Mazda RX-8 (2011 year). Instruction - part 14

To prevent the battery from being discharged,
do not leave the fan control dial on for a long
period of time with the ignition switched ON
when the engine is not running.

qClearing the Air Inlet

Clear all obstructions such as leaves,
snow and ice from the hood and the air
inlet in the cowl grille to improve the
system efficiency.

qFoggy Windows

The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.

To help defog the windows, operate the
air conditioner to dehumidify the air.

NOTE

The air conditioner may be used along with the
heater to dehumidify the air.

qParking in Direct Sunlight

If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.

qNot Using for a Long Period

Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated.

qCheck the Refrigerant before the

Weather Gets Hot

Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.

The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

qReplacement of the Cabin Air Filter

If your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary
to change the filter periodically as
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.

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Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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Vent Operation

Center vents

Side vents

qAdjusting the Vents

Directing airflow

Side Vents

To adjust the direction of airflow, open the
vents and rotate them left and right.

Center Vents

To adjust the direction of airflow, move
the adjustment knob.

Knob

NOTE

When using the air conditioner under humid
ambient temperature conditions, the system
may blow fog from the vents. This is not a sign
of trouble but a result of humid air being
suddenly cooled.

Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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qSelecting the Airflow Mode

Dashboard Vents

Defroster and Floor Vents

Dashboard and Floor Vents

Defroster Vents

Floor Vents

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Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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Types of the Climate Control System

Manual type and fully automatic type climate control systems are explained separately.
Check your vehicle's climate control type and read the appropriate pages.
Manual Type ............................................................................................................ page 6-6

Fully Automatic Type ............................................................................................. page 6-11

Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

6-5

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Manual Type

Windshield defroster switch

Fan control dial

Air intake selector

Mode selector switch

Temperature control dial

A/C switch

Rear window defroster switch

qControl Switches

Temperature control dial

Cold

Hot

This dial controls temperature. Turn it
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise
for cold.

NOTE

(U.S.A., Canada)
When the mode is set to

with the fan

control dial in a position other than 0 and the
temperature control dial in the maximum cold
position, the air intake selector switches to the
recirculated air mode and the A/C turns on
automatically.
If A/C is not desired, press the A/C switch to
turn it off.

Fan control dial

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Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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This dial allows variable fan speeds.
0

―Fan off

―Low speed

―Medium low speed

―Medium high speed

―High speed

Mode selector switch

Press the mode selector switch to select
airflow mode (page 6-4).

NOTE

To set the air vent to

, press the windshield

defroster switch.

A/C switch

Press the A/C switch to turn the air
conditioner on. The indicator light on the
switch will illuminate when the fan
control dial is set at position 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Press the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.

NOTE

The air conditioner may not function when the
outside temperature approaches 0 °C (32 °F).

Air intake selector

This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.

Press the switch to alternate between the

and

positions. The indicator

light for the selected mode will illuminate.

It is recommended that under normal
conditions the switch be kept in the
outside air position.

Outside air position (

)

Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use
this position for normal ventilation and
heating.

Recirculated air position (

)

Outside air is shut off. Air within the
vehicle is recirculated.

This position can be used when driving on
a dusty road or in similar conditions. It
also helps to provide quicker cooling of
the interior.

WARNING

Do not use the

position in cold or

rainy weather:

Using the

position in cold or

rainy weather is dangerous as it will
cause the windows to fog up. Your
vision will be hampered, which could
lead to a serious accident.

Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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Windshield defroster switch

Press the switch to defrost the windshield
and front door windows.

qHeating

1. Press the mode selector switch to the

position.

2. Set the temperature control dial to the

hot position.

3. Set the fan control dial to the desired

speed.

4. If dehumidified heating is desired, turn

on the air conditioner.

NOTE

If the windshield fogs up easily, set the
mode selector switch to the

position.

If cooler air is desired at face level, set the
mode selector switch at the

position

and adjust the temperature control dial to
maintain maximum comfort.

The air to the floor is warmer than air to
the face (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the extreme hot or cold
position).

In the

position, the air

conditioner is automatically turned on
(however, the indicator light does not
illuminate) and the

position is

automatically selected to defrost the
windshield.
In the

position, the

position cannot be changed to the

position.

qCooling (With Air Conditioner)

1. Press the mode selector switch to the

position.

2. Set the temperature control dial to the

cold position.

3. Set the fan control dial to the desired

speed.

4. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing

the A/C switch.

5. Adjust the fan control dial and

temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.

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Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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CAUTION

When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy
traffic, closely monitor the
temperature gauge (page 5-39).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off (page 7-17).

NOTE

When maximum cooling is desired, set the
temperature control dial to the extreme cold
position and set the air intake selector to
the

position, then set the fan control

dial to position 4.

If warmer air is desired at floor level, set
the mode selector switch at the

position

and adjust the temperature control dial to
maintain maximum comfort.

The air to the floor is warmer than air to
the face (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the extreme hot or cold
position).

qVentilation

1. Press the mode selector switch to the

position.

2. Set the air intake selector to the

position.

3. Set the temperature control dial to the

desired position.

4. Set the fan control dial to the desired

speed.

qWindshield Defrosting and Defogging

1. Press the windshield defroster switch.

2. Set the temperature control dial to the

desired position.

3. Set the fan control dial to the desired

speed.

WARNING

Do not defog the windshield using the

position with the temperature

control set to the cold position:

Using the

position with the

temperature control set to the cold
position is dangerous as it will cause
the outside of the windshield to fog
up. Your vision will be hampered,
which could lead to a serious
accident. Set the temperature control
to the hot or warm position when
using the

position.

NOTE

For maximum defrosting, set the
temperature control dial to the extreme hot
position and the fan control dial to position
4.

If warm air is desired at the floor, set the
mode selector switch to the

position.

In the

, or

position, the air

conditioner is automatically turned on
(however, the indicator light does not
illuminate) and the

position is

automatically selected to defrost the
windshield.
In the

position, the

position cannot be changed to the
position.

Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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qDehumidifying (With Air

Conditioner)

Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold
weather to help defog the windshield and
side windows.

1. Press the mode selector switch to the

desired position.

2. Set the air intake selector to the

position.

3. Set the temperature control dial to the

desired position.

4. Set the fan control dial to the desired

speed.

5. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing

the A/C switch.

NOTE

One of the functions of the air conditioner is
dehumidifying the air and, to use this function,
the temperature does not have to be set to cold.
Therefore, set the temperature control dial to
the desired position (hot or cold) and turn on
the air conditioner when you want to
dehumidify the cabin air.

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Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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Fully Automatic Type

Climate control information is displayed on the information display.

Fan control dial

A/C switch

Temperature control dial

Windshield defroster switch

OFF switch

Air intake selector

Mode selector switch

Auto switch

Rear window defroster switch

qControl Switches

AUTO switch

By pressing the AUTO switch the
following functions will be automatically
controlled in accordance with the selected
set temperature:

Airflow temperature

Amount of airflow

Selection of airflow mode

Outside/Recirculated air selection

Air conditioner operation

NOTE

AUTO switch indicator light

When on, it indicates AUTO operation, and
the system will function automatically.

If any of the following dials or switches are
operated while in AUTO control, the AUTO
switch indicator turns off.

Mode selector switch

Fan control dial

A/C switch

Windshield defroster switch

The functions for dials and switches other
than those operated in the above continue
to operate in AUTO control.

Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

6-11

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OFF switch

Pressing the OFF switch shuts off the
climate control system.

Temperature control dial

Cold

Hot

This dial controls temperature. Turn it
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise
for cold.

Fan control dial

Slow

Fast

The fan has seven speeds. The selected
speed will be displayed.

Mode selector switch

The desired airflow mode can be selected
(page 6-4).

NOTE

With the airflow mode set to

position

and the temperature control dial set at a
medium temperature, heated air is directed
to the feet and a comparably lower air
temperature will flow through the central,
left and right vents.

To set the air vent to

, press the

windshield defroster switch.

A/C switch

Pressing the A/C switch while the AUTO
switch is turned on will turn off the air
conditioning (cooling/dehumidifying
functions). The air conditioning can be
turned on and off by pressing the A/C
switch while the fan control dial is on.

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Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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NOTE

The air conditioning operates when the A/C
switch is pressed even if the fan control dial
is off.

The air conditioner may not function when
the outside temperature approaches 0 °C.
(Indicator remains on even when system is
off.)

Air intake selector

Outside or recirculated air positions can
be selected. Press the switch to select
outside/recirculated air positions.

Recirculated air position (

)

Use this position when going through
tunnels, driving in congested traffic (high
engine exhaust areas) or when quick
cooling is desired.

Outside air position (

)

Use this position for normal conditions
and defogging.

WARNING

Do not use the

position in cold or

rainy weather:

Using the

position in cold or

rainy weather is dangerous as it will
cause the windows to fog up. Your
vision will be hampered, which could
lead to a serious accident.

Windshield defroster switch

Press the switch to defrost the windshield
and front door windows.

qOperation of Automatic Air

Conditioning

1. Press the AUTO switch. Selection of

the airflow mode, air intake selector
and amount of airflow will be
automatically controlled.

2. Use the temperature control dial to

select a desired temperature.

Cold

Hot

To turn off the system, press the OFF
switch.

Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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NOTE

Setting the temperature to maximum high
or low will not provide the desired
temperature at a faster rate.

When selecting heat, the system will restrict
airflow until it has warmed to prevent cold
air from blowing out of the vents.

qWindshield Defrosting and Defogging

Press the windshield defroster switch.
In this position, the

position is

automatically selected, and the air
conditioner automatically turns on. The
air conditioner will directly dehumidify
the air to the front windshield and side
windows (page 6-4). Airflow amount will
be increased.

WARNING

Set the temperature control to the hot
or warm position when defogging (
position):

Using the

position with the

temperature control set to the cold
position is dangerous as it will cause
the outside of the windshield to fog
up. Your vision will be hampered,
which could lead to a serious
accident.

NOTE

Use the temperature control dial to increase
the air flow temperature and defog the
windshield more quickly.

qSunlight/Temperature Sensor

The fully automatic air conditioner
function measures inside and outside
temperatures, and sunlight. It then sets
temperatures inside the passenger
compartment accordingly.

CAUTION

Do not obstruct either sensor,
otherwise the automatic air
conditioner will not operate properly.

Sunlight sensor

Interior temperature sensor

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Interior Comfort

Climate Control System

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Antenna

qAM/FM Radio Antenna

The antenna is printed onto the window
glass.

CAUTION

When washing the inside of the
window which has an antenna, use a
soft cloth dampened in lukewarm
water, gently wiping the antenna
lines.
Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the antenna.

qSatellite Radio Antenna

The satellite radio antenna receives
SIRIUS signals.

Satellite radio antenna

Operating Tips for Audio
System

WARNING

Do not adjust the audio control
switches while driving the vehicle:

Adjusting the audio while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could
distract your attention from the
vehicle operation which could lead to
a serious accident. Always adjust the
audio while the vehicle is stopped.
Even if the audio control switches are
equipped on the steering wheel, learn
to use the switches without looking
down at them so that you can keep
your maximum attention on the road
while driving the vehicle.

CAUTION

For the purposes of safe driving,
adjust the audio volume to a level
that allows you to hear sounds
outside of the vehicle including car
horns and particularly emergency
vehicle sirens.

NOTE

To prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the audio system
on for a long period of time when the
engine is not running.

If a cellular phone or CB radio is used in
or near the vehicle, it could cause noise to
occur from the audio system, however, this
does not indicate that the system has been
damaged.

Interior Comfort

Audio System

6-15

Some models.

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