Hey Folks:

I'm a new RX8 owner; bought a 2004 Grand Touring and absolutely love the machine. I'm a huge gear head and car freak, so I'm not unfamiliar with the workings of our beloved little rotary. So I'm fairly aware of the mechanical issues this car has (like constant oil replacement--an utterly minor issue). The little beast only gets about 16 mpg for me (I drive fairly aggressively on a normal day)--again a non-issue.

I was wondering, though, if anyone could offer up some driving tips that are useful for driving the RX8 more efficiently. Like what RPM range does the engine operate best at, speeds, etc.

Yaknow, any good maintenance tips aside from constantly going over the fluid levels to keep the engine healthy could help too.

Thanks in advance!

 

There are suggestions in the Owners Manual. If your car didn't come with one, you can download one from www.madzausa.com

 

red line it often (as often as you can afford it )
and if you are getting 16 with that aggressive driving i'd say keep it like that
because i don't get that good mileage if I drive like i stole it

and pretty much if you want to improve gas mileage do the shifting at 3-4k rpm

hope that helps

 

many MPG threads around.

 

Shifting below 3500 RPM is the best way to bump up your mileage, because that's the point when the second intake port opens up (I think...)

Staying above 3500 is what you want if you're trying to go fast. If you keep it in the middle of the rev range like that, you're ready to go with a lot of power the instant you need it - and you can wind all the way up to 8500 or so if you feel like it.

I drive this car like an answering machine - just wait for the beep.

 

i tend to cruise ALOT in neutral.

I **** alot of people behind me.

Especially goddamn Florida drivers who tailgate as if the boogeyman was after them.

Florida drivers drive too fast from red to green lights. Not everyone drivers automatics or wants to kill their tranny you ********.

sorry to go offtopic.

 

Yeah, I have a tendency to drive the car like I stole it now and then... too easy to do and too much fun to do.

I am keeping the revs to about 3k when cruising and what not, so I'll guess I'll be glad I get what I do for mileage.

 

hilarious.

 

i'm seeing a lot of discussion about adding premix and 2 stroke engine oil? can anyone comment specifically about that, because it's sort of blowing my mind at the moment.

 

Im sure he knew that, he probably just wanted to hear tips from actual owners.....

 

I heard something in a thread a long time ago about cruising on the interstate at 73 mph. 73 mph being just below 3750 rpms in 6th gear. Something happens at 3750 and im not sure what it is....

 

if you're trying to move at all get the revs above 3000, below that the only gear with any grunt at all is 2nd, 1st doesn't accomplish much. All the power is above 4500.

if you redline it on an on-ramp make sure you wait for the revs to drop to around 4k before you try and shift it into fifth or sixth, if you try to ram it in you'll wear your synchros out pretty fast and the gear won't go in anyway, so don't do that...

drive it hard, but be gentle with the gears is pretty much what I can tell you, the car should always feel smooth and if it doesn't you're doing something wrong.

 

Here are some TIPS that can be used on any car.

 

That was an awesome story. Amazing how much gas you can save by changing such tiny things you do.

 

hypermiler :P

 

If you own an RX8 and you're trying that crap... something is seriously wrong with you.

 

keep your trunk and backseats free of unnecessary luggage (including heavyass subs)

lighter weight = better mileage.

 

i'll agree this is probably a better, more practical tactic for the rx8. personally, i just carry 2qts of oil, one 5w20 and one 5w30, a rag, and a smaller bottle of windshield fluid.

lighter weight == better performance (also!)

 

You can cruise the at 2k, which would be in 4th going about 35-40. It starts lugging at about 1600 or so.

What is this "had to drive about 30 miles to get anywhere?" I have to drive anywhere from 90-300 miles to get anywhere. jk

 

Neutral will use more gas coasting to a stop than leaving it in gear, if that is what you are referring to.

 

I got the car about a month ago, and have gone from a full tank to light 165-180 miles at the beggining to a full tank to light 200-210 mile range (city miles, Miami traffic), by doing the following:
- Changed the oil to the new green Mobil 1 Synthetic 0w20 available at walmart.
- Coolant flush replaced with distilled water and 2 bottles of Water Wetter. (Temp Gauge went down an actual 3 dots on that one)
- Max. sidewall tire pressure.
- Throttle Body coolant bypass.
- 4 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil every tank.
- K & N air filter element replacement.(felt a little more kick after that one) 50 bucks at your local auto parts.
I'm sure you can improve on that if you get the K & N CAI but for now I got the car to a decent mileage range.
Next will be lighter wheels, I'm sure that'll help a bit as well.
By the way mine is an AT so there's not much I can do about my shifting, and I'm too busy to use the triptronic crap.

 

Welcome!

And start by reading the tech section and all the stickies.

Yes, its alot of reading but you will become a smart owner.

 

i'm really looking into the threads about adding premix and stuff as that seems pretty interesting. rg's comments make plenty of sense, but these threads are pretty old. i'm guessing since then some oil or fuel companies have caught on to this small market... do any of them make a synthetic or other wise fuel additive that might be more suitable to burn in place of premix?

 

i use idemitsu, and think its fine, and its not that expensive really.

 

The biggest thing, if you can pull it off, is to avoid stop and go traffic. My drive commute is about 35 miles round-trip. There used to always be a bad traffic jam on the way home, with several miles of stop and go traffic. Then to my amazement, CalTrans last summer actually finished a project that got rid of the jam completely. Not having to sit in that afternoon traffic jam boosted my mileage by about 25%.