Bad gas mileage after latest flash
 

Hey all, I was wondering if anyone else is getting bad gas mileage after the latest flash. Ever since I took my car in to get the recall done (engine was not replaced), my city mileage has been the same but my hwy mileage has dropped more than 5 mpg! I was getting between 24 and 25 mpg on the hwy, now its dropped to about 18.5 mpg which is the same as what I get with an all city tank. It's just very annoying, anyone have any idea of whats going on?

a few others have noted the same in a few other threads. give it a few tanks of gas and see if it stays the same.

Just to throw in my 2 cents. I had the maintenance done and I used to around 236 miles on a full tank of gas with mixed city/highway driving. After the TSB, I got to 278 on my first tank of gas and 262 the 2nd time. The last three tanks of gas, I am averaging less than 210.

Now my car wont start for the 6th time in 4 months and I am waiting on a tow truck. I am trying to invoke the Lemon Law but my lawyer has advised me that even though you are having the same problem over and over, all the dealer has to do is list it as something different.

gas milage has always sucked, prolly always will

Mine went from about 21mpg mixed driving before latest flash, to about 17 or 18 mpg after flash. I've gotten as low as 16 mpg.

Recall feed back is in this thread

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/rx-8-4206f-recall-completed-feedback-98267/

Mileage threads are everywhere...

I averaged 20-22 mpg highway before the flash, 16 mpg highway after the flash. I also had a smooth running car prior to the flash, now the tac drops then surges back up every few seconds when idling. The car also cranks longer when it starts now. I loved my car prior to the recal flash, but I am actually starting to get a few regrets in the back of my mind after the flash. I don't even really care about the gas mileage, but it is driving me crazy how poorly my new car is running. Back to the shop again this week - I'm averaging once per month since I got it in July.

Some people get better some get worse. I get worse. Mine dropped to about 20-20.5MPG on the highway from around 22-23. A big bummer, but I suppose if it is saving my engine for the long run it's tolerable.

Is it possible to get the old flash back? Or will they not do it? I'm dropping my car off tomorrow, I guess I'll see what they say.

I guess the bigger question is Why the improvement on many cars in gas mileage right after he flash?

The only semi theory I have is since I got mine done early and it was still warm out that maybe because gas companies do change the mixture for winter conditions that the new flash doesn't like whatever additives are added.

I doubt they are watering down the 93 octane but who knows.

Ive had the flash for a couple months already. Many tanks of gas, so no sign of it getting better.

Re-flash....
 

No chance of getting an old flash, once they update the WDS the old one doesn't exist.

S

Mine was fine after right after the flash, then got an oil change and it plummeted. Turned out I had a loose plug. Got that taken care of it and it went up again, although not back to normal. By this time we had switched to that crappy winter gas blend. I know we are on winter gas for sure through the end of February. I'm expecting an improvement of 2-3 mpg when it goes back to the regular gas so I'll be getting 22-23 again instead of my current 19-20. I also noticed that the colder the temperatures outside the worse the gas does, too. When I drive it mostly in 45 degrees or more my mileage will get mid to high 20s. Otherwise I've been driving it around freezing when I get off work and mid to high 30s in the afternoon. This gets me low to mid 19s.

Just wait until it warms up a little and they put back the "regular" gas and you'll see an improvement.

Interesting. Well its getting dropped off at the dealer after work, maybe they left a plug loose, or somethings else, on mine.

Well gang just remember this flash was meant to keep Mazda from having to replace your engine on there dime. If this means decrease in fuel mileage for the end user I don't think Mazda really cares.

Zoom-Zoom-Doom

I picked up a lovely chevy aveo. What a POS, my 8 handles better in the snow then this thing does.

Are any of one of you taking your car back to have it flashed again or checked out?

I averaged 18mpg before the flash. It has crept up to 21mpg since. And it is actualy a bit better than that because now I do a lot more city driving.

Yes, thats why there's currently an aveo in the driveway.

Mine was averaging 16-17 before the recall (mixed driving) but ever since (4 tanks) has been around 13. It is DAMN cold here though, and so the extra warm-up in the mornings is probably responsible for that.

yea, i experienced the same...dropped about 2.5 MPG instantly after the reflash.

I was in dismay...especially since i didn't notice anything wrong with my 8 when i took it in.

grr.

I have to believe Mazda is going to come up with another flash soon for this. The major criticism besides certain dealers CS is the gas mileage.

I personally dont mind filling the car up with 93 Octane but if the Gas Mileage is going to keep getting worse then Mazda at least needs to add a bigger gas tank!!!

I have dealt a lot with Mazda on the poor gas mileage issues and I feel very comfortable in saying, "any poor mileage you get is your problem". I average 11 to 12mpg, Mazda's regional rep wont even return my calls. This flash's main purpose was to save Mazda the cost of replacing your engine. They will not lift a finger to solve any mileage related issues that may arise from it. Sad but true.

Thats probably true. It just sucks for those of us who were actually getting good gas mileage with no problems whatsoever.

Do the EPA estimates they put on the car when you buy it mean absolutely nothing?