How do you drive your 8?
03-14-2007, 06:39 PM
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How do you drive your 8?
Just curious how you guys drive your 8.
Was thinking about it the other day on the drive home...
I drive fairly spirited (which is probabaly just a euphemism for complete a$$hole) and so i like to get the most out of my car. At the same time I try to drive economically because I am a poor uni student and am busting my ***** trying to keep up with the car so 2$ saved at the pump means i get to eat dinner that day.
With that in mind...
General driving
I try to get to 6th gear as quickly as possible and change before 3-4k.
I will cruise in 6th as long as the car doesn't choke and if the traffic slows or i need to stop I will just chuck it into N and coast. If the traffic stops completely then i will come to a halt and cringe cause it sounds like a bus. But if it picks up again, depending on what speed im travelling I will rev match into the right gear and get going again, eventually resting at 6th.
I'll also chuck it into cruise control on 6th if i get real lazy.
When I need to overtake or take a turn I will either rev match or heel-toe the corner for fun but generally, I drive to save $$.
Any tips?? I really don't like cruising in 6th but the the thought of saving $$ and hopefully getting to eat dinner that night justifies the **** poor performance.
Spirited driving
If i'm in a rush or i'm bored or I miss being a P-plater then I will rev match a lot to overtake, heel-toe aggressively and throw it into 2nd a lot even though 3rd would do just fine.
Don't really red-line it too much though except in 1st and don't really coast to a stop but like to gear down so i can take off whenever i like.
Rev-matching
I was driving home one day and decided I wanted to figure out the ratios for rev-matching. Through trial and error I figured a rough guide that seems to work fairly well.
This is for rev-matching from N to the correct gear.
If you want to be in 3rd - check ur speedo and if you are doing 40km/h, rev to 3k, if 50, to 4k, or if your doing 30 (I would put it in 2nd..but for the sake of example), then into 2k.. so your'e going down 1 digit from the tens digit on the speedo.
If you want to be in 2nd, just match the tens digit. So if you are doing 20km/h, rev to 2k, if 30km/h, to 3k, if 40km/h, to 4k...
If you are going pretty fast say 70-80km/h, then I think 4th is a good choice. 4th isn't very finicky so you can get away with a lot but I think using the same principle but going down 3 digits works pretty well. So if your doing 70km/h, rev to 4k, if 80km/h, to 5k...
I find this works pretty well..
Oh and when I'm in gear and i want to down-shift, I find every gear is about 1k apart? So i'll usually blip it higher than 1k to give myself time to change gears and by the time the clutch is out itll fall to 1k...
Was thinking about it the other day on the drive home...
I drive fairly spirited (which is probabaly just a euphemism for complete a$$hole) and so i like to get the most out of my car. At the same time I try to drive economically because I am a poor uni student and am busting my ***** trying to keep up with the car so 2$ saved at the pump means i get to eat dinner that day.
With that in mind...
General driving
I try to get to 6th gear as quickly as possible and change before 3-4k.
I will cruise in 6th as long as the car doesn't choke and if the traffic slows or i need to stop I will just chuck it into N and coast. If the traffic stops completely then i will come to a halt and cringe cause it sounds like a bus. But if it picks up again, depending on what speed im travelling I will rev match into the right gear and get going again, eventually resting at 6th.
I'll also chuck it into cruise control on 6th if i get real lazy.
When I need to overtake or take a turn I will either rev match or heel-toe the corner for fun but generally, I drive to save $$.
Any tips?? I really don't like cruising in 6th but the the thought of saving $$ and hopefully getting to eat dinner that night justifies the **** poor performance.
Spirited driving
If i'm in a rush or i'm bored or I miss being a P-plater then I will rev match a lot to overtake, heel-toe aggressively and throw it into 2nd a lot even though 3rd would do just fine.
Don't really red-line it too much though except in 1st and don't really coast to a stop but like to gear down so i can take off whenever i like.
Rev-matching
I was driving home one day and decided I wanted to figure out the ratios for rev-matching. Through trial and error I figured a rough guide that seems to work fairly well.
This is for rev-matching from N to the correct gear.
If you want to be in 3rd - check ur speedo and if you are doing 40km/h, rev to 3k, if 50, to 4k, or if your doing 30 (I would put it in 2nd..but for the sake of example), then into 2k.. so your'e going down 1 digit from the tens digit on the speedo.
If you want to be in 2nd, just match the tens digit. So if you are doing 20km/h, rev to 2k, if 30km/h, to 3k, if 40km/h, to 4k...
If you are going pretty fast say 70-80km/h, then I think 4th is a good choice. 4th isn't very finicky so you can get away with a lot but I think using the same principle but going down 3 digits works pretty well. So if your doing 70km/h, rev to 4k, if 80km/h, to 5k...
I find this works pretty well..
Oh and when I'm in gear and i want to down-shift, I find every gear is about 1k apart? So i'll usually blip it higher than 1k to give myself time to change gears and by the time the clutch is out itll fall to 1k...
03-14-2007, 10:59 PM
#4
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I hit the cruise button on the limit in school zones and 60 zones at 109 and 120 in 100 and 110 zones. My GPS and those roadworks speed signs have convined me that the speedo is optimistic by 2.5km/h at 100km/h so there is a fair margin for safety there unless in the police state of Victoria where the speed limit signs are hidden behind trees the cops are hidden and there is zero tolerance. (Sorry to the Vics here but your road regs suck) Last time I was booked was in Victoria 11 years ago. 75 in a 60 zone that I thought was an 80 at Shepparton.
The time before that was 1987 on the Gladesville bridge when I was studying and driving cabs. I overtook and LTD and it turned out to be a cop.
Around here where the roads are hilly and winding I drive briskly but always with a margin of safety.
Just because the 8 will do 130 through my favourite corner signposted at 35 doesn't mean that I have to right?
The time before that was 1987 on the Gladesville bridge when I was studying and driving cabs. I overtook and LTD and it turned out to be a cop.
Around here where the roads are hilly and winding I drive briskly but always with a margin of safety.
Just because the 8 will do 130 through my favourite corner signposted at 35 doesn't mean that I have to right?
03-15-2007, 06:06 PM
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If I'm on my own I'll rev the crap out of it at every safe opportunity.
Only use 6th when cruising on the freeway and rarely use 5th in the burbs or around town. Car usually lives in 3rd or 4th and drop down to second for tighter corners.
I've never bothered to rev match or heel and toe. Personally, I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference in road driving but I understand some people swear by it.
Only use 6th when cruising on the freeway and rarely use 5th in the burbs or around town. Car usually lives in 3rd or 4th and drop down to second for tighter corners.
I've never bothered to rev match or heel and toe. Personally, I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference in road driving but I understand some people swear by it.
03-15-2007, 06:44 PM
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[QUOTE=mogley]Just curious how you guys drive your 8.
Was thinking about it the other day on the drive home...
I drive fairly spirited (which is probabaly just a euphemism for complete a$$hole) and so i like to get the most out of my car. At the same time I try to drive economically because I am a poor uni student and am busting my ***** trying to keep up with the car so 2$ saved at the pump means i get to eat dinner that day.
With that in mind...
General driving
I try to get to 6th gear as quickly as possible and change before 3-4k.
I will cruise in 6th as long as the car doesn't choke and if the traffic slows or i need to stop I will just chuck it into N and coast. If the traffic stops completely then i will come to a halt and cringe cause it sounds like a bus. But if it picks up again, depending on what speed im travelling I will rev match into the right gear and get going again, eventually resting at 6th.
I'll also chuck it into cruise control on 6th if i get real lazy.
When I need to overtake or take a turn I will either rev match or heel-toe the corner for fun but generally, I drive to save $$.
Any tips?? I really don't like cruising in 6th but the the thought of saving $$ and hopefully getting to eat dinner that night justifies the **** poor performance.
Spirited driving
If i'm in a rush or i'm bored or I miss being a P-plater then I will rev match a lot to overtake, heel-toe aggressively and throw it into 2nd a lot even though 3rd would do just fine.
Don't really red-line it too much though except in 1st and don't really coast to a stop but like to gear down so i can take off whenever i like.
Rev-matching
I was driving home one day and decided I wanted to figure out the ratios for rev-matching. Through trial and error I figured a rough guide that seems to work fairly well.
This is for rev-matching from N to the correct gear.
If you want to be in 3rd - check ur speedo and if you are doing 40km/h, rev to 3k, if 50, to 4k, or if your doing 30 (I would put it in 2nd..but for the sake of example), then into 2k.. so your'e going down 1 digit from the tens digit on the speedo.
If you want to be in 2nd, just match the tens digit. So if you are doing 20km/h, rev to 2k, if 30km/h, to 3k, if 40km/h, to 4k...
If you are going pretty fast say 70-80km/h, then I think 4th is a good choice. 4th isn't very finicky so you can get away with a lot but I think using the same principle but going down 3 digits works pretty well. So if your doing 70km/h, rev to 4k, if 80km/h, to 5k...
I find this works pretty well..
Oh and when I'm in gear and i want to down-shift, I find every gear is about 1k apart? So i'll usually blip it higher than 1k to give myself time
WTF?
Was thinking about it the other day on the drive home...
I drive fairly spirited (which is probabaly just a euphemism for complete a$$hole) and so i like to get the most out of my car. At the same time I try to drive economically because I am a poor uni student and am busting my ***** trying to keep up with the car so 2$ saved at the pump means i get to eat dinner that day.
With that in mind...
General driving
I try to get to 6th gear as quickly as possible and change before 3-4k.
I will cruise in 6th as long as the car doesn't choke and if the traffic slows or i need to stop I will just chuck it into N and coast. If the traffic stops completely then i will come to a halt and cringe cause it sounds like a bus. But if it picks up again, depending on what speed im travelling I will rev match into the right gear and get going again, eventually resting at 6th.
I'll also chuck it into cruise control on 6th if i get real lazy.
When I need to overtake or take a turn I will either rev match or heel-toe the corner for fun but generally, I drive to save $$.
Any tips?? I really don't like cruising in 6th but the the thought of saving $$ and hopefully getting to eat dinner that night justifies the **** poor performance.
Spirited driving
If i'm in a rush or i'm bored or I miss being a P-plater then I will rev match a lot to overtake, heel-toe aggressively and throw it into 2nd a lot even though 3rd would do just fine.
Don't really red-line it too much though except in 1st and don't really coast to a stop but like to gear down so i can take off whenever i like.
Rev-matching
I was driving home one day and decided I wanted to figure out the ratios for rev-matching. Through trial and error I figured a rough guide that seems to work fairly well.
This is for rev-matching from N to the correct gear.
If you want to be in 3rd - check ur speedo and if you are doing 40km/h, rev to 3k, if 50, to 4k, or if your doing 30 (I would put it in 2nd..but for the sake of example), then into 2k.. so your'e going down 1 digit from the tens digit on the speedo.
If you want to be in 2nd, just match the tens digit. So if you are doing 20km/h, rev to 2k, if 30km/h, to 3k, if 40km/h, to 4k...
If you are going pretty fast say 70-80km/h, then I think 4th is a good choice. 4th isn't very finicky so you can get away with a lot but I think using the same principle but going down 3 digits works pretty well. So if your doing 70km/h, rev to 4k, if 80km/h, to 5k...
I find this works pretty well..
Oh and when I'm in gear and i want to down-shift, I find every gear is about 1k apart? So i'll usually blip it higher than 1k to give myself time
WTF?
03-15-2007, 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by MissyK
BTW GREG - nice driving method, u forgot to however say EYES ON THE ROAD too *hides* hug hug huG!! lol
03-15-2007, 09:33 PM
#12
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I drive it hard every now and then.
I met a mazda mechanic and was informed that he gets a lot of ppl who come in with fouled up spark plugs (usually driven by the older generation). To remedy that you should "clean the pipes" every so often with a nice good rev!
I met a mazda mechanic and was informed that he gets a lot of ppl who come in with fouled up spark plugs (usually driven by the older generation). To remedy that you should "clean the pipes" every so often with a nice good rev!
03-18-2007, 02:36 AM
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Shift RPM
Warm up driving and 'Fuel light is on' mode - shift around 3-4K
Regular driving - shift around 4-5K
Brisk driving - shift at 5K+
Cruise RPM
Not in a hurry, constant cruising - 2-3K rpm
If I'm negotiating traffic and trying to squeeze into the gaps, I try to hold it around 4K for better response.
Quiet windy roads or race track, sky's the limit.
I try to heel-toe downshift as much as possible, but find it really only makes a difference during brisk driving (to stop quickly, and prepare to take tight corners). When grannying around it's pretty pointless.
Warm up driving and 'Fuel light is on' mode - shift around 3-4K
Regular driving - shift around 4-5K
Brisk driving - shift at 5K+
Cruise RPM
Not in a hurry, constant cruising - 2-3K rpm
If I'm negotiating traffic and trying to squeeze into the gaps, I try to hold it around 4K for better response.
Quiet windy roads or race track, sky's the limit.
I try to heel-toe downshift as much as possible, but find it really only makes a difference during brisk driving (to stop quickly, and prepare to take tight corners). When grannying around it's pretty pointless.
03-18-2007, 06:57 AM
#17
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Mogley: it makes sense to do what you're doing, but if you're coasting up to lights, you're probably using more petrol by coasting in neutral than you would by coasting in gear. Other than that I don't really over-analyse my driving practises with road driving ... I do heel-toe, double clutch, blip my throttle when changing up and stuff ... but only usually pay attention to it on the weekends.
Everyone else: Hey ... in the interest of tradition, should we start an argument?
Everyone else: Hey ... in the interest of tradition, should we start an argument?
03-18-2007, 06:57 PM
#20
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The way I drive my 8?
Waay too fast....LOL
Triple digits every day helps me stay sane.
Who cares about the Tach? Use your ears...
Here's a simple test to make sure you are getting the most out of your 8:
When the car stops sounding like an Indy racer...you've fallen off the power curve...go buy an oldmobile if that happens.
If you take a curve at anything less than 2X the warning speed...this isnt the car for you.
If you can't find the DSC cutoff blindfolded....shouldn't you be in a Mazda3?
If you catch yourself calculating fuel economy...you have OCD and shouldn't have bought this car to begin with.
If you haven't burnt up at least one set of coils...you drive like my grandma.
If you have tires that last past 20K miles...well...I'm being redundant.
If you don't keep wishing the Subys would get the hell outta your way on Rt 129....you love life more than speed...go buy a Volvo!
If you can't tell the difference between synthetic and dino oil by smell..."Motor oil is motor oil" in your book...go buy an old Duster or something...
If you have a Swiffer in your glovebox....Jeez...do I gotta say it?
If the bald spot in your carpet isn't halfway between the gas and brake...get someone to show you heel/toe please!
If you passed all of these test....you are ready for FI baby!
When is the install party?
Waay too fast....LOL
Triple digits every day helps me stay sane.
Who cares about the Tach? Use your ears...
Here's a simple test to make sure you are getting the most out of your 8:
When the car stops sounding like an Indy racer...you've fallen off the power curve...go buy an oldmobile if that happens.
If you take a curve at anything less than 2X the warning speed...this isnt the car for you.
If you can't find the DSC cutoff blindfolded....shouldn't you be in a Mazda3?
If you catch yourself calculating fuel economy...you have OCD and shouldn't have bought this car to begin with.
If you haven't burnt up at least one set of coils...you drive like my grandma.
If you have tires that last past 20K miles...well...I'm being redundant.
If you don't keep wishing the Subys would get the hell outta your way on Rt 129....you love life more than speed...go buy a Volvo!
If you can't tell the difference between synthetic and dino oil by smell..."Motor oil is motor oil" in your book...go buy an old Duster or something...
If you have a Swiffer in your glovebox....Jeez...do I gotta say it?
If the bald spot in your carpet isn't halfway between the gas and brake...get someone to show you heel/toe please!
If you passed all of these test....you are ready for FI baby!
When is the install party?
03-18-2007, 07:12 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by speedweasel
The way I drive my 8?
Waay too fast....LOL
Triple digits every day helps me stay sane.
Who cares about the Tach? Use your ears...
Here's a simple test to make sure you are getting the most out of your 8:
When the car stops sounding like an Indy racer...you've fallen off the power curve...go buy an oldmobile if that happens.
If you take a curve at anything less than 2X the warning speed...this isnt the car for you.
If you can't find the DSC cutoff blindfolded....shouldn't you be in a Mazda3?
If you catch yourself calculating fuel economy...you have OCD and shouldn't have bought this car to begin with.
If you haven't burnt up at least one set of coils...you drive like my grandma.
If you have tires that last past 20K miles...well...I'm being redundant.
If you don't keep wishing the Subys would get the hell outta your way on Rt 129....you love life more than speed...go buy a Volvo!
If you can't tell the difference between synthetic and dino oil by smell..."Motor oil is motor oil" in your book...go buy an old Duster or something...
If you have a Swiffer in your glovebox....Jeez...do I gotta say it?
If the bald spot in your carpet isn't halfway between the gas and brake...get someone to show you heel/toe please!
If you passed all of these test....you are ready for FI baby!
When is the install party?
Waay too fast....LOL
Triple digits every day helps me stay sane.
Who cares about the Tach? Use your ears...
Here's a simple test to make sure you are getting the most out of your 8:
When the car stops sounding like an Indy racer...you've fallen off the power curve...go buy an oldmobile if that happens.
If you take a curve at anything less than 2X the warning speed...this isnt the car for you.
If you can't find the DSC cutoff blindfolded....shouldn't you be in a Mazda3?
If you catch yourself calculating fuel economy...you have OCD and shouldn't have bought this car to begin with.
If you haven't burnt up at least one set of coils...you drive like my grandma.
If you have tires that last past 20K miles...well...I'm being redundant.
If you don't keep wishing the Subys would get the hell outta your way on Rt 129....you love life more than speed...go buy a Volvo!
If you can't tell the difference between synthetic and dino oil by smell..."Motor oil is motor oil" in your book...go buy an old Duster or something...
If you have a Swiffer in your glovebox....Jeez...do I gotta say it?
If the bald spot in your carpet isn't halfway between the gas and brake...get someone to show you heel/toe please!
If you passed all of these test....you are ready for FI baby!
When is the install party?
The reason I bought mine new.
03-18-2007, 07:27 PM
#22
Rotary Powered Vermin
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I'm getting ready to trade mine in on a 2008 when they come out...you want me to post the VIN so you don't get my ride? LOL.
Seriously though....the harder you drive an 8, the longer the engine will last.
And I worked all the recall bugs out the hard way.
Mine is TG in color...so of course its been hit, but the Mazda dealer gives the repair 2 thumbs up and had to use a paint thickness gauge to tell it wasnt factory.
Seriously though....the harder you drive an 8, the longer the engine will last.
And I worked all the recall bugs out the hard way.
Mine is TG in color...so of course its been hit, but the Mazda dealer gives the repair 2 thumbs up and had to use a paint thickness gauge to tell it wasnt factory.
03-19-2007, 05:14 AM
#25
New Member
Originally Posted by auzoom
lol sorry mate, its your lack of skill. Even I can do it and I am 6' 5"
practice with not braking first.
Just change down gear with a blip of the throttle.
Get the rhythm first before trying heel-toe.
