I have a 2009 RX-8, that has 13k miles. However I bought two motorcycles and really didn't drive a car for a little over a year. Yaya I know I should have driven it, so now I need your guys advice on what to do. I am internally trying to decide between taking it to the dealer or taking it to a Mazda specialty shop (I live in LA):

- Battery is completely dead

- Gas is too old and needs to be drained from engine and gas tank

- I lost both keys a few years ago and there is a new key I am using from the locksmith. I had a buddy tell me that the internal brain most likely reset to the "original" key. Can that happen? The logic is sound but wanted to make sure it wasn't BS

So what do you guys advise I do? How much do you think I am looking at to repair?

 

Well, depending on your area (How much ethanol is in your gasoline?) I would probably install a new battery, put some "Heat" in the gas and see if she'll start. If that doesn't work, I would drain and refill the gas and try again. You may as well rule out the easy stuff... Changing the oil and checking your other fluids would also be a good idea.

The key is tied to the ECU (I got new keys along with my new motor) but if your car was running before with a locksmith key, I don't see what would stop it from running now. Someone else, who knows better, may tell you differently.

 

My car sat in the garage for 14 months while building it.
Last week I just put the battery back in and it started on the first attempt.
It had 1\4 of gas but that's not really a problem unless what you get in the states is really gasoline flavored ethanol and not proper fuel.

 

the gas is probably fine to run it. if your new key hasn't been programmed to the car, the car and the keys need to go to the dealership to get programmed.

 

Here is the deal with the keys....I lost the keys; I then got NEW keys which were then reprogrammed with the help with a locksmith BEFORE I let the car sit.

So the question is after the car has sat that long do i need to worry about the car defaulting to the original/ dealer key set and not the locksmith keys that were reprogrammed BEFORE I let the car sit.

 

Is your Rx-8 a sport, GT, or R3?

If it's at least a GT or R3, you probably have the updated credit card style key fob which they added to all 8's from 06+. They can program those keys for you without having the original, you just have to provide proof you're the owner, etc.

If it's a regular switchblade key, then you most likely have to have it programmed as well as cut as it's a chip key.

 

I could not afford the credit card one so it is a regular key you put in the ignition that they cut and the locksmith programmed. I have no idea what RX-8 it is.