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Winter Driving (about the engine) And other questions

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Old 10-10-2015, 07:03 PM
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Winter Driving (about the engine) And other questions

Hi, it's literally my first post here and im about to purchase an RX8 (my first, im an rx8 virgin) and i have a few questions:

1. What do i need to know about driving an Rx8 during winter ( -40 celsius winters) , like the engine (do i have to pre-heat it before driving) and such.

A:
Just have a set of good winter tires. Pre-heat? Just start the car and drive. MAKE SURE you keep the rpms BELOW 3000 until the temp needle begins to move.
___

2. I read it was bad using synthetic oil (i think it was related to oil temperature not getting hot enough) and having a block heater is no buneo either, what should i know about that?

A: Synthetic oil is something you'll have to decide. The argument has been going on since the Rx8 came out. Read the threads and make your own choice. Block heater is fine. No issues.
___

3. Is it a good deal? 5900$ (CAD) for a 2007 GT, 200 000km (except for engine, a 2005 w/ 69 000 km) never went out during winters, anti-rust coating every year.

A: Have engine compression checked by a certified rotary specific tester (mainly tested through dealerships). If the compression is good, so is the deal.
___

4. If i wanna switch the original radio for another one (this:
, other than a metra and a steering wheel control interface adapter, is there anything else needed?

A: Read the stickies in that particular forum. AFAIK that's all you need.
___

5. When you start it, is it a MUST to wait for it to warm up (both winter and summer)?

A: See answer #1.
___

6. When you stop it, is it a MUST to wait for it to cool down?

A: Unless you have a turbo or don't powerslide from 100km/h into your driveway, just switch off normaly.
___

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________

That's all i need to know. Now some of those answers were probably answered but im just making sure i got it right.

Otherwise, i've seen this forum like, years ago without knowing what an RX8 was and since then, it kept following me even if i wouldn't necessarily want one and eventually i just saw one for sale and went f*ck it, i need this goddamn car!

Thank you for any answers and have a good day!

Last edited by WTFOOL; 10-11-2015 at 04:41 PM. Reason: adding content
Old 10-10-2015, 11:29 PM
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Winter Driving (about the engine) And other questions

]
1. Just have a set of good dedicated winter tires. Pre-heat? Just start the car and drive. But MAKE SURE you keep the rpms BELOW 3000 until the temp needle begins to move. Don't go full throttle until engine is fully warm. That's not just for winter.

2. Synthetic oil is something you'll have to decide. The argument has been going on since before the Rx8 came out. Read the threads and make your own choice. Block heater is fine. No issues.

3. Have engine compression checked by a certified rotary specific tester (mainly tested through dealerships). If the compression is good, so is the deal.

4. Read the stickies in that particular forum. AFAIK that's all you'll need.

5. See answer #1

6. Unless you have turbo, or don't powerslide from 100km/h into your driveway, just switch off normally.

I recommend reading the New and potential owners sticky found at the top of the new members forum. Many of your questions are answered in there. As well, learning to search the site is a MUST. you'll learn more about the car and feel more connected with it. Cheers and welcome
Old 10-11-2015, 04:33 PM
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Thank's a lot m8! I felt the need to ask all these questions in one post for another reason, it's a bunch of generaly FA questions for new owners from what i saw and if they see this post first, at least half of their questions are answered.


Sorry for that.
Old 11-08-2015, 03:58 PM
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I run synthetic + premix and the car is happy. The synthetic works noticeably better in the cold, but the premix gets syrupy and hard to dispense.

With the faster starter, the car has never had a problem starting strongly in the cold, down to -15F.

For legit -40C/F, I'd want a block heater, but I'd still drive the car.
Old 11-21-2015, 01:26 PM
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Best advice: Park it for the winter and have a second vehicle more suited for winter. The rx8 is worthless in snow. I park mine from November to April every year and drive my $1000.00 ford 4x4 pick up all winter. It does get out of the garage when the weather is nice how ever in snow it's no good at least here in the rockys at 10,000 feet.
Old 11-21-2015, 01:37 PM
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Winter Driving (about the engine) And other questions

Originally Posted by reni04
Best advice: Park it for the winter and have a second vehicle more suited for winter. The rx8 is worthless in snow. I park mine from November to April every year and drive my $1000.00 ford 4x4 pick up all winter. It does get out of the garage when the weather is nice how ever in snow it's no good at least here in the rockys at 10,000 feet.
Is your information backed up by anything? Or is it just that you've had bad personal experience with the 8 in snow?

Because with a dedicated set of good winter tires, the 8 is a good drive in winter, as long as you're not driving through 10ft of snow...
Old 11-21-2015, 05:04 PM
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Park it for the winter........

....and miss eight months of driving??

My '8 has ABS, dynamic stability control, 50/50 balance and a locking rear differential - my previous Acura had none of the above.

Set of Toyo Garit real winter tires on their own rims, '8 is good to go.

(And I highly recommend good synthetic if you really do get minus 40* weather, like we do in northern Alberta.)
Old 11-23-2015, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by RX8Soldier
Is your information backed up by anything? Or is it just that you've had bad personal experience with the 8 in snow?

Because with a dedicated set of good winter tires, the 8 is a good drive in winter, as long as you're not driving through 10ft of snow...


My information as you refer to it is my opinion as are many here on this site. I park mine for more than just my opinion that the rx8 is worthless on ice and in snow, i also park it all winter because i have a 4x4 to drive in winter and my rx8 isn't being aged by the winter as you know , winter is hard on any vehicle and so the rx8 as well, point being for me, why age my rx8 when it can sit in the garage with no wear and tear, make sense?.

By the way i doubt even my 1982 trusty F-150 4x4 could make it any where in ah what was it you said , ah yes 10 feet of snow lol lol.

The over all point was that the rx8 is designed and best suited for S turns on dry pavement and if you are able to have alternate transportation, why not use it ? This way your rx8 lasts even longer through time hence ,more enjoyment for a longer time, Hey what a concept hey!..

Last edited by reni04; 11-23-2015 at 05:56 PM.
Old 11-23-2015, 07:42 PM
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Winter Driving (about the engine) And other questions

Originally Posted by reni04
why age my rx8 when it can sit in the garage with no wear and tear, make sense?.
Sure, we'd all like to have a dedicated winter vehicle. But that's not feasible for everyone.

Still, your advice is misguided. The 8 is not a bad car to have in winter. Just do some reading of people who drive all year round, including winter.
Old 11-24-2015, 07:58 AM
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Yeah I don't know about 'worthless' there, a balanced car is still balanced on dry, wet, snowy or other surface. If you really live at 10,000 feet agl your terrain might be a bit different from the rest of us though.
Old 11-24-2015, 09:01 AM
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This is going to be my first winter with my RX, my only concern is with clearance if/when the heavy snow comes.
Old 11-24-2015, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by RX8Soldier
Sure, we'd all like to have a dedicated winter vehicle. But that's not feasible for everyone.

Still, your advice is misguided. The 8 is not a bad car to have in winter. Just do some reading of people who drive all year round, including winter.



I stated thast not every one has a second ride so really read the posts brfore you trip over your self. You didn't read again especially the part where i say that's my opinion. Time to move on enough time spent on the trivial,
Old 11-24-2015, 07:31 PM
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Winter Driving (about the engine) And other questions

Originally Posted by reni04
I stated thast not every one has a second ride so really read the posts brfore you trip over your self. You didn't read again especially the part where i say that's my opinion. Time to move on enough time spent on the trivial,
In not one of your responses did you state that 'not everyone has a second ride'. Do you even comprehend your own posts?
I did read that it's your opinion, but that doesn't make it "the best advice" as you put it. Far from the best, actually.

Anyways, I'm done wasting time on monchie- oops I mean you. I've already answered the OP with the most reasonable response.
Old 11-27-2015, 11:45 PM
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My 'other' ride is a Forester with a 'larger' turbo - four wheel drive and WAY more powerful than my '8, but if the road is not snowed-in, I still prefer to take 'ole red!'
Old 11-28-2015, 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by RX8Soldier
In not one of your responses did you state that 'not everyone has a second ride'. Do you even comprehend your own posts?
I did read that it's your opinion, but that doesn't make it "the best advice" as you put it. Far from the best, actually.

Anyways, I'm done wasting time on monchie- oops I mean you. I've already answered the OP with the most reasonable response.


I thought that it was clear when i stated i had alternate transportation and so i can do this implying that if you had alternate trsansportation it makes sense to park it in severe weather such as 10,000 plus feet where i live. It aappears you are just wanting to argue and maybe you think it brings you political currency in the form of popularity of others here, you are mistaken , it only demonstrates you are here to argue so have fun. Some one has to be the adult in the room but by all means continue. lol lol.
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