ezrider55

Start Button mounts there for right hand drive models?

CarAndDriver

Uh read the first part of the thread. Its where the passenger airbag disabled light goes on 2006+ models.

MadDashRX8

So, is it there in Japan? Is it on the left side of the dash?

Krankor

Well, so far we seem to have a conclusive answer as to what it's for, but only speculation on why my '05 Shinka has a blank and not the light there. Nobody gets a limerick until the complete mystery is solved!

myriadshalaks

iTrader: (1)

it's just a utility slot, a slot to be filled by something if that time comes.

Winfree

I rather like that - a sort of anything box!

ken-x8

It's solved. The Euro models had the airbag light in '05. Looks like they used the same dash on both sides of the pond, just providing a plug instead of a light in the New World.

We're always the last to get the fancy stuff.

Ken

Salamanth

My '06 GT model has the light there, rather than a blank. At first I thought it was a spot for an additional ciggy lighter with a rather strange blank in it, till I paid attention when I started up the car one day.

I also thought about relocating the lighter there when/if I get the racing beat gauge pod.

Krankor

So Ken, you're sure about the Euro models thing? Earlier you said that you merely thought so. If you know this for a fact...

zoom44

because the 2004 and 2005 US versions dont come with the ability to turn off the airbar. airbag is "on" all the time so there is no need for a light that says its "off"
and this photo below, linked to by nemesis ,was taken in 2003 at the press pre-production drive at laguna seca by Berny Herrera whilst the RX-8 was being driven by Dan Mazzela of Rotarynews.com . the purpose of the picture was to answer this exact question as the plug had been spotted by many of the forum members in mazda's pics and some of the spy photos

CarAndDriver

No need to ever have a baby seat in my 8 and not in the front!

Krankor

And so, the presentation of the Limerick of Praise:

The round blank near the 8's glovebox door?
MisplacedRotors knew just what it was for!

CarAndDriver, rather clutch,
gave us pictures-- thank you much!

But the uber-d00d: Zoom44!

Thanks to all who provided info!

ken-x8

Well, I'm not under oath here...and I'm relying on a post from someone else here...but the topic did come up in another thread. The topic was air bag deployment, and I referred to the warning light. Another member (a straight shooter whose opinion I highly respect) questioned that, saying the Euro models had the light but not the US models. He has an '04 or '05.

So I don't know it for a fact, but it's more than just think. I heard it on an Internet forum...

Can someone in Europe with an '04 or '05 jump in and help save me from (or savage me for) my hearsay post?

Ken