2008 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 184

Driving Your Mazda Switches and Controls Windshield Wipers and Washer The ignition switch must be in the ON position. qWindshield Wipers WARNING Use only windshield washer fluid or plain water in the reservoir: Using radiator antifreeze as washer fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the windshield, it will dirty the windshield, affect your visibility, and could result in an accident. Do not use the washer without first warming the windshield and never use plain tap water: Using windshield washer fluid without anti-freeze protection in freezing temperatures is dangerous. The washer fluid could freeze on the windshield and block your vision. You could have an accident. NOTE Because heavy ice and snow can jam the wiper blades, the wiper motor is protected from motor breakdown, overheating and possible fire by a circuit breaker. This mechanism will automatically stop operation of the blades, but only for about 5 minutes. If this happens, turn off the wiper switch and park off the right-of-way, and remove the snow and ice. After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and the blades should operate normally. If they don't resume functioning, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-ofway. Wait until the weather clears before trying to drive with the wipers inoperative. Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever down. INT ― Intermittent 1 ― Low speed 2 ― High speed For a single wiping cycle, push the lever up to MIST. MIST ― Mist Variable-speed intermittent wipers Set the lever to INT and choose the interval timing by rotating the ring. INT ring 5-58