run flat MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2005 Owners Manual (in English)
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MAZDA, Model Year: 2005, Model line: MODEL RX 8, Model: MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2005Pages: 364
Page 17 of 364

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Front Seats (Electrically
Operated Seats)
WARNING
Modification of the Front Seats:
Modifying or replacing the front seats
such as replacing the upholstery or
loosening any bolts is dangerous. The
front seats contain air bag
components essential to the
supplemental restraint system. Such
modifications could damage the
supplemental restraint system and
result in serious injury. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer if there is
any need to remove or reinstall the
front seats.
Damaged Front Seats:
Driving with damaged front seats is
dangerous. A collision, even one not
strong enough to inflate the air bags,
could damage the front seats which
contain essential air bag components.
If there was a subsequent collision, the
air bag may not deploy which could
lead to injuries. Always have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the
front seats, front seat belt
pretensioners and air bags after a
collision.
CAUTION
lThe seat-bottom power adjustment is
operated by motors. Avoid extended
operation because excessive use can
damage the motors.
lTo prevent the battery from running
down, avoid using the power
adjustment when the engine is
stopped. The adjuster uses a large
amount of electric power.
lDon't use the switch to make more
than one adjustment at a time.
qSeat Slide (Driver's Seat)
To slide the seat, move the slide lifter
switch on the outside of the seat to the
front or back and hold it. Release the
switch at the desired position.
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
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lRear-ending or running under a truck's
tail gate may not provide the stopping
force necessary for air bag deployment.
Non-activation of front air bags
Front air bags will not normally inflate in
the following cases:
lCollision from the rear.
lImpact to the side, but it may deploy
the side and curtain air bags.
lVehicle roll-over, may deploy the side
and curtain air bags but not the front air
bags.
Side and curtain air bag activation
Greater than moderate impact to one side
of the vehicle (driver or passenger side
areas) will cause the side and curtain air
bags to inflate, but it will not normally
deploy the front air bags.
Limitations to side and curtain air bag
activation
Depending on the severity of impact, the
side and curtain air bags may not inflate in
the following cases:
lFrontal offset impact may not provide
enough side impact to deploy the side
and curtain air bags.
lSide impacts involving trees or poles
can cause severe cosmetic damage but
may not have enough impact force to
activate the side and curtain air bags.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
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Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
lDon't race the engine.
lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm (over 7,000 rpm) for
extended periods of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.
lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.
lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.
lKeep the tires properly inflated.
lDon't carry unnecessary weight.
lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.
lKeep windows closed at high speeds.
lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Coasting:
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. Never stop the engine when
going down a hill.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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CAUTION
To avoid damage to the temporary
spare or to the vehicle, observe the
following precautions:
lDon't exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).
lAvoid driving over obstacles.
Also, don't drive through an
automatic car wash. This tire's
diameter is smaller than a
conventional tire's, so the ground
clearance is reduced about 25 mm (1
in).
lDon't use a tire chain on this tire
because it won't fit properly.
lDon't use your temporary spare on
any other vehicle; it has been
designed only for your Mazda.
lUse only one temporary spare tire on
your vehicle at the same time.
(With limited slip differential)
When using the temporary spare tire on
the rear axle, replace it with a standard
tire as soon as possible. The size
difference between the spare and the
standard tire will cause the limited slip
differential to malfunction.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
A tire pressure sensor is not installed to
the temporary spare tire. The warning
light will flash continuously while the
temporary spare tire is being used (page
5-26).
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat
Tire Repair Kit
The IMS emergency flat tire repair kit
included with your Mazda is for a
temporary repair of a slightly damaged
flat tire resulting from running over nails
or similar sharp objects on the road
surface.
NOTE
Your vehicle is not equipped with a
spare tire. In the event of a flat tire, use
the emergency flat tire repair kit to
repair the tire temporarily. When doing
the repair, refer to the instructions
included in the emergency flat tire
repair kit. After temporarily repairing a
tire with the emergency flat tire repair
kit, take your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the tire replaced.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
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NOTE
lCheck the tire inflation pressure label
(driver's door) for the correct tire
inflation pressure.
lDo not use the compressor for longer
than 10 minutes because using the
compressor for long periods could
damage it.
lIf the tire does not inflate, repair of
the tire may not be possible. If the
tire does not reach the correct
inflation pressure within a 10-minute
period, it probably has received more
extensive damage. When this
happens, the emergency flat tire
repair kit cannot be used to repair the
tire. Contact an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
lIf the tire has been over-inflated,
loosen the screw cap on the
compressor and bleed some of the air
out.
17. When the tire has been inflated to the
proper inflation pressure, turn the
compressor switch off and remove the
compressor hose from the tire valve.
18. Install the tire valve cap.
19. Put the emergency flat tire repair kit
in the trunk and continue driving.
CAUTION
lDrive carefully to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer and keep the vehicle
speed below 80 km/h (50 mph).
lIf the vehicle is driven 80 km/h (50
mph) or higher, the vehicle might
begin to vibrate.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
If the tire is not properly inflated, the
tire pressure monitoring system warning
light will illuminate (page 5-26).
20. After driving the vehicle for 10
minutes or 5 km (3 miles), check the
tire pressure with the tire pressure
gauge equipped with the compressor.
If the tire pressure has fallen below
the correct tire pressure, inflate the
tire to the correct pressure again
following the steps from number 15.
CAUTION
lIf the tire inflation pressure falls
below 130 kPa (1.3 kgf/cm2or bar,
18.9 psi), repair cannot be done with
the repair kit. Park the vehicle on a
level surface off the right-of-way and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf the tire inflation pressure
continues to remain low after
repeating steps 14 to 21, park the
vehicle on a level surface off the
right-of-way and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
When checking the tire inflation
pressure with the tire pressure gauge on
the compressor unit, make sure the
compressor switch is turned off.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
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Page 273 of 364

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High-mount brake light
1. Turn the center section of the plastic
retainer counterclockwise and remove
the retainers and trunk rear trim.
Removal
Installation
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
License plate light
1. Press the front of the lens to detach the
front tabs.2. Wrap a flathead screwdriver with a soft
cloth to prevent damage to the lens and
remove the lens by carefully prying on
the edge of the lens with a flathead
screwdriver.
3. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
Edge
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Page 317 of 364

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D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-35
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-50
Defroster
Rear window .............................. 5-54
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ......................................... 3-8
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7
Automatic transmission .............. 5-16
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-8
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-22
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-23
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-24
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-23
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-20
Flooded engine ........................... 7-20
Jump-starting .............................. 7-21
Push-starting .............................. 7-24
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-25
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant ....................................... 8-15
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-5
Hood release .............................. 3-21
Oil .............................................. 8-12
Overheating ................................ 7-18
Starting ......................................... 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-11
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-18
E
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-33
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-47
F
Flasher
Hazard warning .......................... 5-56
Headlights .................................. 5-49
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3
Changing .................................... 7-12
Instant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat Tire Repair
Kit ................................................ 7-5
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Fluids
Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance ..................... 8-8
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-51
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-4
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-5
Front Seats
(Manually Operated Seats) ................. 2-2
Fuel
Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-19
Gauge ......................................... 5-34
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Fuses ................................................. 8-40
Panel description ........................ 8-42
Replacement ............................... 8-40
G
Gauges .............................................. 5-30
Glove Box ......................................... 6-47
Index
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S
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-29
Horn ........................................... 5-55
Storage Box ...................................... 6-48
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-47
Center console ............................ 6-48
Coin box ..................................... 6-47
Glove box ................................... 6-47
Overhead console ....................... 6-47
Storage box ................................ 6-48
Sunshade ........................................... 3-23
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-39
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-32
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-31
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-27
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-26
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-25
System error activation .............. 5-27
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-26
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-28
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-28
Replacement ............................... 8-30
Rotation ...................................... 8-29
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-16
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
T
Towing
Description ................................. 7-25
Emergency towing ..................... 7-25
Recreational towing ................... 7-27
Trailer towing ............................. 4-12
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-21
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-22
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-12
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-31
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-12
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-14
Trunk Release Slide Lever ................ 3-15
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-51
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-39
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-36
ABS ............................................ 5-41
Air bag system ........................... 5-41
Automatic transmission .............. 5-42
Brake system .............................. 5-38
Charging system ......................... 5-39
Check engine .............................. 5-40
Door-ajar .................................... 5-42
Engine coolant level ................... 5-40
Engine oil level .......................... 5-39
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-41
Low fuel ..................................... 5-42
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-42
Seat belt ...................................... 5-42
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-43
11-6
Index
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