New member, New Car...
 

Pick up my new RX8 on Friday. Any tips for a first time owner?

Or is it just drive the hell out of it...!

Well, if you've never owned a Rotary before, be sure to check the oil every 1 or 2 weeks, or every check up if you feel the need. The engine burns oil by design, not a lot, but enough that over time, you'll be low.

Let the car warm up before reving up to 4k+ rpms.

And, drive the hell out of it. Hit the red line buzzer at least once a day :)

And give us some pictures.

Welcome and congrats. Make sure it's broken in before driving the hell out of it if it is brand new. Fully read all the sticky's at the top of each section of this forum while you wait for it. Enjoy...

Congratz.....what color did you get?
Post pic

A redline a day keeps the carbon away!

Fresh meat, niceeee~
proper break in and one of the best way to really break in a motor too.
-for the first 300 miles, just drive regularly [under 70 mph] do not redline.The motor still needs to be shaved cleanly inside. ;)

After you reached 300 miles, try driving normally, and fluctuating your RPM ranges. 1000rpm-6000rpm at most.. its still fresh and new so it still does have excess metal on the housing for suree.... but do this till 600 miles~

Finally, Once you've reached 600 miles try starting off a low load-high load. as in by going on to a highway and starting off in first gear to 6th gear. . so if your in first... 1stGear-shift to 3500. 2ndGear-4500. 3rdGear-6500
4thGear-9200 rpm...dont get caught with a ticket either for speeding either lol.
your initial break in is complete. and then 1000 miles get an oil change. and after 3000 miles on the transmission, I recommend you flushing it and putting in a higher quality fluid. it'll feel so much better especially withh all the metal shaving in the fluid. i literally flushed mine out 3 times in 2 days. everytime i changed it felt even better. No BullShit.

well congratz and Good luck dude. welcome to the frigggin club.

Enjoy your new car.

Congrats!

Got rid of my WRX and picked up an RX-8 last Friday.

I was told to be careful with the first 600 mile break in and let the car fully warm up after you start it. When you're finished driving let it cool off all the way.

I already broke most of Snowflakes tips. I haven't pushed the car hard, but I've gradually increased speed to higher RPMs with instances going above 8K. I really couldn't help it since the damn thing revs so freely and quietly. I've just tried to make sure I'm running through all different spots in the RPM range and cruise at a steady 4K.

Oddly enough I just sold my 05 WRX and got an 05 RX8. The WRX was plenty of fun, but it didnt seem to be built as solidly as the RX8. The Mazda has a much better fit and finish and MUCH smoother and quieter ride. I was a bit worried after reading about bad gas mileage, but I got 298 miles on the free tank (14.1 gallons) the dealer gave me.

I'm proud of you guys for giving good info and not flaming him!

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Not Necessary
 

You don't have to wait for the car to warm up before you drive it, but it needs to be warmed up before you thrash it. Also, you don't have to let it cool off after you drive it. That is totally unnecessary and impractical. On a hot day it can take hours to cool off. Just start it and drive it whenever you want - cold, cool, warm or hot.

That's what I figured. I wasn't sure if the engine had to go through a couple full hot/cold cycles during the first few days.

Good to know. Still keeping it under about 6.5K for the most part until I hit 600 miles.

to my knowledge it does matter to keep it warmed up on cold day for about 3-5mins. and then drive under4krpm through gears. Water Temp and oil temp+pressure should be at stable level since the metal tends to contract when cold. it does alot. Professional Engine Builders always go through this for their OCD. LOL

thanks all

on exploring the site i see im not the first to wander on innocently and start such a thread....!

Still, appreciate you taking time out to point me in the right direction. 3 days to go, saying goodbye to my 5 series estate, wondering if ive done the right thing with 2 kids but hey, you only live once.