Instant Mobility System; Traction Control; Always check the Owner’s Manual for more operating information and safety features - Page 3

G E T T I N G S T A R T E D

Always check the Owner’s Manual for more operating information and safety features 

Getting
Started

Getting
Started

Quick Tips

2004 Mazda

Mazda RX-8

page 4
page 5

Instant Mobility System
emergency flat tire 
repair kit (IMS) 

Temporary spare tire is not
equipped with your Mazda, if 
tire repair is required, repair tire
with emergency flat tire repair 
kit, see Owner’s Manual
If a temporary spare tire is
required, consult your 
Authorized Mazda Dealer

Tire pressure 

monitoring system 

Warning light illuminates for a
few seconds when ignition is on
If tire pressure is too high or low, 
or tire temperature is too high
warning light will illuminate

Short trip driving procedure

Any trip that is too short for the
engine to reach normal operating
temperature; needle in middle 
of temperature gauge indicates
normal temperature 
The following procedure should
be followed when moving vehicle
a short distance**:
1. Start engine
2. Move vehicle
3. Warm engine for 5-minutes 

at idle

4. Raise engine speed to 3000 

RPM for 10-seconds

5. Return to idle
6. Turn off engine

Tip: Warming up engine
improves engine life

Traction Control

System (TCS)*/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)*

DSC light may occasionally flash
while driving, this indicates 
that the DSC was performing a
correction to help maintain your
best vehicle control, if DSC light
remains on, see your Mazda Dealer
If DSC light remains on after 
disconnecting battery or jump-
starting, you will need to perform
a Steering Angle Sensor calibration
procedure, after battery power is
restored: Ignition ON; turn steering
wheel to full left lock position;
then full right lock position; turn
ignition OFF, then ON

Tips: Close rear door first, 
then front door; damage may
occur otherwise
To prevent alarm arming with
passenger inside vehicle, driver
must manually lock door by
pressing lock knob

RX-8 rotary engine 
precautions

Check engine oil level when refueling
Rotary engine design uses an oil
injection system in addition to
lubrication of internal parts
It is important to maintain 
proper oil level

Engine oil level 

warning light

Indicates low engine oil if 
illuminated; pull over to a safe
location; turn engine off and
check engine oil level when
engine is cool, add engine 
oil if necessary

Instrument panel 
lighting

With headlights on: 

To brighten/dim turn thumbwheel
up/down

Maximum illumination:

Rotate thumbwheel upward 
until click is heard; instrument
cluster and information display
illumination color goes from 
red to white

Headlights/parking lights OFF:

Instrument panel lighting defaults
to maximum brightness

Headlights/parking lights ON:

Illumination changes brightness
with dimmer switch adjustment

Rear doors

For a rear occupant to exit with 
a front passenger:

1. Front occupant must release 

seatbelt

2. Front occupant must open door
3. Open rear door

For a rear occupant to exit without
a front occupant:

1. Release front seat to forward 

position

2. Unlock and open front door
3. Open rear door

*Denotes optional equipment

**Moving vehicle at a car wash or moving

vehicle to access another vehicle would
be considered a short distance