First off, I'd like to thank those who answered my earlier post. Secondly, I'm loving this car! My first question, just out of curiosity, is the R3 made exclusively in Japan? Next, I've been told I should keep the RPM's between 3000-5000, as opposed to lower, for improved fuel economy--anyone know the reason for this?

 

As far as I know, all 8s are made in Japan. My '07 says it was made in Hiroshima, I believe.

Don't keep revs that low all the time. For cruising, sure, that's the range to be in for good mileage. But common wisdom around here is to redline it at least once every time you drive it, to help clear out carbon deposits. Besides, you can't feel the true power of the car until you get in the high end of the RPM range.

 

Regarding fuel mileage- people have pretty mixed and inconsistant reports about this. Some people report better fuel mileage just above 3700 RPM, and the supposed reason for it is that at this point the secondary intake ports open up. However, my fairly rudimentary understanding of engines is that this shouldn't matter because if the ECU is adjusting fuel injection properly, it should know how much air is getting in there.

Longer theory stuff: in theory, the more rpm's you're turning the more fuel you'll use, down to some point at which the torque output is so inefficient that disproportionately more fuel has to be used. Because of the relatively low torque output of the car, it's possible that that point is higher than in, say, a huge torquey V8. However, our car still makes way more power at low RPM's than most small-displacement 4-bangers, which generally follow a linear higher-RPMs-use-more-gas pattern, so somehow I doubt this reason alone is enough to think our car is exempt from this rule.

Bottom line: people really really like to think they know something special that will help them save gas. Unless the engine is seriously bogging down (<2000 rpm under load) I think it's fair to think that lower cruising RPMs (2000-3000) are better for fuel mileage. Just be sure to rev the **** out of it once in a while to clear out carbon deposits, which are a bigger potential problem than in a piston engine.

 

Bring me the car and I will test drive it, that is the only way you can find out where the car is made.

 

^^ lol

 

I tend to get the best gas mileage at about 3k crusing but dont always keep it that low you need to take it up to 9k once a day or more to keep the carbon cleaned out!!!1

 

you should definitely not be redlining your new car... read the owners manual

 

^^ Good point, didn't think of the break-in period.

 

Okay. Thanks for the info and humor guys- greg next time I'm in Lafafette I'll pm you. I'm new to the whole rotary engine thing so thanks to Marklar for taking the time to explain that.

 

you bought a sports car and are worried about fuel economy why?

Drive it like you stole it or give it to someone who "cares".

As for redlining a new engine... umm dont do that. You need to break the engine in and that's typically about 2k miles. Some will tell you sooner is ok but 2k miles is a good amount of time for break-in for the engine and tranny as a whole. Tranny break-in is very important as well... hope you didn't get an auto (this forum tends to really hammer AT owners)

 

Opinions on this car, and what should and shouldn't be done vary greatly.
Regarding break-in period/oil/gas/premixing/stereo, whatever.
If it can be discussed, there's a good chance that people will disagree on the best method.
I for one, never babied the car. I've had zero problems, and if I bought a brand new 8 tomorrow, I would do the same thing all over again.

I redlined my car on the way home from the dealership.
I redline it everytime I drive it.
My break-in period ended when I got in the drivers seat and test drove it.
I bought it in July 04 and it's a daily driver.

The only time I keep the rpms down is when the engine is cold.
I try to keep it under 3000, but once that needle is up to operating temps, I'm on the throttle hard.
I drive 25miles each way to work against traffic, 20 of it is on a freeway.
It's a wide open freeway and there are several groups of cars travelling at about 80-90MPH.
I'm usually in 4th gear and sometimes get into 5th if I'm above 90mph.

And, if that wasn't bad enough on my car, I don't premix, and I'm running 5/30 weight oil.

I'd say the best thing you can do to extend the life of your engine is to buy a
COBB Access Port from Mazdamaniac, and load a map that gives your engine what it really needs.

Of course, that just my opinion, and I don't recommend anything I said to anyone else.

BTW - Congrats on a great purchase. I sat in a R3 at the LA Auto Show this weekend, and I love the seats.

 

I don't think you have to worry...R3's don't come in auto.

 

The only way to save gas is dont drive your car

 

during breakin keep it below 5k or so.

Once you're past that, keep it above 5K or so for maximum enjoyment.

Forget about gas mileage. Really. If you wanted to know what kind of MPG you're getting, the car would come with a trip computer that would tell you, but you really don't want to know. honest.

 

You can find tons of great information from a reputable company that has over 30 years of rotary experience here: www.racingbeat.com

go to the RX8 section and they have some good tips on proper breakin, synthetic oil etc. You can even give them a call and they will answer any questions over the phone and be happy to talk to new rotary owners.

 

hey congrats, where are you located? i'd also like to know if 28k for a new r3 is a good deal??
thanks

 

Okay, thanks again for the good advice/info. I'm not so much worried about these issues - I just wanted to get the low down from you more knowledgeable, long time owners.
PS I would never and have never owned an automatic- not that there's anything wrong with it- it just not the way I was raised.