Here is a place to post info you might not have known about the RX8
Did you know you can re-program the behavior of the Air Conditioning (A/C) in your RX-8?
Many 8 owners have complained about the performance (or lack there of) of the 8s Air Conditioning as being anemic and lacking vigor. Particularly early models. Well, you can change that.
Now first of all, this only works on cars produced after 09/2003. If you have a very early production model you need to get the original A/C amplifier replaced under TSB 07-002/04.
To improve the performance of your A/C do the following:
1. Make sure the car is off AND the HVAC fan is off AND the A/C on/off button is off.
2. Press and hold the front defroster (on the left) AND air source (bottom) buttons
3. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and turn the key to ACC for 3 seconds
4. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and further turn the key to ON (NOT START) for 3 more seconds.
5. Verify the programming update by observing the REAR defroster LED blink 3 times.
6. Release the two buttons from step 2 and start the car.
When you turn on the A/C with the MODE button set to FACE and turn the thermostat to full COLD (max counter-clockwise setting) the RECIRC should automatically engage. In addition, the amplifier should put out colder air (~ 5-10 degrees F colder and not just from the RECIRC setting) and the compressor will not cycle nearly as often (which some of us found annoying).
Note: This programming change is not persistent. If the battery is fully discharged or disconnected the procedure needs to be repeated to re-enable the settings.
Did you know you can re-program the behavior of the Air Conditioning (A/C) in your RX-8?
Many 8 owners have complained about the performance (or lack there of) of the 8s Air Conditioning as being anemic and lacking vigor. Particularly early models. Well, you can change that.
Now first of all, this only works on cars produced after 09/2003. If you have a very early production model you need to get the original A/C amplifier replaced under TSB 07-002/04.
To improve the performance of your A/C do the following:
1. Make sure the car is off AND the HVAC fan is off AND the A/C on/off button is off.
2. Press and hold the front defroster (on the left) AND air source (bottom) buttons
3. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and turn the key to ACC for 3 seconds
4. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and further turn the key to ON (NOT START) for 3 more seconds.
5. Verify the programming update by observing the REAR defroster LED blink 3 times.
6. Release the two buttons from step 2 and start the car.
When you turn on the A/C with the MODE button set to FACE and turn the thermostat to full COLD (max counter-clockwise setting) the RECIRC should automatically engage. In addition, the amplifier should put out colder air (~ 5-10 degrees F colder and not just from the RECIRC setting) and the compressor will not cycle nearly as often (which some of us found annoying).
Note: This programming change is not persistent. If the battery is fully discharged or disconnected the procedure needs to be repeated to re-enable the settings.
