Redline, Gear Skipping, Engine Killing
 

I got a few question.

I just got my 8 a few days ago and it is my first manual.

First of all. I redline it ALOT at least 2-4 times a day and by redline i mean all the way almost. And i was wonder if i should cut it down the redlining and stick to 1 time a day.

Second. I redline it in first gear only cuz other wise it goes to fast...by the time it is redlined it is at 40mph and i tired to shift it to 2nd gear before but it is not very smooth...3rd gear seems to be alot better..so i developed the habit of shifting from 1st to 3rd ...is that ok?

Third. Yea i killed the enginee a few times ....how bad is it for the engine?

redlining is fine

i skip gears sometimes...should be fine.

killed the engine? if you killed it then it's definitely bad for the engine

do we really need another thread like this?

...redlined rotaries = happy rotaries...

Hope you bought used and aren't still breaking the engine in...

I think we all know he is referring to the fuel cut when he says "killed the engine".

actually i would be willing to bet he means when he takes off from a stop.

I thought he just stabbed it in the back...

1.I redline my rx8 like 10 times a day, and by redline, i mean i hear the beep

2.the faster you can get into 2nd gear with the clutch out the smoother it is, your rpm's are going to be falling pretty fast you have to slam the clutch down and yank the stick back to 2nd quickly and then let the clutch out and give it a lot of gas for it to be smooth at all, i think the not smooth part is just because you're inexperienced with manuals

3.I think you mean you stalled it when you were starting from a stop? i don't know how bad it is for the engine, but im sure you're burning your clutch up when you do it.

2. Well but i just want to go around 40mph and not accelerate more so if i shift to second i am going to go to 3rd anyways and 3rd gear is very very very smooth like you cant even feel it. I was just wonder if gear skipping is ok at the right speed?

3. yea i mean stall it when i from start but that happens very rarely now. I kill it more by forgetting to put it to neutral when i park. x.x

1. redlining is fine.

2. skipping gears is fine.

3. stalling happens. might shorten the life of your clutch a little, but it's worth it vs. AT.


grats on the 8, & welcome. just about every issue has been covered somewhere on the site, so search first, then ask for clarification/more info if needed.

Don't worry about it. I skip from second to sixth all the time because I floor it from second up to the speed limit and want to cruise in sixth. No problems after 23k miles

stalling will hurt the clutch less than slipping it out into gear. when the motor stops turning that ends all friction on the clutch/flywheel because they are fully engaged.

More practice practice practice.

As long as you understand that flooring it everywhere will send your mpg into the toilet, please don't morph into one of those mpg whiners. :)

Why does the manual say to NOT redline it?

Manuals are written for R-tards. Everyone should read it, but there's so much stuff in there that is written in a way that prevents any confusion (read as: lawsuits) and just covers Mazda's arse.

If the manual said "redline regularly" every idiot out there who blew an engine/tranny b/c they ran it past 10k; or got into an accident; or got a speeding ticket b/c they were redlining 3rd gear . . . see where this is going? . . . all these special tards would then be hiring lawyers b/c they "were just doing what the manual said."

Kinda like my sun shade having a tag that says I shouldn't drive with the shade in the windshield. um, really? lol.

1. redline is your friend; just don't do it with police officers nearby. (exhibition of speed)

2. stop skipping gears

3. stalling happens, just practice.

4. make sure the car has been warm for at LEAST 5 minutes before you start redlining. (5 minutes after the needle reaches the half way point)

i redline once or twice a day, never skip gears, and use to stall a lot when i was first learning.

Try not to hit the Rev limiter too much and stalling the car.

oh crap number 4? I pretty much ever drove my car for more than 10 minuts to get from places to places so far lol (Except when i was practicing) and I usually redline it in first gear after i turn out of my neighborhood...so that is like less than 30 sec warm up x.x lol

btw 4 days only killed it once (forgot i was in gear when i let go of the clutch)

you need to let it warm up or you'll hurt the engine.
A lot of people will start redlining as soon as the temperature needle reaches the midway point but I advise against that. Our temp guage isn't exactly what I could call "accurate" AND keep in mind the rest of the fluids in the car (transmission) have yet to reach their optimal temperature.

hate to rain on your parade but if you're only driving 10 minutes, you should barely be redlining.