considering an RX-8... questions
 

I apologize if I'm bringing up some previous topics... I'm new to this forum but I feel you can give me the best information.

I am considering the RX-8, because I love the way it drives & its looks......

But after I've visited a couple of places, it makes me question Mazda's info to these guys...... I've heard different information from different dealerships.... here are some of the things I've been told.....

-don't use the "tire goo" if you get a flat..... bad for the $300+ tires.....
Huh?!? If so, why would Mazda even offer such a thing, if you shouldn't use it?

-not a commuter car..... each time it's started, you should let it idle for 5 minutes or so (characteristic of a rotary engine), so... no short or quick trips to the store, etc.

What is this just a car one should use on long weekend drives?
With a car like this, I'd want to take it out everyday, short or long drives.... that's the supposed fun of this car, isn't it?

-the rotary engine uses a lot of oil so check it every other fill up..... and don't use synthetic oil 'cause the rotary does not tolerate synthetic oil......

-don't drive it in the winter (I live in the midwest) 'cause they don't have snow tires that Mazda has approved...... Any other tire than the potenza could wreck havoc with the air pressure monitoring system.......
What is this? Just a "fair weather" car? Mazda shouldn't even bother getting sales up where winter snow's a problem......

Have any of you heard similar or other cautions?

thanks for any insight...

Re: considering an RX-8... questions
 

1. The general consensus is that the tire "goo" will force you to replace the tire. Try the roadside assistance first, I guess.

2. It only needs to idle that long if you don't drive it after starting it. A short trip to the store is more than enough time to warm up the engine. I can't even make it out of my neighborhood before the motor warms up.

3. Was true in the past. Now it uses a little oil. Still check it every other fill up or so, until you've figured out the consumption rate for your car.

4. Don't know about the winter tire issue, but the tire pressure monitoring system is more of a factor with replacing the wheels, than the tires.

Agree with B-NEZ on all the point. There is no problem with short trips, the car warms up very fast. They are talking about moving it from your garage to your driveway type trips, let it get up to temperature before turning it off. There is a spare tire kit that can be bought. I have driven 2000 miles and I am currently 1/3 of a quart under the full line. No low oil light has yet come on. There are a lot of urban legends going around about the older rotary, because that is all the experience that these dealers have. I think this engine will put most or all of those to rest.

remeber for the tires though

if you are going to add winters for winter tires, add FOUR, otherwise the dsc and such will go wacky trying to balance the front and rear and will compromise handling

also, if your changing a rear tire with a spare, take a front tire off and use that on the back and put the spare up front, again to keep the dsc from going crazy
________
Yamaha Tg77 History

Yeah, and the Limited Slip Differential too.

Darn, I didn't know that a tire that has been temporarily repaired with the tire sealant cannot be reused. Mazda recommends replacing the tire with a new one. Also, that the wheel can be reused after any sealant adhering to it is wiped off and carefully inspected, however you're to replace the tire valve with a new one. It's true though cuz I just now quoted the caution notice on page 7-12 of the owner's manual. It must really work on that rubber!

The rest of those things are bunk. All cars have a list of do's & don'ts. Rotaries aren't piston engines and theefore have some "special pointers" to know about. I don't consider them a negative though, rather positive in that our car is unique in many ways. You might consider that to be bunk instead, that those "special pointers" are nothing but "excess baggage" for you. If so, well, to each, his or her own...;)

Re: considering an RX-8... questions
 

You mean like the Firestones that some other manufacturer(s) installed/recommended for their SUV's???????? :mad:

I think if you can find an 18" snow tire with the right specs... why would Mazda object? Would those Mazda lawyers say "no warranty" if you don't use "Mazda" approved tires? Well... I'm with you if that's the case.... Mazda needs to NOT sell any RX-8s in any States that MAY get snow for more than 2 consecutive days.

Find some snow tires, post info here for the rest of us Northerners.

Peace

I think the snow tire comment is mostly due to the tire pressure monitoring system - if you got a spare set of wheels with snow tires, and put them on the car, the tire pressure system would go nuts.

As soon as the shop manual is publicly available, we'll figure out how to disable the tire pressure system :). Should be easy.

Rotaries do have different rules than piston engines. But, here's one rule you can forget about - "make sure to change the timing belt at 60,000 miles or it will break and destroy the engine!". There's no timing belt on a rotary :). Not to mention no valves, cams, head gasket....

Don't briefly move the car when it's cold. Keep up on oil changes. Don't let the car overheat. Make sure to drive it hard every now and again to exercise the motor. That's about it for special rules.

I really don't consider the oil consumption anything to worry about - RX-7 owners aren't worried about it :). The oil usage is so minimal, that if you do regular oil changes you'll be fine.

Dale

Synthetic Oil?
 

and don't use synthetic oil 'cause the rotary does not tolerate synthetic oil......

Answered most but what about this one?? anyone know?

There is a running debate in the RX7 community about whether or not it is safe to use synthetic oil in turbocharged rotaries. Many owners use synthetics in their FD's and have no problems. I think this is another example of old information. Synthetics have been vastly improved over the years. There should be no reason in the world why you can't use synthetic oil in the RX8.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, because I don't have it in front of me, but I believe that the owner's manual recommends synthetic.

One of the main reasons synthetic oil isnt normally used, especially in turbo-charged rotaries is because its going to break down after 3,000 miles anyways. Just make sure to check your oil every week or two, i do it on all my cars, just in case. The big reason for letting a rotary engine warm up before driving it was because of the turbocharged engines as well, its important to get the turbochargers well oiled and lubricated and and up to normal operating temperature before driving them, at least under boost. Naturally Aspirated rotarys have proven their reliabilty many times before, they're are lots of older NA's with 200,000+ miles on the road and no rebuilds. The RX-8 should ake a great daily driver.

ceys:

I had thought about the things you mentioned. I went from the reliability and comfort of a Lexus LS400 to the RX-8, and I have no regrets. I, too, wanted something fun. I had my tires remounted on polished wheels, and I saved my original wheels for a set of snow tires which I'll purchase later. One car has to do everything for me, so I needed four seats and passable driveability in the winter. I owned a rotary in the less-reliable days, but I always wanted to have another one. I think you would be very happy!

Sorry if I missed this elsewhere, but it has been suggested in many threads that buying steel rims with good snow tires will work fine. Does the pressure monitoring system prevent this?

Thanks