Proper Starting/Restarting Procedure - New Owner
 

Will take delivery on my 2006 RX8 on Thursday. I'm a little paranoid about proper starting procedure. The owners of the 4 or 5 cars I checked out before settling on this one each had a different take on how an RX8 should be started. Floor the pedal. Don't floor the pedal. Never turn it off when you're running into a drugstore for a couple of minutes. Blah. Blah.

Might be me, but I have not been able to find anything about this using the website search function. Can anyone point toward some definitive word on correct starting procedure and/or do's and don't about starting?

Thanks, gang.

Ray

Welcome.
I start mine like any other car, foot off the gas.
People who say don't make short trips don't know much either.
The main thing is to keep your 8 properly tuned with good ignition parts.
It's a non-issue.
Be sure to read the new owner stickies, almost anything you want to know is there.
This forum probably has all the answers you could want from knowledgeable owners.
Have fun!

Welcome...

I have some suggestions, based on how I treat my 2004 with almost 100,000 miles on the engine.

I put it in neutral, press the clutch, and turn the key. The car knows how to start. Flooring it will enable de-flood mode, and that will cut off fuel. They do not start well with out fuel.

If I have to move it a short distance, I will make sure it runs at least 60 seconds, then will raise the idle to around 2,500 to 3000 rpm, and turn off the key. The engine spins for a second or two, more if you do not have a light flywheel, and with the key off, does not add gas. This pretty much clears any gas out that might lead to a flood.

Also, I have done the things in the congrats thread below, and I keep up with the ignition (change every 25,00 to 30,000 miles. This makes sure it can start if it gets flooded. I did a tune-up, cleaned MAF and ESS, then did a start, run for 15 seconds, shut off, repeat to see if it would flood. After 10 cycles I got tired of the game.

that is what I do. Biggest thing is to make sure the ignition is up to snuff. that is coils, plugs and wires for an 06, especially if you cannot prove they have been done in the last year or two.

Post picks, and your location when you get the car.

And again, welcome.

I guess you haven't read:
New Member Forum -> New and Potential Owners START HERE!

Specifically, there is a section in there for shutting down (How do I shut off an RX-8).

Starting up doesn't have it's own section exactly, however the points are all covered in Flooding, Cold Weather, Warm it up before hard driving

Feel free to skip all the other important information in the thread and just read the info at each link if you wish.

Yes, I did my homework and read the section about shutting down in the new member forum section you mention. As you say, the starting procedure was not mentioned and it was the starting procedure that I got lots of different opinions. Really appreciate all the hard work someone or several someones did putting that all info together in this new members section. I did finally use the "google search this site" technique to find something about starting in RX8 Club.com. Strangely, the linked youtube video gave a procedure that was countermanded by other posts. Viva la difference! Guess it's a matter of opinion...

Thanks to you and BigCajun too for the welcome. I'm near Cleveland Ohio. Should be getting the car on Thursday. It's a white Shinka edition, 46K miles.

Ray

Yeah :)

The only way to ensure that you get a single conclusive opinion is to ask only 1 person. :eyetwitch

Most of the theory and myth around it is simply from people that figure out tricks to get their car running after neglecting what it needs. Take care of it properly, and it will start up and shut down like any other car. When you find yourself resorting to tricks to do so, it's a pretty big clue that you are ignoring something that it needs...

You should download the "Quick Tips" manual from mazdausa.com. That gives Mazda's opinion on startup, shutoff and short trips. Also get the owner's manual. Owner's manual is rather long, and the multiple chapters on how the keys work are kind of scary, but it's worth having.

It's worth signing up in the owner's section of that site. If you plan on using a dealer, there'll be discount coupons. The coupons my dealer puts up there are usually better than the ones they e-mail or snail mail to me.

Ken

LOL. Couldn't agree more. Well said.

Thanks
 

Hey, Ken. Thanks for the tip. Didn't know about that. Will download and commit to memory.

Ray