Let's Talk Mechanics?
 

Just got myself my first sports car - ever. Gave up my Lexus ES-300 for a Yellow Automatic RX-8. My college age son said I needed a sports car so I listened. All Mom's should listen to their kids....lol But let's talk car now - since I also know cars - the mileage is an issue - hopefully as the car gets broken in we'll see better #'s. I had a strange experience this weekend. I always - no matter what brand - use Hi-Test gas. I used Chevron this weekend for the 1st time and it was awful. Couldn't accelerate - pinging and oh - it was awful. I just filled up with Mobile and hope that solves the issue - anyone else have any sluggish acceleration problems?

Another issue I had - I live in Florida - always warm right? Last week it was freezing - alright freezing to us - 40's in the a.m. For 2 days the tire pressure sensor was on in the a.m. and when I came out lunchtime from my office - started the car - sensor light was on. Both days-drive it out of the lot and light went out. Didn't come back on. Haven't seen it since. Just wondering? Anyone else? Love the car - lots of fun - need to watch that speedometer very very closely. Frustrating sometimes. Any input would be appreciated.

Congrats on the new car!

Sounds like you should check the tire pressure, that's why the light is coming on. Onr or more tires are probably on the borderline which is why it goes on and off.

Chevron?? Hmmm that is what I always use. Maybe I should try a different brand. Or you could have just got a bad tankful. All you can do is try the different brand.

Good luck!

your pressure was low in the morning because of the temp. it reset itself later when you drove because friction heated the tires. check the pressure in the morning when the tires are cold and raise the temp to 32 psi. then the light wont come on.

The TPMS system is set fairly sensitive....29 psi I believe. Its not uncommon for the dealer to prep a car and neglect to add the right amount of air. Also tire pressure rises and falls with temperature. Even on a cold day your tires "warm up" as you drive on the. This would expain your light in the morning and off in the afternoon.

My fix is to add slightly more air than the manual states. I like 34 psi. It never trips the TPMS light no matter how cold it is.....and allows for natural air loss. Better tire wear can result from slightly raised pressures too:)

So go get some air!....also tire pressure should be checked cold.

Re: Let's Talk Mechanics?
 

It may be worth mentioning that another forum member with an automatic has similar problems with sluggish acceleration. The rev limiter is set quite low when the engine is cold. Bouncing off the rev limiter will feel like your busted something.......but no worries. Is this happening on a fully warm engine?

thanks for the input....I did check the tires - they were all 30 psi - I'm bringing the car in for an look see over the next day or so and I'll have them put more in. Since it got warm, no problems. They guy at Mazda said that sometimes the rotaries don't like Techron - I think it was just a bad tank. He also said that the computer memorizes the drivers actions and different ways that you drive the vehicle. I have found, as I've gotten more comfortable and driving it less cautiously that it's less and less sluggish. I was finding that if I depressed the accelerator too hard it would shift into the passing gear evertime - as I get more control over it it responds better and better. What a trip coming off a 3 year love affair with a Lexus - lol

Keep in mind the car is about on par with your Lexus, so don't expect it to knock your socks off in the speed department. But I bet it's a hell of a lot more fun. My old roomate had a ES 300 for about 6 months, it was a nice car, but I wanted to take a nap every time I drove it, or rode in it.

Re: Let's Talk Mechanics?
 

Texaco and Shell got the best gas IMO.

I had an issue with the tire pressure light. I live in tx and mine kept coming on. I checked the tires and it was mainly when it was cold it would come on. So when it was in the dealer for other issues they stated it was just because the tires were low. Well it's been about a month and you would assume a little bit of tire pressure would be lost and it's been somewhat cold so you would assume the light would have come on. Well my light no longer comes on....I'm wondering if they disabled the light!

Hey, what part of florida??

ANyway, if you just got the car.. the dealer may not have filled the tire with eno0ugh air.. and when it got cold, the light came on.

When I first had my car, the tire pressure was only at 20 or so...

I would check your tire pressure.

err,
I forgot to say.. If you checked the tire pressure when the light was off and it said 30.. and the sensor is set to 29.. it is likely that the cold temperatures of this weekend (yes, cold for me too!) caused your tire pressure to drop below 29. I would top them off to 35.

haven't seen the light since the weather warmed up but will definitely put some more air in the tires. Does anyone have any issue with a feeling of wobbling in the wheels - most right front for me - almost like it needs a wheel alignment or balance. When I'm going slow and turn the wheel to the sharp right it feels like a wobble. I also find when going around a sharp curve that if I let go of the wheel it will pull to the left or right. Anyone?

interesting.
I've only experienced the wheel 'pulling', while taking a 90 degree turn at WOT in first gear.

Have your dealer check it out.

Where in FL are you?

huh? Tuesdays and Thursdays?

I'm in South Florida - PB County. So did you have your wobble checked out? What was it? Everyone tells me its in my mind - which I miss the most - lol