I just picked up my rx-8 yesterday. I drove it home about 50 miles from the dealership nice and easy shifting way before redline and no hard acceleration. When I got home I read the manual and it says that I should not shift from first to second after 20 mph( as this will risk clutch failure as stated in my manual). I read it three times and I still think that I am misunderstanding what I am reading. I can't understand why they would design the car with 9,000 rpm limit but not able to go over about 4,000 rpms before having to shift out of first gear to second. I would think that this severely hinder acceleration from a stop or roll. Any one with insite, I could use your advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

can u copy/ paste the EXACT paragraph that says that?

 

Yes, but I have to wait until the morning because I don't feel like running out to the car now. I am assuming you never heard of this before.

 

Never heard of that before.

 

I'm pretty sure it says don't shift into first gear when going over 20 mph.

 

I remember reading that part in the manual. Like Wired_8 said, the manual says "Do not shift IN to first gear while going faster than 20 MPH."

In other words, if you're in second gear, make sure you're going slower than 20 before down shifting into first.

Hell, I've shifted from 1st into 2nd going 40 mph! Just don't try to go back.

 

I read that in the quick reference guide. I will scan it and post it later tonight my office scanner is not working.

 

i couldn't find it, but i know i've seen it before. Wired_8 is correct, it is don't shift into first gear when going over 20mph.

 

 

^yup that's it, why would anyone even try to downshift into 1st at 20+ mph is beyond me though

 

Oh now I get it guys. Maybe I should sleep a little before I read the manuals. Thanks for the correction. Later