syntrix

I used to get 120 miles to a tank.

With the grounding mod and de-screening the maf, I'm now getting about 160 a tank.

What does that mean? Probably nothing at all, since I do drive very hard all day long, and most of you all won't push corners or go WOT where you can!

SikRedRX-8

I just had my car at the dealership this past weekend and I had that code as well as the crack sensor code. I am getting a updated reflash on Monday.

red_rx8_red_int

Well I do. I push all safe corners (meaning if I lose it I don't do too much damage) and try to WOT as often as possible!

Edit, my mpg is typically 13-17.

syntrix

Ok, I changed my oil for the second time last weekend, and have burned two tanks of gas so far. The only differences are:

1. larger oil filter
2. higher miles
3. colder weather
4. descreen the maf mod


I drive hard. period! I'm WOT or pushing the limits of the tires in almost every corner. Usually I get about 11-12 mpg, and I deserve it! On the last tank I got 16 mpg. If I'm due for failures, I'm the poster child

The weirdest thing is that I filled up to the full mark on the dipstick. Normally at this time, I would be about 1/2 way down on the dipstick or more. That's the trade off in driving hard all the time.

I'm about 2mm down from full on the dipstick. :D

I just wanted to share this, it could be a lot of things, but I think owners have reported lower oil consumption as the miles get higher, and better MPG as the miles go up!

so far so good! I'd have some data from the wideband, but I think my low 9v battery caused the data to become corrupt on the LM wideband unit download. I'll reset/recalibrate tomorrow and see what I can get out of it!

Anyone else getting good results over time on their Renesis?

balletsushigirl

ok -- my ex bought the 93 rx7 and claims that he had recurrent problems with hesitation at lower rpms and poor gas mileage. he claims that nothing was fixed until he finally put in a new ECU himself. he's concerned that some of the new rx8's have this same kind of defect and that we should all be demanding the following:

1. a reflash
2. if that shows no improvement, a new ECU
3. if that shows no improvement, a reflash
4. if that shows no improvement, file suit within the protection rights of the lemon law.

i do think that mazda should take this problem seriously. just because it's a great car, doesn't mean that they can pass on produced cars (from what i can gather, about half of them) with faulty ECU's that end up costing up bucks every time we fill up at the station. the car is advertised to get 18-24. it should get 18-24. not 12-15.

well ... what do you guys think?????

Artifex

You're right, the 93 did have a documented mpg and 3500 rpm hesitation. It was very noticeable, and a few cars here in ca were lemon lawed back to the dealers for it. The problem was eventually solved by mazda and dealers were fixing them (As I remember it turned out to be a solenoid in the twin turbo vacuum spider). The easiest way to expose the problem was to install a boost gauge and show that the car wasn't making proper boost. But still today there are people living with it because there was no stock boost gauge in the 3rd gen to explicitly point out the problem.

Regarding the Rx-8 I did have mazda document a complaint and I'm sure others did as well. Though it seems to be their modus operandi to release 1st year cars with low hp and poor mpg (2nd gen rx-7 six port actuators, 3rd twin turbo vac spider, miata ecu, mazdaspeed protege ecu).

8_wannabe

I agree 100%. Maybe we need to organize ourselves in how we respond to this. My greatest complaint is lack of communication from Mazda. If they said they were working on it, I would be happy. I am a patient person when treated respectfully. But not knowing whether they're doing anything leads to dissatisfaction.

balletsushigirl

i completely agree.
anyone willing to help us organize???
anyone know what to do?

doccable

I just had mine in for service yesterday, (reflash of the ECU), and the mechanic reminded me of the importance of starting, running and stopping the car while cold - don't do it.
Yea, I told him, I'm aware of that. I asked if the way that I start the car is acceptable; which is to not touch the accelerator pedal until the car is warmed up, to which his response was; "...there's a lesser chance of flooding it that way..."
If I were in your place, I'd go back to the dealerships service manager, and stop just short of becoming beligerant. Then remind him that when Mazda sends you the survey about the warranty visit, that you are going to make sure to include this little matter on there.
This is one way to get the dealerships to listen; when they are faced with the threat that they may get a negative feedback form, it seems that they will do whatever it takes to avoid this. Having dealt with five different dealerships when deciding from which one I was going to purchase from, and now two different service departments, I can definately make this statement.:D
Then there's always: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/emailMazda.action D
I have written to Mazda via this link before, and they did respond in two days.
Good luck, BSG!
-Doc

matt

And all I did was change from Chevron 91 to Shell 91.

After using Chevron and getting 23 mpg, I swithced to Shell and it went to 18 mpg. My butt dyno says it's slower too. I am going back to chevron to verify it's the gas and not my head toying with me.

Any thoughts?

WHealy

matt,

I think you should "change your name" before you get in trouble. But it's probably correct. I'm sure she woudl leave you too for "faster" pastures.

As for the post, I'm getting the average low numbers most have talked about here and I use Shell gas exclusivly. With the exception of when I filled up leaving the dealership. They offered to fill it up for free at a local "no-name" gas station. I refused and went the the first known station. So I'm in the Shell low milage group. I don't even know if we have Chevon dealers around Indy ???

Artifex

hmm I use Shell exclusively as well. I just got my car back from the dealer where I took it in on a complaint about gas mileage. They road tested it and concluded that the gas mileage was ok. When I asked what gas mileage they got on their test, oddly enough they didn't know !

I will try chevron a couple of tanks and post if I see a change.

balletsushigirl

thanks for the link.
everyone else should consider using it to report dissatisfaction with their low MPG. maybe lots of noise will spur some response.

-BSG

slavearm

Well Gents here is the verdict. I did these three things in the past week.

RP Midpipe w/O2 fooler
Grounding Cables
Lighter Volk TE37 18x8.5

My Gas under hard driving went from avg 14 MPG to 17MPG.

Not huge, but I am definately happier about one free trip to work and back. Anyways... my greddy exhaust should be here next week, and I will let you know if this gets any better. Oh and it appears that getting a stainless steel clutch line has resolved most of my 1st to 2nd gear shift issues.

Slavearm

GTF-RX-8

Just sent my report/opinion.
12 mpg does not sit well with me.

GTF-RX-8

Oh yeah- I forget to add this:
I've seen lots of posts about flooding and warnings about short trips or start/stops for fear of flooding.

I paid $32k for a car!!!!!!!!!!!!
$32K can buy a home in some places!
I depend on this car to transport me wherever I choose to go without any problems.
Thankfully, I have not had any of the flooding problems otherwise I would take it back to the dealer and tell them where to shove it!!!!!
Sure, anyone can argue that the early rotaries were finicky but it's 2004. If Mazda could not get it right now then then they should not have sold this vehicle to the masses. They should have lowered production and marketed it to the enthusiasts instead.
My 94 RX-7 twin turbo got better MPG and was more fun to drive. What advancements have they really made?
My 2004 RX-8 is fun to drive but.....12 mpg??????????
Pulease! I could have bought a big-*** Hummer if I wanted to burn the gas away.

I'm on my 4th tank of gas now. At 12MPG the EVO dealers will be seeing alot of me and the Mazda dealer will be feeling my wrath.

8_wannabe

Just did the same. Thanks for the suggestion.

mikeb

Relax

your gas should improve by 2k miles
I have 9k on my car and average 18 mpg
if 18mpg is too low then you may not enjoy the rx8

GTF-RX-8

MikeB...

What happens at 2k that makes the difference.
18 MPG is decent. 12 MPG is too low.

BTW- I'm relaxed
Just felt that I needed to vent.

GTF-RX-8

Sent my 2 cents to http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/emailMazda.action
last night.

Here is the response:

Dear Gary,

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.

I am sorry to hear of the concern you are having with your RX-8.
Please understand lower fuel mileage averages can be expected due to
many factors including fuel type, climate, road conditions, tire
inflation and driving style. The EPA estimate is done under ideal road
and driving conditions. If you feel that your fuel economy is not
effected by any of these factors and that your vehicle is consuming
fuel excessively, contact a Mazda dealership to have it inspected.

Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to
assist you. Please feel free to reply to this message with any further
questions or comments.

mikeb

I didn't change anything at 2k
my mileage just got better
may have been a flip in the ecu but I have nothing to proof that.

just hang on there and it mpg should get somewhat better

8_wannabe

My response is crappier than yours. They basically said they weren't technically qualified to address the matter.

Dear John,

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you.

In regards to your question about the fuel consumption, please
understand I'm not technically trained and therefore not in a position to diagnose or instruct on repair procedures for your 2004 Mazda RX-8. For these matters, Mazda relies on the factory-trained technicians at authorized Mazda dealerships to diagnose and repair concerns that may arise with a Mazda vehicle. I would recommend calling your dealer regarding a fuel consumption concern.

Each Mazda dealership has access to Mazda's Quality Assurance
Department via a technical hotline. This is offered to each dealership should they need assistance from Mazda with diagnosing or repairing a Mazda vehicle. At this time, there has not been an announcement made about reprogramming the ECU.

Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to assist you. Please feel free to reply to this message with any further questions or comments.

bassik277

Post pics of ure car!!! Im thinking of getting those exact volks

twospoons

Are those mag volk's or regular ones?

What size did you choose for your s03?

...

I've been wondering about going up to 245/40r/18 s03,
but then I add about 2 pounds of weight on each tire.

Perhaps 16" is the way to go for performance.. ugh..

/twospoons

slavearm

I am wearing 245/40/18s front and back. We test fit and were able to get 275s on those rims. They stuck out a little. 2lb heavier wheel 4.5lb lighter rim... dunno I like the stickyness of the S03s. Much more predictable.

Just the regular ones. Not Mag. the mags are like 11.x lbs I believe.