Sounds ridikilous! Maybe it was lemonade. Or -- the manual, as I recall, says don't use fuels more than 10% oxygenated -- maybe they did.

 

Hi TreknMazda,
What are your observations on the differences in your car between using 93 and 87 octane? I used 91 for the first 2 tanks then 87 for the next 12 or so. I've stayed with 87 because the car handles fine and it's less expensive.

Thanks,
rx8cited

 

rx8cited,
Where did you find 91 octane? I was so excited that my car didn't require premium and I could save a few bucks, but all the gas stations around here have either 89 or 93.

 

Hi Peakster,
I use Shell
http://www.countonshell.com/products...ne_grades.html

I'm pretty sure the Shell Premium flavor around here is 91 octane (according to the URL above, it varies by market and could be 92 or 93).

Why do I use Shell? Their 5% off Shell gas, 1% off other purchases no-fee credit card:
http://www.localshell.com/Content.aspx?Article=71

regards,
rx8cited

 

Tomorrow will be first test of the Dunlp M3 snow tires on 17" wheels .......

 

For me, tomorrow will be the first test of a snifter of brandy and a log on the fire.
There is no way I'm going to risk the RX in 8 inches of snow and that is deeper than the Miata is tall, so I'm not going anywhere.

 

You're right that (even AWD) cars do not make good snowplows -- as we learned with my wife's 325xiT last Feb.

 

What a lovely morning...NOT! But the LM22 Blizzacks did their job magnificently! I cleared 4 to 6 inches of snow off the car this morning. Put it in gear and drove over the mini snow drifts I had created. Conditions ranged from 2 inches of packed snow to barely visible pavement. I don't believe the DSC ever engaged. The only hint of slipping was in first gear. 2nd thru 4th were no problem. I chose not to go higher or faster than 50.

Hopefully, I will get off work before freezing rain starts and makes it a whole different ballgame. But I am confident that the RX-8 will do well with prudent speed and sufficient space from the non-prudent drivers around me.

rx8cited,
I did not notice any performance difference from 93 to 87 octane. The mpg average for 93 was 19.8 (which included my trip to Arkansas) and 18.5 on 87 (which is mostly DC rush hour with stop'n'go to 80mph and everything in between). I have just gone back to 93 octane to continue my emperical data research.

 

Shell may have a card that gives 5% off on their gas, but AAA has a card that gives 5% off on any gas. The only catch is that you have to pump the gas yourself -- meaning that it doesn't work on the New Jersey turnpike, for instance, where the attendant does the pumping and takes the card from you to enter the charge.

I just use the card on trips, because a cash-only station in Washington, DC, where I live, gives more than 5% off prevailing prices there. It's nice to have for non-Jersey Pike trips, though.

 

Mitch,

The AAA card sounds like a better more flexible card ... is the card free like the Shell card? Do you have to be a AAA member to get it?

Thanks,
rx8cited

 

The card is free, but I don't know if you have to be an AAA member. I happen to be one, but I get lots of card solicitations without being members of the group putting out the card. You could ask AAA.

 

The card is free, but I don't know if you have to be an AAA member. I happen to be one, but I get lots of card solicitations without being members of the group putting out the card. You could ask AAA.

 

Getting the card requires AAA membership according to:
http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/finance/creditcard.asp

Seems like a decent deal for AAA members - which I'm not.

 

Just a question... did yall actually go on the convoy around the city or belt way yet.. i would really like to come and bring the rest of the 7's

 

word...