How well does the RX8 start in winter? (looking to buy 2005 RX8)
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Calgary, Canada
I noticed it happends everytime its -15C or 5F outside. It could be also a bit warmer than that just depending on how long your car is outside. Im pretty sure thats a set up on the ECU to warm the car a bit faster while staying on the safe side. My friends turbo civic does the same and its just the way they tune it. Of course i could be wrong. Any thoughts?
So this Rotary thing...?
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 424
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From: Sherwood Park, AB
Check the link below! 
I dont know what happened to the sound in the video i think my blackberry is just gay and didnt record it properly since the engine sound is wayyy louder! it happened today after leaving the car at the train station for like 10 hours and not using the oil pan heater. Yeah this car comes with an oil pan heater not blocker heater. The car always starts like a champ! I also got new sparkplugs before the winter just to be on the safe side. I recorded this video just for you op so you better watch it! haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyRQ3Mo58_0
I dont know what happened to the sound in the video i think my blackberry is just gay and didnt record it properly since the engine sound is wayyy louder! it happened today after leaving the car at the train station for like 10 hours and not using the oil pan heater. Yeah this car comes with an oil pan heater not blocker heater. The car always starts like a champ! I also got new sparkplugs before the winter just to be on the safe side. I recorded this video just for you op so you better watch it! hahahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyRQ3Mo58_0
You know it's cold when the display lags.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 117
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From: New Jersey
My 8 wasn't started at all for a week recently, sitting outside in 5-35 degree (F) weather (and snow) the whole time. And it started just fine after all that time
2004 model, but I think they replaced the starter and battery with stronger versions when I flooded it years ago.
2004 model, but I think they replaced the starter and battery with stronger versions when I flooded it years ago.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,319
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From: NYC
Every year I spend a few days in New Hampshire with temps often around 5º - 15ºF. Car starts right up every time after sitting out all night. That said, I've never had the 8 in places that cold — or colder — for weeks or months at a time.
even my plates are tinted
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 84
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From: Chicago, IL
it gets around 0F in Chicago during the winter and I have problems starting it. Mine's an 04 with no battery upgrades. Doesn't fire up straight away but doesn't crank too long either.
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Check the link below! I dont know what happened to the sound in the video i think my blackberry is just gay and didnt record it properly since the engine sound is wayyy louder! it happened today after leaving the car at the train station for like 10 hours and not using the oil pan heater. Yeah this car comes with an oil pan heater not blocker heater. The car always starts like a champ! I also got new sparkplugs before the winter just to be on the safe side. I recorded this video just for you op so you better watch it! haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyRQ3Mo58_0
I dont know what happened to the sound in the video i think my blackberry is just gay and didnt record it properly since the engine sound is wayyy louder! it happened today after leaving the car at the train station for like 10 hours and not using the oil pan heater. Yeah this car comes with an oil pan heater not blocker heater. The car always starts like a champ! I also got new sparkplugs before the winter just to be on the safe side. I recorded this video just for you op so you better watch it! hahahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyRQ3Mo58_0
Yeah Sioux Sioux!!!
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,235
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From: Dickinson, North Dakota
If you can't find one in your town i would seriously consider making a drive to find one thats just right. They are defiantly not an extremely common car around here so i made a road trip to denver (about 10 hours) and looked at several and bought the best deal Defiantly dont regret it, plus if you buy it you have a nice long road trip home with it.
Defiantly dont regret it, plus if you buy it you have a nice long road trip home with it.
FWIW (keep the oil **** war out of this please) my car starts better using RP 5w-30 than PennzoilYB 5w-30 after sitting outside of work in 10*F weather for 9 hours. Not to say that it didn't start well with the PYB, but the RP makes the start up a lot smoother and the idle less rough
So this Rotary thing...?
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 424
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From: Sherwood Park, AB
Starting is no big deal, but I wonder if anyone has any tips on warming the transmission? On some days it takes forever for it to warm up even a bit. I've tried to go before it's warmed up and it just doesn't happen. When I put it in gear, the transmission fluid is so cold it prevents me reversing down the hill on my driveway without giving it a bunch of gas.
I am debating buying one of those generic "block" heaters and using it on my transmission.
I am debating buying one of those generic "block" heaters and using it on my transmission.
Last edited by azzuro; Feb 9, 2011 at 07:57 PM. Reason: grammar
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 117
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From: New Jersey
Starting is no big deal, but I wonder if anyone has any tips on warming the transmission? On some days it takes forever for it to warm up even a bit. I've tried to go before it's warmed up and it just doesn't happen. When I put it in gear, the transmission fluid is so cold it prevents me reversing down the hill on my driveway without giving it a bunch of gas.
I debating buying one of those generic "block" heaters and using it on my transmission.
I debating buying one of those generic "block" heaters and using it on my transmission.
So this Rotary thing...?
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 424
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From: Sherwood Park, AB
When I had my 8 in for scheduled service a few years ago, I think they replaced the transmission oil with with synthetic? Whatever they did, it was like day and night. It was SO hard to shift when cold before, then after the switch it's been fine, even in -2 degree weather.
Edmonton types: I go to Weber mazda and so far so good. Avoid Park Mazda! No word on any of the other dealers
So this Rotary thing...?
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 424
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From: Sherwood Park, AB
Same here. Starting is quite reliable. I think the small displacement of the engine makes it fairly easy for the starter as long as you have decent oil.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Edmonton Alberta
I bought my car 3 weeks ago from go auto weber mazda, and my car has 152,000km and i got an extended warranty for 2 yrs/40,000km covers everything. so far i'm very pleased with weber mazda and my rx8
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Canada
I bought my '05 at Park Mazda and the gf's Tribute at Weber. No complaints about either. Got T-Boned in the Tribute and sold the 8 so we don't deal with Mazda anymore.
I would defintely recommend a engine heater pad even if your engine is starting strong in -35. It only takes once to realize what a PITA it is when you can't get your 8 to start.
I would defintely recommend a engine heater pad even if your engine is starting strong in -35. It only takes once to realize what a PITA it is when you can't get your 8 to start.
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