Better Gas Mileage?
 

Does anyone know how to get better gas mileage out of the RX-8? I am stuck in traffic each way to work (top speed 25 mph) and the gas mileage is killing me. Is there a fuel aditive I can buy or would a different air filter make a difference?

I just bought my RX-8 and I am new to the rotary engine world. Any help would be appreciated.

yep.

sell the car and get a civic.

Yes, this would dramatically improve mpg but then the "zoomzoom" factor takes a horrible hit, your call debnjer.

Some have reported up to 2 mpg from a drop in filter like Green or the one from Racing Beat. From reading the many many threads, the only conclusion i see is that mpg varies from car to car. The fuel maps are leaner at certain rpms than at others and some report that adjusting your gear to match these points result in better mileage. I haven't logged my air-fuel yet, but after I move next week I'll be ordering a scan tool to do so. For me, best highway mileage is at 3000-3300 rpm, which equates to 77-81mph (auto), but Im guessing that the 'lean' points will vary from car to car as well.

If you're in stop and go traffic, there's not much you can do. The car seems to guzzle gas at idle. Definitely do a search if you haven't yet, lots of info out there.

From my reading and own experience, if you cruise on the freeway at 65-70mph, the majority of people well be able to get at least 20 mpg. I can get 23 mpg, others have even quoted higher.

City driving is something all together different, it ranges from 13-20 mpg. There's seems to be a big discripancy here. Boil it down to driving style, variation between cars, or people fudging numbers...

I always get 2-3mpg better gas milage with 89 octane... plus the price hurts less at the pump

DebnJer,

MPG is at the top of my list of things to fix with this car. I myself have been waiting and waiting for Racing Beat to break down our PCM and help us with the air/fuel maps.

Also, someone said something about being in certain RPMs in different gears. NO. 6th gear will net you the best mileage. The highest gear will always net you the best mileage. Please do not stay in 5th or 4th just to stay at a certain rpm, unless shifting up will cause you to stall out.

You're describing stop and go, city traffic, right? Think about it, as you stop and the car idles you are burning fuel and not racking up any mileage. Not a whole lot you can do about that in these driving conditions unfortunately. Any car would have this problem to one degree or another. Remember, this car is not an economy car--it's a sports car. Maybe you shouldn't have purchased this car if gas mileage is that important to you. Think about getting a beater Honda for your daily driver and save the RX for fun driving times.

You can try less warm-up time if you let it idle to warm up the engine, but other than that you will not improve your mileage with the stop and go traffic.

Most of my driving is city and I get around 16-17mpg. The EPA sticker says 18mpg, so I'm not that far off. Plus I've never achieved the EPA sticker milage in any car I've ever driven.

So like the others have said, if you want better mileage, buy a civic.

I like these refreshing new threads on topics that have never been discussed before.

When in heavy traffic, try to judge the *average* speed and don't try to stay stuck to the bumper in front of you. Every time you hit your brakes you're spending energy on heat instead of movement.

Is it brand new? I suggest taking it on a trip to get some break in miles built up.


Is at an auto or 6 speed manual?


Also check your tire pressures.



What fuel economy are you getting now anyways?

Gas mileage will get better when you put about 10K miles on it..but until then..you're screwed in stop and go situations. Maybe find an alternative route to work. I would definitely look at some FAQ Sticky posts on this forum to get familiar with the Rotary engine (Cold Start, Checking Oil, etc)

Better after 10K? Not for me.
 

I have over 18K and I still get about 14mpg - it's a joke. My '91 RX-7 Turbo got better mileage. Nobody expects fantastic mileage out of a sports car, but a lot of us are PO'd, and rightfully so, given the numbers posted in the sticker. If they had told me what it *actually* got, it might have changed my decision.

My driving is non-highway but is not "downtown style" stop and go. I average 16-17 mpg. Actually the EPA rating on the car for city driving is not "18" but rather 15-21 (see the fine print on your window sticker), so if you are in that range you are "normal".

Best way to get good gas mileage in stop-and-go is to buy a Toyota Prius. It turns off the gas engine when you are stopped in traffic (very cool). Of course it is not exactly a chick-magnet ...

I got the Racing beat cold air intake, high flow cat, and exhaust, and my MPG went up 3 mpg from 15 to 18 in 100% city driving. Of course, all that gear cost me $1500, but you also get a nice sound and minor performance out of it too.

You should break even at 50K miles with gas at $3 per gallon.

i remember reading somewhere that the second set of ports opens up at 3750 rpm and ive noticed big difference (3+ mpg) when im good about keeping it under that. my car is completely stock, but im thinking about putting in the revi b/c there seems to be enough evidence that itll help out a little at least

I get better gas mileage when traction comtrol is completely off not just dsc. However once you turn it off the the point that you get the burn out symbol you cannot turn it back on without restarting the car.