Weird Startup/Shutdown Instructions from the Dealer
 

Hi everyone, Im a new member and proud new owner of an 09 R3.

When I bought the car I got some weird instructions from the dealership. I was told to rev the engine between 2700-3000 rpm for 30 secs when first starting the car up. Even stranger I was told to repeat this before shutting the car off AND keep the engine revved with my foot still on the pedal as I turn the ignition off. I think their reasoning for this was to keep the plugs from getting fouled or something like that.

I haven't been doing this, frankly it seems kind of stupid. And I haven't seen anything like this mentioned anywhere in the manual or on these forums. Has anyone else been told this? Or does anyone actually do this?

Btw I do know about the flooding problem. I make sure not to turn the engine off if it hasn't been running for at least 5 mins. or if the first indicator on the moving redline hasn't turned off. This was actually stated in the manual.

haven't heard it upon startup but is probably just trying to get you up to a warmer operating temp. i do this when i shut off and it's been a short trip especially if it's cold. it is supposed to help burnoff any excess fuel and prevent flooding. some agree with teh method, some don't but i do it since i'd rather be safe than sorry.

in AZ i dont think you'll have a huge problem with warming up. haha.

but here in MD i let the rpms drop below 1500 before i move the car when i first start up. and i keep it real easy and below 3000 rpms until the engine is warm.

however, i do the simultaneous rev + shutdown. i just floor it and turn it off quickly. generally it hits around 2500-3000rpm before it shuts down. and make sure you are not in gear when you do this. your car will jump forward.

Yup...don't do the rev'ing on startup here in Ohio but I do take it easy until the car warms up. Shutdown I do tap the gas and shut the car off as they say and tap to an even higher rpm after short trips. It does help prevent flooding on cars with the older starter...never had a problem with the newer version of the starter...but Im not risking it.

Might I inquire as to which dealership you purchased the car from?
There are a couple dealerships here in the greater Phoenix area that actually have knowledgeable technicians. And a lot that are, well I'll just say, suspect.

I would not do it on start up. I never did it on shut down either. I never flooded either of the two RX8's I've owned.
I think the dealer is crazy on the start up procedure. I would never start my car and immediately raise the RPM's to 3000.

I'll go with Easy on this one for sure. No need to do it on start up but I would let the water temp needle just begin to move off the "C". At that point you are at approx. 120 degrees on the water temp(just and FYI). At that point you are okay to go ahead and drive, but I wouldn't get much above 3000rpm's until you reach full operating temp......where the needle normally sits.

In terms of shutting off.........I have never flooded mine, but then again.......I don't ever shut it off until it's up to operating temp. And I do mean never. I also don't blip the throttle, or hold it above 3k for 5-10 seconds like some say.......I just don't shut it down cold. If you have to move it a short distance, take a little drive around a block or two. The car is so much fun to drive, I do it every chance I get anyway! That's much better than having to de-flood it and then go through the headaches that may follow that.

Admittedly it's not bad advice. It's not necessary, as you can do much less than that and avoid flooding.

I modified my response just a pinch! :)

I never do the start up revving thing. I think the holding the revs for 5-10 seconds and shutting it down is the 'cold shut down' procedure. I blip the throttle most of the time when shut it down as well, and now it is just a habit. If it is warm just blip the throttle and turn the key.. isn't time consuming.

^+1

+1 i do the blip shut down procedure all the time, and if its a short trip ill hold it at 3k for a bit. sounds like you have one of the few knowledgeable dealers around

Well, I just recently purchased my rx8 and I just joined this club as well. I still dont know how to post or anything. Anyways, Ive been having the same problem starting up my car. Well I think. When I start cranking my car it turns over very slow and picks up speed. At first I thought it was the battery but the battery is brand new. So could it be that I need to start rev and then shut off the car? My car is an 04 rx8. Sorry I put my issue under your post, I just still dont know how to post stuff

SpeedFreakNasty - No...you just need the upgraded starter more than likely.

+1
http://www.vimeo.com/3653485

new owner of a 09 R3 as well and my dealer/service dept. mentioned something about reving it before shutting it down as well. i knew about flooding and what not before i bought the car and was under the impression that this was a emergency, if you have to shut the car off when cold kinda band aid fix. personally i read the manual several times and just did what the manual said, never shut it down untill at least the first bar has gone away. that being said, i shut down like i would any other car and havent had a problem yet, but i make sure its warmed up some, even if it means letting it idle for a few min.

from what i understand, reving the engine at all just after startup is a BAD thing and this could be said for any engine rotary or not.

Read the manual? I'm not sure if that's allowed around here. ;)

Anyway, did your '09 come with a Quick Tips booklet? My '06 did, and that booklet gave the actual short trip shutdown procedure. And, of course, revving a cold engine is never a good thing.

Ken

I just bought an '09 GT. No Quick Tips Booklet. 'That from Mazda? Any copy online? Link?

Tnx,

The RotorCloud

Thanks for all the advice. So I'm definitely not gonna follow their instructions for revving at startup. I might do the blip throttle at shutdown thing, but it doesn't sound like there is any need to do it for 30 secs like the dealer recommended. And I like the idea of taking it for a drive if I have to move it a short distance, I've been practicing that already its so fun to drive haha.

@ Easy_E1: I bought it through Chapman Mazda. They were pretty decent with me UNTIL I signed the paperwork. Ever since then I have been less than impressed (big surprise there I know).

30 seconds is a long time. Think about it.

Some people actually like Chapman. I've never been a fan. I don't know what side of Phoenix your on but, I would recommend Berge Mazda in Mesa, on Baseline and Country Club. Just off the US60. I've been going there for over 4 years and most everybody in the AZMazda Club does too. Ask for Vince, he's the best service writer.
They're a Gold Dealership. Which means when the other dealers can't figure out what's wrong with your car they send them to Berge.

I got a printed one with my car. There was also a pdf version on line, in the owner's section at mazdausa.com, right next to where they had a pdf of the owner's manual. If you haven't signed up there yet, it's worthwhile. Among other things, the discount coupons my dealer puts up there are way better than the ones he e-mails or snail mails to me.

If you can't score the booklet, the short trip procedure is to warm the car by idling until temp comes up to normal. Then rev to 3k for 10 seconds, drop back to idle, then switch off. IMHO, unless you absolutely can't take it out on the road at the time, it makes more sense to just drive around the block a couple of times to warm up rather than sit and idle.

Ken

Revving at startup? hmm, ECU will control it on its own, it has all the air pump and other stuff for start up emission, no need to do that Revving BS.

Dont need to do the shut down either, you're in Phoenix dude. Hell I live in NYC I never did that before.

Startup revving is pointless. 30 seconds is stupid unless you just want to waste gas and your time. Quick blip of the throttle and turn off while its going down.