wangan411

Hi everyone,

I just recently obtained my RX8 3 days ago (so, it's still pretty fresh!) and I was just reading up on the forums to see what other precautions I should be aware of with owning an RX8.

Now, my previous car was a Mazda 3 5speed MT and I was pretty good with the mileage (I never redlined the car; the highest RPM I had was 4-5RPM) so reading through the forums, I've heard redlining at least once a day is important to prevent engine build up and to save gas (?)

I am pretty new to this whole thing when it comes to sports cars since I've never really owned one so I was just wondering if driving the car and shifting in higher RPMs saves on gas ( I wasn't too clear about that ). I may have more questions along the way too.

Gory Lobotomist

I was under the influence the high redlines was to help prevent carbon build up, high rpms wouldnt save gas.

Jacob6875

You should take it up to redline every day or two. I usually use 2nd gear getting on the interstate. This prevents carbon from building up in the engine.

But no shifting at a higher RPM will not save gas....... its just like any other car.

tcole6

Save gas, no. Save engine, yes.

I also tend to redline 2nd getting onto the interstate in the morning. Gets the car and my adreline up for the day

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

^ theyre right

jayscoobs

redlining getting onto highway is the way to go. Plus its fun.

wangan411

Thanks a lot for the information, everyone! I really did try finding the answer before posting a thread, but thanks for clearing that up!

But does that rule also apply if I were to drive it in the winter?

Are-Ex-Eight

iTrader: (1)

Yes but be sure to let the car warm up first.

Since you have a Series II (2009 MY+) you have a "moving red line".

When you start the car you will notice the inner red line at 5k rpms, once the engine warms up some it moves to 7 and finally to 9.

Do your best not to go over the moving red line as it is hard on the engine. Once that red line moves up to 9k you free to max it out at will again

It takes about 3 minutes (to move all the way to 9k rpm) where I live in the winter, maybe longer for you up north.

New Yorker

Yes, as others have said, redlining is good for the engine; bad for gas mileage.

But, in general, the rotary engine likes to be revved - and is, in fact, meant to be revved higher than ordinary engines. In fact, my 8 came with a little brochure that suggests revving it high regularly.

Realize that you can do both. I redline it once or twice per trip - usually when getting onto the interstate, or even just to reach cruising speed from a stoplight. But I save gas, too: in ordinary, around town traffic, I'll shift much lower, keeping it at around 3 - 4K.

Strata-R

Congrats on the purchase, I just bought my '04 last month. You'll love it!

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

driving redline doesnt kill you to badly. if you look next to my name, it says waht i mean, i drive at high rpms, and im sitting at 15.4mpg with my best tank ever being at 17.9. I NEVER use 6th gear unless im over 100mph. I drive most of my highway miles in 4th gear.

wangan411

Wow, awesome tips guys!

After reading some of the posts last night, I tried driving it on the highway. I reached 6.5 RPM and chickened out. But don't worry! I'll probably red line it today!

Thanks again everyone! Plus I love the car so far

Also, I know that most of you are located in USA, but how many miles can you generally get out of a full tank and how often do you fill up on gas?

PeteInLongBeach

Sorry, but I think this is ridiculous. The M/T is low geared enough, even in 6th, to keep the revs at a high enough level for most highway cruising. You are just wasting fuel and engine life cruising in 4th gear.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

I personally think the trans is geared wrong. 3 - 4 is to close. 5 could be a little higher.

tcole6

I have on '04 MT. I average 21.5 MPG and get around 300 miles per tank before I chicken out and get her filled

I redline it every morning on the way to work, but tend to drive rather regular (Shift at around 5K into the next gear, though I will shift earlier if I'm going to be hanging around at that speed due to traffic, speed limit or something). I do 90% highway normally.

My last tank was around 50/50 highway/city and I still got 19.4 MPG.

VashGS

How many miles? Break-in before redline. Read threads on break-in procedure.

Gratz!