Am I the only one who is unhappy with the horn sensor
 

I almost feel bad for posting this because there are so many posts about how much people love the horn and the sensor placement, but...

I just hate the horn sensor on the bottom of the steering wheel. It's so dadgum senstive and is placed, IMHO, in the worst spot possible. At least once a week (and usually more) I accidentally honk the horn when I'm turning the steering wheel or adjusting my grip to get a drink of coffee while waiting at a stop light.

Honestly, I just have to barely touch the thing and it honks---causing everyone in the area to look at me like I'm absolutely crazy. I've seriously considered looking into disabling the sensor because it is so touchy.

Is it just me? Am I doing something wrong? Do I have an abnormally sensitive horn? Does anybody else have this problem?

justbrent......itsjustyou!! I've never accidentally activated the horns in two-and-a-bit years of driving an RX-8.

Move your seat back and stop crowding the wheel. Are you somewhat "vertically challenged"??

On a more serious note, I've never seen anyone else post about this. I'll delve a bit into the repair manual and see what might be causing this.

Yes learn to use the steering wheel properly.

Has your car ever had it's drivers airbag replaced? Might be an incorrect assemble putting pressure on the horn switch.

Get the dealer onto it if you have any concerns.

Yea, ive hit it by accident too when turning around or something.

I've hit it, but it didn't go off as easily as it seems it is for you. Know any other people in your area who drives another 8? It would be interesting to see what the pressure on their horn is compared to yours. That's about the only way you'll be able to tell if it's out of spec.

I hit it once in the first week of owning it ... havent hit it since, coincidence ?

http://www.driving-defensive.com/Def...r-Parents.html

"Most first time drivers will have a tendency to crowd the steering wheel. Have it hard up to the chest and try to look at the front of the vehicle."

I am pissed about where the horn sensor is placed!

Buy a Mazda!!

Not until they get their act together and start placing their horn sensors in the right place!

No problem for me, and I'm quite vertically challenged and have to have the seat quite far forward. Actually, my problem with the horn is the opposite, I can't get it to go off when I want it. Problem is, I'm still used to my old MX-6, which had little horn buttons on the sides of the wheel, so now, in any "oh shit" moment, I instinctively reach for that, and end up frobbing the steering wheel radio controls. :doh:

[Note: the "doh" smiley is pretty weak. Looks more like he's saying "oooooo" than "d'oh!"]

I agree. This is what's keeping me from buying an 8. I kid, I kid.

So it's either me or my car. I certainly don't crowd the wheel (in fact, I have to move my seat up whenever someone sits in the back). So maybe I've got a super-duper sensor.

Just three days ago I was stopping at a stop light and I grabbed the lower part of the wheel with my left hand while down shifting and the horn went off just from my thumb barely touching the bottom sensor. :shocking:

Tip: Instead of turning the wheel with your hand fixed to the wheel, as I think you may be doing, try shuffling the wheel in your hands while your hands remain fixed in space. You'll never nail the horn by accident, and you'll likely find you'll have smoother control over the wheel.

gorilla grip? do people wince in pain when you shake their hands? j/k :)

never had this problem though. although, i imagine now that i've said that, i'll do it when i go to lunch today.

Hmmm, seems like I might have hit mine my accident once or twice in the 6 months I've owned my RX-8, but not while driving. I think I beeped it while parked because I had turned around to look in the back seat, then popped it with my elbow as I turned back around.

I tend to think you might have an overly sensitive button.