racerdave

Well, then get it!

It would be good to compare and contrast your before/after mileage since you've tracked it so well.

amartin

Update:

Miles: 177.7
Gallons: 11.77
MPG: 15.01

Location: 100% City
Style: 85% of all shifts were done at 3750 rpm (1->3->5->6), however, I wasn't "light" on the gas (more like medium) in those gears, so I was still 'dumping' fuel, but not letting the 2nd port open. The other 10% of the time were 4->7k ***** with about 5% of the time up to 9k. Obviously, those are guesstimates, but thats how it seemed to me.

So, going from 11.5-12.5mpg to 15 is about a 20% improvement on MPG, but PAINFUL to drive this way. Not worth the extra 3mpg... perhaps if it brought me up to 22-22ish, but not for 3.

Anways, that was the best tank I've ever gotten to date (1800miles on the vehicle btw).

JimJimElf

Get the ECU reflashed, if that doesn't work do it again, and again or have them replace your ecu completely.

RX8by

I just took a drive to Dubuque IA and got 25.1. I was going 60 mpg in no hurry. I raise the air pressure to 36 psi that seems to add 1 to 2 mpg.

Rotary Nut

For more info concerning this recent fill up check out this thread

skagen

anyone know at what rpm does the second port kick in?

JERCS

3750 I think.

skagen

is it in the manual anywhere? Does anyone know for sure at what rpm does the second port kick in?

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

There is a nice graph in the shop manual.
The flash-animated press-pack has some good illustrations as well.

Rotary Nut

Bumped for an update. I have started to list the average mpg also.

This tank had no highway miles on it and it does seem to be getting a wee bit better with age. Had the Airbag recall done but the dealer refused to give me the new "L" ECU reflash citing he will only do it for the CEL light. Also had the tires rebalanced as per Mazda's service instructions. Smooth as glass again!

Lufa

Just wanted to throw my 2cents in... last tank I grannied it the entire time, no red lines, nothing above 3250rpms reallly...

My MPG???? 15.9

You had better believe I am hearing that beep a lot this gas tank.

Trx8

Lufa --

I have been driving in the (mostly) shift below 3500 range for three tanks now and am getting 19.X MPG. The 15.9 is comparable to my worse tank at 15.7, and that was below freezing weather, new car, with lots of short city trips.

These are factors pointed out in other threads:
- What percentage of the drive time is your engine fully warm
- Is it lots of stop-go-wait city driving
- Is it lots of gas-brakes without gliding

Untested, but I try to keep my city acceleration above 2000 RPMs. Much below that and the car seems to feel like its out of its power range.

Lufa

My commute is short and takes on average about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic, and lights. So about 75% of the time the engine is warm. As previously stated lots of lights and traffic, stop and go is the rule rather than the exception. Being a complete wuss and driving like an 80 year old, there is no way in hell I can come close to 18MPG. period.

I did this purely to see if I could significantly improve my gas consumption.

Weekend driving is completely random so unless I am driving more than 50 miles on the highway I do not see any sort of influence on my MPG.

On the flip side since that painful gas tank is done, and the results were less than impressive, I am having a blast driving like a maniac again .

I am very happy I did not see an improvement becuase I might as well trade in my car for a prius or a civic-hybrid, rather than drive such a sweet ride that demeaning and insulting manner.

I would like to have better gas mileage, but at this point I am fine with 14-16MPG, of course I'll push for the L ECU calibration and probably hook up Canzoomers Stage one and let you all know if things improve.

Trx8

OK, thanks for the confirmation of driving conditions. 15.9 for stop and go city, with low revs. My commute isn't really city or highway, its six miles with 3 stop signs and 5 stop lights, with speeds ranging from 25 to 45 MPH. That is about 1/3 of my miles, the others are mixed rural/expressway, and not much stop and go city.

RDS_L2G

I have been getting between 12-13 mpg on my 8. I brought it to the dealer when I heard about the "L" flash (also for the 2 recalls). The service rep told me that he wouldn't do a flash. Is there anything I can do about this sub-SUV gas mileage???

Trx8

westie

You could always sell it and buy something that gets gas mileage as advertised!

PhineasFellOff

I am reposting here 2/3 of my post in the "Mazda ECU Reflash" thread in the "Tech Garage" forum.





WHAT THE "L" IS DOING FOR MY MILEAGE SO FAR:

I have filled up my tank right after the "L" reflash and have driven ~ 100 miles on the tank. Judging from the gas gauge, it looks like I'm headed for over 23 mpg! Unbelievable, although still too early to tell for sure.

This tank: Shell, 89 octane (somehow I accidentally selected 89 instead of 91 octane). Mostly freeway but also some city. Los Angeles. Averaging between 65 and 70 mph. 11,900 miles on odometer. DSC off/TCS off.

Previous tanks: all other tanks used 91 octane. Every tank documented. First half of the 11,900 miles averaged 20.6 mpg. Second half, averaged 21.0 mpg. Los Angeles mostly freeway between 65 and 70 mph with DSC off/TCS off has netted an average of 21.5 mpg with highs of 22.7, 22.7, and 22.5 mpg. A long distance trip nonstop on freeway netted 23.6 mpg with DSC on/TCS on, my all-time high so far.





THE "L" AND ENGINE CHARACTERISTICS:

My engine seems to accelerate more smoothly and strongly. The shifts are easier to make and smoother. To better describe, when I accelerate at moderate throttle, between-shft transitions and during-shift acceleration seem to feel more substantial and more stable, whatever the hell this means. The difference is THAT noticeable, despite that this is my first tank after the "L" reflash.

Could it be partly due to the 89 octane? Maybe. I'm going back to 91 after this tank, so will get more data in time.

The damn car just simply feels better during acceleration. There is no doubt.

larazaunida

I bought an 8 three weeks ago without any prior knowledge of the 8. Happen to be in tne Masda dealer and said boy is that car sweet. We bought an 8 with (AUTO*&^^%%$$). Went home that night and found this forum. Saw all the posts on MPG and said what have I done??. 15 MPG, how do I get out of this deal.

Well, we have ahd a ball not raced or babied it but have had fun. MPG so far has been between 24 and 26.5 No flooding yet. Just thought we would pass on.

Dr. R. Scheuble
8 Touring/auto. Titanium

Meowloud

Glad to hear Dr. Scheuble! And WELCOME to your new home! :D

Lufa

I can't wait to burn up the rest of this tank, I'll post what the "L" flash does for me, I am not holding my breath, but even a 1MPG improvement would be nice.

PhineasFellOff

Congratulations on the car AND mpg.

I bet your car already came with the "L" ECU flash and that would explain your great mpg. I have the 6-speed and I'm at 200 miles on my first tank since getting the "L" update two days ago (Wed) AND things are looking incredible. In my earlier post, I had said it looked like I was going to get over 23 mpg (that was after 100 miles) but now I think it's going to be higher! I hope I don't end up eating my words. I'll wait a couple more days to report final mileage on this tank.

MEGAREDS

Had the airbag recall done yesterday and talked to the dealer about getting the L reflash. As expected, he said he couldn't do it without an indicated problem. I asked about what it would cost to do it off warranty, and he said about $90. I'm currently getting 19mpg.

MEGAREDS

What is (AUTO*&^^%%$$)?

Rotary Nut

Updated!