Why no Short Move Instructions on the Driver's Sunvisor?
 

Asking the question - more as a suggestion.

Many cars are such instructions for 4-wheel transmission, hub locking and even simple starting.

John

PS Mazda cannot state that is not an issue - part of the issue is in the owner's manual / the other in the Tips brochure.

There's dozens of other tips in the owners manual too - I'm definitely not interested in seeing them all printed on the visors! I hate the ones that the government requires to be there already.

Anyway - once you've read the short move warnings in the manual or the tips brochure, do you really forget them and need reminding every time you get in the car? Even if you say "yes" - do you read the visor and the current warnings every time you get in the car now?

Regards,
Gordon

On the eve of bringing my 8 in for recall work (first time in to the dealer @ 420 miles) I had the exact same thought.

Since it appears to be an extremely important procedure, it might have been useful to have the short move starting instructions posted on the back of the visor, with yellow and black diagonal stripes ... staring you in the face every single time the sun ... um oh yeah that's not such a good idea.

Then it hit me ... print up a foam board "warning" card to hang from the rear view mirror whenever the situation warrants.

Warning

Failure to follow the procedure below will result in this automobiles spark plugs fouling and will render it unable to start.

This rotary engines temperature gauge must reach the middle of the normal operating range before turning the engine off.

During short periods of cold engine driving (such as backing the RX-8 out of a garage to wash it in the driveway), use the following procedure to help keep the spark plugs from fouling or the rotary engine from running rough:

1. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and hold (up to 10 seconds at a time) until the engine starts.
2. After starting the engine, let it idle for about 10 seconds, then move the vehicle.
3. After moving the vehicle, let the engine idle for about 5 minutes.
4. Rev the engine to 3,000 rpm, and then let it return to idle.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.


Thank you for following this procedure
(and thank you Mazda engineers)

I'm sure the dealer techs will get a kick out of it.

Cheers,
Oranje

Gordon:

Might be helpful for infrequent driver or valet parking. It could be useful handing the car over to such a driver.

Also if the car should be flooded by someone valet parking for example - the flooding can be made much worse if the RX8 niave driver uses the method many would use. Multiple attempts with the ignition being turned off and on would greatly worsen the situation.

The instruction could state the unique nature of the engine itself.

John

What about a Windows type warning every time you shut down the car?
"Shutting down may cause flooding. Are you sure you want to shut down? YES | NO | CANCEL"

I created a similar small note and had it laminated. I'll put it in plain view whenever I have to leave the car where someone who's not aware of the flooding issue might drive it.

because it would annoy me and i would remove it anyway. it's in the booklet people should quit being lazy so that the rest of us dont have to have these messages plastrered all over the place.

It'd be really great if they could engineer the problem away. But as it stands it would be nice to have some kind of interlock where shutting down before warmup temp was reached would give some kind of warning indication and then you'd have to press an additional switch to complete the shutdown once understanding the risk. I don't see the warmup requirement as a problem for me or my wife but it would be nice if there were some way to keep other drivers from flooding it accidentally.

Nubo:

Here ... here .... !!!! I want the RX-8 to have a long life in the USA - the sooner Mazda deals openly and actively with this issue the better.

Even the fact that the owner's manual has a Deflooding procedure (What other owner's manual in the USA has such a procedure?) whereas the Short Move procedure is in a separate Tips brochure - does not speak of openness or completeness on Mazda's part.

John

PS The flooding is of minor personal concern BUT the issue will affect the rotary engine's future IMHO if not solved and resolved.

I really think Mazda got taken by surprise on this one... so the answer to the question is, "Nobody thought it would be a problem." I suspect we'll see changes in 2005. Maybe RX Tuner Magazine could break the story?

They've got tough choices to make on this one. Every time you point out a "limitation" like this one to a consumer, you run the risk he'll get cold feet and walk away.

Megareds:

You are probably right on the mark Let's hope at the end that the RX-8 lives well and reigns long in the US - and that early buyers do not pay the price. Any changes in 2005 and 2006 which address this should be fully made to the 2004s.

Very happy with my RX-8 - hoping for a 2007-8 RX-8 or Rx-7 or RX-9 convertible - enjoying my stable.

John

I have never had a problem with flooding, no matter what. Everyone should try reading their owner's manual from cover to cover the first night they buy any new vehicle. I often move mine short distances and cut off the engine........no flooding.

flooded and dead battery
 

Had not driven the car since Monday afternoon, the windows were tinted in the am (requiring the doors to be open - lights on - and the windows to be moved up and down), I pulled the car further up the driveway and did not let it warm-up. Today tried to to start the car - the battery slowly died and the car flooded (or added to the flodding from the previous move). Tried to jump the battery, but no luck - too far gone, besides they need to address the issue - not me.
Called Mazda Roadside and had the car towed to the dealer - Long Beach Mazda/Pacific Ford. Funny, the woman who answered the phone there immediately said that the car was flooded - had calls like mine before.
The dealer put in a new battery, has driven 30 miles to get me the hotter plugs from another dealer (they are still new and had only two in stock and none of the "local" dealers had any either) and promised that I will have the car this Friday morning.
They are also ordering the oil pan (my car was built in July though I got it in January) and will complete all the recall/TSBs when I bring it back for the 3000 mile service. They did do the air bag though.
I did make an issue about the plugs and battery, but did so in a way that shifted the blame to Mazda and not them. Seriously I live in SoCal and the battery should not have died in three days. The dealer has been very supportive - offered me a loaner for the weekend (am going wine tasting up in Santa Barbara so I want my car) and has gone beyond the expected in getting the car fixed pronto.

The dealer put in a new battery, has driven 30 miles to get me the hotter plugs from another dealer....


in your car?!;)

battery yes, but no, they did not drive my car. come on here... :))