RX8_Buckeye

I just had my tires rotated at 8500 miles, and I notice that the tire noise level inside the cabin has increased. My only thought is that the tire wear was slightly different in front and rear, and thus the rotation might be causing the increased noise. If this is the case, I'm hoping that the tire wear will "even out" within a few hundred miles and the noise will be reduced. Anyone have a similar experience?

I bought my car in October of 2003 and just had the "M" flash performed. Initially I was a bit skeptical of all the accounts on the forum of the increased pull at low to mid engine speeds, but I definitely feel the difference. There is, without question, more power available up through 6000 RPM. I tend to agree with those people who claim that the powerband is more linear, rather than those who claim there is a loss of power at the higher engine speeds. Response feels very linear to me. I really like the feel of the car after the "M" flash.

On a side note... I had the dealer perform an oil change, and I had noticed before I brought my car in that my coolant level was below the "low" level. I expected the dealer to top off the fluids when doing the oil change, but apparently I expected too much out of a $30 oil change, as the coolant level remained below the "low" mark. The dealer also raped me with a $30 cabin air filter replacement. He claimed it was completely clogged with leaves and pollen. I wasn't sure where to buy one of these online, so I just had them do it. Does anyone know where I can buy the STOCK cabin air filter (not that fancy accessory filter). Finally, I noticed that the technician had scuffed the roof liner on both sides near the upper part of the windshield. This is the second Mazda dealership I've tried so far, and I was not impressed. It seems you have to be extremely lucky to have a decent Mazda dealership experience.

BasenjiGuy

Yeah, the M flash is definitely an improvement in overall drivability. Last time I checked, a flat (or something approaching) torque curve was a good thing. I'm still a little puzzled by anyone who would rather give up low and mid range improvements just to feel a bigger surge at high revs. That low and mid boost gets you up to the high revs faster!

jsc230

About the road noise. I work at Sam's Club Tire and Battery center (until I graduate in 1 week and get a job in my field, Mechanical Engineering). There are a few causes of noise.

One would be exactly what you think, it wore funny, and might be choppy on one side. To tell if this is the cause rub the tire with your hand if it is not smooth andthe inside/outside tread feels choppy/bummpy then this is what you problem is. If this is your problem get your alignment fixed this is the most common cause for that.

Other causes that are less likely given what you have said would be. Agressive tread, since you mostly likely don't have mud tires on this probably isn't the cause of your noise. A miss ballance could cause noise, but you would also feel this in the wheel (front) or your seat (rear).

Finally, a broken belt in your tire can cause noise. This you would also feel and the dealer should have told you about that, as this is a serious safety concern.

Also I would like to say Hello to everybody, I don't have an RX-8 yet but once I get a job that pays more than 9.10 an hour I plan to get one.

starbucks

That sounds like a total rip off. Earlier you wrote that you've had your car since Oct '03. A new cabin air filter so soon? Gimme a break. At worst, they should have just blown the crap out with compressed air.

Texas 8

Sounds like my story exactly. I noticed the same increase in road noise level after tire rotation. Did your noise ever abate??

speedweasel

I had a similar problem....but it went away after a good autocross event.

My theory is that the soft compound on the tires becomes worn on the outer edge in the fronts and the inner edge in the rears. (Watch how an 8 corners and you will see what I mean.)

Once you scuff the tires on a good SoloII event, the noise will disappear.

Mine give me no problem now! :D

Texas 8

Maybe I'll just have to go find a good twisty somewhere. Oh darn...

MI_FamilyMan

Detroit, you mind me asking which two dealerships you've been to? Just wondering, as I will be taking mine into the dealership I purchased from in the spring (Sterling in S.Heights) and want to know if I should be cautious or not.

jbaseball

I've had my loaded '05 Titanium 6 sp GT for about a month now, and almost didn't buy it because of the road noise during the test drives. I was too in love to NOT buy it, and now I don't hear a thing. Maybe I'm used to it. Maybe it went away. We'll see when rotation time comes.

MI_FamilyMan

I've actually found the 8 to be pretty quiet in the cabin, especially from the tires... do you have the Dunlops? I've got the Potenzas, maybe their a little different.

jbaseball

Nope - I have the Potenzas too. I did notice that the road around the dealership was crap, though. Why am I complaining? Compared to our 55 Jag and our 53 MG, the 8 is silent as a mouse! (And WAY more fun!)

RX8_Buckeye

Unfortunately, I did not notice a dramatic decrease in road noise over time. However, I did notice when I swapped out my tires for winter that one of the Potenzas had a small screw lodged in it. I have no idea how long it had been there, but it could have contributed to the seemingly sudden increase in noise. Even so, it seems like too much of a coincidence that the tire picked up a screw in the days immediately following the tire rotation. My winter tires seem whisper quiet compared to the Potenzas, and that's not the way it should be. In general, winter tires should be a bit noisier than summer or all-season tires due to the deeper and more separated tread.

No worries, neither dealership was in Sterling Heights. My worst experience (purchase) was with Livonia Mazda (now Ralph Thayer Mazda)--I will never again set foot in that place. The other experience was at Sesi Mazda in Ypsi; however, to be fair I should say that I have gone back twice since the incident described above, and I have had no complaints. I had a good experience at Sterling Mazda in Woodhaven, though it was only an oil change. That particular establishment is an exclusive Mazda dealer, so it's no surprise that the level of service was above average. Also, AAI (the joint venture assembly plant between Ford and Mazda) is 5 minutes away, so all of the Mazda employees go there. It wouldn't be in the best interests of the dealership to offer shabby service to such customers .

MI_FamilyMan

Good point Buckeye. The Sterling Mazda in Sterling Heights is one of those snazzy new Mazda designs, so it is actually quite nice. Was real happy with my salesperson, but have yet to take my 8 there. I taken the wife's MPV there and I guess I had no issues with them yet. They're open real late every day during the week now, so I guess that's a big plus... as long as they keep skilled techs during those hours I suppose.

c2k4-8

My road noise from the tires has picked up significatly also.

Texas 8

I'll have to check the screw theory out. It's weird, because it only seems to be coming from the passenger rear... It's loud too. I had an old Dodge truck at one point in time with a jacked up suspension and big 'ol mudders on and it didn't seem this loud. Hmmmm. I did notice yesterday that all other 3 tires have about 32 balancing weights whereas the tire where the noise seems to be originating from only has 1 weight total. I'm thinking maybe when he rotated the tires a weight or 2 may have been lost. I'm taking it in shortly for an oil change and a redline tranny/diff fluid swap, so, I may have the tech give it a quick balance. I hope that helps cause it gets really annoying real quick. Until then I guess I'll just have to keep the rpm's up to cover it up

AC8

Wow...30 bones for an oil change! My dealer here in Atl. send one coupon per month $19.95 oil change, top off fluids, and free door dings! (got bumper last time)

As far as the filter goes, it's behind the glove box, remove it and vacume it yourself, or some have made thier own, using material from Home depot or Lowes-if you want to upgrade it-just do a search

wankit

The M-flash made a difference. I havent noticed any tire noise on stock tires but when I
put AVS yokohamas on things got louder. It seems that most mazda dealers lack good
help when it comes to service as the one in my area didnt put oil in my FD after oil change.
Hire the brain dead is their motto.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Yep this happened to me for sure. The noise is driving me crazy right now, and I'm buying new tires tonight, and an alignment right after they go on.

godai00

I have 2 sets of wheels, one set for snow tires. Changed back to summer tires this weekend and rotated (for the first time) front to rear etc. on both sides. Now I notice a fairly loud hum from the rear, seems particularly right rear. Concerned driving 45 miles to work this morning (no spare) but no problem apart from the hum. Checked with dealer who suggested putting the tires back the way they had been before last removal. Went to Goodyear for the rotation but it was recommended there to leave as is, noise will probably lessen in a week or so. I've had the summer tires on for about 20K miles (2 seasons) without rotation. Any suggestions to leave rotated or change back to unrotated? I think noise will be gone if I change them back since I didn't notice this last December when I put on the snow tires. I drive 450 miles weekly at 70 mph, so tires will get some additional miles quickly.

czr

iTrader: (3)

Maybe it's time to have them aligned and balanced again. Mine are noisy as well, but I think 2 tires are almost down to the wear bars @ 13.5k. From the consensus, these tires are just noisy altogether.

Fanman

Could be the difference in tire wear. On my last car I replaced 2 sets of rear before I replaced my front tires. Depends on your driving habits (any burnouts or aggresive launches) & your rotation pattern.

Old Rotor

I have about 18k on my Brigs and rotated them about 3k ago. Yes there is more tire noise and its caused by the way they have worn because of the alignment. It is set up for the twisties, but can be set better for wear if you want. It would be nice if we all bought the same tires for replacement and just swaped out two when worn out. Mine are about half gone because most of my driving is hwy. I still look all the time to see what is available, cant wait to buy.

godai00

I drove home (45 miles) going up to 70 mph. Above 50 mph noise was really annoying, so I decided to check with Goodyear for rotation back to original placements. Did this and sound is gone! Rear is quiet, same as last December, when I put on the snow tires. So, seems good to rotate tires for even wear but do it early and often. Guess I'll need 2 rear tires soon, hopefully after December, when the snows go back on.