Lock & Load

In the November issue of CAR UK Magazine motoring journalist Ben Whitworth has an article about the RX8 and his experiences driving it throughout Europe .
Most of the article is very positive , excepting these words .

'' I've noticed an oddity about the RX-8 it has fast and slow days .

Most of the time it just flies , everything hooks up- engine , chassis and gearbox - and the Mazda feels incredible rapid and agile , piling on speed once the needle rises above 4000rpm .

But occasionally it feels cantankerous and sulky .

The engine feels tired and breathless , the suspension feels too lazy to deal with intrusions and the gearbox feels baulky and uncooperative .

Any other readers out there experience on and off days in their RX-8 , please drop me a line at car@emap.com so we can compare notes ."

I for one have felt this oddity on a number of occassions , i know that it can occur in various conditions temperature air density / humidity varying MAF settings , when this occurs my car feels like its not getting enough charge as in battery or coils low amps the cars power is not sharp and responsive , as quickly as it comes it can also disappear at random next time i go for a drive . weird ???

Any ideas thoughts on what could be causing this oddity has it happened to other forum members??? .

According to his article in Spain the RX-8 attracted as many glances as the Lamborgini Gallardo WOW . :D

cheers
michael

cgrx

I've noticed that too - I wonder if it is temperature and humidity related...

BVD

Interesting notion.

I can dream up a few reasons why an engine might feel a bit 'cantankerous and sulky' some days, but I can't think of any reason why the suspension and gearbox might join in on those occasions.

Oh wait a minute... I've spotted what it is. I just sent him the following email:

---------------
Hi Ben,

I'm just writing to reassure you that it's nothing unusual. Your car just has PMT - Petulant Mechanical Tension. It happens at a similar time every month. Just don't make any unreasonably demands on the car during this time (i.e. any demands at all). Special attention, such as a slow massaging wash can sometimes help. Or you might try additives such as flowers or chocolates.

Cheers, Chris.

RXE16T

The mysterious RX8 gremlins strike again!!!!!

I thought it was only something I thought existed in my head since there are days where I feel the engine is sluggish in its performance and the gearbox seems unwilling to engage properly.

Thank god I'm not alone!

Jellybean

Perhaps on most occasions the symptoms have more to do with the driver than the car. :p :p :p

NickG

Cantankerous, no. A little lethargic some days, yes. Suspension and gearbox issues - no.
I reckon a lot has to do with temperature, humidity and also possibly fuel quality. I've noted similar variations with my other cars in the past, so am not too surprised the RX8 behaves this way as well.

Lock & Load

Noojoc

I noticed this oddity in reverse once, and posted it on the forum when my car had approx 3000 km on the clock the ECU seemed to reprogram itself for about 2 hours and the RX8 felt like it was Turbo/supercharged , but unfortunataly that setting went away .

The RX8 can be like a tempermental misstress with a personality disorder :D when it runs well its awesome when it becomes sluggish it sucks .

The rx8 computer seems to have a mind of its own and all the so called rotary experts cant even tune it properly at this stage

cheers
michael

RXE16T

If hackers can crack into Microsoft software so easily, it will only be a matter of time before the ECU can be mastered.

RXP33D

OMG. It is true. sometimes after i give it abit, it feels the cars gone all gooey and very lathargic. It isnt a mind thing??

takahashi

lol :D BVD your letter is funny. I'm sure he will post that.

L&L... do we have to start smacking the car's bottom to get it excited. There is the G spot besides the gas pedal. There must be a magic button somewhere. Every woman has one :p

RXE16T

Yeah I've found it, it's called the DSC button, by pressing and applying consistent pressure for 10secs, you will enjoy sensations never experienced before in the 8.

Some say these experiences can be likened to an erotic one, since the heart beats faster and the adrenaline starts to pump harder. LOL

BVD

Thanks Taka - I'm glad that someone laughed.

I can't take the notion seriously that these things somehow all happen at the same time, although he paints an amusing image.

Taking them separately.

Suspension:

I've never noticed the suspension behaving in any sort of moody or unpredictable way. The occasional firm response to certain road conditions, but I expect a stiffer ride in a sports car. Mechanically, what could cause any variation?

Gearbox:

The only problem I've had with the gearbox is occasionally forgetting what gear I'm in when listening to music. Easy enough to work out though. I've also found 4th slightly stiff once or twice, but again this seemed to be slackness on my part - i.e. not really paying attention and inadvertently pushing the stick slightly to one side or another instead of allowing it to centre properly. No problems normally.

Engine:

I'm sure that air conditions can have an effect on an engine, but it hasn't seemed more obvious on this car than others I've had. When it's seemed a little down on grunt it's usually because I need to drop down a gear and crank the revs up a bit. Low down torque doesn't seem to be the motor's strong point.

There was some talk a while back about the computer adjusting itself in some fashion to suit the driver's style. Was that ever conformed or denied? After the engine has warmed up I tend to find a suitable spot to "clear the throat" - in other words hold it at 4,000 or so in second for a while (enjoying the anticipation..) and then flooring it up through third to 110 ... or so.. (I live in a country area).

I like to think that this keeps it 'fresh and responsive' rather than 'cantankerous and sulky' - but maybe I'm missing some subtle moodiness... ??

takahashi

The only problem I have is the bloody noisy seat

BTW AMG and Gomez, I have paid a visit to my friends who works in a bicycle store and he gave me a "Vasigrip" and it work fine. I then went to Bunnings to get a similar bolt and not to tight it hard AT ALL.

NO NOISE ... so far

Gomez

Yeah...that would be a pair of "Vicegrips"? Vasigrip sounds like something I'd find in the bottom drawer of Boy George's bedside.... .

takahashi

Oh was that the copy one from China then?? :p

I am sure it is spell with a "Va" in the front although the rest is a bit rubbed out. Hey it said it "made in China". I am sure it is a copy. - may be it did once belong to Boy George. It did the job alright :p

RXE16T

:o

:p

ROFL! :D

Gomez

I'm glad you're comfortable handling BG's tool! Hahaha.... :D

takahashi

Hehe ... if I can handle a leaking green man, I can handle anything :p

BVD

Taka,


Surely, Vasigrips are needle-nosed pliers used for backyard vasectomies?

"Grab the Vas Deferens tightly with your Vasigrip, place your foot firmly on the patient's groin area and yank until a generous loop comes clear of the body.
With your free hand take the tinsnips and SNIP - no more babies...."

It's a technique I've often found handy for sterilising frisky apprentices...

Gomez

Jeezuz, they breed 'em tough in the West.....

takahashi

ROFL :D

This is the funniest thing I have heard today. Good one BVD