Macil

Hi all,

I'm a proud new owner of a 2008 RX8. Love the car! I was concerned that being 6'4 would prevent me from even FITTING in this car, but I was surprised that I fit just as good (if not better) than I did in the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo I traded in ... I just have to develop some new muscles to get out of it.

I want to treat this car right; I have been reading the forums here whenever I get a chance to get a better feel for the car and the opinions of all the long-time owners.

I'm posting here to see if anyone would be so kind as to offer some tips or point me to some threads that #1. any tips/advice/info a RX8 newbie should know, #2. anything I can do for my RX8 to prolong engine-life, keep it happy, etc.

I just read the FAQ: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx8-faq-new-owners-116484/ and that answered some questions for me. And I have done a fair bit of searching. Here are some questions I still had:

#1. This is a daily driver (though that doesn't mean I don't intend to have fun with it). What kind of tweaks, if any, can I do that with extend the life of the car, keep it in good condition, etc. without voiding the warranty?

#2. I've already read in the manual that I should take it easy on the car for the first 600-1000 miles or some such -- any specific tips on this? I have been accelerating very slowly, braking slowly, and not shutting the engine down before its warm. It also says: "Don't maintain one constant speed for long" -- should I be slowing down and speeding up a lot on the highway or what? The FAQ says to get the RPMs up there on occasion (sounds good to me!) -- is this valid for new cars or after the "break in" period?

#3. The oil recommended in the manual says 5W20. What do the numbers mean and should I look for something else that is better (?) or more appropriate for me? I live in Texas and the weather can be fluctuate very wildly (although pretty consistent in the summer -- REALLY HOT!)

#4. On premixing: this goes straight into the gas tank? Just wanted to *confirm* that this is what I read! I've never done this before -- sounded kind of crazy to me, so I want to make sure I understand that right. Any other specifics or thread re-directions would be appreciated!

Thanks very much for any help!

jonklsn

Oh man, from one new guy to another, all of these questions have already been discussed on here. Best thing is to search the wealth of knowledge on here... but from what i've read...

1&2. redline buzzer is your friend, once a day after break in, go easy when cold, don't shut down when cold, always watch/check oil levels, and frequent changes a +

3. this is a beaten dead horse, seriously search this one and make your own decision

4. it does go straight to the tank on fill up


(hides behind flame sheild)

jonklsn

By the way congrats on the new car, you'll love it i'm sure!

rglbegl

A noob . . .telling another noob to search.

This is great stuff here


1. Mine is also a DD . . .just do your normal maint.

2. at first, take it easy. After break-in it is good to redline it every now ad then. (carbon cleanout)

3. use whatever oil it tells you in your bible. (owners manual)

4. Yes . . premixing is putting oil in the gas tank. I dont do it, but there are people here who swear by it.

Macil

To jonklsn:

Haha. Thanks for the replies. I did do some searching and tried to find as many answers as possible. I actually had way more questions than I posted, so I figured I did pretty good!

#1., #2. Thanks! I wanted clarification on whether I should push the RPMs before or after break-in. Also plan to check oil every time I fill up on gas and will change it frequently. I was still uncertain on the whole "Don't maintain one constant speed for long" bit.

#3. I did do some reading in a few different threads -- just wasn't sure if there was some basic guidelines to follow.

#4. Okay, thanks!

To rglbegl:

Good stuff. Thanks!

Any other tips anyone has to offer would be appreciated, though most questions seem to have been clarified now.

Greenblurr93

iTrader: (1)

A redline a day keeps the carbon away!! (After break-in of course)

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

While the RX8 may not be the quickest car on the road, it is a thoroughbred. Run loose with the reigns and don't be afraid to use the crop.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

The 'don't maintain one constant speed' is for any new automobile, not just the RX-8. This is to ensure the gears mesh properly during break in. Yes, differing speeds on the highway.

5w-20 unless you're in a very hot climate and then 5w-30 is preferred (I run 5w-20 year round in NE). Pre-mix is optional pampering for a daily driver. It's 2-cycle oil that you pour in your gas tank (typically 4 oz per tank) that further ensures rotor apex lubrication, above that provided by the metering system.

The RX-8 is actually much more reliable than the myriad negative posts would have you believe. Don't shut it down cold (or if you must the 10 second held rev to 3k to clear out unburned fuel). Change the oil at regular intervals (3-4k preferred), run it to red line often after break in/warmup, common sense, and you'll be fine.

Enjoy!

reaper1

Congrats on the car . Just follow with what the guys have posted and you'll be find. It's not rocket science.

Good Luck.......................

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

congrats.

New Yorker

1. Yes, on the highway, you should be slowing down and speeding up a lot during break in. In other words, don't drive at a steady 70mph - or any speed - for miles and miles - or hours at a time - like you might normally do on the interstate. I would vary speed & RPMs every few minutes. (After break in, of course, you can drive for hours at one speed, like most people do.)

2. Yes, it's good to red line the car regularly; probably at least once or twice per ride. Some red line it more. I didn't redline it until after break in (see below).

3. Racing Beat has their own break in recommendations, which are a bit more conservative than Mazdas. Go here: http://racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm and then click on "How to "Break In" Your New RX-8".

Have fun!

Dive Bum

Check this out: Motor Oil Viscosity Grades Explained in Layman's Terms

TheWulf

iTrader: (4)

Do not put regular engine oil in your gas tank! Make sure you use at the very least a 2 stroke oil, or even better, rotary premix from Idemitsu or something to that effect. Check the premix thread in the Tech Garage for more info.

quantum

Welcome and congrats! I have a 08 as well, now 2 months old.

1. Check oil every 2nd or 3rd fill up, wash it regularly inside and out, and enjoy it.

2. I thought the "1 constant speed" thing was using the cruise control for a few hundred miles; other than that, I wouldn't (and don't ) worry about it.

3. Easiest and safest to just follow the directions in the manual.

4. I don't do that, but to each his own.

Macil

Wow, lots of responses since I last checked in. Lots of good information. I especially appreciate the specifics on what not driving at a constant speed meant. And good links (will have to take some time with the oil one).

I think pretty much every question I had has been answered. Thanks everyone! I know where to come if I have any further concerns with my RX8.

JRichter

Welcome and congrats.