To make it more readable, let's post what kind of gas mileage we are all getting. Please post after 3tanks minimum so we can get an accurate representation. If yours is really high or low, please follow up with up post reply explaining any special circumstances or driving conditions. Thanks

So far I've filled up 10 times (2,100+ miles) and the MPG has ranged from 14 to 24 but my average is 18.

Drove for 784 miles with 35.5 Gallons total filled 3 times. Most of the driving is sitting in LA traffic (10 & 60 freeway). And of course very spirited driving when not in traffic. (>3k rpm)

I'm keeping a log so here is what I've gotten so far.

Date Gallons Miles Driven Miles Per Gallon
07/24/2003 13.011 197 15.14103451
07/26/2003 13.823 208.5 15.08355639
07/27/2003 14.187 227 16.0005639
08/01/2003 14.524 193.4 13.31589094
08/03/2003 14.016 204.5 14.59046804
08/09/2003 14.123 192 13.59484529
08/14/2003 13.865 174.5 12.58564731
08/18/2003 13.979 210 15.0225338
08/23/2003 13.886 190.1 13.69004753
08/24/2003 8.214 127.1 15.47358169
08/29/2003 14.741 201.9 13.69649278
09/01/2003 14.224 195.6 13.75140607
09/05/2003 13.863 184.4 13.30159417
09/10/2003 14.254 186 13.04896871
09/14/2003 14.673 194.6 13.26245485
09/17/2003 13.033 171.5 13.15890432
09/21/2003 13.381 191.2 14.28891712
09/27/2003 14.396 174.5 12.12142262
10/02/2003 14.04 185.1 13.18376068
10/06/2003 14.693 198.6 13.51664058
10/11/2003 14.577 191.1 13.10969335
10/14/2003 13.369 188.1 14.06986312
10/29/2003 14.298 187.6 13.12071618
11/02/2003 14.806 177.3 11.97487505
11/09/2003 13.328 158.1 11.8622449
11/15/2003 14.56 176.7 12.13598901
11/20/2003 13.863 172.3 12.42876722
11/23/2003 13.577 223.6 16.4690285
11/28/2003 14.44 221.5 15.33933518

Average MPG: 13.7358

So far not the greatest news, huh?

5 tanks and in town driving with AC on always. 16 MPG average Voted.

this is just crazy.. i get about 14-15 mpg.. what a gozzler!!! and i had in mind that being a 1.3L would actually be very efficient!. It is like a ferrari or lamborgini but without the power/v12 in it.. whats going on? what if that car had a 2.0L displacement? what a might mare...
Defenetly the only disapointment i feel about the car.. any thought?

Yeah, I picked my car up on Friday (w/ a full tank of gas), filled up the next day on my way to San Francisco, filled up again on the way back that same night, filled up again midday Sunday, and am now going to have to fill up again tomorrow. I have driven it fast a few times, but I'm trying to keep the RPM's as low as possible. I didn't plan on spending this much on gas!! Oh well, worth it I guess.:D
P.S. Whenever I say if "filled up", I was adding 13.0 - 13.7 gallons.

Quite a wide range, huh?

I thought I was conservatively driving, but I am getting 18.5 with hardly any a/C or high revs.

I've racked up about 1600 miles total so far. On my trip today I got just under 19MPG. That was driving with cruise set on 80mph for about 400 miles. First couple of tanks I was getting 16/17MPG.

18-19 - voted, last three tanks posted in the other thread if you want the individual numbers.

Mostly "city" driving, which I put in quotes because my commute to work is mostly what the car is used for and that goes something like 70-75 MPH for about 10 miles and then 5 more miles of 55 MPH stop light traffic. I haven't really sat at idle a lot (unless my friends are oogling the car), and I've been driving progressively more spiritedly.

However, since I do drive about 25-30% of the rest of the tank to/from the mall, store, dinner, etc. I figure I can qualify myself as "city" driving.

I've yet to take a long trip at 70-80 MPH constant speed...but I'd think I should (if I stay in 6th gear) get around 20-22 MPG doing so...we'll wait and see when the first trip over 200 miles comes up :D.

im getting less then 200 miles per tank

This is terrible news to me. I currently have a 96 MX-6 M, and get 24 MPG in pain in the ass city driving with the A/C on in Phoenix. I used to get 30 in Ohio with my 93 LS, but lived in the middle of nowhere and did a lot more cruising.
It's not so much the money, it's just the satisfaction that I get when I press the pedal. I find myself much more concious of using my right foot now that I am getting 24 instead of 30.
If I got 14, I would hesitate to even start her up.

Before reading this, I went to the Mazda dealer today. I have been in love with the RX-8 since I first heard about it, and they had 3 still for sale. They are getting a demo car I can drive next week, and I am real tempted to sign on the dotted line if they can get me a yellow one.
However, sports car or family sedan, 14 sucks. A Z06 is a sports car, will destroy just about anything in a straight line, and get 30 on the highway, 18 stop and go. Very different cars, but it's basically come down to these two for my next toy. Even if I only put a few thousand a year on her, MPG always factors into my total driving satisfaction.

The RX-8 has four doors and four real seats. It's supposed to be a more practical car. 14mpg is not practical. Maybe I should wait for the RX-7. It will probably be even worse on gas, but I don't think I would feel as bad about it.

When I first picked it up I was getting ~15mpg, now I get 20-21 with A/C on most of the time. I have about 700 miles on it and I didn't drive it like a wussy while breaking it in (unlike others). The only thing I was cognizant of during break-in was keeping the revs below 7K. Now that the breakin period is over I have been going to 8 or 9K everyday, the engine seems to be much happier when I rev it a bit.

D-san

I don't think anyone can really judge mileage until there are RX-8 s out there that are thoroughly broken in. I suspect the tip seals of the rotor are made of extraordinarily durable material, that may take longer to break in than a conventional piston engine.
On another note, I have a friend with a VW Golf that reports 24-26mpg in town and 29-30 on the highway. His car weighs a little over 3000 pounds and produces 115hp. 16-21mpg for a 250hp 3000 pound sports car, does not seem all that bad.
I do believe, over time everyone's mileage with increase a little.

With most things being a bell curve, looks like you've got your datapoints set too high. We're only logging at the top end of the curve. We oughta redo the survey starting at around 13 mpg working up to maybe 22.

As pointed out previously by several RX-7 owners on this board, idling the engine seems to be an expensive habit.

I've been getting 18+ on my first 3 fillups, the 3 was past break-in and included very inspired driving on Hwy 1 north of SF:D. When my 4:th only gave 16 mpg, I at first could not see why. Last night it struck me that when I picked up my car from the detailer, they had it sitting outside idling as they were finishing off the wax job. It was probably running for 10-15 minutes while I was there and may have been for a while before.

I'm driving grandma style this tank to see how far that will take me.;)

/Elak

Does anyone fill up at Shell? Shell claims that you get better mileage with their fuel.

Supercharger speaks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by Supercharger
Does anyone fill up at Shell? Shell claims that you get better mileage with their fuel. I do. I am averaging 19.85 mpg after 5 tanks. I rev high from stoplights too. Over 1,100 miles now.

:) Still can't wipe the smile off my face.

Originally posted by Supercharger
Does anyone fill up at Shell? Shell claims that you get better mileage with their fuel.

I would say this is typical cr@p marketing, except Puppy1 weighed in with good gas mileage using Shell. Any hydrocarbon chemists out there to give a scientific opinion on this? I somehow doubt that one brand is yielding better mileage than another.

I have about 1450 miles at the moment, I did a San Diego - Burbank round trip last night (lots of cruising at around 85mph, 95 around San Onofre) and got 18.7mpg

*and* I got roadraged by some dick in a pickup.. I must say the brakes on the rx8 are simply awesome- I was surpised how drama-less the emergency lane change was at 70mph when the guy slammed his brakes on in front of me - I just reacted automatically, slowed (hard) and dodged to the lane to my right to avoid hitting him.

Then the guy sped up to 95 and shadowed me until I pulled the cellphone out, at which time he slowed down and went away.

My gas mileage is terrible. I'm averaging about 15 miles to the gallon.

Originally posted by myrx8
My gas mileage is terrible. I'm averaging about 15 miles to the gallon.

How many miles on the car so far? I've read that it gets better after break in (according to some folks' observations) and I think I'd tend to agree, except I didn't take hard mileage figures until now...

I got 260 miles on the last tank, and from recollection back in the pre 700 mile days, I seem to recall not getting much over 200.

I just broke 500 miles today. I have only had the car since Monday night.

As many have said before, driving habits are the key part. My curretn tank I got 105 miles off the first half. Then I started to drive MUCH more moderatly, and have hit 65 miles and havent finished off the quarter yet. So if I keep at it like this, I might actually get near 100 miles for 1/4 tank vs 100 miles for 1/2 tank. Just keep the RPM under 4000 and it does miracles for milage.

Of course, car isnt as nice sounding at 4000RPM, but hey, if your in a bind, you CAN get some decent milage out of it.

BTW, I've hit about 450 miles so far.

As a 6 time rotor owner I am surprised by the low mileage and look forward to future results. Just for jollies here are my old figures for my rotor motored cars. Some figures taken over appx. 100,000 miles. NO I don't think it's anal, it's science!!
1972 RX3 4 door sedan.... 16.5 mpg
1976 RX3 coupe insufficient data ( a lemon) "Free for All" car
1977 RX3 SP ... 18.6 mpg , Great Car- RX7 without the body
1979 RX7... right under 21 mpg. over 100,000 miles. Then I
quit keeping records. Retired it at 221,000 miles.
1985 RX7 18 mpg +/- .5
1995 RX7... 42,000 miles and i check it usually but not always
averages about 18 mpg- not a lot of stop and go.

Use all the revs you need but i know you don' t need all the revs ALL the time...........I do , but you don't....lol

Not reving to 9K yet, but plenty of 7K runs.

3 fill-ups (1st one was partial fill-up)

-fill-up #1 = ~15 MPG
-fill-up #2 = ~17 MPG
-fill-up #3 = ~19 MPG

All mixed driving (about 50% city/50% highway). A/C blasting away, and running it to 6K-7K RPMs regularly.

Well here is our MPG so far, as reported by my wife. Car has 417 miles on it.

1st Fill up - not documented

2nd Fill up - 20.0 MPG - This is all city driving (Tampa). Wife has NEVER taken the car over 4500 RPM's.

Outstanding MPG for city driving. Better then the reported EPA. So to all the doubting Thomas's, this definately tells us that if you keep your foot off the gas (<4500 RPM's), and drive conservatively, you can at least meet the EPA. But of course you are missing out of some of the fun of taking this baby into the upper RPM's. :D

She'll be traveling to Ft. Myers, and back, this weekend (120 miles one-way) and this will be all highway mileage. She will report back when she fills back up after her trip.

1st: 230.9 miles using 12.194 gallons = 18.9 MPG.
2nd: 249.1 miles using 13.343 gallons = 18.7 MPG.
3rd: 255.0 miles using 13.439 gallons = 18.97 MPG.
4th: 251.5 miles using 13.671 gallons = 18.4 MPG.

The last tank she topped it off enough to begin to make me nervous...I thought I was going to have fuel on my car.

Originally posted by DreamWarrior
4th: 251.5 miles using 13.671 gallons = 18.4 MPG.
The last tank she topped it off enough to begin to make me nervous...I thought I was going to have fuel on my car.
i had re-read a couple times and then realized i forgot that in jersey, someone else fills your tank! right?

Well this puts a damper on my potential purchase of the 8. What good is the practicality of the car if I have to plunk $20 for gas every 250 miles?
:mad:

Originally posted by ozbot87
Well this puts a damper on my potential purchase of the 8. What good is the practicality of the car if I have to plunk $20 for gas every 250 miles?
:mad:

ozbot87,

Well, if you are worrying about "plunking" down $20 for every 250 miles of mostly city driving, then you are definately shoppiing for the wrong vehicle. Find something else to satify your "green" attitude, and let someone else enjoy the pleasure of owning and driving the RX-8.

As for the gas mileage, my wife got 20 MPG in all city driving, exceeding the EPA on the sticker. So look at the EPA rating for the next vehicle you want to own, and if it doesn't at least meet your expections, which obviously the RX-8 did not, then don't bother thinking about purchasing it. My 2 cents.

Toyota Prius is always an option... :D

Originally posted by RX-8 Zoomster


ozbot87,

Well, if you are worrying about "plunking" down $20 for every 250 miles of mostly city driving, then you are definately shoppiing for the wrong vehicle. Find something else to satify your "green" attitude, and let someone else enjoy the pleasure of owning and driving the RX-8.

As for the gas mileage, my wife got 20 MPG in all city driving, exceeding the EPA on the sticker. So look at the EPA rating for the next vehicle you want to own, and if it doesn't at least meet your expections, which obviously the RX-8 did not, then don't bother thinking about purchasing it. My 2 cents.

He he, I didn't mean to offend you here. I think that the RX-8 is a great car and still is the car I want to own. I just thought that the gas mieage would be greater than 20 MPG...oh well, I guess that can be overlooked, no?

Originally posted by RX-8 Zoomster

Well, if you are worrying about "plunking" down $20 for every 250 miles of mostly city driving, then you are definately shoppiing for the wrong vehicle. Find something else to satify your "green" attitude, and let someone else enjoy the pleasure of owning and driving the RX-8.

As for the gas mileage, my wife got 20 MPG in all city driving, exceeding the EPA on the sticker. So look at the EPA rating for the next vehicle you want to own, and if it doesn't at least meet your expections, which obviously the RX-8 did not, then don't bother thinking about purchasing it. My 2 cents.

sheezzz what's with the serious defensive tone?

I happen to believe you shouldn't blindly disregard important factors like mileage when buying a very nice sportscar that was designed and geared towards an economical price range, primarily for folks who care about how much money they spend on a car.

I could argue your point further and say if you don't care about money, why bother with the RX-8 when you can go out and get yourself an M3, or better yet, an M5, ... or how about the an SL55 AMG?

Stop being blindly defensive about something that I think is important to almost everyone who would consider buying this car because of it's bang for the buck (as far as buying a very hot looking car for UNDER 30 grand).

Originally posted by ozbot87


I guess that I shouldn't have written this at that time. I was in a bad mood. Don't get me wrong, I still think that the 8 is a fantastic car and still ranks on my most desired cars. I thought that the gas mieage would be greater than 20 MPG...oh well, I guess that can be overlooked, no?

That's Ok. I didn't perceive from your message that you were in a bad mood. Perceived as more of a dissapointment. But I wanted to assure you that if you drive in a conversative manner, like my wife has since we got it, you can meet or exceed the EPA rating.

As for getting over 20 MPG, if you are doing strictly highway driving, I know you can meet the RX-8's Hwy rating of 24 mpg if you keep from yourself from excessive high RPM shift changes. Again if you are looking for a vehicle that gets over 20 MPG in all city driving, the RX-8 probably is not the right vehicle for you.

As for me, I'm a lead foot, and I PLAN on doing aspirated driving (speed & shift changes). :D If I'm lucky to get 16 city and around 20 hwy, I'm satisfied. I've owned a few muscle cars, and some trucks, so the RX-8's MPG ratings are fine with me. Especially with the sweet looks, and performance. :D

Originally posted by Squidward


sheezzz what's with the serious defensive tone?

I happen to believe you shouldn't blindly disregard important factors like mileage when buying a very nice sportscar that was designed and geared towards an economical price range, primarily for folks who care about how much money they spend on a car.

I could argue your point further and say if you don't care about money, why bother with the RX-8 when you can go out and get yourself an M3, or better yet, an M5, ... or how about the an SL55 AMG?

Stop being blindly defensive about something that I think is important to almost everyone who would consider buying this car because of it's bang for the buck (as far as buying a very hot looking car for UNDER 30 grand).

What defensive tone? Look, obviously ozbot97 is looking for a vehicle that gets over 20mph in the city. And I just pointed out, the probably the RX-8 is not the right vehicle to meet his criteria. And I pointed out that the EPA rating is on the mark if you drive conservatively.

I'm not blindly disregarding important factors such as gas mileage, nor should anyone else. But obviously if someone like ozbot87 is expecting greater than 20 MPG in the city on the RX-8, then he is blindly disregarding the EPA rating on the sticker. Because ~18 MPG's is the expected city EPA rating for this vehicle, and it close to accurate.

In closing, ozbot87 doesn't have a problem with my rely, why should you? And my post was directed to him in the first place. This being your 1st post, you are the one with the attitude. Better harden your shell, and if you want to be a part of this forum, you're the one that needs to not take things personally. And if you can't accept that, leave this board and go back to Bikini Bottom to your friends SpongeBob & company. ;)

Originally posted by ozbot87


He he, I didn't mean to offend you here. I think that the RX-8 is a great car and still is the car I want to own.


ozbot,

You didn't offend me. What gave you that idea? You are getting defensive on me.


Also, why did you edit your post?

This is what your originally said:

I guess that I shouldn't have written this at that time. I was in a bad mood. Don't get me wrong, I still think that the 8 is a fantastic car and still ranks on my most desired cars.

No wonder I'm getting flamed from some tentacled cartoon character from Nikelodeon, for no reason. He never saw your "un-edited" post, just this "edited" one.

Originally posted by RX-8 Zoomster


ozbot,

You didn't offend me. What gave you that idea? You are getting defensive on me.


Also, why did you edit your post?

This is what your originally said:



No wonder I'm getting flamed from some tentacled cartoon character from Nikelodeon, for no reason. He never saw your "un-edited" post, just this "edited" one.

:D

Sorry, it's just a bad forum habit of mine that I do. I change what I mean to say after I post.

We're both cool, right?

Originally posted by ozbot87


:D

Sorry, it's just a bad forum habit of mine that I do. I change what I mean to say after I post.

We're both cool, right?

Yeah, we're cool. You and I are not the ones having problems with our discussions.

By-the-way, get the RX-8. What's a few dollars of gas to spend a month, to have a smile on your face? :D

I am getting exactly 20MPG in the city, so it can be done, mostly shift at 3K rpms.

I'm thinking of getting an echo for work travel :D

I happen to believe you shouldn't blindly disregard important factors like mileage when buying a very nice sportscar that was designed and geared towards an economical price range, primarily for folks who care about how much money they spend on a car.

The RX-8 is a sports car - not an economy car. Personally, I have been pleased with the mileage I am getting, as it is better than I planned. I budgeted based upon an average of 20mpg, coming from a 26mpg ride using regular gas (add'l $40 / mo) for me. That is less than 1/2 of one night on the town, and I am having lots more fun for my buck.

So far, 20mpg is the worst I have got, mainly averaging 22-24mpg.

The neat thing about the RENESIS -- drive it like a bat out of hell, and it will give you poor economy, but a blast in driving experience along the way. Drive it with revs that stay below 5K RPM, and it rewards you with better economy. The best thing about this car is --- you get to choose. It is like two cars for the price of one.

3rd fill-up netted me a little over 18MPG, mostly city driving.

4th fill-up netted me 24 MPG 90% highway driving (not neccessarily at the speed limit, but still staying under 90 MPH.

So, what the sticker says, I'm getting.

The mileage isn't too bad, it's the price of premium. With the increased mileage my cost almost doubles for my fuel per month but because of the price difference for premium now it's trippling!

Not good.

It use to cost me $40 a month for fuel. I've had the car 2 weeks and I'm over $150!!!!

I might be switching to regular, or at least I'll try mid and see if there is a difference. I'm not racing, heck I shift at 3k all the time!

I have driven 951 miles with an average of 13.9 mpg. My best tank was 18.4 mpg. However, consider the following:

1. The break-in period is the time to expect the worst gas mileage.

2. Most of my miles are around town. I did a tank, half on the road and half around town and that was the 18.4 mpg.

3. I drive with a lead foot. My miatia's gas pedal was usually operated as a two-position switch (off or full) and I still have a tendency to drive like that.

4. Because of the quiet engine I also have a tendency to forget and leave it in fourth when driving around town. I am slowly getting over that habit. This is probably the real killer when it comes to gas mileage.

If I can get the average up to 19/20 I'll be happy.

Two tanks so far, first for city, second tank for trip to far off family...

1st tank
19.4 Mostly all City

2nd tank
24.5 All Highway

I get to sixth gear pretty damn fast and am surprised how long you can keep it there. About at break-in, and boy, will my foot get a lot heavier. I'll be happy with 16 mpg at that time, and I won't care.

Originally posted by gman
Two tanks so far, first for city, second tank for trip to far off family...

1st tank
19.4 Mostly all City

2nd tank
24.5 All Highway

I get to sixth gear pretty damn fast and am surprised how long you can keep it there. About at break-in, and boy, will my foot get a lot heavier. I'll be happy with 16 mpg at that time, and I won't care.

At what RPM do you upshift?

You guys are soooo lucky. A tank of fuel will cost us brits about £40 (60 dollars or so) when we finally get our 8's....

Enjoy your cheap gas while it lasts guys ...:)

Originally posted by med_mx6

i had re-read a couple times and then realized i forgot that in jersey, someone else fills your tank! right?
Yeppers, and trust me I'd rather do it myself some times.

Anyway, 5th tank and the best yet! I've finally broken the 20 MPG point!!

1st: 230.9 miles using 12.194 gallons = 18.9 MPG.
2nd: 249.1 miles using 13.343 gallons = 18.7 MPG.
3rd: 255.0 miles using 13.439 gallons = 18.97 MPG.
4th: 251.5 miles using 13.671 gallons = 18.4 MPG.
5th: 265.2 miles using 12.971 gallons = 20.4 MPG.

SWEET!!! Of course, like I said the last tank was "overfilled" a bit, but only by < $1 worth of gas, which is less than a gallon. Even if I say I used 13.971 gallons this tank, my milage is still 18.9!

Oh, and I thought this tank was going to suck completely because of I was stuck in some stop and go traffic for quite a couple times...but I guess the mostly highway driving this time around made up for it.

Kudos to getting better and better gas milage!

from ozbot87

At what RPM do you upshift?


3000-3500 and keep it running around 2000-2500

Highway was strictly highway, all cruise control for about the full tank, ~58 mph

I know, no fun at all. But until break-in (~50 more miles), I'm treating it like a baby. Then forget about Gas Mileage. I won't care.

Hi all. Given that my first tank yielded 14mpg, the second 14.5 and my third 15mpg... I felt given the EPA estimates I should get better. It didn't matter much to me really, but it was a goal to increase my gas mileage.

First let me state the facts: my last tank of gas yielded me 20.2mpg (secrets to follow). I drive almost religiously with the windows rolled DOWN, and air conditioning off. I have a heavy foot and tend when I'm in my 'element' to reach that 9000RPM.

First, let me state this to those people who love driving with the windows open (me!). POP THE REAR WINDOWS OUT. After doing my homework on the internet, I found that your gas mileage is decreased by 25% if your front windows and not rear windows are open, causing excessive drag on the car. By popping the rear windows, you will get a breeze thru your car, no 'buffeting' (that wonderful sound that envelops the car at speed), and the drag on your car will be greatly reduced. This is probably the #1 tip I can give for gas mileage saving.

Secondly, use awkward shifts! What do I mean? Well, I have a habit of rowing the gearbox very quickly since my lead foot helps me climb the tach and gearbox in a rapid manner. I found that when I'm going 40mph, I will shift from 3rd right to 6th and cruise. Given that almost ALL of my driving is city, I found this to be a great stress reducer on the engine as it rides at around 2k rpms very smoothly and without the sputtering that you'd expect if you were in too high a gear for the given speed. There are drawbacks to this of course, mainly that there is almost *no* power using this method. But if I'm driving along a city road (which I often am) I don't really see any need for the power a lower gear would yield and the decreased exhaust note is an added benefit as well, making the stereo a tad better to listen to :)

Lastly, drive on WELL PAVED ROADS. Another huge negative on driving on uneven roads is severely decreased gas mileage.

So simply put.. pop your rear windows, skip gear and go right to the high gears, and find even paved surfaces to drive on.

If you do mixed highway and city driving, you should yield over 20mpg, and if you do all city... right in the neighborhood of 18-20mpg.

Good luck, hope this helps some of you!

Dude, thank you for this. I have tried both windows open AND A/C, also windows open in town, A/C on highway with sunroof cracked to vent drag (hopefully anyway), and I'm still around 17 mpg. The rear windows I hadn't even thought of. I will definitely try this outafter I tank up (accidentally reset my trip meter doing the diagnostic mode...).

As for the skipping gears, I have been doing the same thing. I jam to the tune of 9000 when accelerating, passing, whatever - but once I get to my target speed I shift into whatever gear will let me cruise between 2-3K.

I dunno how much it helps, but I've gotten into kind of a habit of coasting a lot lately, not as much with this car, as with my (lame anyway) Infiniti G20T. It's amazing how far you can coast, like downhill (duh!), or through a couple blocks of suburbia. Try it a little.:D You can go for 1/2 mile or so & in some instances, only loose some 5 mph by the time you get to that stop sign or light up ahead. Aw, go on & try it!

I'm sure other RX-8 owners will thank you for those tips.

As for me, I think this is just terrible. These "tips" sound like major sacrifices (inconveniences is a better word) to my ears, especially since I don't own an RX-8 yet. For people that live in the warmer regions of the country (such as myself), driving with air conditiong off and with opened windows IS a living hell (especially right now in the summer).

I think you've read too much into these posts a little maybe.

Nobody said to turn off your AC. Although that would help, that goes for any car. Herc & B-Nez were discussing the reduction of aerodynamic drag when you want to have your front windows open. That's got really nothing to do directly with deciding on AC .vs. open windows. It's about reducing drag when you want to open your windows.
Major sources have determined that AC uses less fuel than open windows anyway.

My tidbit about coasting is really universal to all manual transmission auto's. Like I said, I'm doing it a lot lately with my 29.5 mpg Infiniti G20T. I haven't been doing it as much with the RX-8 actually. I dunno why that, really.

OK?

I'll have to try that around January when it gets cool enough to drive with the A/C off and windows open. :D

As for the shifting, I have been doing that as well on ocassion. I try to use the Cruise when ever possible. That is supposed to help also.

Instead of coasting Racer, I'm going to cut a couple holes in the floor Flinstone style ;)

I don't know how many other people do this but I throw the car into neutral whenever coming to a stop sign or a red-light. It adds up after a while.

While coasting in certain situations might help you save a bit of fuel, it's generally not recommended. You should always be in gear, I believe you will fail a driving test if you coast in neutral.

I had never considered this but 25% reduced drag sounds like a lot for having your back windows cracked. If it's true, that's awesome.

Also I noticed how driving with your windows open in the 8 doesn't create the "wind tunnel" effect that other cars do. Keeps my hair becoming wind-blown before work.

Originally posted by Quick_lude
While coasting in certain situations might help you save a bit of fuel, it's generally not recommended. You should always be in gear, I believe you will fail a driving test if you coast in neutral. Cheeez, really? Well, shucks! Next time I take a driving test, I'll try to remember that lil' gem of knowledge.:p

I'm assuming that's sarcasm.. :) You'd be surprised how many people don't know that on a driving test you always have to be in gear. I know they used to fail people for this.. not sure if they still do.

thanks herc,ive tried just skiping gears to cruise in 6th around town and looks like i will top 245 miles from 13.4 gal on the 3rd tank.18.1 mpg is pretty good for the playing i like to do and idleing forever at lights.once i really try i think i can get 22 or 23 if i can cut down on the playing.:D

The relatively higher fuel prices in Europe have yielded research results that are frequently published in magazines and newspapers (usually during the news dry spell in summer). Appart from the obvious (avoid using AC etc) there are two that are worth mentioning:

#1 accelerate rapidly to crusing speed, rather than slowy inching your way up to speed (within limits of course).

#2 Try to regenerate energy by engine breaking rather than pedal breaking. While engine breaking the fuel injection is shut off (at least modern piston engines, but I don't see why the Renesis wouldn't). This means that instead of expensive gas being used to spin the engine (generator etc) the wheels do the job. For this reason coasting in neutral is not recommended.

/Elak

I'm assuming that's sarcasm.. You'd be surprised how many people don't know that on a driving test you always have to be in gear. I know they used to fail people for this.. not sure if they still do.

Well I'm Taking the road test in an auto, not that i wouldn't do it with a stick, i just don't think i could because they don't allow u to have a raised center console between the driver and the instructor. And the is no harm in shifting into neutral when coming to a stop saves your clutch too. Nor is it unsafe by any standard.

In California, it is illegal to coast in neutral. Or so I was told by a CHP after I came down the 4 lane in the Sierra foothills in neutral. Didn't realize how inefficient the front windows were on gas! Will try the back window thing. He he, no problem here with accelerating to "legal" speed quickly. :D

Originally posted by mantisflie
In California, it is illegal to coast in neutral. Or so I was told by a CHP after I came down the 4 lane in the Sierra foothills in neutral. Didn't realize how inefficient the front windows were on gas! Will try the back window thing. He he, no problem here with accelerating to "legal" speed quickly. :D

How in the world did the cop know you were not in gear? I can't imagine he could hear your car's engine over the road noise & sounds of other vehicles...???

The problem with coasting is that you don't have full control of the vehicle anymore. If something jumped out on you and you have to swerve and possibly hit the gas, you can't.

In pre-ABS days you have a much higher chance of locking up the wheels if you have to hit the brakes.

In the UK I don't think there is a specific rule banning coasting (how would they really tell?), but you are expected to be in full control of the vehicle at all times.

Realistically apart from not using the A/C the only other way is using appropiate gears and getting up to 6th gear ASAP , what i have trouble in understanding why buy this type of car expect to work the gears try for 6.2 to 100 km and then worry about petrol , it does not compute , the difference in your saving may be an average of $ 20 per wk the difference between shear boredom or great fun .

Enjoy the car and dont get paranoid about the petrol cost
, if you cannot afford the petrol you should not have brought the rx8.

Originally posted by Lock &amp; Load
Realistically apart from not using the A/C the only other way is using appropiate gears and getting up to 6th gear ASAP , what i have trouble in understanding why buy this type of car expect to work the gears try for 6.2 to 100 km and then worry about petrol , it does not compute , the difference in your saving may be an average of $ 20 per wk the difference between shear boredom or great fun .

Enjoy the car and dont get paranoid about the petrol cost
, if you cannot afford the petrol you should not have brought the rx8.

Yes, that is true to a point. I have not been terribly concerned with my fuel consumtion as others in other threads have been, but it is more of a curiosity for me. I noticed I've been a little on the low side, and have been experimenting a little bit. I still do plenty of buzzer shifts when not floating in traffic, and have loads of fun in the corners. I'm sure my wife would smile a little bigger if I walked in and said, "I got 20 mpg this tank" rather than, "I did an awesome reverse 180 today..."

Accelerate quickly? That seems VERY contradictory, I have read numerous times it is better to have less acceleration than more. But what the heck do I know ??

as an experiment, I drove mostly at posted limits (60-65) last night and today and managed 22mpg; will try again over weekend around 60. I think two largest contributors to lower MPG are quick acceleration and high cruising speeds. At 55MPH constant speed an RX-8 may be capable of nearly 30MPG, but unless one were to install a meter on their car we may never know. I'll try this weekend a R/T around 55MPH from the convenience store where I work P/T and back and see what I get!

Originally posted by Wing
Accelerate quickly? That seems VERY contradictory, I have read numerous times it is better to have less acceleration than more. But what the heck do I know ??

...there are arguements that slow acceleration (because it takes more time) is less efficient as dragging losses act on the car up to speed for longer.

there must be a "most efficient" way to accelerate, which is probably fairly brisk, but i'm not so sure about going WOT from every stop sign and pegging it at 40mph (wouldn't that be a 1 - 6 or a 1 - 2 - 6 shift??)

Originally posted by rx8daniel
I think two largest contributors to lower MPG are quick acceleration and high cruising speeds.

At 55MPH constant speed an RX-8 may be capable of nearly 30MPG, but unless one were to install a meter on their car we may never know.

...ok, there's an old thread here (which i know no one bothers to read 'cause they're closest to the end of the lists you get when you pull up a search) which discusses fuel consumption and efficiency in great detail... it's really a gem (Buger, Grimace contributing very major points... i was in there too a little), so look it up.

in any case, the optimal fuel-saving situation at cruise is being in the highest gear, at as low a speed as you can go. at 50 mph in 6th, your rpm's will still be at a very acceptable 2500 with low aero-drag and rolling losses: you just won't get anywhere very fast. FWIW, i observe this same condition in my car; 70kph is the shift point from 3rd to 4th for the auto tranny (with normal throttle) and is right where i find the best fuel economy, so if i'm really pressed for bucks to put in the car (laugh if you want :p) i'll speed in the residential areas (by like 7mph :p) and go under the speed limit on the rural highways.

Realisticly people don't turn off AC just to save gas milage. Skipping gears is a good idea though. If you want optimal gas milage, remove all the junk and spare/jack in your trunk to reduce wait, fill up gas only half way to reduce fuel load, and close all windows to reduce drag. If that's still not enough, then it's time to buy a brick and stick it under the gas paddle. Shift at 5000rpm and forget about performance.

Honestly guys, the RX-8 is a performance oriented car, and performance doesn't always equal good gas milage. Rotary in particular is known for needing lots of fuel and oil. Use the 6th gear as often as you can, the RX-8 has a really tall 6th gear that's designed to yield the advertised milage. Finally, if you are on the highway, use the cruise control and don't drive too fast. You waste around 15% fuel for every 10mph you drive above posted speed limit. (on an average car with higher .CD)

On a side note, I am getting pretty sad milage in my G35C, but then again I drive 90% city in stop and go traffic and my car sits idle all the time, so I can't really complain.

Actually you can keep your A/C on and still come out ahead in gas mileage than having your windows open :)

Just a heads-up for that one...

QUESTION 1:
=========
Is using high gear at very low speeds harmful for the engine in any manner? (e.g. 45mph in 6th gear).

QUESTION 2:
=========
How would you compare the effect of this driving technique on a piston vs. rotory engine?

1: No, I don't think so... the car rides at a lower RPM (45mph in 6th will put you ~2000RPMs).

2: It should also be the same for rotary vs piston because it's a transmission issue, not an engine one.

When I'm city driving I almost always skip second gear, and very often 5th as well. My shifting pattern is something like 1->3->6 traffic depending.

I know, I'm odd. It's what feel sgood to me when I'm not having fun and just driving. I also rarely runt he AC, but thats just because I love open window driving. I'll remember to pop open the rear windows, but not for more mileage. For less noise! :D

Originally posted by Maximus
QUESTION 1:
=========
Is using high gear at very low speeds harmful for the engine in any manner? (e.g. 45mph in 6th gear).

QUESTION 2:
=========
How would you compare the effect of this driving technique on a piston vs. rotory engine?

1. The RX-8 Manual actually gives tips on trying to conserve fuel. It states that if you are just 'cruising' (whatever that means) then changing gears as follows will result in best economy:
0 - 14mph 1st gear
14-21mph 2nd gear
21-28mph 3rd gear
28-35mph 4th gear
35-42mph 5th gear
42mph + 6th gear

Typically all the above shift points are around 2000-2300rpm. I tried it a few times - yuk. I usually go 1st, 2nd, 3rd then 6th at around 50mph if I want to drive slowly.

So to answer your question 42mph in 6th gear is actively recommended by Mazda, so should not hurt the engine.

2. Probably no different, but I am a rotary newbie so I don't have a valid opinion.

Originally posted by PoLaK
Nor is it unsafe by any standard.
Ultimately it IS unsafe because if there is a need to quickly accelerate to avoid a collision, the extra time needed to:

think which gear you have to engage for your current roadspeed
put in clutch, engage gear, release clutch, etc...

That extra second or two might make a difference between avoiding the situation or a collision.

this is why I try to stay in gear as often as possible and rarely coast in neutral.

Waacheck your advice re ( doing 7mph over speed limit in residential area and cruising below speed limit on rural highway does not seem to make any sense as coping a speeding fine or possibly running some one over in a residential area because your 7mph over the speed limit , just to save a few dollars ???

SAVE A FEW CENTS BUT WASTE MUCHO DOLLARS???

Speeding fines buys lots of petrol .

Out of curiosity could you of any situation in where you're coming to a stop when you would need to accelerate?

YEAH when some one is coming towards my car with a crowbar and tries to belt the crapp out of my car or me , or worse car jack my ride .

Originally posted by PoLaK
Out of curiosity could you of any situation in where you're coming to a stop when you would need to accelerate?
Sure, you're coasting to a stop, look in the rearview mirror and see an SUV/Car flying at you because the driver fell asleep/lost his brakes/isn't paying attention, etc. Quick dip on the throttle with a possible lane change and it flies right by you instead of parking itself in the rear of your car.

Thanks for all the shifting advice. I was going through all the gears with slow acceleration and getting 15-16 mpg on mixed driving. I'll try the 1:3:6 pattern and see how I do.

BTW I've gotten the same mpg on premium and regular unleaded.

Originally posted by Quick_lude

Sure, you're coasting to a stop, look in the rearview mirror and see an SUV/Car flying at you because the driver fell asleep/lost his brakes/isn't paying attention, etc. Quick dip on the throttle with a possible lane change and it flies right by you instead of parking itself in the rear of your car. Aw come on Quickie, you need to do better than that. By the time someone gets 100 yards from you with an eccessive speed differential between the two of you, it's time to put it in gear & start doing or at least think about doing some evasive maneuvering. No need to wait until the last split second, unless you fell asleep too. I think you're devoting a tad to much time to put it back in gear anyway (assuming it's out of gear while you're coasting .vs. clutch merely depressed). Not much different timewise than having to lift your foot off the throttle & moving it all the way over to the brake pedal and pushing it in a more or less downward direction in order to apply the brakes.

I did at one time try to use the throttle to avoid an accident. I was going through a "T" intesection (my right of way) that was heavily overgrown with trees & brush to the sides of the roads. When I finally saw the GMC utility pickup truck attempting to run the stop sign (actually, there was a very small dirt access road straight ahead for him), it was too late to brake, so I floored it. Precisely 850 milliseconds later, BOOM!! I got t-boned right in the passenger-side door. Tore the rubber right off my driver-side wheels and sent my little Fiat 124 sport spider sideways, wheels dug into the asphalt & flipped it 2-1/2 times. I was OK, crawled out of it spitting glass. Uh, the throttle didn't help...

Also (I love these lightweight discords, don't you?) I almost always have it in gear well short of the upcoming stop in order to do some downshifting to the stop. If not enough speed to mess with downshifting, I put it in 1st after (if) I come to a complete stop.

Originally posted by gman


Highway was strictly highway, all cruise control for about the full tank, ~58 mph

I know, no fun at all. But until break-in (~50 more miles), I'm treating it like a baby.

No fun and not a great idea. During break-in you should change gears and vary rpm as much as possible (within reason), but if you had to do it, you had to do it, and to be honest it will probably not result in any problems.

For those concerned about the gas milage don't forget that if you are going to compare the gas milage of a rotary to a piston engine you have to double the displacement. In terms of gas consumption think of the Renesis as a 250 bhp, 2.6L V6.

BTW, so far I am getting 22.6 mpg in the S4 (2.7L bi-turbo V6) but that is only because I have not been running it with the chip turned on (in chipped mode the needle drops like a rock).

I'm a rather large fan of the 1-3-5 shift putzing around town...

Originally posted by akrx8
...looks like i will top 245 miles from 13.4 gal on the 3rd tank.18.1 mpg is pretty good for the playing i like to do and idleing forever at lights.once i really try i think i can get 22 or 23 if i can cut down on the playing.:D

Here is an example of not figuring the mileage correctly. or just using guess-timations. How could you possibly know that you have used 13.4 gallons if you haven't filled up again yet? You need to drive the 245 then fill up not go by how much gas you put in last fill up.

I only added 4 gallons Monday and have driven over 160 miles so far, looks like I'll get 40mpg. Cool.

With the heat generated by the rotary, as most of us have noticed, it doesn't seem possible to drive without A/C. When I turned mine off hot air pumped out.

Originally posted by TJRX8



With the heat generated by the rotary, as most of us have noticed, it doesn't seem possible to drive without A/C. When I turned mine off hot air pumped out.

You had it on the wrong setting. That was all that hot air being recirculated back from the driver. ;) :D

i have just over 600 miles on the 8 and I am getting about 18 MPG. I run with the a/c on everyday (it has been about 105 degrees the last few days in Kansas City).

I have been trying to keep it under 4000 RPM's.

13 mpg






I'm upset by this

1st Fill-up = not documented

2nd Fill up = 20.0 MPG - This is all city driving (Tampa). Car never taken over 4500 RPM's.

3rd Fill-up = 22.2 MPG - 25/75 city/hwy (still during break-in, and my wife didn't use the cruise control on her trip, so I believe the hwy MPG's would have been higher if a constant speed was maintained.)

(went past break-in mileage)

4th Fill-up = 20.1 MPG - 40/60 city/hwy (more aspirated driving to see what the car can do in the upper RPM range)

It's looking like if we do mostly "boring" conservative driving (if we wanted to), we can come close or meet the EPA. If we do more fun driving, which my wife did betwen the 3rd and 4th fill-up, it looks like we will average 2-3 miles under the EPA. Expected, but not disappointing to me. As my wife pointed out, she never recalls us ever reaching the "optimum" EPA rating on any vehicle we have owned.

Putting MPG in perspective, I had a PT Cruiser GT Turbo and rarely got over 15 MPG. My former spouse had an Avalon and got 17-18 MPG just puttering around town.

Considering the performance we have on tap with the RX8, I'm satisfied with getting 17-18 MPG in town. I get 20 MPG and above in mixed driving (and not driving it conservatively, either).