Howard

After taking my RX8 which is getting 10mpg to the dealer this week I was told the following by the service manager. The can not document mileage on this cars like they can other Mazda’s as Mazda has not yet created software allowing them to do so. Flashes are currently on hold. Nothing new here. They could not find a solution. They are getting other complaints that they can not resolve regarding this issue. They are frustrated and hoping a new flash will fix the problem in the future. I called the Mazda 800 number listed on the Mazda web site and they told me to call the dealership. The dealership now recommends I call the 800 number. The person I spoke to at the 800 number which is Mazda Assistance told me they can not deal with technical issues. I asked for a number where I might speak to someone who could discuss a technical issue. She told me again to talk to the dealership. I asked her what they did with my complaint that I was filing. She said they would send it to the Service Department. When I pick the car up in a little while the Service Manager said he will have his boss talk to me. I guess the next person I will be talking to is my attorney. If the only comment that a respondent on the forum has to make to this post is that I drive to fast or that sports cars are not suppose to get better mileage then you might as well not respond. I am 54 years old; I drive fast once and a while but not most of the time. I have owned other sports cars, muscle cars, etc. I drove those fast also but I never got as low as ten miles to the gallon. I don’t think this a problem inherent to the RX8 but rather one of a few isolated instances. I know hearing about bad gas mileage pisses some people off but I don’t care. I come to this forum to learn about RX8s and to give back my input. I have learned from this forum that RX8s are not supposed to get 10mpg and usually get 15mpg or more in town. Mine doesn’t and I am frustrated because I find little else that is wrong with this car and in fact in every other way it is the best vehicle I have ever owned or driven. I think most RX8 owners feel that way.

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

There is plenty of available software that can hook into the 'Canscan' bus connector and read the mileage.

I took my car over to Mr. Canzoomer's place for some 'diagnostics' and he brought his laptop along. It was reading the injectors duty cycle, the ambient, air/fuel ratio, throttle position, and most importantly, real-time mpg!

Now I admit that Mazda is a little behind 'Zoomer, but don't buy the 'no software' excuse!

S

('diagnostics', yeah, that's the ticket, that's what we was doin'! )

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

If the fuel trims are coming up normal on the WDS they tend to stop looking and say that the mileage is OK. There are a lot of other things they CAN do....it's just that they don't want to :D

HELAS

Whats going on everyone? Well Well, i have just picked up my 2005 RX-8 three days ago and already had to fill up two times. I will agree With HAWARD when he says that this car is one of the best that he has ever driven, cuz it is! I'v never been soooo impressed with a car before in my life ( and i have driven ALOT of cars). It is sad if we all begin to get this problem and would hate to judge this amazing car on this annoying problem. If anyone has any new's or progress with this fule issue, please advise!

catinaround69

I recently checked my mileage on my 8 and it was 20.5 mpg, however they were mostly road miles.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

I usually get 14-15 in town and up to 25-26 on the Hwy. Get used to that type of number....it doesn't get better. I don't care....and I think that most will agree. The S**T eating grin while driving will make you forget. If you are consistantly getting 10 despite where or how you are driving...take it in and get it checked.

If you expect 30MPG in town...buy a Civic and STFU

TyrellCorpNexus8

Can you name one person who expects the RX8 to get 30 MPG?

Howard

I agree. I think 14-15 mpg is probably about right in town from what most people are saying. I would love to get that. I just picked up my car and the Mazda service manager had me talk to his boss. The dealership is primarily a BMW dealership so I suppose he is over both departments. He told me that Mazda is aware there is problem. He says that they are working on a solution. He said all my specs output from the computer are within the recommended ranges. He said their computer does not give real time gas mileage so I don't know what to believe about that.

On my way home I realized again, after driving the Protégé demo, how great the RXG is Sooooooo Smooth. Also when I got home I put my new black rubber mats with the red stripe in the car. They fit perfectly. AutoZone for $25.00. What a deal. Only the front but I picked up some rear solid black that fit fine. I think I like the look of these better then the factory all-weather mats.

You won’t hear anymore complaining about the gas mileage from me for now. I will give Mazda a couple of weeks like the service manager says to fix the current flash and try that. Also I believe he said they will contact me.

snap-on

I hate to be the one to confirm this..but it is true

Dealers can actually read instant mileage on Ford based product..but not the RX-8

:o

mysql101

the canscan software can read "mpg", but it isn't accurate, it pulls numbers from thin air. What they can tell you though, is when you're burning more gas vs when you're burning less. Cause there is no way my RX-8 will ever be at 40 mpg, regardless of what the software says.

MI_FamilyMan

Howard, I am not sure if you mentioned in another thread more details regarding your mileage problem. For example: VIN/build date, current odometer, other issues you may have had with the vehicle to this point, auto or manual, gas you use, sample range on one tank, other maintenance that was done on the vehicle, is the problem new or has it existed since delivery, and what flash you are currently at. I agree that 10mpg doesn't make any sense, assuming you are not rounding down to the lowest 10mpg ;o) Maybe something is wrong with your fuel gauge??
But also understand that if you rev the car at all, you will find it hard to get anything better than 17mpg or so... at least from my personal experience (hehe).

whosyourbaba

for me, i have the M, manual, granny shift, using 93 gas. And i still receive 11-12 most of the time.

Go48

Here's an updated gas mileage chart for my '04 RX-8, with a build date of 5/2004 which because of that date, probably has the latest (or is it the good ) M flash. Whatever flash it has was done before I purchased the car in July, and I assume that means it came from the factory with the original, "good" M flash.

In case the chart doesn't come through as intended, the average mileage for 1,729 miles of mixed driving with some high rev runs was 20.01 MPG. In my non-professional opinion, gas mileage in the 10 MPG range is not normal. Get it flashed as soon as Mazda fixes the reissued M flash and if that doesn't improve your mileage significantly, there is a problem with the car that needs to be corrected. If the dealer won't pursue a fix, write a well-reasoned and civil letter documenting the problem to a high-level official in the Mazda/Ford organization explaining the problem. Good luck!

GASOLINE MILEAGE
DATE COST GAL ODO MILES GAS MILEAGE
27-Jul-04 0 0 4 0
15-Aug-04 $25.63 12.82 253 19.42
26-Aug-04 $19.73 9.87 450 19.96
28-Aug-04 $26.99 13.50 746 21.93
07-Sep-04 $20.77 10.39 965 21.08
25-Sep-04 $26.18 13.10 1218 19.31
01-Nov-04 $28.51 13.58 1476 19.00
26-Nov-04 $27.34 13.28 1733 19.35
Average 20.01

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

For S**T sakes......do you always have to be so obtuse.........take a Midol

rx8wannahave

WHO expects 30Mpg from the RX8? I understand you are being sarcastic but RELAX and be useful to a fellow member...instead of insulting. Gosh, people come here to share and people who respond like you did really are useless. Sorry, maybe I'm a little harsh but I think you were harsh with your comments.

Howard...don't shy away, keep bringing this up because unlike SOME people I care about the situation you are in. I'm sorry your 8 is getting 10Mpg and NO matter how you drive you should not be getting 10Mpg. Please keep us posted...I would love to see what they tell you. GOOD LUCK!

Go48,

Thanks for the information...I love to see actual data.

spork

....

first a stupid statement and now this. sigh.

anyways good luck Howard. Keep us updated, especially if there's a reflash that gets you 18mpg city. :D

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Get a life....read what I said ( all of it)....try to understand ....... SARCASM
Getting very sick of MPG threads............

:D

rx8wannahave

So stop reading them then...sorry, but just dont' read them.

RenoIV

Howard,
10 mpg even early in the breakin period is low. How many miles do you have? Have you confirmed what flash your car currently has?

here is some quick data from my 8 ... 6sp GT build date 10-03

ODU Miles Gallons MPG
259 259 12.771 20.280
414 155 8.558 18.112
595 181 12.689 14.264
795 200 11.195 17.865
1001 206 11.056 18.632
1201 200 12.507 15.991 M-Flash
1294 93 4.931 18.860
1427 133 6.568 20.250
1637 210 10.211 20.566
1857 220 12.004 18.327
2102 245 13.374 18.319
2319 217 11.115 19.523
2517 198 10.003 19.794
2753 236 11.892 19.845
3013 260 12.262 21.204
3215 202 10.399 19.425
3451 236 12.575 18.767
3701 250 13.188 18.957
3841 140 8.186 17.102
4092 251 13.068 19.207
4292 200 11.013 18.160
4497 205 11.015 18.611
4687 190 10.337 18.381
4786 99 4.743 20.873
4992 206 10.853 18.981
5197 205 10.618 19.307
5405 208 10.381 20.037
5602 197 9.956 19.787
5778 176 9.58 18.372
6002 224 10.376 21.588
6173 171 10.504 16.280
6368 195 9.957 19.584
6600 232 12.861 18.039
6742 142 7.295 19.465
6992 250 13.007 19.220
7117 125 6.669 18.743
7328 211 10.936 19.294
7515 187 9.989 18.721
7742 227 11.229 20.216
7857 115 5.941 19.357
8067 210 10.22 20.548
8268 201 11.09 18.124
8371 103 6.151 16.745
8525 154 7.878 19.548
8798 273 13.408 20.361
9170 372 20.17 18.443 two fillups
9378 208 11.005 18.900
9604 226 11.888 19.011
9802 198 10.582 18.711
9943 141 7.069 19.946
10173 230 11.173 20.585
10473 300 14.002 21.426
10739 266 13.972 19.038
10960 221 11.195 19.741
11210 250 12.962 19.287
11442 232 11.897 19.501
Totals: 11442 600.474 19.055
Miles Gallons MPG
traveled

Howard

For those who asked and did not see it in other threads this is my info. Build date aug 2003. Flash "M". Current miles 2500. Originally I got 13 mpg no matter how I drove the car for the first several tanks. The last few tanks I am getting 10mpg.

Go48

Thanks Wanna. That's the kind of documentation that is needed for those getting very low mileage to take their issue forward. Let's hope they will make the effort to do that over time and then provide the data to senior management at Mazda.

Charles Cope

Howard,

I think you have an engine with some "deadly" combination of tolerances. I think, from following this forum since I got my 8 in August, 2003, most of us are getting in the mid-to-high teens in mileage. I suggest you find a way to get a new engine, or 8. Do you have a lemon law in your state? In MI, if you take a car in five times for the same problem and they don't fix it, the state makes them give you a new car. If you have good documentation (and probably a good lawyer), you should be able to prevail. For those of you dreaming of 20+ mpg, probably ought to get another car or get used to it and enjoy the handling and sheer pleasure the 8 gives!

Here's my story..

Mazda RX-8 6MT Build date: May 2003
All fills with >= 92 octane
Date Odo miles gallons mpg

11/22/2004 15333 246.8 14.12 17.48
11/15/2004 15086 231.7 14.11 16.42
11/9/2004 14854 216.3 13.14 16.46
11/1/2004 14638 243.1 13.57 17.91
10/25/2004 14394 245.1 14.15 17.32
10/18/2004 14149 240.4 14.38 16.72
10/10/2004 13909 241.5 13.43 17.98
10/4/2004 13667 178.4 8.34 21.39
10/2/2004 13489 233.5 13.66 17.09
9/24/2004 13255 242.7 13.87 17.50
9/16/2004 13012 247.2 13.46 18.37
9/10/2004 12765 236 13.81 17.09
9/01/2004 12528 151.9 9.52 15.96
8/29/2004 12376 260.7 13.95 18.69
8/23/2004 12115 247.1 14.44 17.11
8/17/2004 11868 234.5 13.54 17.32
8/08/2004 11633 225.1 13.13 17.14
8/03/2004 11408 207.7 11.71 17.74
7/25/2004 11200 223.3 12.47 17.91
7/21/2004 10976 246.3 13.77 17.89
7/14/2004 10730 223.4 12.66 17.65
7/06/2004 10506 181.6 9.85 18.44
6/29/2004 10325 266.5 15.52 17.17
6/21/2004 10059 247.7 14.21 17.43
6/15/2004 9811 140.1 7.88 17.78
6/05/2004 9671 201.5 11.8 17.08
5/26/2004 9469 131.7 7.96 16.55
5/18/2004 9337 227 12.86 17.65 M Flash @ 9141
5/11/2004 9110 241.8 13.44 17.99
5/01/2004 8868 251.8 14.36 17.53
4/24/2004 8616 222.8 14.02 15.89
4/20/2004 8393 110.7 6.43 17.22
4/13/2004 8282 228 14.07 16.20
4/06/2004 8054 228 13.8 16.52
3/30/2004 7826 218.9 13.03 16.80
3/25/2004 7607 195.8 12.14 16.13
3/10/2004 7169 136.1 7.5 18.15
3/04/2004 7033 209.1 11.71 17.86
3/01/2004 6823 80 5.36 14.93
12/18/2003 6743 228.6 13.98 16.35
12/08/2003 6514 237.7 13.74 17.30
12/04/2003 6276 224.9 15.23 14.77
11/29/2003 6051 220.8 13.37 16.51
11/20/2003 5830 231.3 13 17.79
11/14/2003 5599 217.3 12.87 16.88
11/11/2003 5381 227.5 13.41 16.96
11/05/2003 5153 244.3 13.95 17.51
10/31/2003 4909 243 13.43 18.09
10/28/2003 4666 166.4 10.4 16.00
10/22/2003 4499 224.2 13.39 16.74
10/16/2003 4275 202.9 11.69 17.36
10/12/2003 4072 250.9 14.12 17.77
10/07/2003 3821 221.8 13.25 16.74
10/04/2003 3599 212.7 12.36 17.21
10/01/2003 3780 181.1 10.5 17.25
9/26/2003 3205 160.6 9.25 17.36
9/23/2003 3044 239.5 13.65 17.55
9/18/2003 2805 226.9 12.28 18.48
9/13/2003 2575 254 14.1 18.01
9/09/2003 2321 237 13.31 17.81

12995.2 752.45 17.27
miles gallons average mpg

Spin9k

{This has of course been discussed so many times it is rather the same old all over again, BUT I can understand that as people get the car new it is then new to them and such a concern, and rightfully so... so I guess if I give my 2c again on the topic that that should be OK too....}

Seems people here and elsewhere in other threads are saying they get normal mieage OR they get terrible mileage. Not too much in between...

Being pretty much a technical oriented person, those that document their gallons and miles driven get my nod as accurate and sympathy if their mileage is low. Respectfully I would say, and no offense intended to anyone simply reporting low mileage here, but can you supply documented gallons and miles driven to verify your claims of mileage?

This is not just being an unbeliever nor being picky, just technical. To what end you may ask?

Well, if we (you) want to resolve your issue (for yourself or the 8 community as a whole) this will help your case more than any amount of anecdotal words can ever do. If you don't have this kind of documentation, why not start now? And then 2000 or more miles of this data you can have pretty much irrefutable evidence concerning the issue for Mazda NA and your local dealer.

After that one could argue 3 times to the dealer and you could likely make a case to invoke the dreaded lemon law. That more than anything could get the results you are after from Mazda.

6speed8

Howard, A couple of questions:

1. What brand of fuel are you using, and what Octane?
(my mpg improves with a lower octane)

2. have you done an oil change yet? or added oil? If so what brand and weight
did you use

3. Check the air pressure in your tires, make sure they are all at 32 PSI

4. DO NOT ( this is very important) DO NOT let your car idle more than it has to
this car gulps fuel when it idles.


TRY using 89 octane, get your oil changed, bring your own 5-20w oil (I use Castrol), make sure your tires are inflated properly and no uneccesary idling.
(then take two aspirin and call me in the morning - lol)