Normally my car starts in a few seconds with a solid idle. Last week I noticed that when I started it in the afternoon it would crank longer and then sputter as it started. This only happened when it was hot from soaking up sun in 40-45 F degree air. Michigan does that, its cold outside but the car is hot inside. I called the dealer, they took it in as warantee, complete with loaner. I took it in for this:
- key duplicate
- oil change
- winter-summer tire/wheel swap
- rough start in afternoon sun
- squeak in the dash at slow speed
- slapping cable noise at 70+on bumpy road

The loaner was a Taurus, from Enterprise Rental at the dealer; I drove it for 2.5 days, and really missed driving the RX-8. It took me a while to get calibrated to the Taurus, aside from low acceleration, slow brakes, and not jumping sideways, it was an OK loaner, and was welcome while the RX-8 was getting fixed.

They contacted Mazda on the rough start and were sent new "software". They didn't say what it was (L, M, etc), but the oil indicator moves on the "20 brake pump test" now, and it didn't before. They also removed and cleaned the spark plugs. The squeak was something loose in the dash audio and the slapping cable was something loose in the emergency brake.

I bought Pirelli SnowSport tires for the car, so this is the first time I have driven it with the stock tires. At slow speeds on worn roads they seem to want to steer themselves, like they are picking up wear patterns in the road. The Pirelli's handled pretty good, and I haven't put these to the test yet.

The service people were very professional, courteous, etc.

I am not exactly sure why you have that problem, how many miles do you have?

I've had that exact same problem a couple times too. I don't have the "L" or "M" flash -- would getting my ECU flashed help?

I have just over 5500 miles on my 8.

that happens to me TONZ. but the weather here in texas is about 100F so maybe thats why..but it still shouldn't do that hmm...odd

Originally posted by Trx8
Normally my car starts in a few seconds with a solid idle. Last week I noticed that when I started it in the afternoon it would crank longer and then sputter as it started. This only happened when it was hot from soaking up sun in 40-45 F degree air.

I've noticed exactly that when the temperature is a few degrees above freezing and the car has been sitting for a while (e.g. at lunchtime). Not when the weather is a bit colder, nor when it's warm (although I can hardly remember the last time it was warm).

I don't have the L or M flash. Please let us know if that makes the problem go away.

Today was the first day that the car was baking in the sun and the air was somewhat cool (50s, not in the 40s as it was before). No sputter or hesitation, it started right up, as it usually does. It may also be idling at 1750 a bit longer now than before the new "software".