2011 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 steering

Black plate (52,1)
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Precautions
The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include 6 air bags.You can locate
the various air bags by the use of“SRS AIRBAG”location indicators.These indicators
are visible in the area where the air bags are installed.
The air bags are installed in the following locations:
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. 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.
Small children must be protected by a child-restraint system as stipulated by law in every
state and province. In certain states and provinces, larger children must use a child-restraint
system (page 2-26).
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.
2-40
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page52
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (53,1)
WARNING
Seat belts must be worn in air bag equipped vehicles:
Depending only on the air bags for protection during an accident is dangerous.
Alone, air bags may not prevent serious injuries. The appropriate air bags can be
expected to inflate only in the first collision with frontal, near frontal or side forces
that are at least moderate. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat belts.
Children should not ride in the front passenger seat:
Placing a child, 12 years or under, in the front seat is dangerous. The child could be
hit by a deploying air bag and be seriously injured or even killed. Even if the front
passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, always move the front
passenger seat as far back as possible. A sleeping child is more likely to lean against
the door and be hit by the side air bag in moderate collision to the front-passenger
side of the vehicle. Whenever possible, always secure a child 12 years and under on
the rear seat with an appropriate child-restraint system for the child's age and size.
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
though you may feel assured that a front passenger air bag will not deploy based on
the fact that the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates. 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 sit too close to the driver and front passenger air bags:
Sitting too close to the driver and front passenger air bag modules or placing hands
or feet on them is extremely dangerous. The driver and front passenger air bags
inflate with great force and speed. Serious injuries could occur if someone is too
close. The driver should always hold onto only the rim of the steering wheel. The
front seat passenger should keep both feet on the floor. Front seat occupants should
adjust their seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the
seatbacks with seat belts worn properly.
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
2-41
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page53
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (56,1)
Supplemental Restraint System Components
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:
lThe steering wheel hublThe front passenger dashboardlThe outboard sides of the front seatbackslThe front and rear window pillars, and the roof edge along both sides
The air bags are out of sight until activated.
Driver/Front passenger dual stage inflators and air bags
Crash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)
Front seat belt pretensioners (page 2-20)
Front air bag sensor
Side crash sensors
Air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light (page 2-55)
Side and curtain inflators and air bags
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light (page 2-46)
Front passenger seat weight sensors (page 2-46)
Front passenger seat weight sensor control module
2-44
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page56
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (58,1)
How the Air Bags Work
qHow the Front Air Bags Work
When air bag crash sensors detect a frontal impact of greater than moderate force, an
electrical current is sent to the inflators.
Gases are produced to inflate the front air bags and after the inflation, the front air bags
quickly deflate.
The front air bags will function only once. After that,the front air bags will not work
again and must be replaced.
Only an Authorized Mazda Dealer can replace the system components.
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 seat position,
front passenger weight and front seat belt usage, all of which provide data from each sensor
to the air bag system.
The front air bags will deploy only
in a frontal or frontal offset impact.
Driver seat slide position sensor
Your vehicle is equipped with a driver seat slide position sensor as a part of the
supplemental restraint system. The sensor is located under the driver seat. The sensor
determines whether the driver seat is fore or aft of a reference position and sends the seat
position to the diagnostic module (SAS unit). The SAS unit is also designed to control the
deployment of the driver air bag depending on how close the driver seat is to the steering
wheel.
The air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system warning light flashes if the sensor has a
possible malfunction (page 2-55).
2-46
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page58
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (68,1)
A system malfunction is indicated if the
warning light constantly flashes,
constantly illuminates or does not
illuminate at all when the ignition is
switched ON. If any of these occur,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible. The system may not
work in an accident.
WARNING
Never tamper with the air bag/
pretensioner systems and always have
an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform
all servicing and repairs:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled causing
serious injury or death.
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 is
switched ON.
lThe air bags have deployed.lFront passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not illuminate
when the ignition is switched ON 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 2-46).
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.
Dispose of the air bag properly:
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.
2-56
Essential Safety Equipment
SRS Air Bags
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page68
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (71,1)
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 ............................. 3-13
Advanced Key Suspend Function ........................................... 3-16
Warning and Beep Sounds ...................................................... 3-17
When Warning Indicator/Beep is Activated ............................ 3-19
Doors and Locks ......................................................................... 3-20
Keys (without Advanced Key) ................................................ 3-20
Keyless Entry System (with Retractable Type Key) ............... 3-21
Door Locks ............................................................................. 3-26
Trunk Lid ................................................................................ 3-31
Inside Trunk Release Lever ..................................................... 3-33
Power Windows ...................................................................... 3-34
Rear Quarter Windows ............................................................ 3-41
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap ........................................................... 3-41
Hood ....................................................................................... 3-43
Moonroof
í............................................................................. 3-44
Security System ........................................................................... 3-46
Immobilizer System (with Advanced Key) ............................. 3-46
Immobilizer System (without Advanced Key) ........................ 3-49
Theft-Deterrent System ........................................................... 3-51
Steering Wheel and Mirrors ...................................................... 3-54
Steering Wheel ........................................................................ 3-54
Mirrors .................................................................................... 3-54
3-1íSome models.
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page71
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (80,1)
The engraved mark (LOCK) indicated in
the illustration may differ from that
indicated on the actual vehicle (it may
read OFF).
OFF/LOCK―Knob Released
The power supply to electrical devices is
turned off.
OFF/LOCK―Knob Depressed
The ignition can be switched to ACC
when the KEY indicator light (green)
illuminates in the instrument cluster.
WARNING
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition to OFF/LOCK, 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:
It is important to switch the ignition
to OFF/LOCK even if you are not
removing the key from the ignition or
leaving the vehicle. Leaving the key
in other positions will disable some of
the vehicle security systems and run
the battery down.
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition to OFF/LOCK,
setting the parking brake and
shifting the shift lever to P with an
automatic transmission, or to 1 or R
with a manual transmission is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur. This could
cause an accident.NOTE
lIf turning the ignition switch is difficult,
jiggle the steering wheel from side to side.
l(Automatic transmission)
The ignition cannot be switched from ACC
to OFF/LOCK when the shift lever is not in
P.
ACC (Accessory)
In this position, some electrical
accessories will operate.
NOTE
The Advanced Keyless Entry System does not
function in the ACC position, and the doors
will not lock/unlock using the transmitter or
request switches even if 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 5-41).
NOTE
When the ignition is switched ON, 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 5-41).
3-10
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page80
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:49 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H

Black plate (124,1)
Steering Wheel
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving:
Adjusting the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident.
qTilt Steering Wheel
To change the angle of the steering wheel,
stop the vehicle, pull the tilt wheel release
lever under the steering column down,
adjust the wheel, then push the release
lever up to lock the column.
Tilt wheel release
lever
After adjusting, push the wheel up and
down to be certain it's locked before
driving.
Mirrors
qOutside Mirrors
Check the mirror angles before driving.
Mirror type
Flat type (driver's side)
Flat surface mirror.
Convex type (front passenger side)
The mirror has single curvature on its
surface.
WARNING
Be sure to look over your shoulder
before changing lanes:
Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears.
Power mirror
The ignition must be switched to ACC or
ON.
To adjust:
1. Press the left or right side of the
selector switch to choose the left or
right side mirror.
3-54
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
RX-8_8BQ7-EA-10H_Edition1 Page124
Wednesday, July 14 2010 11:50 AM
Form No.8BQ7-EA-10H