Does anyone konw what is this ???

 

It looks like an "upshift" light - approaching redline, time to shift!

 

Yup... the idiot light that always comes on at the wrong rpm's and tells you to shift.... when are they going to learn that we dont care about gas mileage, we want that sucker to come on at the engines peak... and have an option where you can adjust the intensity... or better yet make it so you can program the light to come on at a certian rpm, and then a button to recall the memory so you can see where you shifted. Maybe autometer has a patton on this feature and their gauges... not. :D

 

I noticed in the Rx8 videos that there was some type of buzzing noise telling the driver to shift when you get close to the redline too, is that true?

 

The 350Z has a programmable shift warning (very useful for running the car in) so let's hope this vehicle is the same.

 

We may not care, but the federal government does and the RX-8 definitely counts in Mazda's overall CAFE score.

The reason shift lights exist on most cars is that the car is shifted up according to the light when running on the rollers used to generate the EPA city/highway numbers, thus if the shift light comes on early, the MPG numbers will likely be higher.

A silly game, but at the same time a lot of people with Jeep Wranglers are amazed it really is possible to get over 20 MPG in mixed city/highway driving in one by shifting when the light tells you to...

 

I hate idoit lights! I know they are there to serve a purpose, but if you can't look at the tach and use your ears, then you are probably not paying close attention to what you are doing. True analog guages give you the most accurate and timely info.

I have a shift light in my current car, that I very rarely pay any attention to. Of course, while GM decided to equip every automatic minivan they build with a tach, my base 95 beretta 5 speed came without one! Why would a manufacturer exclude a tach from a car equipped with a manual tranny. It was a deliberate choice, considering they included the shift light.

 

Yes, it does have a redline buzzer. Rotary engines are so quiet at high RPMs, somethimes you forget to shif.

 

One of my favorite things about the rx-7 or rx-8. The audible red line warning indicator. I always thought it was made to allow the driver to keep his eyes on the road. That's how I've always driven my Rx-7s. I shift right after hearing the buzzer (during max acceleration) without watching the tach. Much fun :D

RotaryStalker

 

This has driven me nuts for years. It used really boggle me why my Honda Civic (relax, folks, this was 10 years ago...) 5-speed had no tach, yet the auto tranny version did. I hated that.

 

Yeah I don't understand why these car companies don't include a tach with manuals and include it with autos. My car was like that except now I took out my old gauge cluster and put another one in from an automatic. What sucks is that there are those things (can't remember getting too old) that light up telling you what gear you're in(for autos).

 

learn you car , shift by ear, be done

should not have to look at the tach after a month

only time i look there now is with highspeed downshifts to make sure if i drop a gear....i no go kabloeeeey

 

Many experienced rotary users have mentioned that it is not that easy to shift by the sound/feel of the car.

 

They must have the stereo cranked too loud. I never had a problem.

 

lol, it COULD just be the engines about to explode...

blahaha just kidding, ill buy that.
________
VAPIR NO2

 

i do agree the shifting buzz is a cool and defining feature of the 7 and real glad to see it on the 8. i don't mind the light, i think it's cool, too. i like extra flashing lights on my dash :D mind you, c4 corvettes had those upshift and downshift lights, too, and those were much more complicated 'cuz the 'vette had that weird 1-to-4 upshift transmission back then. so i'm perfectly happy w/ this little light on the dash

 

ugh dont remind me of that stupid lockout