MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2008 Owners Manual (in English)

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Exterior Care
Followalllabel and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read all warnings and cautions.
q Maintaining the Finish
Washing
To help protect the finish from rust and
deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.
If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.
Scratches occur on the paint surface
when:
lThe vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign
matter.
lThe vehicle is washed with a rough,
dry, or dirty cloth.
lThe vehicle is washed at a car wash
that uses brushes that are dirty or too
stiff.
lCleansers or wax containing abrasives
are used.
NOTE
lMazda is not responsible for scratches
caused by automatic car washes or
improper washing.
lScratches are more noticeable on vehicles
with darker paint finishes.
To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint finish:
lRinse off any dirt or other foreign
matter using lukewarm or cold water
before washing.
lUse plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
lRub gently when washing or drying the
vehicle.
lTake your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained.
lDon't use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
CAUTION
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 damage
the protective coating; also, cleaners
and detergents may discolor or
deteriorate the paint.
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material from
the underside of the fenders, and make
sure the drain holes in the lower edges of
the doors and rocker panels are clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the finish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Don't allow soap
to dry on the finish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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WARNING
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance is normal: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.
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar
materials will usually also take off the wax.
Rewax these areas even if the rest of the
vehicle doesn't need it.
q Repairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.
CAUTION
If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced,
make sure the body shop applies
anti-corrosion materials to all parts,
both repaired and new. This will
prevent them from rusting.
qBright-Metal Maintenance
lUse tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
lTo prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
lDuring 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.
CAUTION
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.
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qUnderbody 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.
WARNING
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance is normal: 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.
qAluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
NOTE
lDon't use a wire brush or any abrasive
cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent on
aluminum wheels. They may damage the
coating.
lOnly use a mild soap or neutral detergent
and always use a sponge or soft cloth to
clean the wheels.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or cold
water. Also, be sure to clean the wheels
after driving on dusty or salted roads. This
helps prevent corrosion.
lAvoid washing your vehicle in an automatic
car wash that uses high-speed or hard
brushes.
lIf your aluminum wheels lose luster, wax
the wheels.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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Interior Care
qDashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They'll damage and discolor it.
If these solutions get on the dashboard,
wipe them off immediately.
CAUTION
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
qCleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leatherí
Real leather isn't uniform and may have
scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it
with a leather cleaner or mild soap.
If the leather gets wet from rain, remove
the moisture as soon as possible and dry
in a shaded area.
If the seats get wet, promptly remove
moisture with a dry cloth and allow it to
further dry in a shaded area.
If moisture is not removed, it will cause
hardening and shrinkage of the leather.
Do not leave vinyl products on the seats
for long periods as they may affect the
leather quality and coloring.
Fabricí
Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean it with a mild soap solution good
for upholstery and carpets. Remove fresh
spots immediately with a fabric spot
cleaner.
To keep the fabric looking clean and
fresh, take care of it. Otherwise its color
will be affected, it can be stained easily,
and its fire-resistance may be reduced.
CAUTION
Use only recommended cleaners and
procedures. Others may affect
appearance and fire-resistance.
Suede-like materialí
Stains which are not treated immediately
will be difficult to remove later, and may
cause fading or discoloration.
Remove stains as soon as possible.
To clean, wipe with a soft, damp cloth.
Then buff with a soft, dry cloth.
If stains cannot be removed using plain
water, try wiping with soapy water or a
mild detergent.
CAUTION
Do not clean the suede with leather
cleaner, a detergent, or soap. It will
cause discoloration.
To dry away any water, wipe with a soft,
dry cloth.
CAUTION
Sharp or pointed metal objects can
damage the suede beyond repair.
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íSome models.
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Piano black panel
The following parts are fitted with panels
that have been treated with a special
coating that resists scratching.
lCenter panellDoor switch panel
When the panel needs to be cleaned, use a
soft cloth to wipe off dirt from the surface.
NOTE
Scratches or nicks on the panels resulting from
the use of a hard brush or cloth may not be
repairable.
q Cleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt
Webbing
Clean the webbing with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Follow instructions. Don't bleach
or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.
After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry
the belt webbing and make sure there is
no remaining moisture before retracting
them.
WARNING
Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
replace damaged seat belts
immediately:
Using damaged seat belts is
dangerous. In a collision, damaged
belts cannot provide adequate
protection.
qCleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with an
oily, greasy, or waxy film, clean them
with glass cleaner. Follow the directions
on the container.
CAUTION
Ø Don't scrape or scratch the inside
of the rear window. You may
damage the rear window defroster
grid.
Ø When washing the inside rear
window, use a soft cloth
dampened in lukewarm water,
gently wiping the antenna lines.
Use of glass cleaning products
could damage the antenna.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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9
Customer Information and Reporting
Safety Defects
Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.
Customer Assistance ............................... 9-2 Customer Assistance (U.S.A.) ............ 9-2
Customer Assistance (Canada) ........... 9-4
Customer Assistance (Puerto Rico) .... 9-7
Mazda Importer/Distributors ................. 9-8 Importer/Distributor ............................ 9-8
Distributor in Each Area ..................... 9-8
Warranty .................................................. 9-9 Warranties for Your Mazda ................. 9-9
Outside the United States .................. 9-10
Outside Canada ................................. 9-11
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country (Except United States and
Canada) ............................................. 9-12
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-13
Cell Phones ............................................. 9-14 Cell Phones Warning ......................... 9-14
Type Approval of Equipment ............... 9-15 Type Approval of Equipment ............ 9-15
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System
(UTQGS) ................................................ 9-16 Uniform Tire Quality Grading System
(UTQGS) .......................................... 9-16
Tire Information (U.S.A.) ..................... 9-18 Tire Labeling ..................................... 9-18
Location of the Tire Label
(Placard) ............................................ 9-24
Tire Maintenance .............................. 9-27
Vehicle Loading ................................ 9-30
Steps for Determining the Correct Load
Limit: ................................................ 9-37 Reporting Safety Defects ....................... 9-38
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S.A.) .... 9-38
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada) ... 9-39
Service Publications .............................. 9-40 Service Publications .......................... 9-40
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Customer Assistance (U.S.A.)
Your complete and permanent satisfaction is our business. We are here to serve you. All
Authorized Mazda Dealers have the knowledge and the tools to keep your Mazda vehicle
in top condition.
If you have any questions or recommendations for improvement regarding the service of
your Mazda vehicle or servicing by Mazda Dealer personnel, we recommend that you take
the following steps:
qSTEP 1: Contact Your Mazda Dealer
Discuss the matter with an Authorized Mazda Dealer. This is the quickest and best way to
address the issue. If your concern has not been resolved by the CUSTOMER RELATIONS,
SALES, SERVICE, or PARTS MANAGER, then please contact the GENERAL
MANAGER of the dealership or the OWNER.
qSTEP 2: Contact Mazda North American Operations
If for any reason you feel the need for further assistance after contacting your dealership
management, you can reach Mazda North American Operations by one of the following
ways.
Log on: at www.mazdaUSA.com
Answers to many questions, including how to locate or contact a local Mazda dealership in
the U.S., can be found here.
E-mail: click on “Contact Us ”at the bottom of the page at www.mazdaUSA.com
By phone at: 1 (800) 222-5500
By letter at:
Attn: Customer Assistance
Mazda North American Operations
7755 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618-2922
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623-9734
In order to serve you efficiently and effectively, please help us by providing the following
information:
1. Your name, address, and telephone number
2. Year and model of vehicle
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3. Vehicle Identification Number (17 digits, noted on your registration or title or located onthe upper driver's side corner of the dash)
4. Purchase date and current mileage
5. Your dealer's name and location
6. Your question(s)
If you live outside the U.S.A., please contact your nearest Mazda Distributor.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Customer Assistance
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Customer Assistance (Canada)
qSatisfaction Review Process
Your complete and permanent satisfaction is of primary concern to Mazda. All Authorized
Mazda Dealers have both the knowledge and tools to keep your Mazda in top condition. In
our experience, any questions, problems, or complaints regarding the operation of your
Mazda or any other general service transactions are most effectively resolved by your
dealer. If the cause of your dissatisfaction cannot adequately be addressed by normal
dealership procedures, we recommend that you take the following steps:
qSTEP 1: Contact the Mazda Dealer
Discuss the matter with a member of dealership management. If the Service Manager has
already reviewed your concerns, contact the owner of the dealership or its General
Manager.
qSTEP 2: Contact the Mazda Regional Office
If you feel that you still require assistance, ask the dealer Service Manager to arrange for
you to meet the local Mazda Service Representative. If more expedient, contact Mazda
Canada Inc.Regional Office nearest you for such arrangements. Regional Office address
and phone numbers are shown (page 9-6).
qSTEP 3: Contact the Mazda Customer Relations Department
If still not substantially satisfied, contact the Customer Relations Department, Mazda
Canada Inc., 55 Vogell Road, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3K5 Canada TEL: 1 (800)
263-4680.
Provide the Department with the following information:
1. Your name, address and telephone number
2. Year and model of vehicle
3. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Refer to the “Vehicle Identification Labels” page
of section 10 of this manual for the location of the VIN.
4. Purchase date
5. Present odometer reading
6. Your dealer's name and location
7. The nature of your problem and/or cause of dissatisfaction
The Department, in cooperation with the local Mazda Service Representative, will review
the case to determine if everything possible has been done to ensure your satisfaction.
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