Hi, everyone. Took my RX8 in to Mazda 2 weeks ago for the 30K service check. Five days later the tire pressure light comes on & I find I'm running on 22 lbs pressure instead of 35 which, by my calculation, should have been checked at the 30K (the mechanics tested the tires and no leaks). This knocked 2 hours out of my work morning and I wasn't feeling benevolent.

Now on return from vacation I find a postcard that my car needs work based on the recall 4206F (issued 8/06) which I already had done @ another dealership 2 YEARS AGO. Both dealerships point fingers @ each other. The car is running perfectly fine. Is it time I found a foreign mechanic and stop subsidizing the showrooms of Mazda?

Thank you.

 

Were all your tires at 22 or just one?

It sounds like the first dealership didn't record the recall properly.

 

I stupidly didn't ask, but the point was the dealer should have checked the tire pressure 5 days previously at the 30K checkup. And when I called the 1st dealer, he said it was accurately reported.

Is there a general corporate Mazda number I can report this to?

Thanks.

 

So all the tires were low, and they checked OK when you brought it in? Weird. FWIW, 35 psi isn't right, either.

I've just gotten my third 4206F recall postcard. Had it done after the first notice. I think someone at the dealer is postcard happy.

I see you're in my neck of the woods. I'm in Vienna. Which dealer(s) have you been going to? I've been very happy with Rosenthal at Tyson's Corner.

Ken

 

22 PSI? At what point does the TPMS kick in and send a warning light on the dash?

 

TPMS is more sensitive to a difference in pressure between the wheels, then it is to all 4 tires loosing air over time at around the same rate. They might have some minimum pressure setting where it trips, but i don't know it. My question to the OP is why weren't YOU checking the pressure in your cars tires? I check mine monthly and keep them at 32 PSI. I consider it my responsibility along with checking and topping up the oil, and filling the car with gas.

 

35 psi is a bit too high. I keep mine at around 32.5 psi.

32 is stock value.

 

He said it was 5 days after his 30k service. Shouldn't need to be checked for another 25 days if he does it once a month. Also shouldn't need to check the oil until 2 tanks from now, but he might want to now.

 

Why would it work like that? We've got the kind of TPMS with pressure sensors that transmit the actual pressures. Not the cheesy kind that works off the ABS wheel speed sensors.

Ken

 

With a slow leak from a screw, mine went off at 26-27 PSI.

 

Hi, Ken: I, too, go to Rosenthal and was pleased at first but this tire pressure thing should have been covered in the 30K review...tires just don't go down in 5 days like that (remember, they were checked allegedly at the review). It helps to know that other people, too, have received multiple recall notices. I don't fool around w/my car...in fact, it's almost a religious experience (lol) w/me. Oh, and I have a 2006 Galaxy Gray RX8 and live in McLean.

 

When you're right, you're right...I need to be better w/that.

 

All four don't go down equally like that in any amount of time. Not without at least an extreme midsummer to midwinter temperature change. I'd suspect that whoever checked the tire pressure needs a new gauge or a new pair of glasses.

Excellent choice of color and year.

Ken

 

Ok, so what I'm hearing from everyone...and you...is that I should continue going to Rosenthal for service, but to keep a better watch, right?

 

Yes. If you've been happy otherwise, this isn't a reason to drop them. I assume you went back to them? How they took care of you then is a big factor. I just had a vibration problem after a rotation and balance. When I went back, they took care of it right away, and even apologized for not having spotted the bent rim themselves.

And always keep an eye on things, no matter where you take your car.

Ken

 

Ok, thanks for the extra explanations...I'll try not to be a shrew @ the dealership next time.

BTW, was that you at Giant on Maple at 2:30p today? Otherwise, there's now 3 of "us" in the neighborhood!

Thanks, again.

 

Some Dealerships Techs are not to bright. After taking my car for a test drive after service the Service Manger said that i had some bent rims causing a lot of road noise. Of course i knew this was BS the OEM tires sucked. And the place where i get my winter tires but on would have told me the rims were bent. I even lost a lug nut driving home from the dealer. The only reason i went to the dealer is becasue i had free maintance for 4yr/50k. I always check my tire pressures even after the tire place buts my summer or winter tires on even though i tell them 32psi.

 

Not today...ran today's errands in my '87 Accord...it needs to be driven every couple of weeks to keep the battery charged.

I did see two other 8s on Beulah Road a couple of days ago. Very unusual - I generally don't see more than one or two a week anywhere. I'm starting to lose my sense of uniqueness.

Ken

 

Honda Accord?? Sorry, I only blink my lights for other RX8-ers. See ya around town!

Marilynne

 

Wow... For some reason, my sensor is extremely sensitive. I keep my tires at 32psi and the sensor goes off if it gets to 30psi. Mazda may have changed or adjusted the sensor on my year though, I have an 07 WWP.

Jason

 

Yeah - I've noticed that other 8 owners don't wave back when I'm in the Honda. Guess I better drive Zoomy more often.

 

LOL ... you can hardly evoke "zoom-zoom" in a family car! I've owned Hondas and they say, "I'm responsible". An RX says, "Follow me, I love this car and I like to have fun!"