SP767

This is totally unacceptable. I'm getting 12.6 mpg in my new RX8 with 3,200 miles on the odometer.

I have never seen such mileage in any performance car that i have owned. This is mileage i did in town. I drive spirted but I don't sit all day long at the high end of the rev range.

I'm getting the same or better mileage in my 2001 Yukon Denali XL then this RX8!

I'm disgusted.

I bought this car with 2800 miles on the ODO. I'm hoping that it is going to get better. I just got the M flash last week. So, apprently, this didn't do squat to the mileage factor.

Steve

futureownr4sure

-when you buy a sports car, you're obviously not looking for a good mpg
-the money spent on gas shouldn't be an issue if you have the 8....

so, why are you that upset?

SP767

Because I should at least be in the 15mpg range. 12mpg is absolutely awful.

steve

rboerio

Those with the 18-20 mpg must use "Flintstone Power" every now and then-give it a try-it should be worth at least 3 mpg :D

SP767

Do you guys think that something might be wrong with my car, since I am only getting 12 mpg?

I did not drive that aggresively on this reading. I'm really concerned.

steve

Rupes

I get 20MPG, I drive about 70% higway 30% city. I pretty much always get about 18-22MPG, anything less than that would be VERY unusual for me.

-Rupes

cgrx

Take it to the dealer. That is pretty bad mileage !

Xyntax

Easy on him futureownr4sure, he didn't post this to get some slapping from you (someone who doesn't even own one yet).

SP767, try a bunch of things before you give up:
- Try switching to a different brand of gas. I have had bad mpg with cheaper gases, so I'm sticking with Chevron.
- Try driving conservatively for a whole tank and see if it improves anything. You dont have to drive that way forever, you just need to narrow down the factors.
- Loose some weight on your cargo, you may be carrying too many things all the time.
- Check with a dealership service tech and tell him what's up. Something's wrong with your 8 if mpg stays the same even after some conservative driving.

People complain about this mpg issue and others complain about these people. Bottom line is, 12 mpg even at normal driving conditions clues you in that something is wrong with your car (sports car or not).

bigfatpop

I drive mine like "it was stolen." It's one of the few pleasures left to a 41-year old, twice married father of two. If you can't afford the gas, sell the car and buy a Suzuki.

SP767

I can afford the gas. It's just that others are getting a lot better gas mileage than me and I am concerned that this large difference means I have something wrong with my car.

I'm going to let my dealer know and I will try the suggestions given above.

thanks.

steve

starbucks

Um, maybe it's just a bad one. Afterall, someone sold it with 2800 miles on the ODO, or it was a very abused dealer demo.

With that said, I'd definitely take it back the dealer for a check up. 12 mpg with normal driving is unacceptable.

310Guy

Welcome to the club.

With my auto 8, I'm getting about 13 mpg city driving which is mostly what I do. Am I pissed? Yes. I'm not even close to the estimated mileage and I don't drive like a mad man.

Don't worry, even AutoWeek Mag is making comments about it in their long-term fleet (they added the 8 not too long ago); I'm betting Mazda is going to change the fuel rating like they changed the HP...

Benthic

First tank, 14.3 MPG (city, aggressive, shifts in the 5K range)
Second tank, 21 MPG (highway, avgerage speed 70 mph)
Third tank, 18 MPG (highway, average speed 75 mph)

1,100 miles, M-Flash, traction control on, 91 octane

By the way, gas is gas, pretty much. It all comes from the same refineries. The 87 octane gets blended with the 91 octane to make the 89 octane (right at the pump). The main differences are in the additives, which might make for a cleaner engine, but probablly won't do much for mileage.

thew

has it been flashed to M.. mine did the same untill the M flash now i get avg 18 city..

do a search on M flash.. if it has been flashed to "m" then make the dealer take it back..

EatMyBanana

I dont understand these large diffrences. I have a AT with 3500 miles,m flash. An I get 19 to 24 easy. I use the air (Hot Here) and drive fast. My car is number 30000. Is your vin number a early build?

SP767

My car was built in August of 2003.

EatMyBanana

Mine was built Jan 04. Maybe it is the early builds? If i where getting MPG that low on the highway, i wouldn't be happy either. Give the M flash a chance to work. If it keeps up i would take it in to the dealer.Also i love the Green Hornet!!!!!!!!!

SP767

Thanks! I'm going to talk to my dealer about this today.

I was supposed to have gotten the M flash last week when my car was in for service. I will double check on this also.

I will report back what kind of feedback i receive from the dealer.

steve

sjt

use 87 octane gas.

I CONSISTENTLY get about 3-5mpg more with the lower octane gas. Admittedly I've never broken 20mpg EVER in 9500 miles but I can't keep it under 70mph so that's my fault. 70% hwy & 30% city driving as well.

on 91 octane, I could never get higher than 16mpg.

BillK

Mazda has nothing to do with the EPA mileage estimates; they are done by the EPA, not the manufacturer...

SP767

Okay, I did another mileage reading. This time, after topping off fuel, I did all highway driving. Guess what?! 14.8mpg!! I took the car into the dealer this morning. They were very responsive, initially at least. They will be calling Mazda tech and a field rep. If this can't be resolved, I'll be asking my dealer to take the car back for a new one.

Steve

thew

yes.. but i am sure you just need the m flash.. You bought that 8 used right..

the dealer wont do any work to a new car/used like that untill it ha a buyer to charge off the warrenty work to..

MY 8 was built in 04/03 .. very early. it Had Air bag work done in Long bEach Harbor before it was allowed into the U.S. then it say untill 04/20/04 when i bought it. !

It need to be reflashed 2 times. 1st time the dealer lied and said they did it but.. they did not. ( pump your Breaks with the key on but not running. after 20 pumps or so your oil guage will sweep the dial.. if it does this then you are al "L" or "M" flash.. )
After they flashed it the second tiem I stil had to take it back for the A/C fix. and now it needs the Oil Pan TSB to be done. I hate my Dealer. there service department just jacks you around and lies about there work !.... So dont be supprised if your 8 needs to have this stuff done as well .. They will only fix them if you ask.. BTW telling them you have crappy mpg is the magic words to get them to reflash you to "M" be sure to look at your invoice when you get it back.. If it does not say recalabrated to "m" spec then turn around and take it right back.. Also do the Break test infront of your service writer..

Good luck.. you will love your 8 once you get all this worked out .

thew

P.S. the dealer prints that sticker on the window.. anything it says they are liable for. !!!

even if the EPA gave them the numbers.. witch they did not.. Mazda Japan claims the 8 gets 18 -23 mpg.. not the EPA.. the EPA tells them what Emmission number to put on the car.. And yes the 8 is one of the cleanest cars (non-Hybred) on the Road ..

SP767

Okay, my dealer tells me that last week when my car was in, they performed the M flash. I tried the brake pump test and i get NO oil pressure sweep. So does this mean that they are not telling me the truth, or they don't know what they are doing?

steve

Xyntax

If your low revs don't feel like it's picking up quickly, then you don't have the M flash on. There was a big difference in taking off from a stop with the previous ECU setups.

There might be something wrong with your engine's timing (ignition, cat, intake, etc.) Dealership should be checking flaws there.