MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2009 Owners Manual (in English)

Black plate (131,1)
WARNING
Never stop the engine when going
down a hill: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.
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift 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.
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving: The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
lDo not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) on page 5-8.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear
wheels.
lFor 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.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear wheels.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page131
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (132,1)
Floor Mat
WARNING
Make sure the floor mats are hooked
on the retention pins to prevent them
from bunching up under the foot
pedals:Using a floor mat that is not secured
is dangerous as it will interfere with
the accelerator and brake pedal
operation, which could result in an
accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on
top of the other, on the driver's side: Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
In using a heavy duty floor mat for
winter use always remove the
original floor mat.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its eyelets and inserted
over the pointed end of the retention
posts.
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle: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.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure,
and tire damage.
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.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page132
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (133,1)
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-14.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lFor improved engine starting
performance the next time you start the
engine after only driving the vehicle a
short distance, turn off the engine after
1 or more of the variable red zone
lamps in the tachometer have turned
off.
In addition, it is recommended that
short trips be avoided to ensure that the
engine reaches operating temperature
before turning off the engine.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze ―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-17).
lDo not use the parking brake in
freezing weather as it may freeze.
Instead, shift to P with an automatic
transmission and to 1 or R with a
manual transmission. Block the rear
wheels.
q Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (rear door on the driver's
side), but never more than the maximum
cold-tire pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels: Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result
in an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tires with
steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls (page
5-33).
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page133
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (134,1)
qTire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
Ø Chains may affect handling.
Ø Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
Ø Drive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
Ø Avoid locked-wheel braking.
Ø Do not use chains on a temporary
spare tire; it may result in damage
to the vehicle and to the tire. Your
vehicle is not equipped with a
factory installed temporary spare
tire.
Ø Do not use chains on roads that
are free of snow or ice. The tires
and chains could be damaged.
Ø Chains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels.
NOTE
lIf your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tire
chains.
lTire chains cannot be installed on vehicle
equipped with 19-inch tires. Before
attempting to install tire chains, the tires on
the front and rear must first be changed
from the 19-inch size to 18-inch tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Install the chains on the rear tires.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Use only TÜV standard chains, and make
sure they fit.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer's instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2 ―1 km (1/4 ―1/2 mile).
4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page134
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (135,1)
Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance returns to 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.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle on flooded
roads as it could cause short
circuiting of electrical/electronic
parts, or engine damage or stalling
from water absorption. If the vehicle
has been immersed in water, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Overloading
WARNING
Be careful not to overload your vehicle:The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident
or vehicle damage. You can estimate
the weight of your load by weighing
the items (or people) before putting
them in the vehicle.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-11
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page135
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (136,1)
Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
lAscending or descending a slope with a sharp transition anglelAscending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle
Your vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use
care and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.
4-12
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page136
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (137,1)
Trailer Towing
The Mazda RX-8 is not designed for
towing. Never tow a trailer with your
Mazda RX-8.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
4-13
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page137
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (138,1)
4-14
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page138
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (139,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-5
Manual Transmission Operation ............................................. 5-10
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-13
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-20
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-21
Traction Control System (TCS)
í........................................... 5-25
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-26
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-29
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-35 Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-35
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-40 Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-40
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-55
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-56 Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-56
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-59
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-60
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-60
Headlight Washer
í................................................................. 5-64
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-65
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-66
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-66
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-67
5-1íSome models.
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page139
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C

Black plate (140,1)
Ignition Switch
Auxiliary key (with advanced key)
NOTE
When starting the engine using the advanced
key, refer to Starting the Engine (page 3-9).
When starting the engine with the
auxiliary key, perform the following
procedure.
1. Remove the auxiliary key from theadvanced key (page 3-16).
2. Make sure the start knob is in LOCK position.
3. Remove the start knob by pulling it outward while pressing the buttons on
both the left and right sides.
4. Insert the auxiliary key in the ignitionswitch.
qIgnition Switch Positions
With advanced
key
Without advanced
key
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transmission
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, push the key in at the
ACC position, then turn it to the LOCK
position.
Push the key
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
RX-8_8Z09-EA-08C_Edition3 Page140
Thursday, July 3 2008 2:23 PM
Form No.8Z09-EA-08C