Black plate (9,1)
Power door lock switch ..................................................................................... page 3-30
Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-53
Dashboard illumination ..................................................................................... page 5-37
DSC OFF switch ............................................................................................... page 5-23
Lighting control/Turn signals ............................................................................ page 5-54
Audio control switch ......................................................................................... page 6-34
Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-32
Air bags ............................................................................................................. page 2-30
Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-57
Cruise control switches ...................................................................................... page 5-19
Information display ............................................................................................ page 6-41
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................................................................... page 5-61
Audio system ..................................................................................................... page 6-10
Glove box .......................................................................................................... page 6-46
Center console ................................................................................................... page 6-47
Cup holder ......................................................................................................... page 6-45
Parking brake ....................................................................................................... page 5-5
MT shift lever ...................................................................................................... page 5-9
AT shift lever (Sport AT) ................................................................................... page 5-11
Lighter ............................................................................................................... page 6-43
Ashtray ............................................................................................................... page 6-44
Climate control system ........................................................................................ page 6-2
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................... page 5-2
Tilt wheel release lever ...................................................................................... page 3-53
Coin box ............................................................................................................ page 6-46
Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-42
Trunk release button .......................................................................................... page 3-34
Power window lock switch ................................................................................ page 3-39
Power window switches .................................................................................... page 3-38
Interior light ....................................................................................................... page 6-38
Sunvisor ............................................................................................................. page 6-38
Rearview mirror ................................................................................................. page 3-54
Vanity mirror ...................................................................................................... page 6-38
Front seats ............................................................................................................ page 2-2
Rear seat .............................................................................................................. page 2-8
Seat belt ............................................................................................................... page 2-9
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Dashboard and Interior Overview
1-3
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page9
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (22,1)
WARNING
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be
crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
Make sure the seat belt is not caught or pinched in the door:
Wearing a seat belt that is caught or pinched in the door is dangerous. The seat belt
could become loose and not provide adequate protection in a sudden stop or collision.
Make sure nothing is placed on the seat belt slide bar:
Placing your foot or other objects such as an umbrella on the seat belt slide bar is
dangerous. The front seat belt is built into the rear door, and the lower part of the seat
belt slides forward or backward along the seat belt slide bar as the rear door opens or
closes. If the seat belt slider is blocked, the seat belt could be improperly positioned
and would provide little or no protection in a collision.
CAUTION
Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and rings are soiled, so try to keep them
clean. For more details about cleaning the seat belts, refer to“Cleaning the Lap/Shoulder
Belt Webbing”(page 8-50).
2-10
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page22
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (34,1)
WARNING
Do not allow a child to lean over or against the side window of a vehicle with side and
curtain air bags:
It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean over or against the side window, the area of
the front passenger seat, the front and rear window pillars and the roof edge along
both sides from which the side and curtain air bags deploy, even if a child-restraint
system is used. If the vehicle is equipped with side and curtain air bags, the impact of
inflation could cause serious injury or death to the child. Furthermore, leaning over
or against the front door could block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the
advantages of supplemental protection. With the front air bag and the additional side
air bag that comes out of the front seat, the rear seat is always a better location for
children. Do not allow a child to lean over or against the side window, even if the child
is seated in a child-restraint system.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could be
crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
CAUTION
A seat belt or child-restraint system can become very hot in a closed vehicle during
warm weather. To avoid burning yourself or a child, check them before you or your child
touches them.
NOTE
Your Mazda is equipped with LATCH lower anchors for attachment of specially
designed LATCH child-restraint systems in the rear seat. When using these anchors to
secure a child-restraint system, refer to“LATCH Child-Restraint Systems”(page 2-28).
2-22
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page34
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (38,1)
WARNING
Never use a rear-facing child-restraint
system in the front seat with an air bag
that could deploy:
Rear-facing child-restraint systems on
the front seat are particularly
dangerous.
Even in a moderate collision, the
child-restraint system can be hit by a
deploying air bag and moved violently
backward resulting in serious injury
or death to the child.
Do not allow a child to lean over or
against the side window of a vehicle
with side and curtain air bags:
It is dangerous to allow anyone to lean
over or against the side window, the
area of the front passenger seat, the
front and rear window pillars and the
roof edge along both sides from which
the side and curtain air bags deploy,
even if a child-restraint system is used.
If the vehicle is equipped with side and
curtain air bags, the impact of
inflation could cause serious injury or
death to the child. Furthermore,
leaning over or against the front door
could block the side and curtain air
bags and eliminate the advantages of
supplemental protection. With the
front air bag and the additional side
air bag that comes out of the front
seat, the rear seat is always a better
location for children. Do not allow a
child to lean over or against the side
window, even if the child is seated in a
child-restraint system.
qFront Passenger's Seat Child-
Restraint System Installation
1. Slide the seat as far back as possible.
2. Secure the child-restraint system with
the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.
See the manufacturer's instructions on
the child-restraint system for belt
routing instructions.
3. To get the retractor into the automatic
locking mode, pull the shoulder belt
portion of the seat belt until the entire
length of the belt is out of the retractor.
4. Push the child-restraint system firmly
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt
retracts as snugly as possible. Clicking
from the retractor will be heard during
retraction if the system is in automatic
locking mode. If the belt does not lock
the seat down tight, repeat the previous
step and also this one.
2-26
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (44,1)
WARNING
Sit in the center of the seat and wear seat belts properly:
Sitting too close to the side air bag modules or placing hands on them is extremely
dangerous. The side air bags inflate with great force and speed directly out of the
outboard side of the front seat and expand along the front door on the side the car is
hit. Serious injury could occur if someone is sitting too close to the door or leaning
against a window, or if rear seat occupants grab the sides of the front seatbacks.
Furthermore, sleeping up against the door or hanging out the windows in the vehicle
could block the side and curtain air bags and eliminate the advantages of
supplemental protection. Give the side and curtain air bags room to work by sitting in
the center of the seat while the vehicle is moving with seat belts worn properly.
Do not attach objects on or around the area where a front air bag deploys:
Attaching an object to the front air bag modules or placing something in front of them
is dangerous. In an accident, the object could interfere with front air bag inflation and
injure the occupants.
Do not attach objects on or around the area where a side air bag deploys:
Attaching things to the front seat in such a way as to cover the outboard side of the
seat in any way is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the side air
bag, which inflates from the outboard side of the front seats, impeding the added
protection of the side air bag system or redirecting the air bag in a way that is
dangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut open spewing exhaust.
Do not hang net bags, map pouches or backpacks with side straps on the front seats.
Never use seat covers on the front seats. Always keep the side air bag modules in your
front seats free to deploy in the event of a side collision.
Do not attach objects on or around the area where a curtain air bag deploys:
Attaching objects to the areas where the curtain air bag activates such as on the
windshield glass, side door glass, front and rear window pillars and along the roof
edge and assist grips is dangerous. In an accident the object could interfere with the
curtain air bag, which inflates from the front and rear window pillars and along the
roof edge, impeding the added protection of the curtain air bag system or redirecting
the air bag in a way that is dangerous. Furthermore, the bag could be cut open
spewing exhaust.
Do not place hangers or any other objects on the assist grips. When hanging clothes,
hang them on the coat hook directly. Always keep the curtain air bag modules free to
deploy in the event of a side collision.
2-32
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page44
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (61,1)
3Knowing Your Mazda
Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment
of various parts.
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System ................................ 3-2
Advanced Keysí...................................................................... 3-2
Operation Using Advanced Keyless Functions ......................... 3-7
Operation Using Advanced Key Functions ............................. 3-14
Advanced Key Suspend Function ........................................... 3-17
Warning and Beep Sounds ...................................................... 3-18
Setting Change (Function Customization) .............................. 3-20
User Mis-Operation Warning Indicators ................................. 3-21
Doors and Locks ......................................................................... 3-22
Keys (without Advanced Key) ................................................ 3-22
Keyless Entry System (with Retractable Type Key) ............... 3-23
Door Locks ............................................................................. 3-28
Trunk Lid ................................................................................ 3-33
Inside Trunk Release Lever ..................................................... 3-36
Power Windows ...................................................................... 3-37
Rear Quarter Windows ............................................................ 3-39
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap ........................................................... 3-40
Hood ....................................................................................... 3-42
Moonroof
í............................................................................. 3-43
Security System ........................................................................... 3-45
Immobilizer System (with Advanced Key) ............................. 3-45
Immobilizer System (without Advanced Key) ........................ 3-48
Theft-Deterrent System
í........................................................ 3-51
Steering Wheel and Mirrors ...................................................... 3-53
Steering Wheel ........................................................................ 3-53
Mirrors .................................................................................... 3-53
3-1íSome models.
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page61
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (62,1)
Advanced Keysí
The advanced keyless functions (advanced keyless entry and start system) enables the
following operations while the advanced key is being carried (page 3-7).
lLocking/unlocking the doors, opening the trunk lid, without operating the key.
lStarting the engine without operating the key.
The advanced key enables additional functions other than those with the advanced keyless
functions (page 3-14).
lThe following operations are possible using the keyless entry system from a distance
(Lock/Unlock/Trunk button/Panic button):
lLocking/unlocking the doors.lOpening the trunk lid.lTurning on the alarm.
lLocking/unlocking the doors, opening the trunk lid, or starting the engine using the
auxiliary key.
WARNING
Keys and Children:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the key is dangerous. This could result in someone
being badly injured or even killed. These new kinds of keys are fascinating to
children. They could play with power windows or other controls, or even make the
vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in your vehicle with children and keep them in a
place where your children will not find or play with them.
Use of Advanced Key Near Medical Equipment:
Radio waves from the advanced key may affect medical equipment such as
pacemakers. Before using the advanced key near people who use medical equipment,
ask the medical equipment manufacturer or your physician if radio waves from the
advanced key will affect the equipment.
NOTE
lThe driver must carry the advanced key to ensure the system functions properly.
lRefer to Immobilizer System (page 3-45) for information regarding keys and engine
starting.
l(With theft-deterrent system)
Refer to Theft-Deterrent System (page 3-51) for information regarding keys and the
prevention of vehicle and vehicle contents theft.
3-2
Knowing Your Mazda
íSome models.
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
RX-8_8U58-EA-05J_Edition1 Page62
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J
Black plate (67,1)
Operation Using Advanced
Keyless Functions
qOperational Range
The system operates only when the driver
is in the vehicle or within operational
range while the advanced key is being
carried.
NOTE
When the battery power is low, or in
places where there are high-intensity
radio waves or noise, the operational
range may become narrower or the
system may not operate.
Locking, unlocking the doors
The operational range for locking/
unlocking the doors is up to 80 cm (2.6 ft)
from the center of the front door handles.
Exterior transmitter
Operational range
NOTE
The system may not operate if you are
too close to the windows, door handles.
Opening the trunk lid
The operational range for opening the
trunk lid is up to 80 cm (2.6 ft) from the
center of the trunk lid.
Exterior transmitter
Operational range
Starting the engine
The operational range for starting the
engine includes nearly the entire cabin
area.
Interior transmitter
O
perational range
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
3-7
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Form No.8U58-EA-05J