull out the injection hose from the
valve. Reinsert the valve core into the
valve and turn it clockwise to install
it.
12. Attach the sticker that indicates
completion of the tire repair on a flat
outer surface of the repaired tire.
NOTE
Do not throw away the empty tire
sealant bottle as the sealant in the bottle
can be replenished when replacing the
tire. Take the bottle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
13. Attach the vehicle speed restriction
sticker in a place where the driver can
easily see it.
WARNING
Attaching Sticker to the Steering
Wheel Pad:
Attaching the vehicle speed restriction
sticker to the steering wheel pad is
dangerous. The sticker could interfere
with air bag inflation and cause
serious injury. Also, do not attach the
sticker to the meter panel, as it would
obstruct vision of areas such as
warning light indicators or the
speedometer.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
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qSchedule 1
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
ENGINE
Engine oil R R R R R R R R
Engine oil filter R R R R R R R R
Drive belt I I
AIR FILTER
Air filter C C R C
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs R
FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel filter Replace every 160,000 km (100,000 miles)
Fuel lines, hoses and connections
*1II
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolantReplace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 48 months;
after that, every 24 months
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake line, hoses and connection I I
Disk brakes I I I I
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front and rear suspension and ball joints I I
Manual transmission oilR
Rear differential oilR
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges L L L L L L L L
Flat tire repair kit
*2Inspect every year
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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