2005 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 dashboard

Black plate (7,1)
1Your Vehicle at a Glance
Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.
Dashboard and Interior Overview .............................................. 1-2
Exterior Overview ......................................................................... 1-4
1-1
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page7
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:10 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (8,1)
The equipment and installation position varies according to model and grade.
1-2
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Dashboard and Interior Overview
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page8
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:10 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (9,1)
Rear seat .............................................................................................................. page 2-8
Front seats ............................................................................................................ page 2-2
Seat belt ............................................................................................................. page 2-10
Air bags ............................................................................................................. page 2-29
Power door lock switch ....................................................................................... page 3-9
Power window lock switch ................................................................................ page 3-18
Power window switches .................................................................................... page 3-17
Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-21
Trunk release button .......................................................................................... page 3-13
Tilt wheel release lever ...................................................................................... page 3-29
Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-29
Rearview mirror ................................................................................................. page 3-30
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................... page 5-2
Parking brake ....................................................................................................... page 5-5
MT shift lever ...................................................................................................... page 5-8
AT shift lever (Sport AT) ................................................................................... page 5-10
Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-30
Lighting control/Turn signals ............................................................................ page 5-49
Fog light switch ................................................................................................. page 5-51
Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-52
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................................................................... page 5-56
Climate control system ........................................................................................ page 6-2
Audio system ..................................................................................................... page 6-10
Audio control switch ......................................................................................... page 6-36
Interior light ....................................................................................................... page 6-39
Map light ........................................................................................................... page 6-40
Glove box .......................................................................................................... page 6-47
Center console ................................................................................................... page 6-48
Sunvisor ............................................................................................................. page 6-39
Vanity mirror ...................................................................................................... page 6-39
Lighter ............................................................................................................... page 6-44
Ashtray ............................................................................................................... page 6-45
Cup holder ......................................................................................................... page 6-46
Information display ............................................................................................ page 6-42
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Dashboard and Interior Overview
1-3
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page9
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:10 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (41,1)
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions
The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include up to 6 air bags (verify
“SRS AIRBAG”location indicator marks).
They are located in:
lThe steering wheel hub (driver air bag)
lThe front passenger dashboard (front passenger air bag)
lThe outboard sides of the front seatbacks (side air bags)
lThe front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sides (curtain air bags)
These systems operate independently depending on the type of accident encountered; if
you have side and curtain air bags, the side and curtain air bags are not likely to deploy on
both sides in the same accident because a vehicle is not often hit from both sides. The side
and curtain air bags and the frontal air bag system will not normally deploy during the
same type of accident unless a combination of frontal and side impacts occur.
The air bag supplemental restraint systems are designed to provide supplemental protection
only in the front seats in certain situations and the rear outside passenger positions only in
same-side collisions, so seat belts are always important in the following ways:
Without seat belt usage, the air bags cannot provide adequate protection during an accident.
Seat belt usage is necessary to:
lKeep the occupant from being thrown into an inflating air bag.
lReduce the possibility of injuries during an accident that is not designed for air bag
inflation, such as roll-over or rear impact.
lReduce the possibility of injuries in frontal or side collisions that are not severe enough
to activate the air bags.
lReduce the possibility of being thrown from your vehicle.
lReduce the possibility of injuries to lower body and legs during an accident because the
air bags provide no protection to these parts of the body.
lHold the driver in a position which allows better control of the vehicle.
Children should be protected by a child-restraint system. Laws vary on the size a child
must be to use a child-restraint system (page 2-20).
Carefully consider which child-restraint system is necessary for your child and follow the
installation directions in this Owner's Manual as well as the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-29
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page41
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (44,1)
WARNING
Hot Air Bag Inflators:
Hot air bag inflators are dangerous. Immediately after inflation, the inflators in the
steering wheel, dashboard, seatbacks, or the front and rear window pillars and along
the roof edge are very hot. You could get burned. Don't touch the internal components
of the air bag modules after the bags have inflated.
Installation of Front-End Equipment:
Installation of front-end equipment, such as frontal protection bar (kangaroo bar, bull
bar, push bar, etc.), snowplow, or winches, is dangerous. The air bag crash sensor
system could be affected. This could cause air bags to inflate unexpectedly, or it could
prevent the air bags from inflating during an accident. Front occupants could be
seriously injured. Never install any front-end equipment to your vehicle.
Suspension Adjustment:
Adjusting the vehicle suspension is dangerous. If the vehicle's height or the
suspension is changed, the vehicle will be unable to accurately detect a collision
resulting in incorrect or unexpected air bag deployment and the possibility of serious
injuries.
Modification of the Supplemental Restraint System:
Modifying the components or wiring of the supplemental restraint system is
dangerous. You could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable. Don't make any
modifications to the supplemental restraint system. This includes installing trim,
badges, or anything else over the air bag modules. It also includes installing extra
electrical equipment on or near system components or wiring. An Authorized Mazda
Dealer can provide the special care needed in the removal and installation of front
seats. It is important to protect the side and curtain air bag wiring and connections to
assure that the bags do not accidentally deploy and that the seats retain an
undamaged air bag connection.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the side and curtain air bag wiring, don't place luggage or other
objects under the front seats.
2-32
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page44
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (46,1)
Air Bag System Description
The supplemental restraint systems (SRS) have two basic subsystems:
lThe air bag system with inflators and air bags.
lThe electrical system with crash sensors and diagnostic module.
The air bags are mounted in the following locations: the center of the steering wheel, the
passenger-side of the dashboard, in the outboard sides of the front seatbacks and the front
and rear window pillars, along the roof edge. They are out of sight until activated.
Dual stage inflators and air bags*3
Seat belt buckle switches*2
Inflators and air bags
Side and curtain air bag
crash sensor
Inflators and air bags Side and curtain air bag crash sensorSeat slide position sensor
(only for driver's seat)*1 Crash sensors and
diagnostic module
(SAS unit) Front air bag sensor
*1 The driver's seat slide position sensor determines whether the driver's seat is fore or aft
of a reference position. The sensor is designed to control the deployment of the driver's
air bag depending on how close the driver's seat is to the steering wheel.
*2 The buckle switches on the front seat belts determine whether or not the front seat belts
are securely fastened and further control the deployment of the air bags on the front
seats.
*3 The front, dual stage air bags control air bag inflation in two energy stages. During an
impact of moderate severity the front air bags deploy with lesser energy, whereas
during more severe impacts, they deploy with more energy.
Deployment of the front air bags may differ between the driver and the front passenger
depending on the driver's seat position and front seat belt usage, which allow for further
controlling of the system.
2-34
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page46
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (51,1)
A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes,
illuminates or doesn't illuminate at all
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position. If any of these occur, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible. The system may not work in an
accident.
WARNING
Self-Servicing the Air Bag/
Pretensioner Systems:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled. This
could cause serious injuries. Never
tamper with the systems and always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
performs all servicing and repairs.
qMaintenance
The air bag systems do not require regular
maintenance. But if any of the following
occurs, take your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible:
lThe air bag system warning light
flashes.
lThe air bag system warning light
remains illuminated.
lThe air bag system warning light
remains off when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position.
lThe air bags inflate.
WARNING
Damaged Air Bag Sensors:
Driving with damaged air bag sensors
is dangerous. A collision, even one not
strong enough to inflate the air bags,
could damage the sensors. If there was
a subsequent collision, a damaged
sensor would not inflate the air bags.
Always have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer inspect the air bag systems
after a collision.
Removing Interior Parts:
Removing any components such as the
front seat, front dashboard, the
steering wheel or parts on the front
and rear window pillars and along the
roof edge, containing air bag parts or
sensors is dangerous. These parts
contain essential air bag parts. The air
bag could accidentally activate and
cause serious injuries. Always have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer remove
these parts.
Air Bag Disposal:
Improper disposal of an air bag or a
vehicle with live air bags in it can be
extremely dangerous. Unless all safety
procedures are followed, injury can
result. Ask an Authorized Mazda
Dealer how to safely dispose of an air
bag or how to scrap an air bag
equipped vehicle.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-39
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page51
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G

Black plate (76,1)
Immobilizer System
The immobilizer system allows the engine
to start only with a key the system
recognizes.
If someone attempts to start the engine
with an unrecognized key, the engine will
not start, thereby helping to prevent the
theft of your vehicle.
CAUTION
lChanges or modifications not
expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to operate
the equipment.
lTo avoid damage to the key, do not:
lDrop the key.lGet the key wet.lExpose the key to any kind of
magnetic field.
lExpose the key to high
temperatures on places such as the
dashboard or hood, under direct
sunlight.
CAUTION
When starting the engine do not allow
the following, as the engine may not
start due to the electronic signal from
the ignition key not being transmitted
correctly.
lA key ring rests on the key grip.
lMetal parts of other keys or metal
objects touch the key grip.
lSpare keys or keys for other vehicles
equipped with an immobilizer
system touch or come near the key
grip.
lDevices for electronic purchases, or
security passage touch or come near
the key.
3-24
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page76
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G