Kewlb

Hey Everyone,

Being one of the newer RX-8 owners I am wondering at what RPM everyone stays around. I am not use to a car with such a high redline, so I have probably been overly carefull and try to ensure the car stays below 4000 RPM.

dmp

depends on the speed limit

My car's tach needle is usually around 3,000 rpms for most driving. I get to 6th gear as quickly as possible, as pressing the go-pedal further uses 'less' gas than having higher RPMs (lower gear).

G8rboy

It depends on the road and driving conditions. If I expect to simply cruise with no expectation of "getting on it", I usually stay under 3500rpm. I rarely drive on the highway though, so I usually stay between 4-5k so I can have fun whenever my right foot wants to exercise itself.

JonsToy

I try to keep it in the 3,000 to 3,750 range for cruising, though accelerating through the gears I'll get as high as 4,500 rpm.

slinkyGirl78

around 3000 for me as well.

this is an interesting thread, good topic.

i learned to drive on a stick but haven't driven one in 10 years, so i'm getting used to it all over again- not to mention on something completely different than what i drove before.

Apophis

My "average" rpm is probably around 2800 for city driving and 4000 for highway (except when in traffic). Unless I need to push it, I generally shift at 3000 until 6th gear which takes me up to 4000-6000 at highway speeds...

FoxTypeR

Until I got over 1500 miles on my car, I shifted around the 4k mark. Now though, I gradually increase the point where I shift to break-in the engine. The car perfoms much better than it did 1800 miles ago, and the gas mileage is about 4 or 5 mpg higher for me now.

As far as cruising around goes, I keep it between 2500 and 4000 to keep it quiet, relaxing, and smooth. I don't really use 6th unless I'm on the highway or am going 55+ for a mile or more.

MI_FamilyMan

3,000-4,000 rpm is a comfortable cruising range for the car. But you really need to be over 5,000 rpm if you need any kind of instantaneous kick. This typically requires a downshift since I wouldn't recommend cruising over 5,000 rpm just for mpg's sake.

BTW if you are out of your break-in period and you are still keeping under 4,000 rpm, what are you waiting for?!

Red Devil

Typically around 3,500 to 4,000. No clutch/tranny abuse, but I take it to the redline about once a day.

robe619

6,000 for me :D

Jackallll

For some reason my 8 does not like the 1-2 shift at less than 3K rpms. Feels almost as though the clutch isn't fully disengaged. Anyone else?

As for RPM....since I do mostly stoplight to stoplight driving in the city...i keep it around 3500 rpm to save on gas.

Gambit

I usually try to stay between 2k and 3k for normal driving around...unless I'm feeling aggresive, which tends to happen :D

DrRockin99

I usually stay around the 3 - 4000 rpms when starting out , but a lot of times I'll shift in the 5 to 6000 rpms in 2nd and 3rd . it really seems I get better mpg shifting higher . I tried that under 3500 or so rpm and I got worse mileage .

CalZoomer

Kewlb, as a "newer owner," it is probable that your 8 has less than 2000 miles. I suggest that you faithfully follow the Racing Beat breakin procedures @ http://www.racingbeat.com/RX8%20Break%20in.htm.

After that, it is a matter of comfort and economy....and the need for speed.

LucasET

I usually cruise around town at about 3500 rpms. My shift point when accellerating is a few hundred shy of 5000 until I reach my cruising gear, which depends on the traffic. I also only use 6th when I'm on the highway= over 65mph.

JOHNRX8

It depends on how drunk i am. just KIDDING! I shift at 4000-4500. And get to 6th fast, not using 5th. ( 4th to 6th...I guess i'm lazy!)

rx8fanatic

Just got to class in Houston. Stayed between 3000-5500 most of the time. Went above that occasionally for passing .

beef2000

Don't mean to hijack the RPMs thread here, but DrRockin99's response made me wonder--what kind of MPG are you guys that shift at 4-6k RPMs getting?

rx8fanatic

When I got back tonight I filled up (same pump). I got 22.87 mpg on this trip :D . I shift at the 5500 mark under normal conditions.

sferrett

I generally get around 19mpg. Typical cruising on the freeway for me is generally in 5th gear, sometimes in 6th at 80MPH - which is usually around 5k rpms or 4k if I'm in 6th. I generally take shifts up to 5 or 6k and generally am not running around much under 4k rpms in normal driving (like in a 35 mph zone I'll probably be in 3rd gear doing 3500 rpms). The engine runs so smootly it just feels right doing 4k or more rpms. In my other rotary I'm generally around 2.5k or 3k rpms unless accellerating - it's got a little more torque and just feels better at lower rpms than the '8 does so I generally shift earlier and choose higher gears if I drive it (which isn't anywhere near as much).

HardHitter

I usually shift around 4k and keep my RPMS below 4k unless I am just having fun and want to get some adrenaline pumping I have only 1400 miles on my baby now and I've loved every one. I've gased up 4 times since I bought her, first two times I got around 200-205 miles when I filled her up (still had about 1/4 a tank left but scared since I didn't know how fast it would drop) and then the most miles was my 3rd fillup which was 235miles, and then just recently I filled up and it was around 210ish miles. Each time I filled up from around 12.3-12.7 gallons.

In my own question, how long do you guys usually let the dial go down on the gas guage? When I hit 200 miles or get to the 1/4 left mark I start to freak out and usually gas up whenever I next can. I've heard of people driving until the gas light comes on, is that fine and how many more miles do you have to make it to a station once the light comes on? I'm just paranoid about running out of gas because I did that once with my old car, was not a fun experience.

ptiemann

When the light comes on (and you are on a flat surface) you can at least drive 25 more miles. I've not tried beyond that point. That assumes that your car behaves as mine does.

Regarding 'is it ok to let the gas go all the way down' - on older cars with inferior fuel filters you shouldn't do that. There's some gunk collecting in the tank over time and the inferior fuel filter might let it through. Not an issue with a new RX-8. That's what I was told, I haven't inspected a fuel filter or the inside of a tank.

Peter

sferrett

For me 220 miles means the light has been on for a a little while... And every drive constitutes having fun (unless it's pissing rain or eveyone on the road is being an idiot) right? I generally fill up when the light comes on, I try to stick to the same gas station but I'm not sure why... so basically my next fillup is whenever I'm leaving work next and the light is on.

BlueFrenzy

I usually cruise at 3000-4000 and shift at 4000-6000. Not quite past the break in point though.

When the yellow fuel light comes on, there's 10 liters left. This translates into at least 60km or more until it's completely empty (assuming crappy crappy 6km/L). For you Yankees, that equivalent to about 37.5miles.

sferrett

... some of us Yanks are displaced Aussies ... :-)