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I just got my second RX8. My first one, years ago, (a bone-stock 2004 GT with about 80k miles) got a pretty steady 18mpg in mostly city driving. My "new" one (bone-stock 2007 GT with 42k miles) gets 14.5 - 15.5. Is there that much variation car-to-car?? I used non-ethanol 91 octane for a couple fill ups (the 14.5-ish readings). Now I'm using 89 octane and premixing and getting about 15-15.5.
I'm datalogging to dig into the causes and would like to post data and request information. It seems like I'm really rich under certain conditions, even though fuel trims look normal. It also burns my eyes to even get close to the car when it's running. But I need 29 more days and 9 more posts. Guess I'll just keep spending my whole paycheck on gas until then . Hope the cat lasts that long...
Be careful, you can do damage to your engine on lower than the minimum 91 octane that is recommnended. Lower octane use is really only for emergencies if 91 or higher is not available. Lower octane in these engines means poorer performance and greater chances of detonation., which can damage internal engine parts.
Last edited by gwilliams6; 07-20-2017 at 09:48 AM.
I've had my 2004 RX-8 automatic w/Touring Package for just over four years and 40,000 miles. 2/3 City. 1/3 Highway. I've tracked every drop of fuel (91 octane) that's gone in. Here are my averages to date:
Average MPG 16.7
Avg. city (est.) 15.9
Avg. hwy. (est.) 20.1
Best MPG 22.5
Worst MPG 10.5
For my 2004 RX-8 6MT city/hwy mix (commute to work during the week) with non-ethanol 91 octane is 19/20 mpg. there is not much fun to be had in that commute. Weekends, which are more fun are more like 16 mpg.
I have a 2005 with an engine that has hot start issues - i usually get 16-18 mpg but i do mostly town driving. i used to be able to get roughly 20 on the freeway, but don't do that much anymore
I have a 2005 with an engine that has hot start issues - i usually get 16-18 mpg but i do mostly town driving. i used to be able to get roughly 20 on the freeway, but don't do that much anymore
...then you're getting excellent in town MPG with low compression!....
2007 Mazda RX-8 GT 6spd Manual
1,200 miles on Mazda Reman
Pennzoil 5w30 Platinum Synthetic oil
Lucas FD-rated 2-stroke pre-mix + SOHN injection
De-cat (due to visible cat damage)
Normalized compression results range 126PSI-136PSI@250RPM
Car is typically operated at ~7,000ft above sea level
Getting 18.5MPG mixed with a 40/60 city/highway drive cycle and five minute engine warm-up each morning. I shift normally between 4-6k RPM with frequent runs to 8-8.5k RPM during each drive cycle.
For comparison, here are the MPG figures of some of my previous cars, though most were owned at sea level.
1993 Jeep Cherokee Sport (automatic) - 16MPG mixed
2016 Mazda Miata Club (manual) - 34MPG mixed
2015 Fiat 500 Sport (manual) - 32MPG mixed
2009 BMW 335i M-Sport (manual) - 23MPG mixed
2008 Pontiac G8 GT (automatic) - 23MPG mixed
2008 Honda Civic Si (manual) - 25MPG mixed
1994 Mazda RX-7 (manual) - 19-22MPG mixed
There is no need for a 5-minute warm-up unless your RX-8 is carburated. All you need is 10~15 seconds, then start driving gently.
I have personally started to try and stay at a lower RPM during flat ground cruising. Will report back after a couple of tanks.
Eh, it has been really cold in the mornings which has driven the decision more than anything, I know the car will run fine skipping the wait. In the afternoons I take off after AWS finishes its run, so that is about 30 seconds to a minute.
Hi all, new owner of an '09 Grand Touring w/ 82K miles.
I track gas mileage every tank using the "Fuelly" app. So far averaging 16.8 mpg after 5 fill-ups.
Also noticed that if you wait to fill-up until the low fuel light goes on, I'm putting in exactly 14 gallons. I want to use this info in case I start adding pre-mix oil at every tank.
Loving my "RoXanne".......Molly, my 2019 Miata hasn't been driven for a week now. We've been avid Mazda fans ever since my wife and I bought a 1988 323GTX brand new back in 1989 just before we married.
Regards,
Terry Wyse
2019 Mazda MX-5 Club
2009 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring
2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring
We bought our '04 RX-8 Grand Touring third hand from a Mazda dealer eight years, 53,000 miles, and one factory rebuilt dealer installed engine ago. Every drop of fuel has been tracked with the Car Care app. We get 21 MPG highway and 14 MPG city. There was no change with the new motor that's been in the car for 34,000 miles now. We just passed 100,000 miles last month.
05-03-2017, 04:39 PM
. Hope the cat lasts that long...
New owner...gas mileage
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