Yes you CAN get 22MPG city driving in the RX8...
First, I am not sure if auto transmissions could get the same result. I have a manual.
It requires knowing the minimum limits of each gear. From what I can tell, the gears seem to run alright but w/o much power as low as 2000 RPM (except for 1st and 2nd which can go to idle) Here is how to get it.... Acceleration from stop to 50-65: 1-2-4-6 (skipped 3rd and 5th... all shift made at about 3000 RPM). Do not go over 70 MPH (hard to do in the RX8 but then you WONT get a ticket) Acceleration from stop to 30-50: 1-2-3-5 (skipped 4), I guess you could also do 1-2-4-5. Deceleration - You can stay in 5 as slow as 30 MPH, 6 as slow as 45 MPH (although I prefer 50 MPH for the change from 5-6) I will warn you though, you will feel like you are driving like grandma when you drive this way. Everyone looks at you because you are acceleration so SLOWLY. BUT, I gained a jump from 17-19 to 21-23 MPG (4 MPG). On a 50 mile commute (roundtrip) you get the following savings (using the now 3.50 price in MD) 50/18 * 5(days) * 3.5(price of gas) = 48.61 for commuting (at 18 MPH) 50/22 * 5(days) * 3.5(price of gas) = 39.77 for commuting (at 22 MPH) Weekly savings = 8.84 Monthly savings (* 4 weeks) = 35.36 That IS significant... What does this all mean. If your PRIMARY vehicle is the RX8, here's what you do... for your commute, drive like grandma (e.g. adjust driving to just moving the car... who cares if everyone else passes you, are you in that much of a rush to get to work) For the weekends, drive the car the way it should be driven... a SPORTS CAR!!! What I am finding I am doing is that 90% of my commute now I drive like grandma, but still sneak in a nice rev up (7000 RPM anyone!!!) and still can get close to the 22MPG average. What are others doing for the rising gas prices? I don't want to curb my fun too much with this car, but just save it for weekends and for personal driving... BOTTOM LINE, still enjoy your car but in your daily commute, drive it EASY and get better mileage (and your walletbook will appreciate it) BTW, 35 dollars isn't much difference to me (just give up my Dunkin Donuts coffee and massive diet coke consumption) but keep in mind that as gas prices increase by some percentage, the savings become even MORE signficant... if prices got to 5 dollars, here are the same number: 50/18 * 5(days) * 5(price of gas) = 69.44 for commuting (at 18 MPH) 50/22 * 5(days) * 5(price of gas) = 56.81 for commuting (at 22 MPH) Weekly savings = 12.63 Monthly savings (* 4 weeks) = 50.52 Dont be surprised that 5 dollars isn't that far around the corner. I bet our European friends are secretly enjoying our price hikes. |
ID RATHER DRIVE 3 DAYS A WEEK HARD THAN DRIVE 7 LIKE A GRANDMA :o :D
Hang the expense :p B...free michael |
Originally Posted by Lock & Load
ID RATHER DRIVE 3 DAYS A WEEK HARD THAN DRIVE 7 LIKE A GRANDMA :o :D
Hang the expense :p B...free michael WELL... I don't like grandma EVERY day. Just during my commute to work. Since I don't have a choice in transport to work (e.g. no public transport, no alternate vehicle), I choose to drive EASY for my commute. My other driving situations are all fun (And these don't get that gas mileage). However, striking a balance is what I was trying to demonstrate. BTW, Driving only 3 days a week wold also work as a solution. And no easy driving required. |
i got 23.5mpg on my very first tank in the car, and i think zoom has gotten 26 or 27 on long trips.
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Those are very valid numnbers psbjames. Starting Wednesday morning, I've been driving like a Grandma in my commute to work and when I run errands and although I haven't finished the tank yet (which is a feat in itself considering I usually fill up every 4-5 days), I'm noticing an improvement in my mileage. I've been setting the cruise control at 73 mph on the highway which puts it just under 3750 rpms (when the 2nd fuel injector kicks in). I'm currently between 1-2 notches under the halfway mark and I'm around 160-170 miles so far in the tank. I'm usually around 1/4 when I hit this many miles. I've been driving about 65/35 city/highway.
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Thanks for the info! I always suspected that the poor mileage had a lot to do with the way the car begs you to drive.
Krankor 05 Shinka 6MT |
Well, if you really-really-really want to improve your gas mileage without changing your driving style, you can just swap your differential gears from 4.44:1 to something like 3.73:1 or 3:55:1. :rolleyes:
With 4.44:1 differential gears we get about 5.9 sec from 0-60mph (based on magazines and Mazda information), so with 3.73:1 we would get somewhere around 6.5sec from 0-60mph. In 6th gear, the rpms would be much lower and therefore improving mpg from the rated 17-24 to somewhere around 19-26mpg. An average sedan with 6 cyl power makes 0-60mph in 7 sec and 20-28mpg. The RX-8 should be able to match that acceleration/mpg with gears around 3:55:1 or lower. So basically, 6-cyl sedan performace and mpg with a rotary engine RX-8. If you really don't car about acceleration and gasoline price is a major issue, I think swaping differential gears would be the way to go. I personally would rather be able to change the 6th gear inside the transmission from the current 0.84:1 to something like 0.70:1. That should do the trick, keeping the same acceleration, but with better fuel economy thanks to lower rpms in 6th gear. My manual RX-8 is my daily drive, I drive it smooth and I skip gears trying to keep the rpm's below 2k, my average mpg oscillate between 19.5-20.5mpg with stock gears, but I do a lot of city and bumper to bumper driving here in the nasty Los Angeles freeways (405 mainly). |
I drive like a bat out of hell everywhere I go, almost never get my car under 85 ( lately it's been 100 plus )on the highway and I easily get 22-24 mpg. ~ 320 mile per tank @ 14 gallons. The only time my mileage sucks is when I am in stop and go traffic. I've got a 54 mile one way commute, and it's 99% highway.
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If you do drive like that (grandma), I suspect you will carbon up the engine and greatly shorten its' life. The rotary needs to rev. to stay clean inside. Happened to a friend of mine with his 2nd gen RX-7 - only lasted 2 years. He bought a new one and drove it hard. It's still running.
Nice points to know, however. |
I've tried the grandpa styles and definitely the mileage increases. But I found shifting at 3000 very grueling. So a happy medium with decent mileage is shifting roughly at 3500-3750. Also found that the 8 tended to drink more gas if I allowed the revs to climb faster.
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Originally Posted by RX-8 friend
If you do drive like that (grandma), I suspect you will carbon up the engine and greatly shorten its' life. The rotary needs to rev. to stay clean inside. Happened to a friend of mine with his 2nd gen RX-7 - only lasted 2 years. He bought a new one and drove it hard. It's still running.
Nice points to know, however. |
Originally Posted by BlueFrenzy
I've tried the grandpa styles and definitely the mileage increases. But I found shifting at 3000 very grueling. So a happy medium with decent mileage is shifting roughly at 3500-3750. Also found that the 8 tended to drink more gas if I allowed the revs to climb faster.
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Originally Posted by RX-8 friend
If you do drive like that (grandma), I suspect you will carbon up the engine and greatly shorten its' life. The rotary needs to rev. to stay clean inside. Happened to a friend of mine with his 2nd gen RX-7 - only lasted 2 years. He bought a new one and drove it hard. It's still running.
Nice points to know, however. |
Originally Posted by Aseras
I drive like a bat out of hell everywhere I go, almost never get my car under 85 ( lately it's been 100 plus )on the highway and I easily get 22-24 mpg. ~ 320 mile per tank @ 14 gallons. The only time my mileage sucks is when I am in stop and go traffic. I've got a 54 mile one way commute, and it's 99% highway.
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I'd rather visit the pump 2 or 3 days earlier then worry about all this crap. This car is meant to be driven and rev high. Get a prius or a daily driver if you're THAT concerned about your car.
this past tank i shifted at 4k to 4.25k until 3rd dropped to 4th then skipped to 6th. i drove 40% local and i got 19.4mpg i think thats pretty damn good. i also redlined it at least once a day. stop worrying so much about ur mpg and start driving the damn thing. enjoy the car and its high redline |
Originally Posted by psbjames1970
Dont be surprised that 5 dollars isn't that far around the corner. I bet our European friends are secretly enjoying our price hikes. |
Originally Posted by Mikelikes2drive
I'd rather visit the pump 2 or 3 days earlier then worry about all this crap. This car is meant to be driven and rev high. Get a prius or a daily driver if you're THAT concerned about your car.
this past tank i shifted at 4k to 4.25k until 3rd dropped to 4th then skipped to 6th. i drove 40% local and i got 19.4mpg i think thats pretty damn good. i also redlined it at least once a day. stop worrying so much about ur mpg and start driving the damn thing. enjoy the car and its high redline Everyone should be concerned one way or another since fossil fuels are a limited resource. Saving a few gallons (and a few dollars) on a daily commute and not driving like speed racer to work can go a long way. Do you have to sacrifice the fun of driving the RX8, NO!!!! Take to to REDLINE on weekends and backcountry drives!!! But going to work is just that... work. And my work commute is crowded with other traffic. I can never get going a good clip even if I wanted to unless I wanted lots of speeding tickets, or a wreck from other crazy drivers. |
Originally Posted by juanjux
No, my friend, we're also having our particular terrific price hike, it's not only in the US (we're about 6$ per gallon and going up like a rocket).
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Originally Posted by Aseras
.... The only time my mileage sucks is when I am in stop and go traffic....
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^liek yer sig, valpac!
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Originally Posted by psbjames1970
First, I am not sure if auto transmissions could get the same result. I have a manual.
It requires knowing the minimum limits of each gear. From what I can tell, the gears seem to run alright but w/o much power as low as 2000 RPM (except for 1st and 2nd which can go to idle) Here is how to get it.... Acceleration from stop to 50-65: 1-2-4-6 (skipped 3rd and 5th... all shift made at about 3000 RPM). Do not go over 70 MPH (hard to do in the RX8 but then you WONT get a ticket) Acceleration from stop to 30-50: 1-2-3-5 (skipped 4), I guess you could also do 1-2-4-5. Deceleration - You can stay in 5 as slow as 30 MPH, 6 as slow as 45 MPH (although I prefer 50 MPH for the change from 5-6) I will warn you though, you will feel like you are driving like grandma when you drive this way. Everyone looks at you because you are acceleration so SLOWLY. BUT, I gained a jump from 17-19 to 21-23 MPG (4 MPG). On a 50 mile commute (roundtrip) you get the following savings (using the now 3.50 price in MD) 50/18 * 5(days) * 3.5(price of gas) = 48.61 for commuting (at 18 MPH) 50/22 * 5(days) * 3.5(price of gas) = 39.77 for commuting (at 22 MPH) Weekly savings = 8.84 Monthly savings (* 4 weeks) = 35.36 That IS significant... What does this all mean. If your PRIMARY vehicle is the RX8, here's what you do... for your commute, drive like grandma (e.g. adjust driving to just moving the car... who cares if everyone else passes you, are you in that much of a rush to get to work) For the weekends, drive the car the way it should be driven... a SPORTS CAR!!! What I am finding I am doing is that 90% of my commute now I drive like grandma, but still sneak in a nice rev up (7000 RPM anyone!!!) and still can get close to the 22MPG average. What are others doing for the rising gas prices? I don't want to curb my fun too much with this car, but just save it for weekends and for personal driving... BOTTOM LINE, still enjoy your car but in your daily commute, drive it EASY and get better mileage (and your walletbook will appreciate it) BTW, 35 dollars isn't much difference to me (just give up my Dunkin Donuts coffee and massive diet coke consumption) but keep in mind that as gas prices increase by some percentage, the savings become even MORE signficant... if prices got to 5 dollars, here are the same number: 50/18 * 5(days) * 5(price of gas) = 69.44 for commuting (at 18 MPH) 50/22 * 5(days) * 5(price of gas) = 56.81 for commuting (at 22 MPH) Weekly savings = 12.63 Monthly savings (* 4 weeks) = 50.52 Dont be surprised that 5 dollars isn't that far around the corner. I bet our European friends are secretly enjoying our price hikes. to any of you that think this sounds reasonable....SELL YOUR CAR!! It still blows me away how obsessed people are with MPG......go buy a GEO Metro :mad: |
Originally Posted by psbjames1970
You know, I HATE BEING TOLD TO GET A PRIUS just because I am concerned about gas. THE POINT OF THIS POST was to show a happy medium for those who are on a budget. Do you just assume that because you own an RX-8 you shouldnt give a crap about gas. Do you really read the post or just gloss over it.
Everyone should be concerned one way or another since fossil fuels are a limited resource. Saving a few gallons (and a few dollars) on a daily commute and not driving like speed racer to work can go a long way. Do you have to sacrifice the fun of driving the RX8, NO!!!! Take to to REDLINE on weekends and backcountry drives!!! But going to work is just that... work. And my work commute is crowded with other traffic. I can never get going a good clip even if I wanted to unless I wanted lots of speeding tickets, or a wreck from other crazy drivers. If you bought an RX8, you should have known about the MPG ahead of time. The RX8 is a driver's car. What's the point if you drive it below the power band all day long. If you can't afford the gas...you can't afford the car....SELL IT! |
yes auto's can do that also , on the wifes 8 she drives about 42 miles each way in cith/highway and with 3000 miles on the 8 she avges about 21 , and no not driving like a grandma.. lol .. we took my daughter to collage about 180 each way and she was driving about 70 and she got about 24.5 , a lot of upand down hills
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Originally Posted by juanjux
No, my friend, we're also having our particular terrific price hike, it's not only in the US (we're about 6$ per gallon and going up like a rocket).
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Originally Posted by psbjames1970
Do you have to sacrifice the fun of driving the RX8, NO!!!! Take to to REDLINE on weekends and backcountry drives!!! But going to work is just that... work. And my work commute is crowded with other traffic. I can never get going a good clip even if I wanted to unless I wanted lots of speeding tickets, or a wreck from other crazy drivers.
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Originally Posted by Mikelikes2drive
I'd rather visit the pump 2 or 3 days earlier then worry about all this crap. This car is meant to be driven and rev high. Get a prius or a daily driver if you're THAT concerned about your car.
this past tank i shifted at 4k to 4.25k until 3rd dropped to 4th then skipped to 6th. i drove 40% local and i got 19.4mpg i think thats pretty damn good. i also redlined it at least once a day. stop worrying so much about ur mpg and start driving the damn thing. enjoy the car and its high redline |
Originally Posted by psbjames1970
Everyone should be concerned one way or another since fossil fuels are a limited resource. Saving a few gallons (and a few dollars) on a daily commute and not driving like speed racer to work can go a long way.
Now, as for the original post, I appreciate the info, its nice to know, and I might even use it sometime (like if I'm low on gas and can't find a station). But telling the world what they SHOULD be concerned about is crossing the line. Krankor 05 Shinka 6MT |
I respect all your opinions but we need to cut this guy a little slack. Mainly b/c the moderators will come in and close this thread due to "bashing"
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I got 21 mpg with half city half highway, thats driving like it's stolen too. :)
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Originally Posted by IZoomZoomI
I got 21 mpg with half city half highway, thats driving like it's stolen too. :)
how???? |
Originally Posted by rotten42
If you bought an RX8, you should have known about the MPG ahead of time. The RX8 is a driver's car. What's the point if you drive it below the power band all day long. If you can't afford the gas...you can't afford the car....SELL IT!
I CAN AFFORD THE GAS !!!!.... I am just trying to save a few extra bucks. Was I complaining about the mileage... NO!!!!!!!!! I was merely trying to demonstrate that for those who do have budget, there are tips on driving it to save gas. :mad: |
Originally Posted by Krankor
What a bunch of hooey! Don't you preach to me, boy! I could give a crap about fossil fuels and limited resources. Fossil fuels will run out sometime well after I'm dead, and how I drive now will have no effect on that. If EVERYBODY were to switch to driving like grandmas tomorrow, the gas would last, what, another couple years? What the hell difference does that make in the long run? Eventually we're gonna run out and have to find something else. Until then, I intend to enjoy it while it lasts, and I don't need any whiny preacher trying to induce guilt trips.
Now, as for the original post, I appreciate the info, its nice to know, and I might even use it sometime (like if I'm low on gas and can't find a station). But telling the world what they SHOULD be concerned about is crossing the line. Krankor 05 Shinka 6MT Don't take it personally man. Okie dokie... :) |
You guys better calm down ... I smell the banning police.
:D *BAN ME* I'm an idiot |
Originally Posted by RedSheDevil
You guys better calm down ... I smell the banning police.
:D *BAN ME* I'm an idiot VOTE RED!!!! :D |
Sorry, for letting myself get upset. I should just ignore the "SELL YOUR CAR" posts on this. If I came of sounding preachy, then I am sorry too.
Perhaps this topic is too senstive for some, perhaps this thread should be closed.... Oh Well... |
Originally Posted by psbjames1970
Sorry, for letting myself get upset. I should just ignore the "SELL YOUR CAR" posts on this. If I came of sounding preachy, then I am sorry too.
Perhaps this topic is too senstive for some, perhaps this thread should be closed.... Oh Well... |
Originally Posted by RedSheDevil
LOL PB&J, no need to close ... just realize that most people (ME!) want to hear about how to get great gas mileage AND be able to drive liek ya stole it. It aint nevah gonna happen, but we keep lookin... :D
BTW, When I say like grandma I really mean just normal driving (no speeding, no fast weaving through traffic, no handling curves at twice the speed limit... I settle for a happy medium, drive normal for work and drive very sporty for weekends (just did today and my MPG went down to 17.5... but the weather is PERFECT - 75 and sunny!!!) Who cares that it cost me 3.60 per gallon (mid grade) BTW, Check this thread out... http://toccionline.kizash.com/films/1001/178/index.php |
Guys, calm down. He wasn't trying to piss anyone off.
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SEE! I told you i smelled the banning police!!!!
:D *BAN ME!* I'm due for a good banning ;) |
Originally Posted by RedSheDevil
SEE! I told you i smelled the banning police!!!!
:D *BAN ME!* I'm due for a good banning ;) VOTE RED Do it right with RSD ... http://www.reddevil.com/ |
Originally Posted by mmats69
I respect all your opinions but we need to cut this guy a little slack. Mainly b/c the moderators will come in and close this thread due to "bashing"
I don't think its bashing...it's expressing a different opinion. |
Originally Posted by rotten42
I don't think its bashing...it's expressing a different opinion.
It all good... Just don't like assumptions made about me... Drive on (redline if you wish!!!) James |
Originally Posted by psbjames1970
I CAN AFFORD THE GAS !!!!.... I am just trying to save a few extra bucks. Was I complaining about the mileage... NO!!!!!!!!!
I was merely trying to demonstrate that for those who do have budget, there are tips on driving it to save gas. :mad: amd my point is that if you are worrying about a gas budget, you've bought a car beyond your means......drive it like its stolen or not at all. |
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Originally Posted by rotten42
amd my point is that if you are worrying about a gas budget, you've bought a car beyond your means......drive it like its stolen or not at all.
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Originally Posted by rotten42
amd my point is that if you are worrying about a gas budget, you've bought a car beyond your means......drive it like its stolen or not at all.
Well, I am not worrying about a gas budget... (not yet at least). If it gets to $7 dollars, you will see me on a two wheeled transport (motorcylce or moped) to work and RX-8 on weekends only. But I don't drive like it's stolen ever. Maryland state troopers are unforgiving and three speeding tickets in a row and bye bye license. (Have two already!!!) :D :D |
Originally Posted by RedSheDevil
rotten, just cuz its an 8 doesnt mean you are REQUIRED to drive it liek its stolen. unless i missed that part of the manual (its possible cuz im an idiot)
First speeding ticket in less than 2 weeks of ownership to prove it... |
Originally Posted by psbjames1970
Page 758. BTW, It is also in the purchase contract ...
First speeding ticket in less than 2 weeks of ownership to prove it... |
I just found a job, and I'm gonna start working the 26th. So I'm gonna save my money until I can buy the 2006 model with the GT package and everything on it.
But I'm not really worried about the prices at the gasstation. When you see normal people smoke and spend stuff on hobbies which can be expensive too. And have a motorcycle and therefore have to have 2 insurances and so on. I'll just put my money in the 8. It's my dream of owning one, and sometimes you have to put in a little money and effort to realise a dream. |
Originally Posted by ZODIACQ
I just found a job, and I'm gonna start working the 26th. So I'm gonna save my money until I can buy the 2006 model with the GT package and everything on it.
But I'm not really worried about the prices at the gasstation. When you see normal people smoke and spend stuff on hobbies which can be expensive too. And have a motorcycle and therefore have to have 2 insurances and so on. I'll just put my money in the 8. It's my dream of owning one, and sometimes you have to put in a little money and effort to realise a dream. Well, time to go. I need to get my ZoomZoom fix (weather calls - 72 and sunny!!!, "vulgar sign body language" to the pumps...) |
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