Mazda admits RX-8 not for winter driving
02-18-2005, 12:51 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by nosubstitutec4s
i could only do one paragraph, and im not sure how accurate it is. sry guys
the drivers who have purchased an exemplery sports coupe, the mazda rx8, should be interested in knowing this: do not use the rotary engine for a long time or else you will take a walk with remorse.
the drivers who have purchased an exemplery sports coupe, the mazda rx8, should be interested in knowing this: do not use the rotary engine for a long time or else you will take a walk with remorse.
The motorists who became purchasers of a specimen of sporting half-compartment RX-8 of Mazda, may find it beneficial to have been quite well informed: not to let turn the rotary engine risk to cost them a walk into remorqueuse sufficiently a long time.
I interpret that to mean : Motorists who purchase the Mazda RX-8 sports coupe may benefit from being informed that if they use the rotary engine for a long time it may cost them a walk with remorse.
Hmmm... doesn't mention anything specific about cold weather -- just long-term use. Could this be why Mazda is quietly offering high-mileage 8 owners free engine swaps so they can take the well-used motors back to Japan for study????
http://64.9.213.132/rx8club.com/foru...ht=engine+swap
02-18-2005, 12:52 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by Spin9k
From the Yamaguchi RX-8 book. Caption reads:
pg 122 "Both M1 and S1 (note - RX-8 prototypes) are put through their paces on white stuff in February 2002 in the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan"
One can't not say the RX-8 was never designed and/or tested for winter driving. Winter testing of prototypes proves this is a bogus claim. (perhaps the French need to contact mother Mzda Japan to get their story straight?)
And just because it was not designed specifically for -40 degree temperatures does not count. Normal operating temperature for most any car is not -40 degrees, unless it is built for Artic or Antartica traveling. So sorry guys it's not the Mazda RX-8's fault you some live in the furthest reaches north or south :p of the planet.
pg 122 "Both M1 and S1 (note - RX-8 prototypes) are put through their paces on white stuff in February 2002 in the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan"
One can't not say the RX-8 was never designed and/or tested for winter driving. Winter testing of prototypes proves this is a bogus claim. (perhaps the French need to contact mother Mzda Japan to get their story straight?)
And just because it was not designed specifically for -40 degree temperatures does not count. Normal operating temperature for most any car is not -40 degrees, unless it is built for Artic or Antartica traveling. So sorry guys it's not the Mazda RX-8's fault you some live in the furthest reaches north or south :p of the planet.
Thank you. And THAT was my point about Alaska and Canada population and car sales.
And as I said in the beginning of the thread I have a freakin DVD with video footage of Mazda doing that winter testing mentioned in the Yamaguchi book.
02-18-2005, 12:55 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by Gord96BRG
Lamest argument ever.
VikingDJ, please list all the cars sold in the US with summer tires - you'll find dozens of different vehicles, including Audis, BMWs, MINIs, GMs, Fords, Porsches, Toyotas, Hondas, and more. The reason they come with summer tires is to maximize summer performance. NO implications about suitability for winter usage is implied or expressed whatsoever. I can buy an Audi A6, A4, TT, with summer tires OEM - are you telling us that those cars are not intended to be used in winter? Ridiculous! All it means is that you will need to change to appropriate tires for winter use (which is exactly what the RX-8 owners manual advises as well).
My RX-8 does extremely well in winter. For Edmonton owners, you can fit an inline coolant heater or an oil pan heater to handle the -30 temperatures. Again a comparison, the Audi 2.7 twin-turbo engine used in the A6, allroad, and S4 does not have a block heater available. It makes a great winter car, anyway.
Regards,
Gordon
VikingDJ, please list all the cars sold in the US with summer tires - you'll find dozens of different vehicles, including Audis, BMWs, MINIs, GMs, Fords, Porsches, Toyotas, Hondas, and more. The reason they come with summer tires is to maximize summer performance. NO implications about suitability for winter usage is implied or expressed whatsoever. I can buy an Audi A6, A4, TT, with summer tires OEM - are you telling us that those cars are not intended to be used in winter? Ridiculous! All it means is that you will need to change to appropriate tires for winter use (which is exactly what the RX-8 owners manual advises as well).
My RX-8 does extremely well in winter. For Edmonton owners, you can fit an inline coolant heater or an oil pan heater to handle the -30 temperatures. Again a comparison, the Audi 2.7 twin-turbo engine used in the A6, allroad, and S4 does not have a block heater available. It makes a great winter car, anyway.
Regards,
Gordon
Thank you too Gordon! This was yet again another point I was trying to make.
Like I said... game, set, match.
02-18-2005, 03:09 PM
#29
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Originally Posted by Gord96BRG
Lamest argument ever.
VikingDJ, please list all the cars sold in the US with summer tires - you'll find dozens of different vehicles, including Audis, BMWs, MINIs, GMs, Fords, Porsches, Toyotas, Hondas, and more. The reason they come with summer tires is to maximize summer performance. NO implications about suitability for winter usage is implied or expressed whatsoever. I can buy an Audi A6, A4, TT, with summer tires OEM - are you telling us that those cars are not intended to be used in winter? Ridiculous! All it means is that you will need to change to appropriate tires for winter use (which is exactly what the RX-8 owners manual advises as well).
My RX-8 does extremely well in winter. For Edmonton owners, you can fit an inline coolant heater or an oil pan heater to handle the -30 temperatures. Again a comparison, the Audi 2.7 twin-turbo engine used in the A6, allroad, and S4 does not have a block heater available. It makes a great winter car, anyway.
Regards,
Gordon
VikingDJ, please list all the cars sold in the US with summer tires - you'll find dozens of different vehicles, including Audis, BMWs, MINIs, GMs, Fords, Porsches, Toyotas, Hondas, and more. The reason they come with summer tires is to maximize summer performance. NO implications about suitability for winter usage is implied or expressed whatsoever. I can buy an Audi A6, A4, TT, with summer tires OEM - are you telling us that those cars are not intended to be used in winter? Ridiculous! All it means is that you will need to change to appropriate tires for winter use (which is exactly what the RX-8 owners manual advises as well).
My RX-8 does extremely well in winter. For Edmonton owners, you can fit an inline coolant heater or an oil pan heater to handle the -30 temperatures. Again a comparison, the Audi 2.7 twin-turbo engine used in the A6, allroad, and S4 does not have a block heater available. It makes a great winter car, anyway.
Regards,
Gordon
Yet another member of forum who misinterprets what one was saying. Some things will never change. When they put summer tires on a car, that means the car is not sold from the dealer with intention to be driven in winter as is. It costs a lot of money to put winter tires on RX8, therefore it's not the the best choice for an all year car, but of course it can be used that way,. Any car can. This is to be said for many many cars, not just RX8. I basically stated CAPTAIN OBVIOUS, but people tend to look right through, create somethign that is not there and create an argument. It's funny because I know as I am typing, someone is gonna argue what I said without understanding my point. This is unavoidable when all you do is read something on a computer screen,
Regards,
VIKINGDJ
02-18-2005, 03:19 PM
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Car equipped with summer tires from the factory to the dealer are generally considered sports cars and what they are best for. The rest of the passanger car market gets 4 seasons, at least in Canada (ontario and quebec at the very least). If 4 seasons came with the RX8 I would have questioned if this car was truly a sports car and I would have been suspicious.
If you bought a car that is advertized to tackle mountains, you'll get tires that have serious mountain climbing treads as opposed to the same all seasons truck tire found on a Hyundai Santa Fe.
If you bought a car that is advertized to tackle mountains, you'll get tires that have serious mountain climbing treads as opposed to the same all seasons truck tire found on a Hyundai Santa Fe.
02-19-2005, 01:35 AM
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A little better than Alta Vista translation... after scraping a little rust off of the high school French, I think the article reads:
Motorists who bought a Mazda Rx-8 sport coupe have an interest in being well informed: not letting the rotary motor run a sufficiently long time risks costing them a remorseful walk.
The rotary motor design doesn't have camshafts nor valves, so it's required that one treat it delicately on startup, especially in winter, admits Mazda Canada.
"The motor must run at least about thirty seconds, time to warm up a little, before you turn it off, if not, there's a risk it won't restart," confirms Pierre Deschamps, spokesman for the Japanese manufacturer. "We tell our salesmen at the dealers to mention this factor, but sometimes the message doesn't get out."
The rotary motor is composed of a large cylinder in which pivots a triangular piston (thus creating three chambers). When the motor is cold, the air-fuel mix is too poor and, if it is stopped at that moment, it has every chance of flooding. This phenomenon has happened to several Rx-8 owners, according to the president of Mazda Canada, these last months. In a moment of inattention, the last had selected sixth gear, instead of reverse, which stalled the motor. Then he had to go to the repair shop, and this maneuver, which isn't covered by the warranty, can make a very disagreeable expense for the motorist at fault.
The risk is especially present in the winter, due to cold temperatures, evidently. "It's not the only vehicle to be sold in Canada that suffers from these characteristics," adds Mr. Deschamps. "In any event, Mazda doesn't really recommend driving it's sports coupe during the winter season" for various reasons.
Motorists who bought a Mazda Rx-8 sport coupe have an interest in being well informed: not letting the rotary motor run a sufficiently long time risks costing them a remorseful walk.
The rotary motor design doesn't have camshafts nor valves, so it's required that one treat it delicately on startup, especially in winter, admits Mazda Canada.
"The motor must run at least about thirty seconds, time to warm up a little, before you turn it off, if not, there's a risk it won't restart," confirms Pierre Deschamps, spokesman for the Japanese manufacturer. "We tell our salesmen at the dealers to mention this factor, but sometimes the message doesn't get out."
The rotary motor is composed of a large cylinder in which pivots a triangular piston (thus creating three chambers). When the motor is cold, the air-fuel mix is too poor and, if it is stopped at that moment, it has every chance of flooding. This phenomenon has happened to several Rx-8 owners, according to the president of Mazda Canada, these last months. In a moment of inattention, the last had selected sixth gear, instead of reverse, which stalled the motor. Then he had to go to the repair shop, and this maneuver, which isn't covered by the warranty, can make a very disagreeable expense for the motorist at fault.
The risk is especially present in the winter, due to cold temperatures, evidently. "It's not the only vehicle to be sold in Canada that suffers from these characteristics," adds Mr. Deschamps. "In any event, Mazda doesn't really recommend driving it's sports coupe during the winter season" for various reasons.
02-25-2005, 12:12 PM
#38
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Interesting.
Since the anti-flood-flash was applied, I have zero problems, I'm an everyday driver and it's not exactly warm here (around -15°C last night). Besides, I would always recommend to let the car warm up in the winter before shutting it down, rotary or not.
Since the anti-flood-flash was applied, I have zero problems, I'm an everyday driver and it's not exactly warm here (around -15°C last night). Besides, I would always recommend to let the car warm up in the winter before shutting it down, rotary or not.
02-28-2005, 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Japan8
Quite odd considering the official testing footage on the DVD that came with one of my rotary mags of Mazda winter testing the RX-8 in Hokkaido...
02-28-2005, 06:36 AM
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Although this thread is mostly about cold starts...
When it comes to winter traction, there is no debate. DSC/TCS, 50/50 weight distribution, low center of gravity, and good snow tires make this car a winter driving dream... and a safe one too!
-P23
When it comes to winter traction, there is no debate. DSC/TCS, 50/50 weight distribution, low center of gravity, and good snow tires make this car a winter driving dream... and a safe one too!
-P23
02-28-2005, 10:56 AM
#41
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the whole point of the article is that the rotary is not suited to starting easily in tthe cold and that if it stalls it may not be covered under warranty...therefore not recommended forr use in the winter, there is no mention of handling or RWD or any actual driving issues, just that the engine needs to be babied in the winter and not driven immediately after starting.
02-28-2005, 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by MazdaspeedFeras
the whole point of the article is that the rotary is not suited to starting easily in tthe cold and that if it stalls it may not be covered under warranty...therefore not recommended forr use in the winter, there is no mention of handling or RWD or any actual driving issues, just that the engine needs to be babied in the winter and not driven immediately after starting.
Thanks,
Bill
02-28-2005, 05:02 PM
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Of course
When I got my RX-8 the dealer left a piece of paper that was supposed to be disposed of once the car was sold to me. Anyway, it went over the do's and don't's of the RX-8 for the transporter dudes and the dealers at the dealership. Also on it it told the dealer to get rid of it before selling the car to customer. You're suppose to warm the vehicle up until it's a little past the cold on the temperature gauge, that should be enough...when turning off the car, make sure to rev it at 4000 rpm for 8-10 seconds, then while reving it still turn off the vehicle. And that's it! :D I had no problems with my 8 
03-01-2005, 01:14 PM
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I live in Alaska and really haven't had any problems with flooding, except when I shut it off before it warms up. As far as snow tires go: a must have! I was racing to work one day in the early spring and hit a patch of black ice. I went off the road, hit a snow bank and went airborn for 63 feet! The police officer made an official measurement and everything. I landed perfectly and didn't tweak the fram, no airbags went off, and there were no broken windows. When the shop put it on the alignment rack it was dead on. I convinced them to let me buy OZ rims and B&B exhaust to replace the damaged stock parts (and let the insurance company pay for it!)
03-09-2005, 10:46 PM
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I've had mine for the second winter now, was terrible with stock tires in the snow the first winter. Tried to buy new, but all were sold out. This winter I have P Zero Niro extreme sport all season tires. (recomend highly if you live where there are seasons) My 8 is very good in the snow now. Much better in the snow than my friends G35. Love the heated seats, traction control and ABS. Never had a flooding issue ever, and talked to many other 8 owners and never met one that did either. When mentioned at last years Rotary Revolution in Indy nobody said they ever had an engine flood problem. I think it is an exagerated problem.
03-10-2005, 08:57 PM
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I have to agree and the Rx8 is not for winter driving. But thats what I already knew when I bought the car!
Its amazing that people would actually buy a sports car and drive it during the winter time?!!
Its amazing that people would actually buy a sports car and drive it during the winter time?!!
03-10-2005, 09:06 PM
#47
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Originally Posted by mikefrombarrie
I have to agree and the Rx8 is not for winter driving. But thats what I already knew when I bought the car!
Its amazing that people would actually buy a sports car and drive it during the winter time?!!
Its amazing that people would actually buy a sports car and drive it during the winter time?!!
2. Why is it amazing many of us drive a sports car in the winter? Much better than driving a lumbering SUV or boring sedan/coupe all winter (I have that option, but I'd rather drive my RX8 than my 4x4 in the snow). We get to enjoy driving a fun car all year round, and apparently you're missing out on the thrill of snow driving with a well-balanced RWD sportscar. Your loss...
03-10-2005, 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by G8rboy
1. Wrong
2. Why is it amazing many of us drive a sports car in the winter? Much better than driving a lumbering SUV or boring sedan/coupe all winter (I have that option, but I'd rather drive my RX8 than my 4x4 in the snow). We get to enjoy driving a fun car all year round, and apparently you're missing out on the thrill of snow driving with a well-balanced RWD sportscar. Your loss...
2. Why is it amazing many of us drive a sports car in the winter? Much better than driving a lumbering SUV or boring sedan/coupe all winter (I have that option, but I'd rather drive my RX8 than my 4x4 in the snow). We get to enjoy driving a fun car all year round, and apparently you're missing out on the thrill of snow driving with a well-balanced RWD sportscar. Your loss...
its kind of like saying, I'm missing out on the thrill of riding a motorcycle when theres snow.
03-10-2005, 09:36 PM
#49
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Originally Posted by mikefrombarrie
When your rx8 gets stuck in snow, not due to the fact of traction, but due to the clearance. Then you'll understand.
its kind of like saying, I'm missing out on the thrill of riding a motorcycle when theres snow.
its kind of like saying, I'm missing out on the thrill of riding a motorcycle when theres snow.
The RX8 does not sit that low... 6" of snow is no problem, and I've done this for 2 winters with the RX8, and 2 winters with a Miata prior. I'm not suggesting offroading with it... when there's 6" or more inches of snow on the road, then I'll drive the 4x4, but that has yet to happen. Maybe in the mountains or very rural areas, but they don't let more than that hit the road without plowing in this area.
03-10-2005, 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by mikefrombarrie
I have to agree and the Rx8 is not for winter driving. But thats what I already knew when I bought the car!
Its amazing that people would actually buy a sports car and drive it during the winter time?!!
Its amazing that people would actually buy a sports car and drive it during the winter time?!!