Gas mileage....so much worse than I thought!
05-13-2010, 03:25 PM
#27
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^ haha. I am OCD, I log each gas receipt, mileage, etc. on a spreadsheet and I average 13-14MPG with a heavy foot and most of that is city driving. This is on a new engine, new plugs, BHR coils from the get, 5W-40 synthetic, and Shell 93 only on 245/40-18 tires. But, when I go to my parents house (170 miles each way) I average 20MPG if I use the cruise and stay 80MPH or under.
05-13-2010, 04:18 PM
#28
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I'm at 4k rpm in 6th (overdrive) at 80 mph. The two 'extra' ignition ports open at/above 5k rpm (at least according to my 'butt dyno'). Overdrive is supposed to facilitate more fuel efficient highway driving.
However I rarely go 80 or below in my early morn commutes.
Of course for optimal fuel efficiency you should never break 3k rpm nor 50 mph. But then why have an RX-8???
However I rarely go 80 or below in my early morn commutes.
Of course for optimal fuel efficiency you should never break 3k rpm nor 50 mph. But then why have an RX-8???
I wish Mazda would have made 6 gear taller just for cruzing and fuel economy, so i could do 75mph at 3.5k (although it would be problem for those who live in 60mph speed limit states - when trying to pass)
05-13-2010, 04:23 PM
#29
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Coils often can be seen degrading at 30k mi - still function ok for DD driving but bad top end. If you push your car hard - depending on your heat cycles - they can go sooner.
05-13-2010, 06:09 PM
#31
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Hi everyone
I've had my RX8 for about 6 days now and I love it....however....I've already filled it up twice, and it's due for another fill up today.
I'm getting maaaybe 14-15mpg. I've been at cruise control on the hwy, set at 68. I've done very little driving around town. I have a killer commute (70 mi each way), so I expect to spend a lot of money on gas. Yea, this wasn't the most practical car
My point isn't that I'm spending a stupid amount on gas—that was a given. My issues is simply the mileage itself. I figured I'd be averaging 20.
Is there anything in particular that could be influencing gas mileage that much? What should I do?
My future husband has a Prius, but this isn't balancing out as much as I was hoping it would
Thanks for your input!
I've had my RX8 for about 6 days now and I love it....however....I've already filled it up twice, and it's due for another fill up today.
I'm getting maaaybe 14-15mpg. I've been at cruise control on the hwy, set at 68. I've done very little driving around town. I have a killer commute (70 mi each way), so I expect to spend a lot of money on gas. Yea, this wasn't the most practical car
My point isn't that I'm spending a stupid amount on gas—that was a given. My issues is simply the mileage itself. I figured I'd be averaging 20.
Is there anything in particular that could be influencing gas mileage that much? What should I do?
My future husband has a Prius, but this isn't balancing out as much as I was hoping it would
Thanks for your input!
Now, WRT your poor mileage, I see you have a 2004 with 28k miles so if you don't know if the previous owner changed the plugs and coils, do that first, clean your MAF sensor (easy, there's a thread around here showing exactly how to do it), pull the room fuse, and if you're still getting such lousy mileage, consider getting a compression test at a Mazda dealer.
Good luck (and don't forget the pics)!
05-14-2010, 06:06 AM
#32
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I have a 2008 rx8 AE edition with 6 speed manual. car has 2,900 miles on it, I use premium fuel, 5-20w oil, etc.
I am lucky to get 16 mpg on the highway. I clock every fill-up and note the miles/gallons thinking my calculations are off, however it is the same every time. I generally cruise between 80-85 on the highway, however I did not see a huge improvement when I tried, painfully, to drive at 70...
I am lucky to get 16 mpg on the highway. I clock every fill-up and note the miles/gallons thinking my calculations are off, however it is the same every time. I generally cruise between 80-85 on the highway, however I did not see a huge improvement when I tried, painfully, to drive at 70...
05-14-2010, 09:36 AM
#33
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SHE, actually, I'm a girl
But anyway, yea, trust me, I've done my research. Just because I have only
owned it for a short time doesn't mean I have no clue what's going on. I know I need to do the coils. I do use premium fuel (I always did on my Protege MP3) so i'm in the habit. I picked up some 5w20 for when I change my oil.
I just came on asking everyone their opinion because despite my bank of rotary research since my 04 dream car was announced, I wanted to get some feedback from drivers. So thanks so far, everyone.
I just filled up again and I'll track my mileage until I fuel up again.
But anyway, yea, trust me, I've done my research. Just because I have only
owned it for a short time doesn't mean I have no clue what's going on. I know I need to do the coils. I do use premium fuel (I always did on my Protege MP3) so i'm in the habit. I picked up some 5w20 for when I change my oil.
I just came on asking everyone their opinion because despite my bank of rotary research since my 04 dream car was announced, I wanted to get some feedback from drivers. So thanks so far, everyone.
I just filled up again and I'll track my mileage until I fuel up again.
seeing as he has owned the car for only 6 days (well, 7 now), i doubt he knows a whole lot about the maintenance history. common things to check would be coils and plugs if you are truly getting that mileage on the highway. i have heard people mention how their highway mileage improved after new coils and plugs.
i get 15-16 mpg average but i do mostly city driving and it is usually only 10 miles at a time since i live close to downtown. if i am driving only on the highway, i can easily get 22-23 mpg without really trying.
it sounds like it would be worth getting checked out and to verify all applicable recalls have been performed.
i get 15-16 mpg average but i do mostly city driving and it is usually only 10 miles at a time since i live close to downtown. if i am driving only on the highway, i can easily get 22-23 mpg without really trying.
it sounds like it would be worth getting checked out and to verify all applicable recalls have been performed.
05-14-2010, 09:40 AM
#34
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ah sorry, i didn't see leg humping in the thread so i just assumed
i was just saying that you might not know when the last time plugs and coils have been replaced (if ever) since you just got the car. glad to see that you've done some research.
i was just saying that you might not know when the last time plugs and coils have been replaced (if ever) since you just got the car. glad to see that you've done some research.
05-14-2010, 01:22 PM
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No that's cool, it's good advice. I mean that I saw all the service records on the CarFax sheet. It was very well-taken care of by the previous owner—everything is documented.
05-14-2010, 01:35 PM
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Yes, this car almost ended our relationship (he's a 9th grade science teacher/ eco freak), but I told him that if I got it I wouldn't ever want to put a car seat in an RX 8 so he cut his losses and realized that if he shut his mouth and let me get the car he'd buy himself a few extra years before fatherhood
http://gallery.me.com/eneums#100108
^pics of the car. none of me with it yet, but soon!
http://gallery.me.com/eneums#100108
^pics of the car. none of me with it yet, but soon!
So, let me get this straight. You bought an RX-8, your Dad and brother race dragsters, and you're gonna marry a guy that drives a Prius? I'm pretty sure you shouldn't marry that guy but can't say for sure without seeing some pics (of you, not the guy).
Now, WRT your poor mileage, I see you have a 2004 with 28k miles so if you don't know if the previous owner changed the plugs and coils, do that first, clean your MAF sensor (easy, there's a thread around here showing exactly how to do it), pull the room fuse, and if you're still getting such lousy mileage, consider getting a compression test at a Mazda dealer.
Good luck (and don't forget the pics)!
Now, WRT your poor mileage, I see you have a 2004 with 28k miles so if you don't know if the previous owner changed the plugs and coils, do that first, clean your MAF sensor (easy, there's a thread around here showing exactly how to do it), pull the room fuse, and if you're still getting such lousy mileage, consider getting a compression test at a Mazda dealer.
Good luck (and don't forget the pics)!
05-14-2010, 02:32 PM
#42
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all the folks with the gas mileage threads should be pointed in a few directions. basic, data and research based threads on a few different topics that cover some of the more common thing that help/hurt mpg:
1) Your current PCM flash(be it OE or other) - see recent postings HERE concerning OE fuel map richness
2) The condition and capabilities of your coils/wires/plugs ?
3) Condition of your MAF sensor, and possibly in relation some "oil in intake" basics ?
4) Condition of your catalytic convertor ?
5) Compression testing (even new Mazda motors aren't always great) ?
6) possibly links to the half dozen or more in-depth discussions on the subject already?
if anyone want to throw some ideas out for threads for those other factors i haven't linked, maybe we can make some sort of link depository to send folks to where they can directly access all the basics and pertinent discussion, without having to search or look or anything crazy
1) Your current PCM flash(be it OE or other) - see recent postings HERE concerning OE fuel map richness
2) The condition and capabilities of your coils/wires/plugs ?
3) Condition of your MAF sensor, and possibly in relation some "oil in intake" basics ?
4) Condition of your catalytic convertor ?
5) Compression testing (even new Mazda motors aren't always great) ?
6) possibly links to the half dozen or more in-depth discussions on the subject already?
if anyone want to throw some ideas out for threads for those other factors i haven't linked, maybe we can make some sort of link depository to send folks to where they can directly access all the basics and pertinent discussion, without having to search or look or anything crazy
05-15-2010, 09:16 AM
#46
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Yeah, I did too. Funny thing is, both of my little guys still much prefer to ride in the Miata. They can see out much better, top down, and of course it special Daddy time because only one of them can come with me at a time. We crank up "Life is a Highway" from the movie Cars and have a great old time.
05-15-2010, 10:13 AM
#47
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ya know that song was around before cars? right? Tom Cochrane in 90 or 91
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCPbL4yA7ik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCPbL4yA7ik
05-15-2010, 12:06 PM
#48
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvsmR...eature=related
05-16-2010, 03:27 AM
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