warning lights MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2011 (in English) User Guide

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Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
fluid leaks.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing is in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch fluid,
washer fluid, and other fluid levels should be
inspected. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?lIs the seat adjusted properly?lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs the steering wheel adjusted properly?lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?lCheck all gauges.lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
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5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Turning the Engine Off ............................................................. 5-5
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-6
Manual Transmission Operation ............................................. 5-11
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-14
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-22
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-23
Traction Control System (TCS)
í........................................... 5-26
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-27
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-30
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-36
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-36
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-41
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-41
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-57
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-59
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-59
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-63
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-63
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-64
Headlight Washer
í................................................................. 5-68
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-68
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-69
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-70
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-70
5-1íSome models.
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NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the steering
wheel from side to side.
Leaving the key or start knob in any position
but the OFF/LOCK position also disables
some of the security features and may run the
battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
In this position, some electrical
accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. Some indicator
lights/warning lights should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-41).
NOTE
When the ignition is switched ON, the sound of
the fuel pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not indicate an
abnormality.
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key. It
then returns to the ON position.
qIgnition Key Reminder
If the ignition is switched off or the
ignition is switched to ACC with the key
inserted, a continuous beep sound will be
heard when the driver's door is opened.
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 unless the clutch is
depressed sufficiently.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the shift lever is
notin P or N.
5. Switch the ignition to START and hold
(up to 10 seconds at a time) until the
engine starts.
CAUTION
Do not 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.
5-4
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to charge the
battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs, it
is the result of the weak battery and does not
indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may illuminate the brake
system warning light and the ABS
warning light on simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
qBrake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a loud screeching
noise to warn that the pads should be
replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-43
Charging System Warning Light 5-45
Engine Oil Level Warning Light 5-45
Engine Coolant Level Warning Light 5-46
Check Engine Light 5-46
ABS Warning Light 5-44
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-47
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-47
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep 5-47
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-49
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-49
Automatic Transmission Warning Light 5-49
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-50
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green) 5-52
Security Indicator Light 5-53
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-54
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-54
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-55
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-55
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-55
Lights-On Indicator Light 5-56
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-56
Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light 5-56
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-57
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Brake system warning
Illuminates when there is a malfunction in
the brake switch.
Parking brake warning
The light illuminates when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switched
to START or ON. It turns off when the
parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
depress or that it may go closer to the
floor. In either case, it will take longer to
stop the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, open the
hood and check the brake fluid level
immediately, and then add fluid if
required (page 8-16).2. After adding fluid, check the light
again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light turns off have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes an
indicator of leakage. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible even if the
brake light is no longer illuminated.
WARNING
Do not drive with the brake system
warning light illuminated. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible:
Driving with the brake system
warning light illuminated is
dangerous. It indicates that your
brakes may not work at all or that
they could completely fail at any
time. If this light remains
illuminated, after checking that the
parking brake is fully released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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qABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to charge the
battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs, it
is the result of the weak battery and does not
indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may illuminate the brake
system warning light and the ABS
warning light on simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
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Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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qCharging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated because the engine could
stop unexpectedly.
qEngine Oil Level Warning Light
This warning light indicates a low engine
oil level while the engine is running by
briefly flashing the light and then fully
illuminating it.
If there is a problem with the system, the
light flashes continuously.NOTE
When the engine oil level is low, the warning
beep is also heard while the engine oil level
warning light is flashing.
Refer to Engine Oil Level Warning Beep on
page 5-58.
If the light flashes and then illuminates
If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it's low,
add oil.
3. Check the light.
If the engine oil level warning light is
illuminated and you are unable to
immediately add engine oil, do not drive
at high speed, keep the engine speed low
and get to a location where oil can be
added as soon as possible. We recommend
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add oil, have your vehicle checked at
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the oil level is
low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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NOTE
The Mazda RX-8 requires regular checking of
the engine oil level. The compact, high
performance RENESIS rotary engine in your
vehicle consumes a small amount of engine oil
due to its structural design. An oil pump
optimizes the amount of oil injected to
lubricate the rotor seals in the combustion
cycle. Although your vehicle is equipped with
an engine oil level warning light, it is best to
keep the engine oil level in the range between
full and low by checking the oil dipstick
regularly. Mazda recommends checking the oil
level at every second fuel filling. The oil
consumption of the engine depends on engine
speed and engine load. Under extreme driving
conditions, oil consumption can be higher.
If the light flashes continuously
If the warning light continues to flash, do
not drive at high speeds, drive the vehicle
at low engine rpm, and have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the
system.
NOTE
If the engine is turned off while the oil level
indicator is flashing due to a system
malfunction, it may take a few minutes until the
indicator starts flashing again after the engine
is started.
qEngine Coolant Level Warning Light
This warning light indicates low engine
coolant level.If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine coolant level (page 8-14). If it's
low, add engine coolant.
3. Check the light.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add engine coolant, have your vehicle
towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if the engine
coolant level is low. It could result in
extensive engine damage.
qCheck Engine Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
If this light illuminates while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light illuminated and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may illuminate in
the following cases:
lThe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
lThe engine's electrical system has a
problem.
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Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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