When looking at an RX-8 yesterday I noticed some plastic "place holders" in the dash. I assume these are for non-present options. Since I was driving a GT with NAV, I don't knwo if any US options that were not present...

On the left lower dash panel are spaces for 4 switches. Two are filled by the head light switches/dimmer - what are the other two for?

On the right side, between the center console and the glove box is a round plug - about the size of a cig lighter hole. I assume it's not for a 12v socket are there are already two in the car - anyone know what this might be?

 

The two of four switches on your GT should be the dimmer and the DSC. I've been thinking about options that we don't get that might take up the other spaces, and the only one that comes to mind so far is the rear fog light.

As for the plug beside the glovebox, I remember it was discussed some months ago and someone had a picture showing some sort of warning light in there. I'm afraid I can't remember, and a quick search failed to find the thread. Perhaps it was an airbag warning or something.

 

yeah the one next to the glove compartment is a warning light that comes on when the passenger side airbag has been disabled. search my posts for "herc's button" for a pic. you can also find it on rotarynews.com as they took the pic during their laguna seca drive.

 

Thanks - I never would have known it lights up - just looked like a black plastic plug to me.

 

So how does one disable the passenger's airbag? I don't recall seeing any obvious switch for it.

 

I am not aware of a passenger airbag bypass switch on the 8. The Miata does come with one that is standard equipment, but keep in mind that it is a two seater. I Canada it cost about $800.00 CND plus installation for the airbag bypass on a 350Z - OUTCH!!!

 

You need to buy a Mazda Child seat, these contain a radio frequency transponder that automaticly disables the passenger airbag.

I believe this was discussed a few months ago.

 

hrm, i am going to have to throw this in... that plug by the glove box is a tabbed snap in type thing and i'm ~95% sure that it is used to remove the dash so you can change radio options...since i got the mp3 player and my plug was flailing around. the tabs weren't lined up right and it wasn't snapped back into place. at the very least i didn't notice any lights in it.