Hi there, just bought my first rx8 (used 2006 52000kms). Very happy with all aspects of the car however ive noticed it guzels gas. Im well aware that im driving a sports car of sorts and im not expecting hybrid style econanmy but ive killed a quarter tank (not driving like an angry teenager) in only 60-70 kms. After going through some of the faqs i figure that the plugs and coils probably need replacing as im assuming the past owner did niether. Are these both things that can be accomplished by someone who has little experience? Also is it recomended to keep the oil topped all the way up? My gauge currently reads about 3/4 full and could this have anything to do with fuel effiecencey?

Please do not flame, i have read through a number of faqs and the beginers guide i would however like to solidify an answer before i start any sort of project.

Thanks

 

Not required to keep the oil topped off, and it has no effect on the mileage.

Just keep it above the halfway mark.

 

^what stealth said.
also, read:
FAQ’s https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx-8-faq-please-read-before-posting-959/
New and Potential Owner’s, Start Here https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
Congratulations, you got an 8 https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/congratulations-you-got-8-a-202548/
New Owner FAQ’s https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...&highlight=FAQ

Also, make sure you read the “stickies” in each sub-forum

 

Sadly, fuel economy is not one of the RX-8's strong points.

There's not much you can do about it, in my experience.

 

You are going to get bad gas mileage no matter what. It's not worth driving slow when the gas mileage penalty for beating on the car is so low. Drive it like you stole it.

 

+1 .... and I've done lots of mods

Absolutely agree

FWIW ... I've just but a turbo on with larger injectors .... Still haven't notice that much of a drop in mileage

 

When I first purchased my 8, I was getting an average of 16mpg...After gutting my cat, and installing the BHR ignition kit, I now average 22mpg...I was just one of the lucky few...Unless there are issues which are hindering your performance, chances are your gas mileage won't change...Like Supernaut6 said, drive it like you stole it.

 

Anyone have a reliable and reasonable source for coils and plugs in canada? I stopped by the local mazda dealer and the prices seemed high (almost $700 for 4 coils and 4 plugs).

 

If you just want oem, order from mazmart.com, a vendor of these forums

If you want upgraded, check out blackhaloracing.com. I'd recommend those. Search around and read reviews

 

Rockauto.com...But I would upgrade to the BHR Ignition Kit if I were you.

 

I bought a 2011 Ford Fiesta and now I get 40 MPG in daily driving... lol

Now I don't worry about gas consumption when I chose to drive the RX8

I'm still doing several mods such as BHR ignition, high flow cat and Sohn.

BHR ignition and plugs is less than C$700

 

Getting consistent 18 mpg city driving and 21.5 highway in my '05, there is a sweet spot around 78 mph that yields better mpg.

 

If your engine miles are as old and high as mine, there isn't much you could do unless you completely rebuild the engine. I'm down to 14.3 mpg city driving and close to 18 mpg on the highway.

 

Gas mileage sucks on this car. Anyway, the only thing i like about this car is the looks of it...lol

 

This explains quite a few things.



Have you considered trading it in for something you do like?

 

Anyone who is in the market for an RX-8 and wants to optimize fuel mileage might consider getting an automatic. They are much higher geared in 5th and 6th than the manuals, reducing cruising RPM by about 30%.

Over 35,000 miles mine has consistently averaged 24 mpg almost every tank. Last weekend I drove from Orange County to Palm Springs, making the trip in 1 hour 20 minutes (so I was not driving for fuel mileage), and my scangauge showed an average consumption of almost 27 mpg. The return trip showed 26 mpg. It's going to get about 400 miles out of this tank before I re-fuel.

 

The most I've seen with mine at 14.11 gallons of full tank is 281 miles. That's before I premixed but it had new plugs, coils, air filter, and less than 800 miles after an oil change on 91 oct. gas. I have yet to see that since I found a new job within the city.

 

Yep.

I could get slightly better mileage, but i prefer the fun per dollar, over gallons per mile. I mean really milking it i can get 2 to 3 MPG better. If you think about it, it's really only saving you a few bucks a week. The popping and crackling and flames of the exhaust, high rpm through twisties and opening it up on on-ramps is worth way more.

 

1. The 3/4 mark of the fuel gauge is more like the 1/5 mark, in my experience. Expect 300-350 km/tank in city driving. Your mileage seems on par to this point, but track it by recording the number of litres added and the number of km traveled.

2. The oil gauge measures pressure, not fill level, although it is not an accurate gauge of oil pressure (more like an idiot light). Check the fill level using the dipstick.

3. Get a maintenance history if you can. If it was dealer serviced they should be able to call up the records at that dealer using the VIN.

4. No need to rush into coils replacement unless you have symptoms (in my case, throttle hesitation just above idle). The plugs should be changed without fail every 50,000 km (I think this is the factory recommendation).

 

pfff i get 260km in the city

 

I get between 10-20 smiles per gallon, and it's the only gasoline measurement I'm interested in.



Soooo many MPG threads, I don't understand why it is still a discussion topic.

 

I get better gas mileage here in Windsor than I did when I lived in Kingston, but never as bad as that! And I was blasting up and down Hwy 15 like I bet you are.

 

^ the on ramp of off hwy 15 west to on the 401 mmmmm my fav lol, yeah i dunno why mines like that.. my next goal after my brakes is to get rid of my cat ( not the animal my wife would kill me )

 

^ I hope your wife likes a guy that smells of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen!


This guy seemed so lost, I felt an intervention was necessary.

 

i was leading towards a high flow cat, as well so we will see, if shes not happy she can use her own car