coolant temperature MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2006 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (134,1)
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4.(Manual transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the clutch pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transmission)
The starter will not operate if the clutch
pedal isnotdepressed all the way.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever isnotin P or N.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold (up to 10 seconds at
a time) until the engine starts.
CAUTION
Don't try the starter for more than 10
seconds at a time. If the engine stalls or
fails to start, wait 10 seconds before
trying again. Otherwise, you may
damage the starter and drain the battery.
6. After starting the engine, let it idle for
about 10 seconds.
NOTE
lIn extremely cold weather, below
_
18 °C (0 °F), or after the vehicle
has not been driven in several days,
let the engine warm up without
operating the accelerator.
lWhether the engine is cold or warm,
it should be started without use of
the accelerator.
lTo protect the engine, when the
engine coolant temperature is low,
the engine does not run at high
speeds. The fuel supply will be cut at
an rpm lower than the red zone.
5-4
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Black plate (162,1)
Meters and Gauges
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
Speedometer ...................................................................................................... page 5-33
Speed Unit Selector ........................................................................................... page 5-33
Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector .................................................. page 5-33
Tachometer ........................................................................................................ page 5-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .................................................................. page 5-35
Fuel Gauge ........................................................................................................ page 5-36
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge ................................................................................ page 5-36
5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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Black plate (165,1)
Manual transmission
Red zone Striped zone
CAUTION
Don't run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
NOTE
lThe beep sounds to indicate engine
overrev when the tachometer needle
enters the striped zone.
lTo protect the engine, when the
engine coolant temperature is low,
the engine does not run at high
speeds. The fuel supply will be cut at
an rpm lower than the red zone.
qEngine Coolant Temperature Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle is near H, it indicates
overheating.
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page
7-18).
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-35
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Black plate (264,1)
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
Electrical Fan and Engine
Inspection:
Working near the electrical cooling
fan when it is running is dangerous.
You could be hit by the fan and
seriously injured. Turn off the ignition
switch and make sure the fan is not
running before attempting to work
near the electrical cooling fan.
Cooling System Cap:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury. Don't remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot.
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a
preset temperature, an electrical cooling
fan turns on. It will continue running
for about 10 minutes after the ignition
switch is turned to off.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
7-18
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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Black plate (265,1)
5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
6. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-15).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-19
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Black plate (284,1)
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a preset temperature, an electrical cooling fan turns on.
It will continue running for about 10 minutes after the ignition switch is turned to off.
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (290,1)
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a
preset temperature, an electrical cooling
fan turns on. It will continue running
for about 10 minutes after the ignition
switch is turned to off.
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year―at the beginning of the
winter season―and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool.
If it's at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.
CAUTION
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qChanging Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
CAUTION
lUse only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant's effectiveness.
lDon't add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
lThe engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
lDO NOT USE coolants Containing
Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
These coolants could damage the
cooling system.
lDO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol
with the coolant. This could damage
the cooling system.
lDon't use a solution that contains
more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (375,1)
C
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions ......... 2-19
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-23
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-28
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-43
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-42
Coin Box ........................................... 6-46
Courtesy Lights ................................. 6-40
Cruise Control ................................... 5-19
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-45
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-37
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-55
Defroster
Rear window .............................. 5-59
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-28
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7
Automatic transmission .............. 5-17
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-9
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-23
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-24
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-25
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-24
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 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 .............................. 3-42
Oil .............................................. 8-12
Overheating ................................ 7-18
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-11
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-18
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-35
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-46
F
Flasher
Hazard warning .......................... 5-61
Headlights .................................. 5-54
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 ......................................... 5-56
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-5
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-5
Index
11-3
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