How Can Ya Tell if You're Lugging a Rotary?
01-25-2008, 01:07 AM
#27
ಠ_ಠ
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Under the Dumbarton Bridge
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
I find myself downshifting into first a lot in heavy traffic, anything below 10 mph in 2nd and the engine just sounds bad, and it's prone to surge and shake the car unless you're very delicate with the throttle. Also, when pulling into parking lots where I'd like to go as slow as possible I'll down shift into first. occasionally at stop lights where I've dropped below 5 or 6 mph I'll shift into first instead of second. It's more fun, and if I wear out the syncros from that, well I've got a warranty. 
01-25-2008, 02:30 AM
#28
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Love Field.
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In my one month of 8 ownership, I think you're all too low on RPMs. Did you say to upshift at 4000 RPM? That's just when the fun starts.
I usually accelerate way into the 6 - 7K range before shifting (occasionally higher), and am looking to the 3 - 4 range for cruise.
Shifting at 4,000? Am I reading you right???
I usually accelerate way into the 6 - 7K range before shifting (occasionally higher), and am looking to the 3 - 4 range for cruise.
Shifting at 4,000? Am I reading you right???
01-25-2008, 06:05 AM
#29
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Montreal,QC
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do you 1st gear to coast in traffic. But there is always usually a point where you stop, or almost, thats when I put it in and it goes in smooth.
What I dont like seeing is people trying to force it in, talking about grinding... eeek
What I dont like seeing is people trying to force it in, talking about grinding... eeek
01-25-2008, 07:13 AM
#31
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
01-25-2008, 07:47 AM
#32
Laid back in the pocket
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My rule of thumb:
8mph+ use 2nd.
4mph-7mph Double clutch going down to 1st (if tranny cold blip throttle a bit too)
0mph-4mph 1st usually engaging with very little effort.
I can also use 2nd down to about 5mph, but you have to gently slip the clutch a little. I'll do this if I'm coasting a bit or going down a slight decline and know I'll gain speed easily.
Be easy on your shifter. Gentle, steady pressure probably ok if it's being stubborn, but don't force it you can bend and/or damage stuff.
8mph+ use 2nd.
4mph-7mph Double clutch going down to 1st (if tranny cold blip throttle a bit too)
0mph-4mph 1st usually engaging with very little effort.
I can also use 2nd down to about 5mph, but you have to gently slip the clutch a little. I'll do this if I'm coasting a bit or going down a slight decline and know I'll gain speed easily.
Be easy on your shifter. Gentle, steady pressure probably ok if it's being stubborn, but don't force it you can bend and/or damage stuff.
Last edited by Rhythmic; 01-25-2008 at 07:50 AM.
01-25-2008, 08:03 AM
#33
Purveyor of fine bass
4-7pmh double-clutch? whoa seems excessive
OK, when cold, I never ever go into 1st below 8mph.
But once it warms up, the tranny goes into 1st at 15 mph effortlessly. If I need to do 15mph + (sometimes I want to really shoot out of that toll plaza and I'm going 20mph), I double-clutch with throttle blip (useless w/o the blip at anything faster than 5mph), and it slides in like butter.
I never force it... but 2nd at low RPMs is a dog, if you want to dart around, esp. if it's an uphill, 1st is required.
OK, when cold, I never ever go into 1st below 8mph.
But once it warms up, the tranny goes into 1st at 15 mph effortlessly. If I need to do 15mph + (sometimes I want to really shoot out of that toll plaza and I'm going 20mph), I double-clutch with throttle blip (useless w/o the blip at anything faster than 5mph), and it slides in like butter.
I never force it... but 2nd at low RPMs is a dog, if you want to dart around, esp. if it's an uphill, 1st is required.
01-25-2008, 08:46 AM
#34
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Dix Hills, New York
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even when autocrossing you have to be cautious about the 2 to 1 downshift due to unsetting the car and stress on the tranny.
01-25-2008, 11:23 AM
#35
Owners Manual: Recommended Shift Points
These are Mazda's recommended shift points for maximizing fuel economy. There's a chart like this in the owners manual of every car, probably an EPA requirement. Needless to say, these shift points are not fun, and if you try them you'll be doing a good impression of an old lady in an Oldsmobile, with plenty of angry drivers honking behind you.
I only post them because I've tried them, and these are the lowest shift points you can do without lugging, the answer to the OP's question. (You'll get better mileage, too.)
Normal Acceleration:
1 to 2: 14 mph
2 to 3: 22 mph
3 to 4: 29 mph
4 to 5: 36 mph
5 to 6: 46 mph
Cruising:
1 to 2: 14 mph
2 to 3: 21 mph
3 to 4: 28 mph
4 to 5: 35 mph
5 to 6: 42 mph
I only post them because I've tried them, and these are the lowest shift points you can do without lugging, the answer to the OP's question. (You'll get better mileage, too.)
Normal Acceleration:
1 to 2: 14 mph
2 to 3: 22 mph
3 to 4: 29 mph
4 to 5: 36 mph
5 to 6: 46 mph
Cruising:
1 to 2: 14 mph
2 to 3: 21 mph
3 to 4: 28 mph
4 to 5: 35 mph
5 to 6: 42 mph
01-25-2008, 11:41 AM
#37
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I keep the revs up as much as I can and RED-LINE it allot after its warmed up real good. That will keep it carbon free. I changed the plugs at 33K and they looked great. This is my seventh Rotary. I know the M/T is the way to go but, I've had two back surgeries and cant be pushing the clutch in all day. The A/T is the only way to go in traffic and I do appreciate the three modes of operation. I do allot less driving now that I'm retired and am now considering a M/T on the next RX, hope it's a two door!
Last edited by Old Rotor; 01-25-2008 at 05:58 PM.
01-25-2008, 12:16 PM
#38
ಠ_ಠ
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Under the Dumbarton Bridge
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
In my one month of 8 ownership, I think you're all too low on RPMs. Did you say to upshift at 4000 RPM? That's just when the fun starts.
I usually accelerate way into the 6 - 7K range before shifting (occasionally higher), and am looking to the 3 - 4 range for cruise.
Shifting at 4,000? Am I reading you right???
I usually accelerate way into the 6 - 7K range before shifting (occasionally higher), and am looking to the 3 - 4 range for cruise.
Shifting at 4,000? Am I reading you right???
01-26-2008, 03:36 AM
#40
I don't buy Kool-Aid
Thanks. I realize that, however, that was not my question. How can you tell if the shift point is too low and you are causing the engine to strain? With a piston engine there is vibration (that lugging sound). Done excessively, it can cause engine damage. What about a rotary?
01-26-2008, 04:11 AM
#41
I don't buy Kool-Aid
My rule of thumb:
8mph+ use 2nd.
4mph-7mph Double clutch going down to 1st (if tranny cold blip throttle a bit too)
0mph-4mph 1st usually engaging with very little effort.
I can also use 2nd down to about 5mph, but you have to gently slip the clutch a little. I'll do this if I'm coasting a bit or going down a slight decline and know I'll gain speed easily.
Be easy on your shifter. Gentle, steady pressure probably ok if it's being stubborn, but don't force it you can bend and/or damage stuff.
8mph+ use 2nd.
4mph-7mph Double clutch going down to 1st (if tranny cold blip throttle a bit too)
0mph-4mph 1st usually engaging with very little effort.
I can also use 2nd down to about 5mph, but you have to gently slip the clutch a little. I'll do this if I'm coasting a bit or going down a slight decline and know I'll gain speed easily.
Be easy on your shifter. Gentle, steady pressure probably ok if it's being stubborn, but don't force it you can bend and/or damage stuff.
But some times when I'm in a rush and cars are coming I cant find 1st!
I have to take it out of gear shake the stick left and right real quick then it gos into 1st ok! I dont get it???
01-26-2008, 11:38 AM
#43
lol ny.
am the only one that can cruise at 1600rpm in just about any gear? without any bogging down or anything. i swear i've been at 9mph in 3rd gear. to accelerate you just have to be gentle and dont force it. you will gradually gain enough speed to accelerate smoothly. i think i've been in 6th at below 20mph. :S
am the only one that can cruise at 1600rpm in just about any gear? without any bogging down or anything. i swear i've been at 9mph in 3rd gear. to accelerate you just have to be gentle and dont force it. you will gradually gain enough speed to accelerate smoothly. i think i've been in 6th at below 20mph. :S
01-26-2008, 07:57 PM
#47
I steal things.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In regards to shifting. My MT is the same exact way 1st to 2nd when shifting at 5,500 RPM or lower. When I move the shifter into neutral, I can feel that I need to hesitate for a 1/2 second before moving the shifter into 2nd gear. If I move the shifter without a hesitation, it will crunch. When I do the hesitation thing I can feel something sort of grab at the shifter and then it nicely moves into 2nd gear.
At higher RPMs the shift from 1st to 2nd is very sweet, no hesitation needed. I am not sure why this is only on the 1st to 2nd shift. It is not like that on any of the other shifts or downshifts. Is it the 1st gear lock out mechanism getting in the way??? The funny thing is that I can down shift from 3rd to 2nd and never have a problem, it is only on the 1st to 2nd shift. During the first 3,000 miles the problem has gotten a little better and hopefully as I put more miles on the car, the gearbox will loosen up a bit more and provide better 1st to 2nd shifts.
At higher RPMs the shift from 1st to 2nd is very sweet, no hesitation needed. I am not sure why this is only on the 1st to 2nd shift. It is not like that on any of the other shifts or downshifts. Is it the 1st gear lock out mechanism getting in the way??? The funny thing is that I can down shift from 3rd to 2nd and never have a problem, it is only on the 1st to 2nd shift. During the first 3,000 miles the problem has gotten a little better and hopefully as I put more miles on the car, the gearbox will loosen up a bit more and provide better 1st to 2nd shifts.
Does anyone else do this?
01-26-2008, 08:12 PM
#48
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you don't hear the shift buzzer you are shifting too soon 
just kidding.
Drive the dang car already and quit trying to figure out how low you can shift. Its a Sports car. Drive it like one.
just kidding.
Drive the dang car already and quit trying to figure out how low you can shift. Its a Sports car. Drive it like one.
