2006 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 warning light

Black plate (50,1)
Front passenger seat weight sensors
Your vehicle is also equipped with the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
(page 2-26). These sensors are located under both of the front passenger seat rails. These
sensors determine the total seated weight on the front passenger seat. The sensors are also
designed to prevent the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system from deploying if the total seated weight is less than approximately 30 kg (66 lb).
To reduce the chance of injuries caused by deployment of the front passenger air bag, the
system deactivates the front passenger front and side air bags and also the seat belt
pretensioner system when:
lThere is no passenger in the front passenger seat. (The front passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light does not illuminate.)
lThe total seated weight on the front passenger seat is less than approximately 30 kg (66
lb). (The front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates.)
This system shuts off the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt pretensioner
system, so make sure the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates
according to the following table.
The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes and the front
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates if the sensors have a possible
malfunction. If this happens, the front passenger front and side air bags and seat belt
pretensioner system will not deploy.
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light
This indicator light illuminates to remind you that the front passenger front and side air
bags and seat belt pretensioner will not deploy during a collision.
If the front passenger weight sensors are normal, the indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position. After about 6 seconds it goes out.
2-38
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page50
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (58,1)
lVehicle roll-over may not provide
enough side force to deploy the side
and curtain air bags.
lSide impacts with two-wheeled
vehicles may not provide enough force
to deploy the side and curtain air bags.
Non-activation of side and curtain air
bag
The side and curtain air bags will not
normally inflate in the following cases:
lCollision from the rear.
lCollision from the front, but it may
deploy the front air bags.
qConstant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag
systems are monitored by a diagnostic
system:
lSAS unit
lFront air bag sensor
lAir bag modules
lSide crash sensors
lFront seat belt pretensioners
lRelated wiring
lDriver seat slide position sensor
lFront passenger seat weight sensors
lDriver and front passenger seat belt
buckle switches
The diagnostic module continuously
monitors the system's readiness. This
begins when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position and continues while
the vehicle is being driven.
qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system is normal, the warning light
illuminates when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position or after the
engine is cranked. After about 6 seconds
it goes out.
2-46
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page58
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (59,1)
A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes,
constantly 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 causing
serious injury or death. Never tamper
with the systems and always have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer perform 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 does
not illuminate when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position.
lThe air bags have deployed.
lFront passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position or does not illuminate
as indicated in the chart. For more
details about this indicator light and
this chart, refer to“Front passenger
seat weight sensors”(page 2-37).
WARNING
Do not operate a vehicle with damaged
air bag/seat belt pretensioner system
components:
Expended or damaged air bag/seat
belt pretensioner system components
must be replaced after any collision
which caused them to deploy or
damage them. Only a trained
Authorized Mazda Dealer can fully
evaluate these systems to see that they
will work in any subsequent accident.
Driving with an expended or damaged
air bag or pretensioner unit will not
afford you the necessary protection in
the event of any subsequent accident
which could result in serious injury or
death.
Do not remove interior air bag parts:
Removing any components such as the
front seats, 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 components.
The air bag could accidentally activate
and cause serious injuries. Always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
remove these parts.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-47
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page59
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (64,1)
CAUTION
lBecause the advanced key uses low-intensity radio waves, it may not function
correctly under the following conditions:
lThe advanced key is carried with communication devices such as cellular phones.lThe advanced key contacts or is covered by a metal object.lThe advanced key is near electronic devices such as personal computers.lNon-Mazda genuine electronic equipment is installed in the vehicle.lThere is equipment which discharges radio waves near the vehicle.lIf the vehicle is near equipment such as wireless pay devices installed at certain gas
stations.
lThe advanced key may consume battery power excessively if it receives high-
intensity radio waves. Do not place the advanced key near electronic devices such as
televisions or personal computers.
lTo avoid damage to the advanced key, DO NOT:
lDrop the advanced key.lGet the advanced key wet.lDisassemble the advanced key.lExpose the advanced key to high temperatures on places such as the dashboard or
hood, under direct sunlight.
lPlace heavy objects on the advanced key.lPut the advanced key in an ultrasonic cleaner.lPut any magnetized objects close to the advanced key.
NOTE
lBattery life is about one year. Replace the battery when the KEY indicator light
(green) flashes in the instrument cluster.
Refer to Advanced Key Dead Warning on page 3-19.
lAdditional advanced keys can be obtained at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Up to 6
advanced keys can be used with the advanced keyless functions per vehicle.
3-4
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page64
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (68,1)
NOTE
lThe trunk is out of the operational
range, however, starting the engine
may be possible.
lThe engine may not start if the
advanced key is placed in the
following areas:
lAround the dashboardlIn the storage compartments such
as the glove box
lOn the rear parcel shelf
lStarting the engine may be possible
even if the advanced key is outside
of the vehicle and extremely close to
a door and window, however, always
start the engine from the driver's seat.
If the vehicle is started and the
advanced key is not in the vehicle,
the vehicle will not restart after it is
shut off and the ignition switch is
turned to the lock position.
lIf the advanced key is detected
within operational range, the
operation indicator light flashes
momentarily.
qLocking, Unlocking the Doors
with Request Switch
All doors can be locked/unlocked by
pressing the request switch on the front
doors while the advanced key is being
carried.
Request switch
To lock
To lock the doors, press the request
switch. A beep sound will be heard once
and the hazard warning lights will flash
once.
To unlock
Driver's door request switch
To unlock the driver's door, press the
request switch. A beep sound will be
heard twice and the hazard warning lights
will flash twice.
To unlock all doors , press the request
switch again within 3 seconds and two
more beep sounds will be heard.
3-8
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page68
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (69,1)
NOTE
(Without theft-deterrent system)
The hazard warning lights will flash
twice to indicate that the doors are
unlocked.
(With theft-deterrent system)
lThe hazard warning lights will not
flash.
lThe hazard warning lights only flash
when the theft deterrent system is
armed or turned off, refer to the
theft-deterrent system (page 3-51).
Front passenger door request switch
To unlock the doors, press the request
switch. A beep sound will be heard twice
and the hazard warning lights will flash
twice.
NOTE
lConfirm that all doors are securely
locked.
lAll doors cannot be locked when any
door is open.
lA beep sound is heard for
confirmation when the doors are
locked/unlocked using the request
switch. If your prefer, the beep sound
can be turned off (page 3-20).
NOTE
lThe setting can be changed so that
the doors are locked automatically
without pressing the request switch.
(Auto-lock function)
A beep sound is heard when all
doors are closed while the advanced
key is being carried. All doors are
locked automatically after about 3
seconds when the advanced key is
out of the operational range. Also,
the hazard warning lights flash once.
(Even if the driver is in the
operational range, all doors are
locked automatically after about 30
seconds.)
If you are out of the operational
range before the doors are
completely closed, the auto-lock
function will not work. Always make
sure that all doors are locked before
leaving the vehicle (page 3-20).
lAfter unlocking all doors by pressing
the request switch, all doors will
automatically lock if any of the
following operations are not
performed within about 30 seconds.
If your vehicle has a theft-deterrent
system, the hazard warning lights
will flash for confirmation.
lA door is opened.lThe auxiliary key is inserted into
the ignition switch.
lThe start knob is pushed.
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
3-9
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page69
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (70,1)
qOpening the Trunk Lid with
Request Switch
The trunk lid can be opened by pressing
the request switch on the under side of the
trunk lid above the license plate while the
advanced key is being carried.
Request switch
NOTE
If the advanced key is left in the trunk,
the trunk lid will close. However, the
trunk lid can be opened by pressing the
request switch.
qStarting the Engine
Ignition Switch Positions
Without a traditional key, some of the
ignition switch functions are different.
Start knob
LOCK(Released)
The steering wheel locks to help protect
against theft.
LOCK(Depressed)
The ignition switch can be turned to the
ACC position when the KEY indicator
light (green) illuminates in the instrument
cluster.
WARNING
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver's seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver's
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with
an automatic transmission or in 1 or R
with a manual transmission.
NOTE
lIf turning the ignition switch is
difficult, jiggle the steering wheel
from side to side.
l(Automatic transmission)
The ignition switch cannot be turned
from the ACC position to the LOCK
position when the shift lever is not in
P.
ACC(Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
3-10
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page70
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J

Black plate (71,1)
NOTE
The Advanced Keyless Entry System
does not function in the ACC position,
and the doors will not lock/unlock even
if they have been locked manually or
the advanced key is carried away from
the vehicle.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-38).
NOTE
When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, 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 start knob;
then it returns to the ON position. The
brake warning light can be checked after
the engine is started (page 5-38).
Starting the Engine
NOTE
lEngine-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.
lThe advanced key must be carried
because the advanced key carries an
immobilizer chip that must
communicate with the engine
controls at short range.
lWhen starting the engine, be sure the
start knob is securely attached before
trying to operate it. If the knob
becomes detached from the ignition
switch, re-attach it by pushing it on
to the ignition switch.
1. Make sure the advanced key is being
carried.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
3-11
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page71
Thursday, August 25 2005 4:54 PM
Form No.8U58-EA-05J