The other day I took my car to my dealer for the warranty recall on the heat shield. I thought it might be a good opportunity to have our presentation key programmed in, since until we were sent the new RX-8 key ring we were unable to carry it around. As instructed I took all keys and tags with me but in spite of having the car for around 2 hours, they said that they didn't have the time to perform a seemingly simple task (something about being unable to get the requisite code from Mazda).

I sent an email to Mazda Australia, with the dealer contacting me the next day to say they would send a service van to my workplace to do the job. The guy has just left. It took him no more than two minutes. This is how it was done: all keys bar the presentation key (the two regular + the valet key) were inserted, and the ignition turned on. Then the presentation key was inserted. How I understand it is that the system recognises the unprogrammed key and then programs it. According to the service guy, this procedure wouldn't work if the last key was coded for another vehicle. There was no little RFID coding machine and no special codes necessary.

 

good service at the end... I think people have cut key themselves and do it

I have the thread way back. People in US brought the special key from japanparts.com and cut them themselves... save a lot of penny

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...edure+code+key

 

i need to do mine aswell.

Labrat, did they send the van out free of charge ay?

might have to ring up MA

 

Yes they did do it as a freebie, but only I suspect because they didn't do it when they had the opportunity in their workshop. The reason for posting was that I found out that it really is a DIY exercise. Get all of your keys handy, and put your (unprogrammed) presentation key to one side. In turn, insert all of your keys in the ignition (including the valet key), and turn it on, waiting a few seconds until the display is complete. Now repeat the process with the presentation key. It should now start the engine.

 

How do you put all your keys in the ignition? One by one you mean

 

well there was only 2 keys i got.

the black 1 and the red & black rx8 key.

so your saying place the black 1 in until the display is on (time, radio etc..) then take it out and do the same with the red & black rx8 key and it should work?

interesting, ill try it.