Hey guys,
I just have two questions:
1. I had 2/3 of a tank, went on vacation, then when I came back and turned the engine on, the gas gauge was on "E". I took it to the gas station and the pump cut off at 5 gallons. THe tank now reads 1/3 full. I called Mazda and they said its some sensor in the gas tank, covered under the warranty, but I need to dump out the gas before i come in. As an FYI, I did a search for "gas gauge" on here, and although most threads dealt with mileage, I found two threads:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=95322&highlight=fuel+gauge
and
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=92239&highlight=gas+gauge
(both dealing with moving gas gauges, my gauge seems to have just disregarded the 2/3 tank, but recognizes the new 1/3). Any clue what this is? same related sensors as in previous threads? is our rx8 more prone to gas gauge problems than other cars?

2. I have a 2005 6 speed with 16K, and just got my 15K checkup about 500 miles ago including rear brake cleaning and rotation. Right after the checkup, I remembered smelling a distinct burning odor coming from the rear wheels and heat from the brake discs. Tonight the burning odor was VERY DISTINCT, strongest at the wheels and the wheels are pretty hot. I'm concerned as to what's causing it...I did a search and see many people got this smell from plastic bags sticking to their exhaust. I checked both exhausts and have none. In this thread:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=47356&highlight=tire+smell
someone asked the poster if his brake pads were recently replaced by mazda...i had mine "cleaned and adjusted" right before this smell started...any suggestions guys?
Thanks and sorry for rambling!

I'm quite familiar with the gas gauge jumping around as fuel moves side to side, but if this is more serious, like saying empty at 3/4 full, I have a quick fix.....

Obviously, if it is under warranty, you will get it fixed, but if not, try a good dose of IPA, (isopropyl alcohol) and make sure it's dehydrated fuel grade stuff, not some 70% rubbing alcohol quality. About 500mls (one pint) in a partial tank (so it slops over the sensor) should do it.

Modern refineries use a chemical that can (has) coat certain types of fuel level readers. IPA is a powerful cleaning solvent that will strip off the coating, and is also really good at cleaning the pickup filter and dissolving any water sitting in the tank.

S

Funny part is I still get the burning smell from my car and there's no bag underneath there anywhere. My car is just that hot.

Ya the gas gauge is very poor on the RX. The season will effect how it reads and the last flash I got also effect how it reads. The exhaust also seems to heat the gas tank after 20 plus minutes drive and effects the reading. I end up using the odometer to judge how much I have left in the tank. I guess it makes a good match for the fake oil pressure gauge.

If the sensor in the passenger side is not working......it will act like that. Pull the rear passenger seat and check the plug. or take it in and get it fixed if it is under warranty :)

Thanks Stealth and everyone else on the gas gauge. On the tire smell..I guess I was wondering if any of you have had that happen right after the 15000 mile check (and rear brake rotation/cleaning)? Could the mazda tech have misaligned the brakes/wheels? or is it just a "breaking in the new alignment" thing that goes away with time?

Thanks Stealth and everyone else on the gas gauge. On the tire smell..I guess I was wondering if any of you have had that happen right after the 15000 mile check (and rear brake rotation/cleaning)? Could the mazda tech have misaligned the brakes/wheels? or is it just a "breaking in the new alignment" thing that goes away with time?
Your dealer is apparently feeding you a bunch of crap. I've never heard of such a thing as "brake rotation". Wheel rotation-yes, brake rotation-no. At 15K miles, there is virtually nothing that really needs to be done other than possibly a oil & oil filter change if it is due. Those scheduled checks at specified mileages are real money makers for the dealers and most of the things they purport to do are totally unnecessary.

Take the car back and ask them what they REALLY did to make it smell like that and demand--nicely--that they correct the problem. As far as the gas gauge goes. Have them fix that as well since there are a couple of things that might cause that early shutoff of the pump nozzle, including a flapper that is intended to close when the car is upside down. Sometimes they get stuck in the closed position resulting in a backflow of fuel, causing the pump nozzle sensor to think the tank is full.

It sounds like your rear brake calipers are sticking. They may have improperly adjusted the parking brake. Take it back to the dealer.

It sounds like your rear brake calipers are sticking. They may have improperly adjusted the parking brake. Take it back to the dealer.

I agree, especially since you're noticing both the smell AND excess heat from the wheels. Get it looked at asap, because a dragging brake can be very dangerous. The heat generated can exceed the boiling point of the brake fluid and suddenly you have NO brakes.