Last weekend I bought a 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX-8 (yay!), and it started raining a few days ago (at this point an ark advisory is in effect). The owner's manual says that the edges of the moonroof should be wiped/dried off after rain (or whenever it gets wet), to ensure that no water gets where it doesn't belong and that nothing rusts. I've never had a moonroof before, but this seems a bit excessive to me -- plus, I'm only 5'3 so reaching the entire perimeter of my moonroof could be a challenge.

Moonroof owners: is this really necessary/a good idea, or is Mazda just covering their asses? I'm inclined to think of this advice as along the lines of "don't adjust your radio while driving," but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. I'm still in that honeymoon phase with the car where I want to baby it and do all of the things I'm supposed to.

 

I've never done that nor do i remember seeing those instructions in the manual. I guess i better have another read!

It seems to me that this would only be needed if it was open whilst wet.

 

news to me...

sounds like legal bs to cover their ***.

 

please do be **** and keep the car immaculate and maintained, but please do NOT baby it. work it hard, punish it, whip it like the red-headed **** you had tied to the wall last weekend.

(you could also read that as, run it hard, redline it)

 

That's exactly what I meant -- that I'm still all paranoid about the paint and maintenance and stuff -- didn't mean to imply that I was going to drive like a grandma. In fact, I'm taking it to the track in 2 months (can't wait!), and I also can't wait for the break-in period to be over so I can finally redline it! :D

 

schweeet

 

Redlining should be a Major part of your break-in procedure. Break it in like you intend to run it.

And as for drying the moon-roof, just open it and stomp on the skinny pedal to your right. That should do the trick.

 

I asked the service guy at the dealership about break-in, and told him I'd be going to the track in late July, and he said not to exceed 5k rpm for the first 700 miles. He wrote it down and underlined that part. He said after that, though, I should feel free to beat it up. I already have nearly 400 miles on it, and should be at 700 in less than 2 weeks. Not much longer to wait!

 

From the owners manual:
"NOTE
After washing your Mazda or after a
rain, wipe the water off the moonroof
before operating it to avoid water
penetration which could cause rust and
water damage to your headliner."

I think what they're saying is don't open the moon roof when there is standing water on top of it 'cause it may run down into the channels and headliner. Makes sense to me.

 

It also lands on your head. I only did that once.

 

lucky, i was smart enough to do it at least 3/4 times so far

 

if u drive a few blocks, it should be fine.

 

+1 water on head not good