In this thread I will report on my current and on going fuel consumption. I do this for those who wish to see real world figures as compared to what the mfgr has reported and for others on this forum to compare with their's.

The car is a daily driver and do not have much of a chance to "put it thru it's paces" as most of my driving is on a military installation during my morning commute. I generally do not flog it except when prompted or passing traffic on the interstate.

Check back from time to time as I will be updating the original post on a weekly basis or when ever I have to fill up.

Date.......Miles Driven......Fuel Used.....Oct.....MPG......City/HW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
11/21/03........203.2............12.202.........87.....1 6.50.......80/20
11/26/03........248.2............12.994.........89.....1 9.10.......70/30
12/04/03........212.0............12.630.........89.....1 6.78.......100/0
12/09/03........221.8............12.509.........89.....1 7.73.......70/30
12/16/03........150.7..............9.351.........89..... 16.11.......100/0
12/19/03........242.9............13.106.........89.....1 8.53.......80/20
12/26/03........185.6............11.56...........89..... 16.05.......90/10
01/01/04........201.2............10.99...........89..... 18.30.......70/30
01/06/04........244.2............12.678.........89.....1 9.26.......30/70
01/14/04........175.5............11.57...........89..... 15.23.......90/10
01/21/04........192.2............12.005.........89.....1 6.01.......95/05
01/30/04........197.6............12.630.........89.....1 5.64.......95/05
02/19/04........189.0............11.726.........89.....1 6.11.......95/05
02/26/04........245.3............12.820.........89.....1 9.83.......70/30
03/01/04........253.0............12.608.........89.....2 0.07.......95/05
03/10/04........209.0............12.191.........89.....1 7.14.......100/0
03/19/04........180.3............10.941.........89.....1 6.48.......100/0
03/26/04........218.2............12.296.........89.....1 7.74.......90/10
04/02/04........225.7............12.246.........89.....1 8.43.......70/30
04/09/04........183.1............10.541.........89.....1 7.37.......70/30
04/20/04........215.2............12.553.........89.....1 6.99.......100/0
04/29/04........163.1..............9.163.........89..... 17.80.......100/0
05/04/04........263.8............12.448.........87.....2 1.19.......90/10
05/14/04........219.0............12.08...........87..... 18.12.......100/0
05/22/04........232.0............13.215.........87.....1 7.55.......80/20
05/28/04........152.0..............8.784.........87..... 17.30.......100/0
06/04/04........176.0............10.31...........87..... 17.07.......100/0
06/10/04........181.0..............9.43...........87.... .19.18.......70/30
06/18/04........119.0..............6.729.........87..... 17.68.......100/0
06/25/04........136.0..............7.464.........87..... 18.22.......100/0
06/30/04........153.0..............8.413.........87..... 18.18.......100/0
07/01/04........248.0..............9.54...........87.... .25.99.......0/100
07/02/04........232.0............11.210.........87.....2 0.69.......0/100
07/03/04..........53.0..............3.75...........87... ..14.13.......80/20
07/05/04........268.0............11.0580.......87.....24 .33.......0/100
07/08/04........276.0............12.275.........87.....2 2.48.......10/90
07/16/04........204.0............11.70...........87..... 17.43.......90/10
07/19/04........267.3............11.735.........87.....1 8.57.......10/90
07/23/04........196.0..............9.439.........87..... 20.76.......100/0
07/30/04........143.0..............8.376.........87..... 17.07.......100/0

Total miles on clock: 8857.00

Average miles per tank: 206.3461

Average days between tanks: 6.2

Max. miles per tank: 288.90

Fuel cost per mile: .0900

Current average is: 19.39 mpg

nice..I been looking at the RX-8 for awhile now and planning to get one in the summer. Only thing that worried me the most was the mpg.

You'll see the mileage consistently improve over time. Once there are some units with 10,000 miles plus, we'll see some people getting 25 highway- and then some.

Technique has a lot to do with it too. Although no one buys an 8 for mileage (I'm a bit puzzled by all the talk about it- this ain't no hybrid) squeezing the throttle on acceleration, and coasting when appropriate, will up the mileage considerably. My wife's Passat has one of those "instant readout" mileage displays which can be used to train your right foot. The turbo four gets 17.5 in stop and go traffic, and can achieve over 32 on pure highway, with level roads- with the wife and kids in it. Quite a spread.

I think we were all spoiled by the low gas prices we enjoyed- my Protege now takes $25 to fill up- quite a bit for an economy car!

Thats interesting!

I have owned three VW Passats ('95, '99, '02). The trick to squeezing the throttle is something the I trained myself to do just as you said. I liked that readout and think Mazda could do right by adding some sort of trip computer for things like this. Sadly I had my '02 Passat W8 repurchased under the VA lemon law. My RX for the most part is getting about the same mileage as the W8.

I disagree on the "continouesly improving mpg". Mine went up in the first 3 fillings = 700 miles, that's it. Then it staid continously around 20.

Here's the list of mpg values that I got from my RX-8. I'm at 4700 miles now. Looks very consistent. I do 90% highway driving.
The cheap no-name gas yielded 1 mpg less than 76.. big deal.
A couple of stop light races lowered it by 1 mpg. Who cares. Even stuck in traffic for an hour, I got > 20.

Then only thing that I notice now is that warming up the car in idle made a difference on two cycles.


mpg ….. Gas Brand ….. Octane
17.26 ….. Gas from Dealer ….. 87 Oct
18.18 ….. Texaco ….. 91 Oct
18.67 ….. 76, Capitola ….. 91 Oct
19.47 ….. 76, Watsonville ….. 91 Oct aggressive driving
20.45 ….. 76, Capitola ….. 87 Oct speeding 80 - 110mph
21.21 ….. Texaco, Traci ….. 87 Oct
18.94 ….. 76, Menlo Park ….. 87 Oct some red light racing, idling to warm up
21.18 ….. 76, Capitola ….. 87 Oct 70-80 mph, no "warming up"
20.96 ….. 76, Menlo Park ….. 87 Oct 1 hour stop and go
20.47 ….. 76, Capitola ….. 91 Oct
20.38 ….. 76, Capitola ….. 91 Oct 30 minutes stop and go, speeding
20.25 ….. 76, Capitola ….. 87 Oct
19.63 ….. AJ's, Soquel ….. 87 Oct
19.69 ….. 76, Capitola ….. 87 Oct
20.00 ….. Chevron, S.Cruz ….. 87 Oct
19.30 ….. 76, Capitola ….. 91 Oct
20.88 ….. BP, Menlo Park ….. 87 Oct
19.37 ….. Willow, Menlo Park ….. 87 Oct


hope the table is readable once it's posted.

Originally posted by MP3Guy
[..]
squeezing the throttle on acceleration, and coasting when appropriate, will up the mileage considerably.[..]



thanks MP3guy, I'll definitely try out the squeezing part. Other than that, I'm ok with my car's mileage.

-Peter

what do you mean by squeezing the throttle?

Originally posted by RX-GR8
what do you mean by squeezing the throttle?

I thought it means 'floor it' . If that helps, I'll floor it as often as I can! For one tank.

I've been reading these threads on the MPG issues, so I decided to try a test.

As a point of comparison, my old RX8 (since returned to get the dealer markup back), I was consistently getting 18-19 MPG, and had about 5K miles on it when I returned it.

With the new car, I have about 2K miles, and consistently shift around 3K RPM (except for first->second where I sometimes shift higher). Again, on this car, I was consistently getting 18-20.

For the last tank, I decided to drive it a little differently (changing shift points). I started shifting first->second between 5K and 6K almost always (a few times I shifted at 7K). For other gears, I started shifting between 4-5K. When possible I will drive fast in 6th (last tank I drove over 100 several times, maxed at about 110; this tank, I took it above 120 once or twice).

Driving is mostly highway with some city (probably 70/30, although highway ranges from commute to no traffic).

For gas, I always use Chevron 91 octane.

The tank that I just completed got a little over 18. I don't see how anyone can realistically drive the car and get 13, unless there is some problem with the car (not with the driving style).

I fully agree with Dave Gotwisner. Those people getting 13 mpg, and at least one of them even when driving old-lady style..

they should raise hell at their dealership.

Thanks to this site they can make case.

Originally posted by ptiemann
I fully agree with Dave Gotwisner. Those people getting 13 mpg, and at least one of them even when driving old-lady style..

they should raise hell at their dealership.

Thanks to this site they can make case.

And I will do just that when I bring it in for the first oil change.

I am on tank number 7 with 1430 or so miles on the odometer.
My mileage has been getting progressively worse with each fill-up.
My first 4 tanks yeided about 16 - 17 MPG and I lost 1 MPG per tank after that. I'm down in the 13 MPG range now.
Each tank had a distinctively different type of driving consume the majority of the gas - all highway on one, all city on the next, stop and go bumper-to-bumper traffic for another.
I didn't buy the car for its gas mileage, but my turbo 2.5 liter MX-3 got 18 MPG if I raced the entire tank. I got closer to 26 on the highway. My Miata gets the same as the MX-3 did and it has bigger injectors.
At this rate I will be getting 0 MPG by the time I hit 3000 miles on the odometer.:(

I think I've been driving on the same post Rotary Nut has been driving on and have been consistently getting 16-18 MPG. The majority of my driving has been short trips city driving (on post most of the time). Alot of the short trips have been from cold starts so I'm not surprised I don't break 20 MPG. Oh, and I like to lay on the gas after it's warmed up so I'm not surprised my mileage isn't better. Oh, well.

Yep that was me!

Originally posted by ptiemann
I thought it means 'floor it' . If that helps, I'll floor it as often as I can! For one tank.

No!! It means the opposite! Although flooring it is more fun. Seriously, if you're just out trundling to grandma's (like tomorrow for instance) with the family, a bit of judicious throttle use will do wonders.

There is a strange sense of accomplishment to squeezing all you can out of a gallon of gas, much as there is carving up your favorite right hand decreasing radius sweeper.

But that's just me! :D

Upon taking deliver of my RX the car did not have the window sticker affixed to the window as per federal law. I just recieved a brand new sticker from Mazda.

The sticker shows 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

In smaller print at the bottom where it shows the EPA ratings it shows avererages of both high and low side of your expected fuel economy.

It states tha results reported to the EPA indicate that the majority of vehicles with these estimates will achieve between:

City will average between 15 and 21 mpg

Highway will average between 21 and 29 mpg.

With an estimated annual fuel cost of $1142.

Originally posted by Rotary Nut
In this thread I will report on my current and on going fuel consumption.

Date.....Miles Driven......Fuel Used.....Oct.....MPG......City/HW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
11/21/03........203.2............12.202.........83.....1 6.50.......80/20 :)
11/26/03........248.2............12.994.........87.....1 9.10.......70/30 :D


Why would you ever put 83 octane gas in your rx8? is that a typo? I can understand 87 octane but it even says in the manual that anything under 87 octane can cause damage to your car.

Well I said it was an experiment!. I put in regular since some members were experiencing better fuel economy. I then experienced pinging at 6000 rpm and stopped using 83 oct, and moved up to mid-grade.

Originally posted by Rotary Nut
Well I said it was an experiment!. I put in regular since some members were experiencing better fuel economy. I then experienced pinging at 6000 rpm and stopped using 83 oct, and moved up to mid-grade.

I take it you're from Virginia, USA? (I'm asking because overseas, they have a different sort of octane rating, with "our" 87 is called 91 there or so.. )

In California, they don't offer anything below 87. It's actually the first time I ever heard of an 83 gas. Was that offered at a regular gas station??? Is that common in Virginia? What kind of car uses that gas? Must have to do with the California emission standards.

I only wish I could get 20mpg. :( I've been granny driving my car and I'm only getting around 14mpg. My granny driving is 4k in first, and 3k in every other gear. My driving consists of a 7 mile one way commute. All country roads with 4 stops. Max speed is around 60mph. I'm realy hoping that with more miles (I have around 800 at the moment) the fuel economy will come up.

CJ

Man -

I'm afraid that your car is not going to get very much better mileage like that. Driving only 7 miles on a one way commute, I assume to work, your car is spending almost the entire trip on choke. Until the engine heats up, it's using considerably more gas than when hot. All the best and sorry.

Originally posted by ptiemann
I take it you're from Virginia, USA? (I'm asking because overseas, they have a different sort of octane rating, with "our" 87 is called 91 there or so.. )

In California, they don't offer anything below 87. It's actually the first time I ever heard of an 83 gas. Was that offered at a regular gas station??? Is that common in Virginia? What kind of car uses that gas? Must have to do with the California emission standards.

In VA we have 83 - 87 - 93 . I use 83 on the van and 93 on Miata and RSX

Interesting.
Most of the gas stations around here in suburban Maryland have some combination of 87, 89, 91 and 93.
I've never seen 83 and I stopped seeing 85 a few years back.
Sunoco even has 94 and in some spots I've even seen 95.
In New Jersey, I stopped in a Sunoco a few years back and they had the "Red Label" 98 octane stuff.
I guess they have a lot of old-school hot-rodders living around there.
I use 93. It isn't worth the $1 per fill-up difference to use 91.
However, I do acknowledge that 91 has a higher energy potential.
You always want to run the lowest octane you can for maximum power.
I just don't trust the uniformity of the local gas "entrepreneurs" and the mish-mosh of oxygenated fuel and whatever crap they blend in. Who really can tell what the true anti-knock index is of the local fuel.
Better save than sorry.

I've got like 3500 miles on mine and am still getting 13-19 mpg, 13 being pure city and 19 being pure highway. I think it's the way I'm shifting, or as some of you mentioned... not warmed up enough? So what IS the proper way to do this? My commute is short, like 5 miles one way max. I shift around 4k usually to hopefully bring up the mpg. Not working... should I warm the car in idle before starting up the short commute?

Originally posted by Isamu
I've got like 3500 miles on mine and am still getting 13-19 mpg, 13 being pure city and 19 being pure highway. I think it's the way I'm shifting, or as some of you mentioned... not warmed up enough? So what IS the proper way to do this? My commute is short, like 5 miles one way max. I shift around 4k usually to hopefully bring up the mpg. Not working... should I warm the car in idle before starting up the short commute?

shifting at 4k is the way to go to conserve gas, I just think that your trips are too short. It's warming up half the time and if I understood it right, it's running a richer air/fuel mixture there. There's a thread in the tech garage about the A/F ratio, check it out.

So, yes, you get inferior miles per gallon than me, but you still use a lot less gas than me. I'm driving 48 miles one way and wouldn't mind a 7 miles commute.

I'm very interested in ptiemann's post. I have the same driving pattern as Isamu (4 mile city commute from a cold start) and the same gas mileage (around 13). Ptiemann suggested tracking down the A/F thread which I did do. I found it inconclusive.

Can Ptiemann or someone else confirm that the choke is on in such a situation and that, as a result , the mileage would suffer that much?

Many thanks.

Weird, I've never seen 83 octane gas. Then again, I've never seen 91 octane, so I have to use 93. Is there a particular brand that sells 91 in the MD/VA area?

The very short commutes with a cold car would definitely explain the low mpg. When an engine is cold there isn't enough vacuum pressure in the intake manifold to properly pull the air/fuel mixture into the engine so engine designers use a "choke" which almost completely closes off the air intake. This allows more fuel to be pulled in to enrichen the mix so there will be combustion in the engine. As the engine warms up and air-flow/vacuum pressure increases, the choke is backed off until it's open again and normal air/fuel ratio is achieved.

During the "choke" time it's a very good idea to NOT gun the engine or drive hard until the engine properly warms up. Drive it easy until it warms up and you'll improve the gas mileage. However in short commutes like yours, and especially in cold climates, it may barely start to get warm by the time you arrive. You're going to get the worst gas mileage because the choke pretty much is on most of the time.

It might not be a bad idea to start the car and let it idle for about 5 minutes in the morning before you leave so the engine can get warm; although keep in mind you're getting zero miles per gallon while idling, so take that into account when figuring mpg. In your case a warm engine will perform noticably better and due to your situation you should see better mpg overall.

I know it's a different car and a totaly different engine but I currently have a '94 Integra. (Getting my RX-8 hopefully soon!) I've done alot of experimenting with trying to get more mileage. I generally average 25-32 mpg. (which is higher than it's supposed to! I should also mention I do have a SRI now but I found my technique worked when it was stock) I'm from NJ and do alot of highway driving. Supposedly in 5th gear my car acheives maximum efficency around 55-62 mph. I've found this to be false. When I do that, I get around the projected EPA mileage. However, when I fly at 80-90mpg [I meant Mph] and also take it out of gear and coast on long downhills I can get the mileage I do. I also never slam the gas. I've found it helps alot to ease into it.

Maniac, very well put.Very intelligent post.
Haze, I think you are absolutely correct : if the motor doesn't get to its proper operating temps you are wasting fuel. By the way there is no actual choke mechanism used on modern fuel injected vehicles, they just run in an enrichment mode until they warm up.
I would suggest that driving at 3 to 4 thousand rpms is not the optimum range for this vehicle with its port configuration and gearing. The Colonel may have a point.

Whoa... call me a n00b, but lower octanes yeild more power, maniac? So I should use the lowest I can w/o getting premature det?

Originally posted by TheColonel
Whoa... call me a n00b, but lower octanes yeild more power, maniac? So I should use the lowest I can w/o getting premature det?

Correct.
Go with whatever the lowest manufacturer recommended octane rating is.
Octane rating, or AKI, is a measurement of how difficult it is to get an intake charge burning. The higher the number, the more energy it takes ofr the charge to autoignite from all sources. That includes the spark plug and flame front.

Originally posted by Haze
Man -

I'm afraid that your car is not going to get very much better mileage like that. Driving only 7 miles on a one way commute, I assume to work, your car is spending almost the entire trip on choke. Until the engine heats up, it's using considerably more gas than when hot. All the best and sorry.


Very true. An engine is like a horse. You gotta let it RUN!!! Seriously, constant driving in the way you describe is awful for an engine's life.

This sucks, the highest gas mileage I have ever experienced was 18.9 with 100% highway driving from NJ-FL. I now drive like a grandma and only get 17 mpg and I have 9500 miles on the car.
Right now as I type this my car is at the dealer getting a fuel consumption test and ECU reflash and other stuff. I am sick and tired of getting 190-220 miles per tank. I travel about 60 miles a day back and fourth from school-home on Monday and Tuesday and the rest of the week about 100 miles a day. I cant afford filling up my tank 3 times a week.

Glad to hear I'm better off with a longer commute! Nothing like 40-60 minutes on I-287 everymorning... :) Such is the price of life in suburbia....

Just out of curiosity... are the majority of drivers getting bad mileage on the east coast or in cold climates? Seems like every time I read a post complaining about mileage they are back east. Could it be the gas, or the temperature that's making a difference? I went to Vegas a week ago and ran the whole way, just over 200 miles on 3/4 tank of gas (87 octane regular) and I was averaging anywhere from 75-90 miles per hour in some stretches where the traffic was moving along at that speed. Not the best speeds for mileage but I still did much better than what I'm reading from people on the east coast are getting.

Maybe we need a poll for this: where do the owners live who are getting the worst mileage?

Well, I take the 7 mile comment back. Its right around 10 miles one way. Keep in mind, this is only when I'm driving it. Often my wife steals the car, and her commute is around 17+miles. Last tank of fuel was 15mpg. :(

Hopefully apexi will make a power-fc for our cars soon. CJ

Regularly get 22-23mpg around town with 95RON. It all comes down to driving style. You may think you're driving like a granny, but check the other cars when you pull away from the lights. The RX-8 is a performance car, and uses gas to perform.

I've got a 9 mile commute. Today it is snowing and 25 degrees. My 8 has 2,400 miles on it and I have never gottent better than 14 mpg, no matter how I drive it. This short commute theory fits my situation, but I find it hard to believe that it could make that much difference. Should't the engine be fully warmed in about five minutes, causing the choke (ECU) to back off? My commute takes about 25 minutes.

I have to put another vote in for the 'short commute' theory.

When I first got the car, I was getting around 17-18 mpg with it. The first real 'road trip' which was almost 100% highway driving, I broke 20 mpg (abut 20.45 mpg) for the first time. My second 'road trip' got me over 23 mpg.

However, since the weather turned cold, my mpg to and from work has plummeted. I am now getting closer to 14-15 mpg driving to work. This latest tank looks to be the worst ever, as I don't think I will even break 200 miles before I need to refill. The difference? It has been colder lately. My commute to work is 3 miles, with a lot of time spent idling. The car doesn't warm up until I am almost there. Given my highway mpg on the last road trip, I can't think there is something wrong with the car, but simply that it is running rich due to the engine being cold, and since it is cold outside, it takes longer to warm up.

When I refill I will start letting the car idle for a while before I get going and see if that helps. I'm in Atlanta so it hasn't been 20 below or anything crazy, but certainly cold enough it seems to be making a difference.

I've posted before on this question as someone who has a short commute in city driving with 13-15 mpg. I'll be taking a highway trip soon and I'll be watching gas consumption very closely.

But my question is this: Did Mazda NEED to have made the A/F mixture so rich when cold?

I think Mazda has done a marvelous job in engineering this car so my inclination is to think they did what they thought is necessary in this regard.

Still, I wonder what others, who are more knowlegable than I in these matters, think.

Same story here guys. 760mi. and my 8 is just over a month old and I'm averaging 15-16mpg in Columbus. To and from work is roughly 25 miles including a track to lunch and the gym afterwards. I'm still breaking the engine in so I haven't been hard on the gas whatsoever.

'ole spiff' does make a good point. A majority of us in the midwest and northeast are reporting the bad mpg. I am trying to be an optimist and say that the warmer weather (when it returns) will yield better mileage. I let it warm up in the morning and at night before the journey home but 15-16mpg is the best thus far.

I plan on getting my first oil change within the week and I planned from there to see what the redline was all about. Scared to think what the mpg results will be at that point. Regardless of the gas mileage, I am enjoying the heck out of this car.

Labrat, did you use US gallons to calculate your mileage or was it imperial? Got to watch that conversion. Wish everyone would just switch to metric litres per 100 km.

Originally posted by selmeralto
But my question is this: Did Mazda NEED to have made the A/F mixture so rich when cold?



yes, they HAD to and that's why we lost 9(+?) horsepowers.

The richer mixture lets the cat. converter reach its operating temperature sooner.

Emission control requirements for 2004 required that.

Read this thread on the A/F mix (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12789)

Maybe you want to leave a comment there so that it pops to the top again. It's important to read, IMO.

-Peter

I'm posting this note to pop it to the top for the benefit of others who might be interested in Peter's comments about the connection between HP, MPG, and emissions. Thanks, Peter.

Originally posted by Maniac
And I will do just that when I bring it in for the first oil change.

I am on tank number 7 with 1430 or so miles on the odometer.
My mileage has been getting progressively worse with each fill-up.
My first 4 tanks yeided about 16 - 17 MPG and I lost 1 MPG per tank after that. I'm down in the 13 MPG range now.
Each tank had a distinctively different type of driving consume the majority of the gas - all highway on one, all city on the next, stop and go bumper-to-bumper traffic for another.
I didn't buy the car for its gas mileage, but my turbo 2.5 liter MX-3 got 18 MPG if I raced the entire tank. I got closer to 26 on the highway. My Miata gets the same as the MX-3 did and it has bigger injectors.
At this rate I will be getting 0 MPG by the time I hit 3000 miles on the odometer.:(

on my 14 fill up. I am getting right around 18 mpg, BUT had one tank at 20, and one tank at 14mpg, no reason I can see for this. Strange.

Bumped for an update:(

..

why do you have to convince dealer to flash ecu?

they flashed mine for cel reprogram and now its never come on again.

My mpg is roughly 17, I want mine flashed

when do you think the dealer's will start flashing the ecu's?

Okay, let me clarify. There is procedure for CEL lights which is reflashing ECU. My car doesn't have any problems, no CEL flashing, etc..

I just want better mileage and was only thinking out loud. There is no evidence that reflashing ecu is going to improve gas mileage (but I'm not above trying it). There is currently no bulletin or whatever about indiscriminately reflashing ecu's...

what about the guy in the tech thread getting his low mpg fix from dealer hopefully

I'm hopefully waiting for that too, but I wouldn't hold my breathe. This is just one dealer making a claim, since it coming from a dealer you can judge for yourself what that is worth. ;)

too true

On my four-month oil change, I asked my dealer to check why I had tanks ranging from 14.5 for largely city driving to a three-tank average under 22 almost all on the road with light foot (my wife took turns, cruising at 70). He told me afterwards that they had checked ECU settings, and they were all correct, so they could do nothing to help me.
As evidence that they were not just faking it, or trying to save Mazda money, they said they had found a leak in my oil mechanism and ordered a new part. (They said it was not a serious issue, and I was reassured because I had only had to add one quart after 3,000 miles during the 4,000 before the first change.)
OTOH, as evidence that the dealer doesn't keep up on that latest from Mazda, I had to tell the service manager about the Mazda bulletin authorizing oil pan replacements on early VINs (including mine). BTW, my oil light came on only once in four months, and only for a moment right after starting.

Originally posted by mikeb
what about the guy in the tech thread getting his low mpg fix from dealer hopefully

Hi,
That would be me, and it made no difference in my MPG. I'm running around 11 MPG now, with moderately aggressive city driving (90% city/10% highway). I get around 18MPG on pure highway driving though. I really dislike the low MPG in my normal driving!

VelocityRedRX8

Updated!

I have to say that the cold weather shouldn't make such a difference. My M3 didn't change enough for me to notice between summer and winter driving as well as my Audi A4 Quattro. I just got back from driving it to Utah through Idaho and Montana from Eastern Washington. I was driving through parts of Idaho with 3" of snow on the highway and in Montana for quite a ways with 7-10" of snow on the highway. Even with my quattro engaging often and the fact that I was driving between 40-50 mph in 4th gear the Audi still got 26.5 mpg. Was it cold? Yes! Was it winter gas? Yes! When I was driving on dryer roads I was averaging 28-30 mpg. The temps were as low as 12 f and at that time I was averaging between 75-90 mph. Why would my RX-8 be so much more affected by cold weather than my Audi? By the way the commute is the same for my RX-8 as it was for my M3 the difference is that my M3 was a 3.0L inline 6 cylinder engine and it was getting around 17-27 mpg depending on how hard I was driving and how much was city vs. highway driving. And 17 mpg was probably the worst. My RX-8 only breaks that 17mpg with highway driving and then I only get around 20 mpg.

Originally posted by Mitch Strickler
... He (dealer) told me afterwards that they had checked ECU settings, and they were all correct, so they could do nothing to help me.After getting my oilpan replaced dealer also checked for PCM/ECU errors and found none, no reflash done.

Bumped for an update.

This tank was an interim fill up because I will be doing a bunch of higway driving this week this includes two hops to VA beach.:D

Just as an FYI and I know that I have stated this else where. I think that the mpg problems do stem mostly from the ECU. It appears that when Mazda brought the 8 over hear to the US they had to meet EPA standards on the cat converter. This year the law changed to 120k min. miles for those pesky things to last. The 8 seems to have been too hot and was eating them before this time requiring a change in how emissions were managed. Running the engine richer keeps the emissions cooler and that seems to have been Mazda's fix. I would want more documentation on this before I said that it was the honest to god truth but it does make sense. Where could we find out about this? And if it is the real mccoy can we have our ECU's reflashed to the original settings?

Bumped for an update!

Well l logged 242.9 miles in three days and recorded my second highest mpg to date, 18.53 mpg!. :D

I have been listing the incorrect octane. I was listing 87 when it has actualy been 89. :p

Also the Low fuel light came on at 236.2 miles at 1/8th tank left. :o

16.88 on this fill-up. Mix of city/hwy with 93 octane. It's my 4th fill-up and each one is better than the last, so I'm hoping that the trend continues. I do an all-hwy drive today (about 150 miles round trip). I'll be interested in what that fill-up tells me about hwy mileage.....

Just finished a trip from here (Ontario, Calif.) to Las Vegas and back. 23.5 going and 24.5 coming back. I just set the cruise control on the speed limit (60, 65, 70) and drove. No city driving at all once on the interstate.

9.98 gallons, 152 miles... ugh.

50/50 city/highway driving, hit the red line 2 times in second gear, other wise kept the tach around 3-4k most of the time.

At 4400 miles I have been getting a solid 19.9 (can't seem to get 20) mpg on 90-95% city driving. Yesterday I took a 120 mile run (round trip) with 80% highway avg speed 70 mph - 22.7 mpg. I believe I could have gotten 24 mpg if I fueled up right at the highway exit. Not good mileage, but right in line with the EPA estimates. The mpg has been improving with miles, so we'll see if the next tank or so I can get 20 mpg.

I should mention I like to hear the 'chime' so I get on when I can, but for normal driving I shift between 4-5k rpms and cruise around 3k rpm in the city driving.

At about 1000 miles, my MT just got 19.5 in a 130 mile highway drive at 70 to 80 mph. Part of that drive (about 20 miles) was in 5th rather than 6th, so I might have broken 20. I've got two more such trips coming up for the holidays. Bottom line, I'm pleased with the mileage I've seen so far.....

Just thought I'd mention that since winter's arrival here in Virginia, I've noticed my mpg dropping a bit. I'm now getting 19-20 mpg, rather than the 22-23 I was getting in the summer/fall.

Just filled up my 8 for the first time. It had a full tank from the dealer.

12.42 Gallons, 235 Miles, 18.9 MPG, I'd say 70 Highway, 30 local,
some of which are bumper to bumper Oakland<-> San Francisco Traffic. Not bad...

I have 1300 miles on my 8 and I have yet to break 14 MPG in the city. I think that there is a manufacture problem because it appears that some of you get great mileage and others of us terrible mileage. I am bringing my car into the dealer for the second time to try to get this issue fixed. I am curious if any of you think I can invoke lemon law on this car if I continually bring it in and they cannot resolve this issue?

Thanks

Originally posted by bobclevenger
Just finished a trip from here (Ontario, Calif.) to Las Vegas and back. 23.5 going and 24.5 coming back. I just set the cruise control on the speed limit (60, 65, 70) and drove. No city driving at all once on the interstate.

Why did you bother buying an 8? You shouldn't have to drive it like that to JUST get the epa highway numbers. The epa numbers are for the average driver. I would beat the epa numbers routinely with my '94 Mazda on the OC to Vegas run, and I didn't keep it at the posted limited. Not when the traffic flow moves at 80+, as you well know. I got just over 20 on the same run with my 8. Mazda played games with the epa numbers... I don't think they could sell too many 8s if they posted a more truthful 14/20.

BTW, I did a bit better coming back from Vegas than going there too. I've noticed that before. I suspect the net elevation gain going from OC to Vegas.

I just read something the other day stating that the mileage listed by the EPA is extremely flawed, and pretty much every car is going to get less than the stated MPG, which is what I assume is going on for many people with the 8. Mazda isn't ALLOWED to state what they think the MPG is, due to an outdated testing method and thereby flawed regulations. The example they gave was the Prius, which they estimate should get about 51-55 mpg. Instead, most owners get about 44 mpg. That's a pretty big loss.

I think this has been stated before elsewhere, but I thought I'd reiterate. If anyone wants me to, I can post the article tomorrow.

Originally posted by bernieunger
Why did you bother buying an 8? Perhaps because I LIKE it? You shouldn't have to drive it like that to JUST get the epa highway numbers. I drive it "like that" because I have a certain respect for the law, and because I don't like tickets, nor do I want to be looking over my shoulder for the police when I drive. The epa numbers are for the average driver. I would beat the epa numbers routinely with my '94 Mazda on the OC to Vegas run, and I didn't keep it at the posted limited. Not when the traffic flow moves at 80+, as you well know. Yes, I know that the average speed on I-15 is quite illegal; I don't understand why there is little or no enforcement on that highway. And yes, I would be driving faster if it were legal. And yes, I always got over the EPA estimates on all my cars before the 8. I got just over 20 on the same run with my 8. Mazda played games with the epa numbers... I don't think they could sell too many 8s if they posted a more truthful 14/20. Well, it wasn't Mazda who assigned the MPG numbers to the 8; it was the EPA. BTW, I did a bit better coming back from Vegas than going there too. I've noticed that before. I suspect the net elevation gain going from OC to Vegas. I think this also.

Originally posted by Elara
I just read something the other day stating that the mileage listed by the EPA is extremely flawed, and pretty much every car is going to get less than the stated MPG, which is what I assume is going on for many people with the 8. Mazda isn't ALLOWED to state what they think the MPG is, due to an outdated testing method and thereby flawed regulations. The example they gave was the Prius, which they estimate should get about 51-55 mpg. Instead, most owners get about 44 mpg. That's a pretty big loss.

I think this has been stated before elsewhere, but I thought I'd reiterate. If anyone wants me to, I can post the article tomorrow. I find that interesting Elara, since I always got higher than EPA estimates in every car I've owned except the RX-8. My last two were a 1996 Mustang SVT Cobra that got 29-30 MPG highway and a 2003 M-B C230k coupe that got 34-35 MPG highway. Neither was rated that high. But then I don't race on the streets.

I read that article also: Automotive news. A lot of cars may not get quite the advertised numbers, although it seems there are some on this forum who are right in line.

Originally posted by CERAMICSEAL
I read that article also: Automotive news. A lot of cars may not get quite the advertised numbers, although it seems there are some on this forum who are right in line.

Yup, that would be it. And bob, I'm getting right about and just over the stated mpg, in general, so it's not always correct. But it's interesting to know, and may be a good explanation for some members here having the issues they're having.

The thing that's hardest to quantify when comparing driver A's mileage with driver B's is the actual driving conditions. What I call city driving involves some stop and go in heavy traffic on the freeway, a fair amount of jockeying back and forth between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. I almost never see a stop-light since my "city-trip" is almost all freeway. What someone from another town (or someone who travels in a different part of my own town) might call city-driving could include stop after stop after stop at red-lights, along with grid-lock and traffic jams. Throw in hills and you've got another variable that doesn't become clear simply by using the term city-driving. Add to that, the varying driving styles; cruise speed, level of pushing the car, amount of "frisky" driving and I'm not surprised that mileage varies all over the map.

Someone somewhere earlier suggested getting a loaner from the dealer and driving it for a bit to see if it's the model or the driver. If you can find a dealer who will accomodate you (and I'd be surprised if you could) then that's probably a pretty good idea.

I don't think anyone is going to argue the point that, in general, the mileage on this car is lower than it would be on many other models. However, to put it in perspective; even if you only got ten miles to the gallon, if you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year and pay an average of $1.80 per gallon for your gas, your total gasoline expense would run $2700 per year. Most people are running 4 to 6 miles below "target". The cost of the increased gasoline due to a loss of 6 miles per gallon based on the above assumptions (15,000 mpy and $1.80 per gallon) would be about $1000 a year. Not chicken-feed, but not apt to bankrupt someone who can afford this car in the first place.

I don't fault anyone who's concerned about optimizing mileage, especially if your mileage is significantly lower than what's reported on average here. By all means consult the dealer and if something's wrong get it fixed. But keep in mind that there are operating variables that don't make it through to these posts in full detail. And, keep in mind that in dollars and cents, it's not really THAT big a deal.....

Feel free to send me any extra $1k you don't feel it's a big deal to toss out the window...

I'll even put your name on a sticker on my race car. ;)

Isn't there something we can do about this mpg issue? I mean I know I'm not driving a prius, but I think we deserve to have a car that meets the posted 18-25 mpg. I feel like I'm getting worse and worse gas mileage, and I hate driving and staring at the gas needle go down so fast. The rotory is great, and I love this car, but I wish we can get the looks and the great mileage. Can we write letters to our dealers or mazda?? any suggestions on how to make mazda aware that their customers are concerned about the gas mileage issue???

[i] Well, it wasn't Mazda who assigned the MPG numbers to the 8; it was the EPA.[

It was Mazda that gave the EPA four pre-production engines that racked up the EPA numbers. And those numbers were what could be expected, according to Mazda, because the fancy hardbound book Mazda gave us early orderers explained the engineering reaasons why the Renesis would get much better mileage than previous rotaries. And it was Mazda that sold at least some of us production cars with engines that are NOT the same as what they gave EPA. (My dealer has checked the ECU, and says the settings are correct.) Personally, I have driven all-highway tanks with the same driving style that got EPA figures in every car I have owned since EPA started giving figures, and I am 3.5 mpg short. Blaming EPA is just plain wrong. EPA provides figures you can compare car by car, if you keep the conditions the same.
Bottom line: when Mazda says its continuing tests show that production engines are as economical as the EPA prototypes, it's lying.

I have resolved myself to bringing my 8 into the dealer every 2 tanks of gas just to get them to elevate the problem. Hopefuly I will piss the dealer off enough that they will finally get off their asses and solve this problem.

Originally posted by TheTick
I have resolved myself to bringing my 8 into the dealer every 2 tanks of gas just to get them to elevate the problem. Hopefuly I will piss the dealer off enough that they will finally get off their asses and solve this problem.

Good Luck man, what mpg are you getting? I'm planning to piss of my dealer as well. It just not as fun driving such a beautiful car when I'm worried about gas. I really feel that the cons of the rotory engine are beginning to outweigh the pros. This car is as thirsty as a hummer...

Just as a reminder for at least the one person from virginia. After november in the midatlantic the gas is "oxygenated" which will lower your mpg by about 1-1.5, but reduces emissions output by some amount supposedly.

If anyone is doing comparisons and is now getting lower than normal mpg, take this into account. There are some warmer areas where the gas is never oxygenated, so the story will be different there.

Just filled up my 2nd tank...this time I filled 87.

Date Odometer Gallons MPG
12/18/03 32
12/21/03 233 10.449 19.24
12/26/03 439 11.642 17.69

The first tankful I short shifted everything around 2500 rpm. The 2nd tankful I took her up to about 3000-4000 rpm before shifting.

Rx8Past, your car appears to be an automatic and you are obviously disappointed at how quickly your fuel is consumed but what are the figures you're recieving? (US mpg) And how do you drive; aggressive,high revs,short distances hi-way,city? Tell us a little more about you're experience.

I took my first small road trip today, 200 miles on 2 lane road mostly, 60-70 mph avg. I got 20.86 mpg. I have been getting around 16 in town but I have only 700 miles on it after this trip. Both should improve as I get better at driving and the car gets broke in.

no matter how i drive my car, i always get over 20 mpg. not much highway driving either, i guess i'm just lucky

Bumped for an update

Originally posted by CERAMICSEAL
Rx8Past, your car appears to be an automatic and you are obviously disappointed at how quickly your fuel is consumed but what are the figures you're recieving? (US mpg) And how do you drive; aggressive,high revs,short distances hi-way,city? Tell us a little more about you're experience.

I'm averaging about 190-200 miles for 12 gallons of gas. The highest mpg I got was about 19 mpg, 230 miles, 12 gallons. The lowest I have gotten is about 14mpg, 170 miles, 12 gallons. I currently have about 1600 miles on the car. I don't driver very aggressively, no high revs or anything. Most San Francisco city driving, and about 80 miles on the freeway per week. I recently read a thread about using 87 octane gas, so I tried it out, but 87 has not improved mpg at all, I've driven 130 miles and I'm already a little below halfway. However I am trying to coast more on city streets. I've heard that I will not find my true mpg till my first oil change, is that true? has anyone gotten better mileage after oil change?

Great stuff......I'm glad I kept my Intrepid for the cold winter

OK so I have been trying to hit 17+MPG since I bought my car... We went on a road trip this weekend 100% highway driving, 228 miles, 10.2 gallons 22+ MPG.

I have been hitting around 15-17 MPG in my normal commuting and was thinking EPA numbers with my car were not possible.

I feel better now, and im hoping the milage get better as I go into 3K miles.

O.K. I'm convinced these cars are really terrible outside of certain ranges. Some cars are getting around what they're supposed to, some close and very few exceeding the rated numbers.
If you're driving this car in a cold climate, in the city, for very short distances, occasionally applying full throttle you probably won't get 20mpg too frequently.
Some folks may have some faulty cars, but the verdict is still not in.

I strongly believe that having added options on your car weighs it down, thus less MGP than a bare bones car.

I also strongly HOPE Mazda with come out with a gas/electric hybrid version in 2006 w/o hurting hp or anything...

Doesn't that stupid hydrogen project they're doing reduce horsepower by like 100 when you turn it on??? Totally worthless...

Originally posted by CERAMICSEAL
O.K. I'm convinced these cars are really terrible outside of certain ranges. Some cars are getting around what they're supposed to, some close and very few exceeding the rated numbers.
If you're driving this car in a cold climate, in the city, for very short distances, occasionally applying full throttle you probably won't get 20mpg too frequently.
Some folks may have some faulty cars, but the verdict is still not in.

A few weeks ago there was another thread that indicated a strong correlation between truly horrendous milage and people who routinely made many short trips. Virtually all of the people who complained about getting less than 15 MPG were using the RX-8 for extremely short commutes (under 10 miles) or were otherwise accruing their milage in many short trips. Somebody suggested that such short trips result in a car that gets shut down before it ever really gets fully warmed up, and is thus running exceptionally rich virtually all the time. Seemed to make some sense.

For me, I probably do around 80% highway 20% city or stop and go traffic, 1300 miles on the car. I've never done worse than 19 MPG. I drive fairly fast and try to redline at least once a day.

Originally posted by MMGDC
A few weeks ago there was another thread that indicated a strong correlation between truly horrendous milage and people who routinely made many short trips. Virtually all of the people who complained about getting less than 15 MPG were using the RX-8 for extremely short commutes (under 10 miles) or were otherwise accruing their milage in many short trips. Somebody suggested that such short trips result in a car that gets shut down before it ever really gets fully warmed up, and is thus running exceptionally rich virtually all the time. Seemed to make some sense.

For me, I probably do around 80% highway 20% city or stop and go traffic, 1300 miles on the car. I've never done worse than 19 MPG. I drive fairly fast and try to redline at least once a day.

I am one of those people. I drive solely in the heart of the city, using the car cold for trips of up to 4 miles or so with lots of stops and starts at traffic lights, averaging 9-13 mpg. Then I take highway trips where I fill up just before getting on the highway and compute my mileage solely on the highway, averaging about 19-20 mpg. My mileage is quite consistent in these two categories.

Originally posted by selmeralto
I am one of those people. I drive solely in the heart of the city, using the car cold for trips of up to 4 miles or so with lots of stops and starts at traffic lights, averaging 9-13 mpg. Then I take highway trips where I fill up just before getting on the highway and compute my mileage solely on the highway, averaging about 19-20 mpg. My mileage is quite consistent in these two categories.

Same here, I drive on avg of 6 miles and I'm getting around 12 mpg. Really horrid. On highway its around 20 as well. This can't possibly be normal. Has anyone gotten an official word from Mazda about this? Any info would be appreciated.

I have been reading this board for a few weeks and really love the new RX-8 but the poor fuel consumption is really an issue to me and I think I will look elsewhere for my new car. I know it's a performance car and don't expect to get the same mileage as a Civic but I would think you should do better then a Hummer. I hope Mazda is reading this board and addresses this issue but I don't think much can be done with the present engine to increase fuel mileage.

Okay it's off-topic but Lufa, you're from Austin, TX and you've got something that looks like a yellow license plate on the front of your 8. Given that TX has no yellow license plates, I'm curious as to what it is and why it's there. To tie back to the thread, I'm running 17 to 18 around town and just shy of 20 on road trips. It also depends on how "sedately" I drive.....

Originally posted by flatso
I have been reading this board for a few weeks and really love the new RX-8 but the poor fuel consumption is really an issue to me and I think I will look elsewhere for my new car. I know it's a performance car and don't expect to get the same mileage as a Civic but I would think you should do better then a Hummer. I hope Mazda is reading this board and addresses this issue but I don't think much can be done with the present engine to increase fuel mileage.

There definitely seems to be a problem with milage if the vast majority of your driving is short hops, but any car will suffer when used that way... the RX-8 just seems to suffer more than it should.

When used as a daily commuter through New Jersey rush hour/Hudson river crossings traffic, I invariably get somewhere between 19 and 21 MPG. This is with crappy winter gas and an engine just past 1K miles. Once summer rolls around, I expect I'll be getting around 22 or 23.

Now granted 22 MPG still is pretty poor, and it's less than Mazda advertised, but sports cars like gas and you have to pay to play. My old Audi TT with a very well broken in engine was only getting 24-25 MPG and had significantly less power. If you want sports car looks, strong performance, 4 seats, AND more than 25 MPG, your options are going to be real short.

The reduced fuel mileage must have something to do with the ECU reflash Mazda had to perform to make the car run richer to make the catalytic converter last to 120,000 miles. Not only did it rob us of HP, it robbed us of the advertised MPG.

I'd be interested to know how the Japanese RX-8s are performing with regards to fuel economy.

I've owned three cars while living and working at the same locations for 20 years, and I've maintained periodic mileage records. Excluding fillups when I took long trips, this gives me a good baseline for comparing gas mileage in virtually identical driving conditions, using the same gas stations.

Mazda RX-7 18 mpg
Dodge Stealth 20 mpg
Mazda RX-8 15 mpg

RX-8's low mileage is costing me about $30 a month extra, an irritating but financially trivial amount, IMHO.

What really bothers me is the increase in fillup frequency, which steals time from me. I hope Mazda has a good explanation and a fix coming.

I've owned three cars while living and working at the same locations for 20 years, and I've maintained periodic mileage records. Excluding fillups when I took long trips, this gives me a good baseline for comparing gas mileage in virtually identical driving conditions, using the same gas stations.

Mazda RX-7 18 mpg
Dodge Stealth 20 mpg
Mazda RX-8 15 mpg

RX-8's low mileage is costing me about $30 a month extra, an irritating but financially trivial amount, IMHO.

What really bothers me is the increase in fillup frequency, which steals time from me. I hope Mazda has a good explanation and a fix coming.

I think part of it has to do with the rather small gas tank...larger tank would result in fewer fill-ups. By comparison, the G35 sedan has a 20 gallon tank with a quoted trip range of over 400 miles. The 8 with its tank just under 14 gallons has a quoted trip range of about 285 miles...but I'm assuming that number is if you run the tank bone dry. Most of use seem to be filling up at about 200-225 miles...which means we're filling up quite often.

Originally posted by i3man
I think part of it has to do with the rather small gas tank...larger tank would result in fewer fill-ups. By comparison, the G35 sedan has a 20 gallon tank with a quoted trip range of over 400 miles. The 8 with its tank just under 14 gallons has a quoted trip range of about 285 miles According to my owner's manual the 8 has a fuel tank capacity of 15.9 US Gal.
It looks like 300 highway miles per tank is feasable, and after 5 hours driving I am ready to stretch my legs! 400 miles per tank would be nice as it would allow L.A. to S.F. non-stop, but that's not gonna happen in this car.:(

This is one thing that would give me pause in buying the car. I had a (german) Mercury Capri years ago, stuffed with a big V-6. Unfortunately, the geniuses at Ford never increased fuel capacity over the standard four banger, and it seemed like I was spending half my life in the gas station. My MP3 gets over 320 per tank, which is something I appreciate, as I drive quite a bit. It sounds like I'll be waiting for version 2.0 on this one.

If we really do have 15.9 gallons, we should be going a lot further before we're filling up. Say (17 x 15 gallons), so 250 miles should be a piece of cake before most of us have to visit a gas station...now where the heck did I get that 14 gallon number from...must have made it up LOL.

I used to fill up right at about 300 miles with my old car. When I did more freeway driving I could get 400 miles out of my old car but that was running the car on fumes.

Now that I live in the city and don't do as much freeway driving I'm actually happy with 17-19 mpg with the 8.

You guys need to stop blaming Mazda and start yelling at the EPA, since they're the ones that screwed up the MPG ratings. Mazda has NOTHING to do with it, aside from building the car. They are not allowed to state their estimates.

Originally posted by i3man
If we really do have 15.9 gallons, we should be going a lot further before we're filling up. Say (17 x 15 gallons), so 250 miles should be a piece of cake before most of us have to visit a gas station...now where the heck did I get that 14 gallon number from...must have made it up LOL. Well, I think the "Low Fuel" warning light comes on at somewhere around 2 gal. remaining which is 13.9 gal. used, so that may be where you got that figure.
I am just trying to figure out what the usable fuel capacity of the 8 really is. I have run it to below the E mark and it still took fewer than 15 gal. to fill it.
Why oh why can't automobile manufacturers give us ACCURATE fuel gauges?

I think everyone needs a nice 4 hour road trip on an uncrowded highway like I had last weekend. I never got much better than 16MPG prior to that, and hitting 22MPG was pretty sweet, got rid of my only complaint with my 8.

22 isnt great, and it isnt 24, but its a whole lot closer than I ever thought my car would get to the EPA estimates.

Originally posted by bobclevenger
I am just trying to figure out what the usable fuel capacity of the 8 really is. I have run it to below the E mark and it still took fewer than 15 gal. to fill it.


I am fairly certain that the usable amount of fuel in the tank is approximately 15.3-15.4 gallons. I know this because I ran out of gas back in September. I walked the remaining .2 miles to the gas station and got exactly 2 gallons in a small gas carrier and put that in the car. When I got to the gas station with the car, I put 13.3 gallons in it, and I was filling it up as much as I could. I maybe could've squeezed another .1 in the tank, but that would've been it.

Originally posted by Elara
You guys need to stop blaming Mazda and start yelling at the EPA, since they're the ones that screwed up the MPG ratings. Mazda has NOTHING to do with it, aside from building the car. They are not allowed to state their estimates.

They test all cars the same way and they don't seem to have the same "screwup" with other cars. The RX-8s tested by the EPA obviously were "better than average". What a coincidence...

Mazda, on the other hand, does have a history of screwups and they did change the ECU software at the last minute...

The EPA was not the one that touted how the RX-8 was supposed to be so much more fuel efficient than all previous rotary offerings.

I repeat, Mazda is not to blame for the stated MPG, the EPA has a screwy test. Automotive News even had a recent article about how the test was not up to real world standards, and ALL vehicles get less than the stated MPG, on average. Granted, some people here are getting really crappy mileage, but it's not due to anything Mazda claimed.

In regards to the EPA I heard Toyota actually wanted to state the MPG lower for the Presario but there is a law that you must state the EPA numbers and can not report higher or lower so they had to show a higher number. The test favors hybrid cars.

Originally posted by bobclevenger
Well, I think the "Low Fuel" warning light comes on at somewhere around 2 gal. remaining which is 13.9 gal. used, so that may be where you got that figure.
I am just trying to figure out what the usable fuel capacity of the 8 really is. I have run it to below the E mark and it still took fewer than 15 gal. to fill it.
Why oh why can't automobile manufacturers give us ACCURATE fuel gauges?

Hey Bob, you ran the fuel gauge past the E mark and it still didn't take atleat 15 gallons to fill up? Hmm...the way I assumed it was that the halfway mark on the fuel gauge is at 8 gallons, half of 15.9 right? So then if it goes PAST the E mark then that gauge is definitely off. Bah. Looks like no one has gotten an official word from Mazda, might have to send a letter myself.

lets all send a letter to show mazda how many buyers are concerned about this subject. Anyone have an address??

Originally posted by skagen
Hey Bob, you ran the fuel gauge past the E mark and it still didn't take atleat 15 gallons to fill up? Hmm...the way I assumed it was that the halfway mark on the fuel gauge is at 8 gallons, half of 15.9 right? So then if it goes PAST the E mark then that gauge is definitely off. Yeah, if you assume a linear scale from 0 to 16 the reading is about 1 gal. off at most points on the scale. IOW, if the gauge says you have used 12 gal. (1/4 tank left) I have found that 11 gal. fills it.

Now this is not just a Mazda problem. Almost all auto makers install fuel gauges that are inaccurate. And they may well vary from car to car also. I would just like an accurate fuel gauge, at least near the bottom of the tank.

The problem is that they have to build cars for the lowest common denominator of human beings these days. Like the people that buy hot coffee and then sue because it's too hot.

They need to install lying gauges so that people will be scared enough to go and get gas instead of run out.

The same reason why they installed that fake oil pressure gauge. So many people would call about the oil pressure that they were getting and how it was moving or how it was higher than yesterday, etc. that Mazda just realized that it wasn't worth the hassle.

The gas gauge in my Protege is dead accurate. When the needle touches the "E" line, the car will start sputtering and run out of gas. The low fuel light comes on about a gallon before then. But it is so because I had to remove the pump/sender, etc. and when I installed everything back, I aligned it differently than the way it was from the factory.

If you would like to complain officially to Mazda about your low mpg please write to:

Mazda North American Operations
7755 Irvine Center Dr.
Irvine, CA. 92618-2922
P.O. Box 19734

ATTN: Customer Assistance

Include:

1. Your name, address, and tel. number.
2. Year and Model of Vehicle
3. VIN
4. Purchase date and current mileage
5. Dealer's name and location
6. And your questions/comments about mpg or any other issues you would like to address.

You can also call 1-800-222-5500

Remember if you call, take a log of the person's name, time of call, subject matter discussed. This way you have written proof and information that can be recollected later.

Originally posted by Rx8Past
lets all send a letter to show mazda how many buyers are concerned about this subject. Anyone have an address??

I just started a whole new thread in the general discussion, it has an address. Please check out this thread:

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17649

If an admin sees this, and feel it appropriate please sticky this thread. Thanks!

I just got my 8 back from the dealer where they had to replace my throw out bearing with only 1300 miles on it. Anyway the mechanic that is certified on the 8 told me that he contacted Mazda about mine and one other person in my area complaing of really poor gas mileage. Mazda told him that they have had many complaints from all over the nation and that they are looking into the problen. I don't know if the mechanic is trying to placate me (since this is my third time complaining about it) or if Mazda is finally on the ball but maybe there is hope.

bump!

thanks skagen, hopefully we'll get mazda to do something about this.

Originally posted by Rx8Past
thanks skagen, hopefully we'll get mazda to do something about this.

don't hold your breathe.

Originally posted by RX-GR8
don't hold your breathe. :(

Originally posted by RX-GR8
don't hold your breathe.

rather hold my breath then just bend over and hold my ankles.

says Mazda claimed 20% better fuel efficiency then the RX-7. What was the gas mileage of the RX-7?

I just finished a 950 mile round trip from Orlando, FL to Winchester, VA. My average highway mileage for the trip was about 22 MPG (I checked on every tank). Some were a little more, some a little less, but the avg. was 22. This was with driving with cruise control on at about 78-80 MPG pretty much the whole way. The drive home was much worse because of HEAVY traffic on I-95. It took almost 10 hours to go 430 miles. I saw mileage actually increase on the last tankful due to the insanely slow highway speeds. I wonder what I'd get if I ran an entire tank at 55 MPH on the highway (haven't been able to keep it that slow so far!).

That's one reason I'm trying to stay out of prison! :)

There have been complaints about guages that don't show exactly what is happening with what they are supposedly measuring. For example, fuel guages that indicate you are about to run out when in fact there is another gallon or more in the tank. And oil pressure guages that show steady pressure, when in fact that are frequent variations, within the safe and normal range.
Manufacturers -- all or at least most of them -- make guages this way to suit the needs of the majority of owners, people who know little about how their cars work, and don't pay much attention to them. With dead accurate guages, those people would occasionally run out of gas, and would keep bothering their dealers about fluctuating oil pressure readings. So, for those people, the current calibration of guages is a good thing. They fill up in time, and don't worry as they drive.
Now how about the rest of us, those who carefully monitor everything about our cars? What harm does fiddling with the guages do to us? Next to none, IMO. Just a little trial and error lets us know exactly what the readings on our gas guage, and the timing of the yellow light, really mean. We're smart enough to make the mental adjustment without having the pointer aligned with a particular marker. And to treat the oil pressure guage as just a more decorative version of an idiot light.
There are really important things to gripe about, such as low mileage. Let's spend our energy trying to make Mazda do something about that.

Originally posted by Mitch Strickler
There have been complaints about guages that don't show exactly what is happening with what they are supposedly measuring. For example, fuel guages that indicate you are about to run out when in fact there is another gallon or more in the tank. And oil pressure guages that show steady pressure, when in fact that are frequent variations, within the safe and normal range.
Manufacturers -- all or at least most of them -- make guages this way to suit the needs of the majority of owners, people who know little about how their cars work, and don't pay much attention to them. With dead accurate guages, those people would occasionally run out of gas, and would keep bothering their dealers about fluctuating oil pressure readings. So, for those people, the current calibration of guages is a good thing. They fill up in time, and don't worry as they drive.
Now how about the rest of us, those who carefully monitor everything about our cars? What harm does fiddling with the guages do to us? Next to none, IMO. Just a little trial and error lets us know exactly what the readings on our gas guage, and the timing of the yellow light, really mean. We're smart enough to make the mental adjustment without having the pointer aligned with a particular marker. And to treat the oil pressure guage as just a more decorative version of an idiot light.
There are really important things to gripe about, such as low mileage. Let's spend our energy trying to make Mazda do something about that.

I've started a thread about the low mpg and contacting Mazda officially about it. Please visit this thread.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17649

Originally posted by Elara
... and ALL vehicles get less than the stated MPG, on average.

That's just BS. The posted EPA number is an "average" number. In smaller font they post a range. I have had a whole string of cars where I would achieve near the top end of the highway range by driving carefully and setting the cruise. I go to a lot of trouble in these test runs to do the last fillup using exactly the same pump parked in exactly the same place and using exactly the same shutoff as the initial fillup, and they always have enough miles (>500) to make error negligible. This is the first car that I have ever owned that comes in at the bottom of the range, well below the bold font number.

Following various threads on this forum that study the fuel mapping in the 8, I'm inclined to believe that the ECU is not driving the engine as lean as it should, and that the posted numbers do not reflect the configuration delivered to the American market. In the long run it would have cost Mazda less to put in a sturdier cat that can tolerate more heat than it will to fix this problem post delivery - and if we all make a big enough stink they probably will have to do something. I for one, will write NA Mazda. See this (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17649) thread...

Originally posted by bobm
That's one reason I'm trying to stay out of prison! :)

lol :p

Bumped for an update

Originally posted by bernieunger
That's just BS. The posted EPA number is an "average" number. In smaller font they post a range. I have had a whole string of cars where I would achieve near the top end of the highway range by driving carefully and setting the cruise. I go to a lot of trouble in these test runs to do the last fillup using exactly the same pump parked in exactly the same place and using exactly the same shutoff as the initial fillup, and they always have enough miles (>500) to make error negligible. This is the first car that I have ever owned that comes in at the bottom of the range, well below the bold font number.

Following various threads on this forum that study the fuel mapping in the 8, I'm inclined to believe that the ECU is not driving the engine as lean as it should, and that the posted numbers do not reflect the configuration delivered to the American market. In the long run it would have cost Mazda less to put in a sturdier cat that can tolerate more heat than it will to fix this problem post delivery - and if we all make a big enough stink they probably will have to do something. I for one, will write NA Mazda. See this (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17649) thread...

Look, for all of you who keep telling me it's BS, I'm not the one who said it, Automotive News did, in the November 24th issue. And if you guys disagree, that's fine, but that's your prerogative. And honestly, I really am not all that concerned anyway, since I get the stated MPG.

How about anyone who's filed a complaint in this way let us know on this thread. I complained (informally) back in August and they said "No one else has complained yet." Are they still saying this? Let's keep track and catch 'em in a lie.

can i just ask??? what you think Mazda can do about it now??? or maybe for the next ones right?

Originally posted by RX-jimenez
can i just ask??? what you think Mazda can do about it now??? or maybe for the next ones right?

Not sure who your question is directed, but if its towards me, I guess I don't know what they can do about it. What I'm hoping for is a response from Mazda to atleast recognize the problem. From there maybe they can offer up solutions. Oh, and yes, for the future RX8's maybe they can post accurate mpg or modify the vehicles to get the stated mpg.

Good info

Update.

Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park and back on Christmas. Shell gas getting there and also coming back (there is a Shell in Exeter, which is the town at the base of the Sierra Nevadas about 20 miles before the Sequoia entrance and before the road becomes inclined).

The mileages are just between LA and the Shell station at the base of the Sierra Nevadas before the mountain comes into play (~235 miles one-way). There is however one prolonged hilly obstacle just north of LA known as the Grape Vine that may have adversely affected mileage.

Averaged between 65 and 70 miles per hour. On the way there: 22.322 mpg. On the way back: 23.576.

I did a 180 mile trip over the hoilday, averaged 73 mph using the crusie control, 55 degrees. 20.8 mpg. I just turned 1000 miles at the end of the trip, so it should, I really hope, get better. And I use Chevron supreme 93 octane.

skagen, good effort but i dont think it would do anything for us at least, perhaps in the future mazda will rerate the MPG for the car, but thats all i can see happening.

i will write to them, not like the mpg really bothers me, i am more worried about the flooding. I enjoy every minute I spend in the 8 and can not see myself complaining about it except well my REAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR: everytime i drive cars around me seem to be driving TOO SLOW!!! i dont understand it are they too busy looking at the car or i just bump into slow people with the RX8?

overall i am very pleased with the car. more then complaints the mpg and floodings are issues i am concerned about.

I'm not going to sticky this ...

Got back from my road trip new Years Eve. It wasn't a huge one: Atlanta to Columbia, Columbia to Charleston. Charleston to St. Simon's Island.

Filled up at a variety of gas stations throughout the trip, and got mileages varying between 19 mpg and 22.5 mpg. Overall I averaged about 21.5 mpg though I would estimate.

I think everyone who feel there are any kind of problem with their car SHOULD write/call to file a complain. If you really wanted the car manufacturer to do something about your problem, you need to let them it is a big problem and it is affecting a lot of people. This is how you get the attention of the big bosses so they will allocate some cash to investigate your problem and find a way to fix it.

Bottomline is you have nothing to lose by letting them know you are not completely happy about their product.

isnt it illegal for a manufacturer to lie about the mpg for a car.... i remember when the H2 was new because it is more of a comercial directed vehicle and not consumer directed they were not required by law to post the MPG which led to people getting mad when they only got 11/15 MPG (or something close to that)

Car manufacturers are required to put the EPA results on the window sticker, yes?

If anybody thinks that the EPA is lying about their fuel economy testing results of the pre-production RX-8s or has kept quiet about their fuel economy testing results of production RX-8s, they should complain to the EPA.

This topic was covered a little bit about a month ago at the below thread:

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15454

Brian

Originally posted by Shocka
skagen, good effort but i dont think it would do anything for us at least, perhaps in the future mazda will rerate the MPG for the car, but thats all i can see happening.

i will write to them, not like the mpg really bothers me, i am more worried about the flooding. I enjoy every minute I spend in the 8 and can not see myself complaining about it except well my REAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR: everytime i drive cars around me seem to be driving TOO SLOW!!! i dont understand it are they too busy looking at the car or i just bump into slow people with the RX8?

overall i am very pleased with the car. more then complaints the mpg and floodings are issues i am concerned about.

From that thread itself, the EPA suggests contacting Mazda and complaining. So I guess that's the only course of action with our probs. Oh, and don't get me wrong, I do believe the flooding issue is a problem as well, most definitely. For myself, in my letter I complained of both.

Originally posted by skagen
Oh, and don't get me wrong, I do believe the flooding issue is a problem as well, most definitely.
Have you flooded your car?

Originally posted by jonalan
Have you flooded your car? I did; it's at the shop right now. Details are in the other flooding threads. But I didn't shut down cold; that's what puzzles me. I drove 500 miles, parked overnight, next day it grinds but not starts. Maybe it's something other than flooding; I will post the results when I hear from the dealer.

my car flooded, but I did the procedure and got it to start again. hey wannabe, you drove it 500 miles, shut her down and then it ate it on you the next day? That's definitely disturbing since its not characteristic of flooding, plz do keep us updated on your situation.

Mine had 222 miles when I took delivery and the dealer's fill up got me only 15.2 MPG racing around Ft. Lauderdale the first couple of days. Then I filled it and drove it home to Tallahassee, and 2 tank fulls each got exactly 22.3 MPG steady highway driving 430 miles on the turnpike and interstate. So far I'm getting about what I expected.

Will see what more "normal" driving in the city gets me. I just turned it 1000 miles today.

UPDATE 1/4/04 - Third tank of gas with mixed city and country driving, and pushing it hard now and then got me 16.5 MPG.

Originally posted by 8_wannabe
How about anyone who's filed a complaint in this way let us know on this thread. I complained (informally) back in August and they said "No one else has complained yet." Are they still saying this? Let's keep track and catch 'em in a lie.

thank you skagen, for the threadsite.
i will write a letter for sure.

and, 8_wannabe, i filed a complaint on the mazda website today actually and complained (only verbally though) in november to the dealership.

we'll see what happens!

-BSG

(and, just for the record, i do think it better to hold my breath than bend over and grab my ankles! ) :cool:

Originally posted by skagen
Not sure who your question is directed, but if its towards me, I guess I don't know what they can do about it. What I'm hoping for is a response from Mazda to atleast recognize the problem. From there maybe they can offer up solutions. Oh, and yes, for the future RX8's maybe they can post accurate mpg or modify the vehicles to get the stated mpg.

are you guys forgetting that SOME of the 8's DO get the posted mileage??? there is almost certainly something defective with only some of the cars produced. i think it's a fixable problem. we just need to get them interested in working a solution.

if the car doesn't get the stated MPG, we should have the right to file suit under the lemon law and get a new 8.

-BSG

Originally posted by skagen
hey wannabe, you drove it 500 miles, shut her down and then it ate it on you the next day? That's definitely disturbing since its not characteristic of flooding, plz do keep us updated on your situation. Will do. Dealer called Friday and ordered the new plugs and oil pan from Irvine, said repairs would be done Monday. I'll let you know what pans out.

Originally posted by balletsushigirl
are you guys forgetting that SOME of the 8's DO get the posted mileage??? there is almost certainly something defective with only some of the cars produced. i think it's a fixable problem. we just need to get them interested in working a solution.

if the car doesn't get the stated MPG, we should have the right to file suit under the lemon law and get a new 8.

-BSG

Yea, I agree with you. My beliefs are leaning towards a production error of certain 8's since some do get the correct mileage. Just hoping maybe there's enough people who will try to bring this to their attention.

Bumped for the weekly update.

I got my best mpg yet, 19.26!

Jacksonville, FL to Savannah on I-95, ~80-85 MPH: 20.1 MPG.

Savannah to Greenville, SC on little back roads, ~ 60-65 MPH, with a few rev limiter tickles & one run to 125: 21.67 MPG.

Typical town driving: 15-16 MPG.

For reference, both of our Miatas get ~35 MPG on a trip as above, 28-31 in town or wailing the bejeezus out of 'em in the mountains.

I'm not horrified by the 8's fuel inefficiency, but a vehicle of it's size & power really should do quite a bit better. Engine management in that regard seems little improved over an RX-4 with a big Weber carb.

{{{{

I drove 1450 miles over the holidays and after the first couple of fillups I stopped looking/ calculating.

Speeds > 120mph do no good.

On trips in the 8, we get now more "exercise" because of the more frequent gas stops. Had to stop almost every 2 hours.

Originally posted by flatso
says Mazda claimed 20% better fuel efficiency then the RX-7. What was the gas mileage of the RX-7?
Would consistently log 21-22MPG on all 3 of my RX-7s driving the same as I do the 8, so I was really disappointed. However, I have to chalk most of that up to the EPA cat life quick fix and the other part to the really high rear end ratio. However, 20% improvements of 25.2-26.4MPG ain't nowhere on the horizon, no way, no how.

I have been reading the forum here because I too have been having problems with my gas mileage and oil consumption on my new RX8. I live in a suburb of Philadelphia and travel 3 miles to work everyday and have been getting 11-13 mpg. I also have had to add 1 quart of oil to the car after 1200 miles. I do not drive it hard either.

I took my car to the dealer to get an oil change and complain about the gas mileage. I thought everyone who has had this problem would be interested in what my dealer told me. The dealer checked my EEC readings and they were all okay. He also said that I was not the only one to complain about the gas mileage.
My dealer said I have 4 things going against me:
1. I live in the suburbs and the EPA forces gas stations to sell a different mixture of gas for the winter. I have seen this over the holidays when I took my car to the Pocono’s and it ran on gas from up there, which has a different mixture and I got 20 mpg.
2. I only travel short distances most of the week so the car never really warms up until I am at work already.
3. Using more gas causes the engine to use more oil.
4. The car is not broken in yet (only has 1500 miles).

I guess the good news is that after I get more miles on the car it should get better gas mileage. After April they switch the gas mixture back to normal in the suburbs and I should get better gas mileage. Once I get better gas mileage I will use less oil. So there is hope. I am going to rough it out until April and see if there is a change before taking it back to the mechanic again. But like people have pointed out before, even if it gets terrible gas mileage it doesn’t matter because I would keep the car anyway. I just want to make sure there is nothing wrong with my car. So bottom line is, blame the EPA if you live in a suburb!! (Which is what some people have posted on here already)

I believe what my dealer’s mechanic was telling me. I have it on my bill explaining these things; if anyone is interested I can probably scan it in.

BTW Oil changes cost me $7.42 at my dealership. I got a lifetime coupon for free oil changes on the vehicle as long as I own it. I just have to pay for the filter. So far I have had a good experience all around with my dealer. I would recommend John Kennedy if you live near Philly.

Hope this helps explain things for those who have had poor gas mileage.

Originally posted by sritter
.. I live in a suburb of Philadelphia and travel 3 miles to work everyday and have been getting 11-13 mpg. I also have had to add 1 quart of oil to the car after 1200 miles...
sritter, Don't count on getting better than 13.5MPG on your short trips. Rotarys are placed in cars with "long legs" and you need to stretch them out. The reason the manual wants you run the engine for at least 15 minutes is it takes that long for all the internal part to warm up enough to expand to their design dimensions. (I always make it a practice to keep revs between 3k-3.5k for 15 min, even while stopped, to let the motor get to operating temp.) You're loosing all the oil due to undersized cold part whirring around inside. On reciprocating engines you see it more clearly in pistons that are oblong around the wrist pins where the more "meat" expanding there will round out the piston to better fit the round cylinders. You'll notice more compression loss in piston motors than rotarys, when cold, but the oil consumption will be similarly high (although rotarys always consume more oil as part of their design parameters).

Btw, I'm saving my nickels and dollars for an '05 Lexus RX400h. The Toyota hybrids are the opposite of conventional drives, as they get better MPG on short trips, as they are using the electric motors for drive, exclusively (unlike the half-hearted Honda hybrids), at low speeds. You might want to look at the Prius (although only available with bare pedestrian features) which will give you 60 MPG in those short commutes. I didn't get one because my commutes are 50 miles, one-way. I felt that after making all the suspension mods to make it driveable at 85+MPH, it would loose to much of its high (mileage) performance abilities.

Well I got my worst tank to date a WHOPPING 15.23 mpg!

Originally posted by MPG > HP

The Toyota hybrids are the opposite of conventional drives, as they get better MPG on short trips, as they are using the electric motors for drive, exclusively (unlike the half-hearted Honda hybrids), at low speeds. You might want to look at the Prius (although only available with bare pedestrian features) which will give you 60 MPG in those short commutes. I didn't get one because my commutes are 50 miles, one-way. I felt that after making all the suspension mods to make it driveable at 85+MPH, it would loose to much of its high (mileage) performance abilities.

I have to disagree there. I've carpooled in a prius last summer and it will run on it's gas engine exclusively for the first few minutes and thus doesn't get great milage on short trips. Sure it's better milleage then most cars because the engine is so tiny, but the fact it is hybrid doesn't count much on short trips. You might as well get an echo if you're looking for short trip economy.

Someone probably pointed that out already... but here's a snip from Mazda's UK website at:

http://www.mazdarx8.co.uk/upclose/specs/specs2.asp


===========================================
Fuel consumption (EC regulation mode (???) ) (6-speed version)

combined 10.6L/100km 25.2mpg
extra urban 8.7L/100km 32.5mpg
urban 15.6L/100km 18.1mpg

Fuel consumption figures updated as of 18 September 2003.

All specifications shown may vary and may not be available in UK. To Improve Fuel Economy all European Mazda RX-8 models will be fitted with a small Boot Lip Spoiler. This is not an option.
===========================================


Nice. Why wasn't I born in uk? What is a Boot Lip Spoiler? Can we get that on the US version?

Originally posted by shift_zoom8
Update.

Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park and back on Christmas. Shell gas getting there and also coming back (there is a Shell in Exeter, which is the town at the base of the Sierra Nevadas about 20 miles before the Sequoia entrance and before the road becomes inclined).

The mileages are just between LA and the Shell station at the base of the Sierra Nevadas before the mountain comes into play (~235 miles one-way). There is however one prolonged hilly obstacle just north of LA known as the Grape Vine that may have adversely affected mileage.

Averaged between 65 and 70 miles per hour. On the way there: 22.322 mpg. On the way back: 23.576.

I'm familiar with this commute, unlike some others quoted here not on the west coast. I feel I have to comment here: The under 20 mpg figures reported here on the open highway is one major reason I have held off on buying an 8, but 22-23 mpg is promising and would be perfectly acceptable to me. Btw, the reported 13-14 mpg figures around town are ok given spirited driving, but it just seems so wrong for any car to get under 20 mpg on a long freeway commute.

However I can't see how you can stand going 65 to 70 mph on an open highway such as I-5 or Highway 99 in Califronia. I would go crazy. The flow of traffic is 75, at least on I-5. Also, what were your rpms at 70?

Originally posted by Mat


combined 10.6L/100km 25.2mpg
extra urban 8.7L/100km 32.5mpg
urban 15.6L/100km 18.1mpg



Just in case anybody has trouble with Imp. gallons, this translates to the following in American:

highway 27.0 mpg
combined 21.0 mpg
city 15.1 mpg

Originally posted by starbucks
The flow of traffic is 75, at least on I-5. Would you expect your mpg to drop significantly if you cruised at 75-80? Also, what were your rpms at 70?

Much earlier in this thread I was sparring with bobclevenger. He took much the same trip to Vegas starting in Ontario (him) and Orange County (me). he got 24 mpg going the speed limit (60-70). I got 21 mpg going 75-80. But I had more fun.

I know I'm well disciplined in getting acurate mileage numbers and Bob sounded the same. You can take this as a pretty good benchmark.

3500 rpm = 70 mph at 6.

I'm averaging almost 18 mpg. First and second tank make no sense whatsoever:

Originally posted by starbucks
I'm familiar with this commute, unlike some others quoted here not on the west coast. I feel I have to comment here: The under 20 mpg figures reported here on the open highway is one major reason I have held off on buying an 8, but 22-23 mpg is promising and would be perfectly acceptable to me. Btw, the reported 13-14 mpg figures around town are ok given spirited driving, but it just seems so wrong for any car to get under 20 mpg on a long freeway commute.

However I can't see how you can stand going 65 to 70 mph on an open highway such as I-5 or Highway 99 in Califronia. I would go crazy. The flow of traffic is 75, at least on I-5. Also, what were your rpms at 70?

I can't remember exactly the rpm at 70 mph but I think it's well over 3000 rpm. I occasionally went 75 on that trip but I consciously stayed under 80 mph.

Eventually, I'll try a distance trip at 75 mph. But right now, my experiment is to do whatever it takes to get over 24 mpg. That's why I'm deliberately staying at under 75 mph.

Originally posted by MPG > HP
The Toyota hybrids are the opposite of conventional drives, as they get better MPG on short trips, as they are using the electric motors for drive, exclusively (unlike the half-hearted Honda hybrids), at low speeds.

That's misleading. The electric power ultimately is generated by the gas engine and you won't go too far before it kicks in to maintain battery charge. The efficiency comes in simply as a function of speed. The main work in keeping a car moving at most speeds is overcoming aerodynamic drag, which is proportional to the cube of the airspeed.

Conventional car engines must make compromises trading efficiency for driveability so we've become used to thinking of speeds like 55mph as being inherently most efficient. That's not the case from a pure "work" standpoint. The hybrid engine can be optimized for a much narrower set of operating parameters and by avoiding many of the efficiency compromises of conventional cars the lower work requirements of low speed travel are more apparent even despite the inevitable losses involved in converting mechanical energy to electrical and then back again.

Originally posted by balletsushigirl
are you guys forgetting that SOME of the 8's DO get the posted mileage??? From the posts I've read, only a very small % report getting 18/24, not convincing proof that poor mpg is not a problem. (so many negatives, I'm not sure what I just said!) I'm now getting 14-21 avg 19.

My first RX-8
Miles:4417 Fuel:236.7 MPG:18.66

Second RX-8
Miles:3323.3 Fuel:195.15 MPG:17.03

hey, lookee here- there's a thread about MPG!!!

This might be stretching... and might also already have been asked but anyways.

Some people seem to have ok mileage (like, averaging 19). Some others cannot go over 15.

Could there be a relation between really bad MPG and VIN? Or cold weather?

I have to admit that this tank was a crappy one due to the coolness factor of the 8.

I was flagged down (literaly) by a person living down the street from my house and we must have sat there for 45 minutes discussing the car. All the while she was idling the curb as this guy must have walked around the car a hundread times asking all sorts of questions!!

Sometimes I wish I could tun on some sort of invisibility cloak!

I kept my receipts from my Spokane to Santa Cruz trip so I will mark down my mpg. Sorry I won't be able to give the odometer reading since I didn't keep track of that at fill up. I did however have the oil changed the day before I left so I will have the milage range.

I kept my receipts from my Spokane to Santa Cruz trip so I will mark down my mpg. Sorry I won't be able to give the odometer reading since I didn't keep track of that at fill up. I did however have the oil changed the day before I left so I will have the milage range.

Just in case anybody was wondering, my post several above this was in relation to a bad mood, and not directed at anyone. Apologies. And to keep this on topic, my mileage is still getting steadily worse, though I have to really try to get under 17.

Hey Elara

Did you know that your screen name is also the name for one of Jupiters moons!

I know you knew that but Elara came up when I was doing the crossword the other day..okay... okay... back on topic

Have you noticed there is a trend emerging here. As our gas mileage gets worse the price of gas goes up!

I think that it is a consequence of the winter gas that we get here in Hampton roads plus the cold weather forcing us to warm our cars longer.

Originally posted by Elara
Just in case anybody was wondering, my post several above this was in relation to a bad mood, and not directed at anyone. Apologies. And to keep this on topic, my mileage is still getting steadily worse, though I have to really try to get under 17.

No Problem, Elara. No question the mpg issue has been beaten to death, but I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that many of us have been spoiled by Hondas and Toyotas that manage 30 mpg on the open highway along with peppy performance. If you're not a rotorhead, it's takes a while accept that a 1.3L engine sucks so much more gas than say an Acura TL 3.2L cruising along at 70-75 mph.

All and all, I'm getting very close to purchasing or leasing an 8 because after looking around, I don't see any other cars in the price range that match it for looks, performance, and uniqueness. I've come to accept the mpg and other minor annoyances that had me hesitating, such as the flooding potential.

Also, I'm at peace with a couple of my more significant concerns have nothing to do with the car: finding an honest, reliable and knowledgeable mechanic in the Los Angeles area; and the EPA not allowing the 8 to "be all it can be" just to save the cat. I love my Honda mechanic to death, but I suppose there must be his Rotary equal around here somewhere.

Finally, Thanks to ZOOM8 and BERNIE for their replies to my questions. 3500 at 70 doesn't sound too bad.

Originally posted by Mat
What is a Boot Lip Spoiler? Can we get that on the US version? [/B]

Boot = Trunk, so it'd be something like this (thanks to brothervoodoo for the original pic)

http://onosendai.org/images/bootlip.jpg

See this thread (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18393&highlight=spoiler) for more info.

I got 17 mpg when car was new, it got worse with time, and now at 2700 miles I am getting 15 mpg. Last week it warmed up to 49F and I got 17 again. It appears all the good MPG results are being posted by people who live in warmer weather. I think we should start a new thread where we post the MPG and the ambient temperature. Just a thought

Mark

MEGAREDS, just wanted to say the only sense I can make from your plot is that your MPG got worse as it got colder.

Mark

Hi,

Turn DSC off (single push so only the "DSC Off" light is displayed) and enjoy an additional 2mpg!

I'll post my graph and results when my current tank is refilled.

Pappy.

I was looking for a website on Octane ratings by gas stations and didn't find that but came across this informative article on gas.

http://www.idavette.net/hib/fuel/index.htm

Tjo Starbucks:
The material Mazda put out showed 19.4 mph per 1,000 rpm, which works out to 3,608 at 70. Road & Track showed 3,100 at 60, which works out to 3,616 at 70. Take your pick. My automatic gets 23.5/1,000, or a relaxed 2.979. But my short test of an MT confirms the obvious; my car has nothing like the response.

Originally posted by mqandil
I got 17 mpg when car was new, it got worse with time, and now at 2700 miles I am getting 15 mpg. Last week it warmed up to 49F and I got 17 again. It appears all the good MPG results are being posted by people who live in warmer weather. I think we should start a new thread where we post the MPG and the ambient temperature. Just a thought

Mark

Yes, ambient temp appears to be a major factor!

I recently completed a 2200 mile trip from st. louis to central florida where I used exactly 8 tanks of gas -- 4 outbound and 4 inbound.

I saw best mpg (20.9) in same area of the country -- Chattanooga to Valdosta (3rd tank outbound, 2nd tank inbound) where temp ranged from high 40s to low 60s.

I saw 2nd best mpg (about 19.5) in florida where temp ranged from high 60s to about 80, and A/C was on.

I saw worst mpg (17) with 7th and 8th tanks when temp ranged from low 30s to high teens.

All observations with 89 octane, non- oxygenated fuel.; 6th gear; average speed about 80mph.

Originally posted by mqandil
MEGAREDS, just wanted to say the only sense I can make from your plot is that your MPG got worse as it got colder.

Mark

Yes, temp may be a factor, but I've attributed declining mileage to my use of the paddle shifters. I have never considered turning off DSC and don't really see the point... I'm just too damn old I guess. ;)

just to let u all know i did go to the dealer and raise hell about the mpg and the service mager called mazda and they told him that in order to get the numbers they're talking about u have to shift @ 2500rpm. i tryed it and it works, but damn who wants to do that!!!

I get an average 20mpg highway @ 70-85 with no redlining 93 octane shell gas
City driving i get about 14-17 93 octane shell gas

When i redline my car i get about 17-18 mpg highway with 93 octane shell gas

My last tank i redlined the car about 100 times and i got 16 mpg hihway using 93 octane.
Butr remember i ahve a lead foot and i also have 12,000 miel son my car. So i dont care about my mpg im having fun. And as soon as i hit 10,000 my mpgs started rising so teh more mile i put on teh better gas milage i get.

Originally posted by rot8n
just to let u all know i did go to the dealer and raise hell about the mpg and the service mager called mazda and they told him that in order to get the numbers they're talking about u have to shift @ 2500rpm. i tryed it and it works, but damn who wants to do that!!!

You're kidding me right? Tell me you're kidding.

Originally posted by skagen
You're kidding me right? Tell me you're kidding. This [shifting at 2500 rpm] MAY work as far as "in town" mileage goes, but it can not possibly have any effect at all on highway mileage, since highway driving is all at above 2500 rpm and there is no shifting involved. Note: highway mileage assumes cruising at a set speed without much varying.

No i'm not kidding! as far as highway miles go as long as u'r crusing and not doing 75 -80 u should be getting average mpg anyway and if u'r shifting like that on an interstate u should really rethink driving a manual tranny.

Bumped for another update

The temps have been down in the high twenties. I checked my oil and I now have that coffee colored deposits on my dip stick. I am changing my oil tomorrow so I will see more.

I just got 11.8 MPG...city diving... Agressive? Nope... Did I stay in a 'power band' where I can get outta my own way in the event of trouble..yup.

However, just to make a point... When I 'race' my S2K, keeping it 7.5-9k RPMS..non-stop... track conditions.. I get 11-12mph..otherwise its 20-24...

Doesn't this seem a bit... uhh... silly? 11-13mpg!? What are we driving, a V12 Viper?

amartin,
how many miles are you up to so far?

I am over 2k and it does slowly seem to be getting better. Tomorrow I am taking a 200 mile trip, country rds and will avg 55-65mph, last time I got around 18, this time ????

I did calculate a 23mpg, hwy, but do not want say it until I can repeat it. Most all of my hwy so far has been 21.

hang in there.

Originally posted by Rotary Nut
Bumped for another update

The temps have been down in the high twenties. I checked my oil and I now have that coffee colored deposits on my dip stick. I am changing my oil tomorrow so I will see more.

Hmm...I've been checking my oil lately as well. The color is a coffee color, is that supposed to be bad? I have about 1500 miles on the car so I haven't gotten an oil change yet. What color is it supposed to be?

I thiink it is nothing more than moisture from the crankcase. It does not smell like fuel or antifreeze. It has been really cold here and I will admit to taking short trips. But I am not going to go 10 miles out of my way just to run the car longer.

Heres a quick pic!http://images5.fotki.com/v56/photos/1/140558/518857/IMG_3113-vi.jpg

I did my trip today, gosh I love driving this car on those twisty roads, and my results are OK. I drove 65-75 with a couple bursts to 105mph and a numerous to 85-90. Temp was 35 up to 48. I have about 15-20 miles of hard driving thru the curves.

218 miles, 93 oct Chevron, used 11 gals, this is 19.89 mpg. I can live with this cause after a ticket or 2, I WILL slow down and get better economy. But in the mean time, its sports car!

I forgot to mention, I had a friend ride with me who owns a 500SL with the AWG (?) pkg. Anyways he was very impressed with the ride, performance, handling, etc. Then I let him drive it 5 mile of twisties. He couldn't stop smiling, said he could only wish his big heavy SL could even be near this sweet.

If you can you might get it to operating temp and run it inside a few minutes where it is warm with the oil filler cap off. Shut it down and let it stay inside warm with the cap off and you might get rid of some of the moisture you seem to be building up in the engine. Had the same problem in the cold with mine at first when I just got it did that acouple of times and boom the milky oil dissappeared. Believe it has alot to do with engine temp and outside air and how humid it is and of course cold weather condensation. THeir is numerous posts on the same condition thats where the idea of venting thru the oil filler cap came from.

All, the one thing I don't see much mention of is what gear you end up at for most of your driving. I have a 25 mile back road (winding, curvy, fun!) commute, and typically shift anywhere from 4K to 6K, but often go from 1st to 2nd, then 4th, then 6th. When I'm not passing someone, then I'm always trying to get to the top gear as soon as possible. I've not taken any long rides yet, and have just under 3K on the car, but I am averaging 20 miles per gallon with just about each fill up, give or take a few tenths.

Leaving it in a lower gear will increase the RPM's at which the engine runs at a given speed, and increase fuel consumption...at least, that's what I've always understood. Even in city driving, I'll try to get it into 6th gear if there's a reasonable flow of traffic. Perhaps there's more shifting involved, and not quite as much readily available pick-up until you shift, but hey, it seems like an OK trade-off.

I've got about 2200 miles on my 8 and drive much like gixxer2go. And I'm average around 20 miles per gallon. I live in a rural area with some city type driving. From time to time I like to bang it through the gears.

Most times I look at traffic flow and determine what gears I'm going to need to get up to speed of the traffic flow and to maintain it.

I'll go 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th or just 1st , 3rd, 5th, 6th and sometimes 1st , 3rd, 6th. I keep RPM's from 2200 to 2500 in city driving. The rotary engines doesn't seem lug in 6th gear and above 2000 RPM's. I was unable to that with my 10 AE six speed.

The great thing about the RX8 is it's fantastic any way you want to drive it!

Bumped for an update

Just went to Dallas (Grapevine) and back (95% highway). 260 miles driving mainly between 75-80 mph. Filled up with 12.54 gallons. Looks like 20.7 mpg. Best I've ever had. Guess you have to Granny drive to see 24 mpg. Now have 2960 miles on car. Oil change coming Monday.

Took a trip on Sat filled, topped off with chevron premium 91 oct.
Left station never shifting over 3500 rpm sat it down on cruise control at 3000rpm and at 60 mph all highway. Topped off again at 110 miles with exactly 5 gal even. Came with 22 mpg the best I have been able to get. Have consistantly been getting 16 mpg driving in city, stoplights etc and rpm once in awhile to redline.

One more statistic - except as noted all was city with less than 5% freeway. Looking at this and other post I wonder why there is so much variation, certainly more than can be explained by driving style. I know that gas blends vary from season to season and region but still seems odd. These numbers span 290 to 2390 miles from Oct 03 to Jan 04.

MPG Brand Octane
13.17------Chevron------93
19.36------Chevron------93 100% freeway
13.62------Chevron------93
14.77------BP-------------93
14.61------BP-------------93
13.86------Chevron------93
15.00------Texaco-------93
14.98------Shell----------93
15.63------Chevron------89
13.55------BP-------------89 * oil change
13.75------Shell----------89
13.95------BP-------------93

I find it strange that the mpg went down after my oil change. Unfortunately did not ask about the oil grade and nothing noted on the window sticker or paperwork as to the rating (5-20w??)

Well sorry for waiting so long but for some unknown reason I could not locate the receipt for the tank I put in on Feb 8th.

I also changed the oil at 3140 miles. Like some one posted the oil filter was a tad bit shorter than the one from the factory. I used Castrol 5W20 GTX and an OEM filter. Nothing new to report, Just 3500 trouble free miles, not like my W8!

No flooding or cracked switches and no oil in the intake like some are finding. Also there was no foamy-frothy condensate in the oil at all. Only up in the dipstick tube. Damn I thought the airbox in my '02 Passat W8 was a PITA but this one takes the cake!

Just wanted to append...

First fillup was 233 miles, 12.45 gallons, 18.71 mpg.

That was with my shifting out at 3-4k rpm with a few "fun run" accelerations up to 7500rpm.

90% city driving

Similar results and conditions for me. 19.126 MPG

Well Rotary Nut your results are almost exactly what my results look like.

The only time I ever break the magical 17MPG barrier is when I take a long road trip. Otherwise my short, stop and go, sit at a light commute nets me 15-16MPG. If I really get lucky and hit little to no traffic and all the lights turn green for me while I shift like my grandma for a week straight I will get 16.5 MPG... My wife wants to buy a hybrid to compensate.

Also I fill up anytime I get under 1/4 tank which is usually around 160-190 miles, it makes the calculations at the pump pretty easy :).

Same here. Although I have not had the oppurtunity take a decent road trip I will be taking it to a model (building) contest in Richmond next Sat. The most highway driving, in a single stretch is from Newport News to VA Beach and back. Speaking of which on the trip I took last night was 100 miles round trip and used just over 1/4 of a tank. The gauge is right about between the 2/3rds and 3/4 of a tank mark. So I think I MIGHT be able to squeeze 300 miles on a tank in straight highway driving.

Wishfull thinking if you ask me!

I'm talking about the theory that mileage will improve after a bit of use. I'm around 6,000 miles, and my usual 15-16 for city use (driving with a light foot and low revs) went down to a lowest-ever 14- at today's refill: 13.5 gal for 186 miles.

Of course, there are the fables about automatic reprogramming at 20,000k or 20,000 miles or whatever the rumor mill generates. I'll believe it when I see it.

I totally agree, wake up and smell the bs. there's obviously something wrong with the mpg that's stated. I haven't even heard of anyone saying they get 18 mpg just straight up on streets, and no one anyone getting 24 mpg on highway. It isn't going to change, whether its new or broken in, its obvious they mis-stated the mpg.

Originally posted by skagen
I haven't even heard of anyone saying they get 18 mpg just straight up on streets...

I'm coming very close...

Originally posted by skagen
I totally agree, wake up and smell the bs. there's obviously something wrong with the mpg that's stated. I haven't even heard of anyone saying they get 18 mpg just straight up on streets, and no one anyone getting 24 mpg on highway. It isn't going to change, whether its new or broken in, its obvious they mis-stated the mpg.

I get both on a regular basis. I've gotten better on the highway (almost 26mpg) and I have a very hard time getting less than 17mpg in city driving, and that's trying to drive badly.

Originally posted by MEGAREDS
I'm coming very close...

That is exactly the pattern I am seeing...you could have copied that from my log..

Originally posted by MEGAREDS
I'm coming very close...

Is there any particular gas station you're sticking too? or just any gas station with 93 octane? Gonna try an experiment and use exactly what you're using and see what happens. I'm currently driving about 40% highway and 60% streets with shifting around 2.5k granny.

Originally posted by Elara
I get both on a regular basis. I've gotten better on the highway (almost 26mpg) and I have a very hard time getting less than 17mpg in city driving, and that's trying to drive badly.

What gas are you using, driving style? 26 off highway? dang, maintaining what speeds?

I finally broke the 20 mpg barrier with my last tank. Of course, it was 98% highway driving with the cruise control set to 72-75 varrying depending upon what traffic was like. I got a 20.45 mpg on 87 octane.

Since 1/10 04 I have had this car and have not done a large percentage of highway driving alone on a tank of gas. Even this was not a good measurement because at least 45 miles was done on a two lane road where I averaged around 60 with periods going through small communities. Most times in town here I get around 13 - 14 mpg.

This tank full I am keeping it under 3500 rpm and will see what driving like a granma feels like. As others have said trying this method, it was very hard to do this and almost to the point of being painful.

I did find out that in 6th gear at 3500 rpms it is going 70 mph. So, this will be ineresting to see if it does what others have said.

Originally posted by skagen
Is there any particular gas station you're sticking too? or just any gas station with 93 octane?
All my gas has been Mobil or Citgo simply because it's convenient. Its all got Ethynol in it... yech.

Originally posted by skagen
What gas are you using, driving style? 26 off highway? dang, maintaining what speeds?

Exxon premium. And if you read carefully, I said I've gotten 26 ON the highway, NOT off. Normally it's about 22-23 highway. And I really do have a hard time getting less than 17mpg in city.

Well just posted my best tank to date. I only made one trip to Virginia Beach and back (around 75 miles round trip) and the rest was short around town trips with the biggest being 4 trips back and forth between my house and Ft. Eustis in one day! It does seem that the mpg's are getting better with age so only time will tell.

Tomorrow I will be taking my 8 out of town for it's first roadtrip. I will be driving to Richmond for a contest and I will finally be able to see what the highway milage will be!

:D

Nut... do you have the latest ECU flash?

Nope!

Well, then get it! ;)

It would be good to compare and contrast your before/after mileage since you've tracked it so well.

Update:

Miles: 177.7
Gallons: 11.77
MPG: 15.01

Location: 100% City
Style: 85% of all shifts were done at 3750 rpm (1->3->5->6), however, I wasn't "light" on the gas (more like medium) in those gears, so I was still 'dumping' fuel, but not letting the 2nd port open. The other 10% of the time were 4->7k shits with about 5% of the time up to 9k. Obviously, those are guesstimates, but thats how it seemed to me.

So, going from 11.5-12.5mpg to 15 is about a 20% improvement on MPG, but PAINFUL to drive this way. Not worth the extra 3mpg... perhaps if it brought me up to 22-22ish, but not for 3.

Anways, that was the best tank I've ever gotten to date (1800miles on the vehicle btw).

Get the ECU reflashed, if that doesn't work do it again, and again or have them replace your ecu completely.

I just took a drive to Dubuque IA and got 25.1. I was going 60 mpg in no hurry. I raise the air pressure to 36 psi that seems to add 1 to 2 mpg.

For more info concerning this recent fill up check out this thread (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22111)

anyone know at what rpm does the second port kick in?

3750 I think.

is it in the manual anywhere? Does anyone know for sure at what rpm does the second port kick in?

There is a nice graph in the shop manual.
The flash-animated press-pack has some good illustrations as well.

Bumped for an update. I have started to list the average mpg also.

This tank had no highway miles on it and it does seem to be getting a wee bit better with age. Had the Airbag recall done but the dealer refused to give me the new "L" ECU reflash citing he will only do it for the CEL light. Also had the tires rebalanced as per Mazda's service instructions. Smooth as glass again!

Just wanted to throw my 2cents in... last tank I grannied it the entire time, no red lines, nothing above 3250rpms reallly...

My MPG???? 15.9

You had better believe I am hearing that beep a lot this gas tank.

Lufa --

I have been driving in the (mostly) shift below 3500 range for three tanks now and am getting 19.X MPG. The 15.9 is comparable to my worse tank at 15.7, and that was below freezing weather, new car, with lots of short city trips.

These are factors pointed out in other threads:
- What percentage of the drive time is your engine fully warm
- Is it lots of stop-go-wait city driving
- Is it lots of gas-brakes without gliding

Untested, but I try to keep my city acceleration above 2000 RPMs. Much below that and the car seems to feel like its out of its power range.

My commute is short and takes on average about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic, and lights. So about 75% of the time the engine is warm. As previously stated lots of lights and traffic, stop and go is the rule rather than the exception. Being a complete wuss and driving like an 80 year old, there is no way in hell I can come close to 18MPG. period.

I did this purely to see if I could significantly improve my gas consumption.

Weekend driving is completely random so unless I am driving more than 50 miles on the highway I do not see any sort of influence on my MPG.

On the flip side since that painful gas tank is done, and the results were less than impressive, I am having a blast driving like a maniac again :).

I am very happy I did not see an improvement becuase I might as well trade in my car for a prius or a civic-hybrid, rather than drive such a sweet ride that demeaning and insulting manner.

I would like to have better gas mileage, but at this point I am fine with 14-16MPG, of course I'll push for the L ECU calibration and probably hook up Canzoomers Stage one and let you all know if things improve.

OK, thanks for the confirmation of driving conditions. 15.9 for stop and go city, with low revs. My commute isn't really city or highway, its six miles with 3 stop signs and 5 stop lights, with speeds ranging from 25 to 45 MPH. That is about 1/3 of my miles, the others are mixed rural/expressway, and not much stop and go city.

I have been getting between 12-13 mpg on my 8. I brought it to the dealer when I heard about the "L" flash (also for the 2 recalls). The service rep told me that he wouldn't do a flash. Is there anything I can do about this sub-SUV gas mileage???

Originally posted by Trx8

MPG RELATED THREADS

RX-8 Discussion > My current MPG, the saga continues......
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15404

The Tech Garage > Type of gas(octane/company) varies performance greatly?
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20976

RX-8 Discussion > An interesting way in which I improved Fuel Economy.
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21089

ANALYSIS BASED ON DATA SUPPLIED BY FORUM MEMBERS

The most comprehensive MPG reporting I have seen is here:
RX-8 Discussion > Statistical Analysis Approach to Understanding MPG Issue
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13280

The corresponding results of that analysis are here:
RX-8 Discussion > RESULTS: Statistical Analysis of MPG -- Long
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13404

In order of driving style the statistical city/highway MPG results were:
(A) 17.1 / 22.3 MPG
(B) 15.9 / 21.1 MPG
(C) 14.7 / 20.0 MPG

I am getting 19.X with a mostly (A)-(B) driving style in urban/rural driving; some miles are at style (C). My best was 21.7 MPG at mostly fast expressway speeds, and my worse was 15.7 with many cold-short city drives.

Originally posted by RDS_L2G
I have been getting between 12-13 mpg on my 8. I brought it to the dealer when I heard about the "L" flash (also for the 2 recalls). The service rep told me that he wouldn't do a flash. Is there anything I can do about this sub-SUV gas mileage???

You could always sell it and buy something that gets gas mileage as advertised!

I am reposting here 2/3 of my post in the "Mazda ECU Reflash" thread in the "Tech Garage" forum.





WHAT THE "L" IS DOING FOR MY MILEAGE SO FAR:

I have filled up my tank right after the "L" reflash and have driven ~ 100 miles on the tank. Judging from the gas gauge, it looks like I'm headed for over 23 mpg! Unbelievable, although still too early to tell for sure.

This tank: Shell, 89 octane (somehow I accidentally selected 89 instead of 91 octane). Mostly freeway but also some city. Los Angeles. Averaging between 65 and 70 mph. 11,900 miles on odometer. DSC off/TCS off.

Previous tanks: all other tanks used 91 octane. Every tank documented. First half of the 11,900 miles averaged 20.6 mpg. Second half, averaged 21.0 mpg. Los Angeles mostly freeway between 65 and 70 mph with DSC off/TCS off has netted an average of 21.5 mpg with highs of 22.7, 22.7, and 22.5 mpg. A long distance trip nonstop on freeway netted 23.6 mpg with DSC on/TCS on, my all-time high so far.





THE "L" AND ENGINE CHARACTERISTICS:

My engine seems to accelerate more smoothly and strongly. The shifts are easier to make and smoother. To better describe, when I accelerate at moderate throttle, between-shft transitions and during-shift acceleration seem to feel more substantial and more stable, whatever the hell this means. The difference is THAT noticeable, despite that this is my first tank after the "L" reflash.

Could it be partly due to the 89 octane? Maybe. I'm going back to 91 after this tank, so will get more data in time.

The damn car just simply feels better during acceleration. There is no doubt.

I bought an 8 three weeks ago without any prior knowledge of the 8. Happen to be in tne Masda dealer and said boy is that car sweet. We bought an 8 with (AUTO*&^^%%$$). Went home that night and found this forum. Saw all the posts on MPG and said what have I done??. 15 MPG, how do I get out of this deal.

Well, we have ahd a ball not raced or babied it but have had fun. MPG so far has been between 24 and 26.5 No flooding yet. Just thought we would pass on.

Dr. R. Scheuble
8 Touring/auto. Titanium

Glad to hear Dr. Scheuble! And WELCOME to your new home! :D

I can't wait to burn up the rest of this tank, I'll post what the "L" flash does for me, I am not holding my breath, but even a 1MPG improvement would be nice.

Originally posted by larazaunida
I bought an 8 three weeks ago without any prior knowledge of the 8. Happen to be in tne Masda dealer and said boy is that car sweet. We bought an 8 with (AUTO*&^^%%$$). Went home that night and found this forum. Saw all the posts on MPG and said what have I done??. 15 MPG, how do I get out of this deal.

Well, we have ahd a ball not raced or babied it but have had fun. MPG so far has been between 24 and 26.5 No flooding yet. Just thought we would pass on.

Dr. R. Scheuble
8 Touring/auto. Titanium

Congratulations on the car AND mpg.

I bet your car already came with the "L" ECU flash and that would explain your great mpg. I have the 6-speed and I'm at 200 miles on my first tank since getting the "L" update two days ago (Wed) AND things are looking incredible. In my earlier post, I had said it looked like I was going to get over 23 mpg (that was after 100 miles) but now I think it's going to be higher! I hope I don't end up eating my words. I'll wait a couple more days to report final mileage on this tank.

Had the airbag recall done yesterday and talked to the dealer about getting the L reflash. As expected, he said he couldn't do it without an indicated problem. I asked about what it would cost to do it off warranty, and he said about $90. I'm currently getting 19mpg.

Originally posted by larazaunida
We bought an 8 with (AUTO*&^^%%$$).

What is (AUTO*&^^%%$$)?

Updated!