Owning a new RX8 Do's and Dont's?
 

Hello everyone, im new here and just as new to owning the RX8.

My RX8 is just 5 days old and I am looking for the general, owning a new RX8 "Do's and Dont's" list in a nutshell.

Your input and advice on how I should best treat my new RX8 would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks and best regards,
Akay

There are some good stickies on the site...check them out. and do some searches for specific questions/items you want to know about. This site is jam packed with great information. Congrats!

Yeah, I see the website is jam packed with information...but thats the problem. I was looking for a more concise, "in a nutshell" of general do's and don'ts.

Sometimes too much information is bewildering, especially to "noob" :-)

Thanks in advance for your understanding,
Akay

the nutshell is:

Do read the sticky threads.
Do search for a question before posting.
Do visit our vendors at the top if you need something.

Don't ask about MPG.
Don't ask about oil.
Don't ask about premixing.
Don't ask about flooding.

Do have fun and enjoy the car the way it was meant to and finally,
Don't worry about asking a question as long as you have truly given a shot at researching yourself.

Thanks, but that seems more like a do and dont list of how to use this forum. :icon_no2:

I was looking for a quick list of do's and dont's for owning a new RX8 (i searched, but there is none).

Thanks again,
Akay

a fellow bboy :)

Might seem a bit hostile here, but with the recent surge of new owners asking the same usual questions (oil, mpg, etc) (myself included) , alot of the regulars are same old same old questions.

details on the new car? price?

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx8-faq-new-owners-116484/

Start there - keep reading and searching.

Geeze what a bunch of pricks huh?
Maybe the regulars should just pat them selves on the back for knowig EVERYTHING.

Don't shut off the car unless it is warmed up.
It uses oil by design so keep it topped off.
Do not lug the engine. it is designed to spin to 9000 RPM and going there once in awhile is a good thing. Cruise around town 3500 and 4000 in 5th on the highway (watch for cops).
Don't start modding the car with bling stuff it won't make the car faster.
do take care of it it is a very reliable car.

THANK YOU Gimlet! :)

Now folks, was it that hard to help a brotha out???? :rant:

To fugg:
Yeah, a bboy since 1999...I thought I was the only bboy to own an RX8...looks like we will have to battle :lol:

To Joe_914:
Also a big thank you! And yeah, couldn't agree with you more :)

Do redline your car often.
Don't do it in a 50zone...:) [got a ticket]

Do become addicted to your car.
Don't park at WalMart in Niagara Falls, Buffalo... :) [someone drove a cart into my car]

Do post in the hot thread...
Don't be shy...

Do keep your car immaculate at all times...
Don't drive it when it is dirty...

Do bling your car :)
Don't bling with studs all around your car...

Do use Meguiars NXT for a nice quick alternative to waxing...
Don't do it when it's suppose to rain.

Do keep your regular door hinges
Don't get lambo doors

Do drive in the rain/snow with your DSC on
Don't think you're a dorifto king

Do keep your rx8 clean
Don't put stickers on your rx8, they do not add horsepower

Do warm your car up before you turn it off
Don't complain when you flood

Do read your manual and search the forum
Don't start a thread for every little problem

The stickies are it!

Damnnnn Razz... :rollingla:

already covered in the first 'Do' (read the sticky threads). this is a sticky and should be read.

that means

yeah I searched and yeah I just got like zillions of results

Forget about search how about start with a little reading on your own ?

If you cant even search a forum for answers how could u take care of ur car ?

Don't bang the gears.
Do Rev match every shift.

Don't launch from 7K RPM, 4K is more then enough. In fact, don't launch the car at all, it's not a drag racer.

If you truly care about your 8, then you dont want a "quick fix" or "in a nutshell" list...you want the comprehensive, know every damn thing there is to know about your car list. That will come after about a days worth of reading through stickies and specific search threads. And even after that im sure there will be some things that pop up you want to know about.

The most important advise about searching on this forum, search using words in the thread "title"...not by "posts".

Congrats and good luck with the new hottness!

but if I dont launch it ... how do I move ? :lol:

roll it down a hill.

:rant: :rant: :rant: I just ran over a cat ~~~~ poor kitten ~~~~

You're a murderer !!!!

It's not my fault you didn't put someone in the car to steer it before you pushed it down the hill :P

Do's and Dont's:

DO know everything about this car before you come to the forum (after all, this isn't a place to ask questions...right nycgps?).
DO be a professional suck-up to the senior forum members.

DON'T ask any questions that may expose or reveal your lack of knowledge about the rx-8 (or risk being called a noob or more).
DON'T ask for help, a primitive search feature that is sometimes difficult to use is your only friend here.
DON'T try to stick up for yourself or defend yourself when a senior member insults you, calls you a noob, or makes sarcastic remarks towards or about you (or risk being banned, having your reputation be destroyed, or be further insulted).

/sarcasm off

:icon_no2: pathetic how some people ruin the forums for others...

DO read the owners manual
DO read the stickies
DO search for what you can
DO come up with specific questions.


We are a well full of knowledge here.
But when we get 3 to 4 threads like this every week . .. it gets a little old.


Read and research as much as you can on your own. When you are faced with a specific question that you can not find the answer to, we are more than willing to help.

the link to Brillo's thread is a great start. Also, make sure to properly 'break-in' the engine.

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...56&postcount=1

RX8 - FAQ for New Owners

(note: this needs to be moved into the FAQ section and made a sticky)

So you just bought your first RX8, or you bought a used one, and you have a rotary engine you not familiar with. First off, relax, its really not that different, but here are the little things you’ll want to do / know to make sure you enjoy the car and it lives a long and happy life.

The following is a brief summary of the rx8club.com forums collective wisdom after nearly 95,000 threads and 1.7 million posts. It is not totally comprehensive, but will cover most of the major issues for first time rotary RX8 owners. Most of the recall issues only apply to cars built before the 2006 model year, but double check you car just in case.

1. Occasional Aggressive driving is good – First off its fun, second, it helps prevent carbon buildup in the engine and intake system. Make sure you rev to at least 7500rpm to make sure all the intake valves open. You don’t need to redline every start, but once a day is fun and good for the car.

Oh, and please don’t attempt the 7000rpm clutch dump launches the magazines did to get their 0-60mph numbers. This is not the aggressive driving that is mentioned above. Its suicide for your clutch and transmission.

2. Make sure your car has the latest PCM flash and recalls – Below are the major recalls that seem to have affected most people. Most are simple and can be done by the dealer in a day.
a) PCM (Powertrain Control Module) Flash – The RX8 has a very complex computer driving the engine that has gone through several firmware upgrades. Make sure your on the latest PCM flash from the dealer.
b) In the summer of 2006, a major emissions related recall was conducted on 2004-2006 RX8’s related to catalytic converter, and in some cases engine failures. For most people, the recall simply involved a PCM update, some owners had faulty catalytic converters replaced, and some owners had engines replaced. If you own a used vehicle, make sure recall 4206F was performed.
c) Ignition Coils – older cars had coils that overheated and would misfire, its easily to tell by flipping a coil over and looking for a burn spot on the back side of the coils. Mazda redesigned the coils in 2006.
d) Starter and Battery – the original 04/05 RX8’s had a weak starter and battery that could contribute to flooding. Hard starts are the main symptoms, and the dealer can install an upgraded starter battery package to fix the issues.
e) Upgraded Spark plugs – along with the starter, the leading spark plugs went through a redesign in the 2005 to help with flooding issues. These improved plugs should be the only leading plugs you buy. (part #NGK RE7C-L)
f) Rough Idle – the Engine mounts and mount brackets were redesigned in 2005 to alleviate rough idle issues. Heat from the exhaust manifold can also damage the passenger side engine mount. Check with you dealer about an upgrade if this is an issue.

3. Use only OEM spark plugs – The RX8 and RX7 use special unique NGK plugs designed for rotary engines. The plugs should be replaced about every 25,000 miles, which is sooner than most piston engines.

4. Whats the deal with flooding? - Flooding is the term for the engine not starting due to excess fuel into the combustion chamber from a cold start and shutdown. Rotary’s, and most other cars, run rich at warm-up and then gradually lean out as the engine warms to operating temp. Starting a cold engine and immediately shutting it down before its warmed up can lead to excess fuel being left in the combustion chamber which makes the engine struggle to light off. The simple solution to not flooding is to properly warm the car up (coolant temp needle to the half way point) before shutting the engine off. Flooding tends to happen when people move their car to wash, repair or service something then immediately shut the engine down. The stronger starter and resigned plugs listed above have helped to alleviate this issue, but just make a practice of warming the car up before shutting it off.

5. Check the oil level every other fillup or twice a month – The rotary engine injects oil to lubricate the apex seals in the engine, so it naturally burns oil, especially the harder you drive. Most owners keep a quart of oil in the car at all times and check the oil twice a month.

6. Hitting the track? Toss in a little premix – If you going to drive the car especially hard for extended periods of time, it is wise to add 4/6oz of two stroke oil to the fuel for extra seal lubrication. Its not required, but it’s a good safety measure to protect the engine

That’s really it folks, there are of course other specific issues, but the above covers 90+% of the issues and problems associated with the RX8. Hopefully this provides a framework to better understand your car and the forums. Additional technical service bulletins and recall information can be found at
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html