Just a question....when we lived in the US the newer Miata / MX5 had a key switch to deactivate the passenger side airbag. Do the US delivered RX8's have this ? Or, has anyone tried to fit this handy item to an RX8 ?
Thanks
Lew

 

The RX-8's have back seats, that lockout feature is on cars/trucks with no back seat. Also do to legal reasons I doubt you can find a shop or device to disable the Pass air bag. You will have to do this on your own.

 

My understanding is that the passenger airbag will not inflate if the passenger seat is not occupied. Otherwise, I haven't heard of anybody here disabling it yet. In non-North American markets, Mazda includes the switch to disable.

Regards,
Gordon

 

If you've ever wondered what that plug next to your glove box was for...

 

Close up:

 

never knew that great pix
you learn something every day

 

Why is mine just an blank-plug?? Cuz its not required in the USA??

 

Do all RX-8s have that button to disengage the passenger side airbag?

 

well that's interesting.
i wonder if the little black thing in the right corner of the dash was something else they took out of the american models or maybe all models in general, like maybe automatic headlight controls?

 

isnt it required by law to have automatic headlight controls

 

nope. i wish it were, but my 8 sure doesnt have them and i know no one else in the US has them either.

 

Most HID-equipped vehicles in the US (including the RX-8) have automatic headlight leveling systems. The US does not allow manually-controlled remote headlight aiming adjustment systems that are permitted in many other markets.

Re the passenger airbag switch - as I said, in markets OUTSIDE the US the RX-8s have those. Again, the US government does not allow that switch in vehicles with back seats. The 99+ Miata has a passenger airbag switch because it doesn't have a back seat.

Regards,
Gordon

 

I'm not talking about levelling.
I'm talking automatic activation based on an optical sensor.