on the rx8 dvd, it says to rev the engine to 3,000 RPM for 10 seconds before shutting off the engine. when is this necessary? just for short trips or every time i shut off the engine? some people even say that you just have to take it up to X RPMs for just 1 second before shutting it off. i never shut off the engine if it's not at normal operating temperature anyway.

 

Only if the engine's cold. And both the number of seconds and RPM number are debated. Some people say 5k for 1 second. I just give it a quick blip if the engine's cold, and I haven't had any problems yet.

 

Same here quick blip to 3k and also no problems in 18 months. Crossing my fingers! Knock on wood etc.

 

The recommendation on the DVD is the same one that Mazda includes in the Quick Tips guide that came with you car. It is only for situations where the engine does nor warm up normally.

Mazda recommends the following:
- Never shut the engine off cold.
- If you must make a short trip (like moving it out of the garage), use the following procedure:

1. Start the car and let the engine stabilize
2. Move the car
3. Let the car idle until normal operating temp is reached or for 5 minutes
4. Rev to 3000 RPM and hold there for 10 seconds
5. Let the engine return to idle
6. Shut off the car

For normal operation Mazda has no special recommendations: start the car, briefly let the engine stabilize, drive it, park it, let go to idle and turn it off.

Note that there are a lot of opinions on this forum that are different from what Mazda recommends. I personally do the Mazda thing, but that is just me.

 

I've never had a problem with flooding. If you feel the need, just give the throttle a good, quick "blip" before shutting down, and you're good to go. I think the majority of flooding issues have been resolved with some of the latest ECU flashes. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

I have never had to do this, because I always just let my engine warm up by itself till the needle hits near the middle. Never in that much of a hurry to have to rev for shut off.

 

oh nice. real nice. my salesman told me to hold the rev at 3K and shut off... BEFORE returning to idle. on every shut off. i've put 800 miles on the car so far with no apparent problems. can anyone tell me what damage, if any, can be done to the engine if its shut off at 3K?

 

I just shut my 8 off , even if its still cold.

No problems.

 

konradk, I wouldn't worry. The only thing that happens if you do it your way is that a little bit more gas is injected as it shuts down. Letting the revs fall=less gas being injected. You haven't hurt the engine.

 

PHEW! thanks. it appears im not the only one doing this on the forums either, but from now on ill let the revs drop out. stupid ambiguous hi performance engines

 

You have it backwards. The correct procedure is to hold at 3000 rpms for 10 seconds and keep it there as you turn off the ignition. As the rotors spin down from 3000 rpm, the engine is acting as an air pump and this purges unburnt fuel.

 

a few questions questions:
1. Never any flooding ??? If not, to what do you attribute this good fortune to?? Manyowners have had flooding problems when "breaking the rules""
2. Which PCM reflash ? LAtest?
3. Are you using synthetic or dino in the engine

 

My car used to flood all the time. The worst was when I moved it 1 block in freezing temps. I tried starting it several times while holding the gas pedal down and nothing happened. I ended up replacing the battery I had in there (my car is an 04) and starting it again. It worked.

After I got the latest flash and a few Warranty upgrades, I haven't had any flooding problems with the car, no matter what I do. I love it.

 

just got my car back from having it repaired under warranty and the new rules about the 3k thing is 4k rpms for 30 seconds in cold weather climates they gave me a little booklet for cold weather operation with litte tips in it if you feel you need it talk to your dealer they should have it

 

1. Never, ever. Even before I got the new battery/starter/program. but still a year something ago I just went to dealership with the TSB printout (Engine No Start TSB), and *said* that it flooded once, they replaced everything. including plugs. hah, Its good to have new stuff ya kno'

2. Latest now.

3. Full Synthetic All the way.

 

Is it 3K rpm for 10 seconds or 10K rpm for 3 seconds?