For a couple of weeks, my 2005 Rx8 has had this issue. It starts up, then when I accelerate, it vibrates a little (sort of like the tires aren't getting traction but I don't think it's the tires), and it's REALLY lethargic for the first mile. When I step on the gas it goes sooo slow, while vibrating. Then after the first mile it's back to normal. Today the Check Engine Light flashed on during that first mile, and then went off. Any ideas what this could be? By the way, the car has 65,000 miles on it, and the engine was completely replaced at about 58,000 miles, so the engine is relatively new.

 

Any maintentance recently done on the car?
Ever replaced the Spark Plugs and Coils?

 

find out what the check engine light is for but most likely you are experiencing one of more bad coils.

 

No maintenance done recently, except the oil change about 1500 miles ago. Haven't had coils and spark plugs replaced in a long time. So long that I can't remember when. I hope that's all it is. If that's what it is, is it bad to drive the car for a few more days? Would it damage anything? I won't be able to get to the shop for a few days.

 

Sooner the better. Get the code read at any autozone for free.

 

Well the check engine light is off now. It only flashed on for a few seconds. Doesn't it have to be on constantly in order to get the code read?

 

no. it will also store pending codes and recent events

 

I stopped at AutoZone and they told me it's illegal in California for them to use their machine to read the check engine code! However, the car acted fine on the way over there...

 

WHAT?!?!
That sounds like a line of BS if I ever heard it.

Where are some of those SOCAL boyz to validate this?

You need that code, otherwise you're guessing and there is no need to buy stuff randomly to try and fix something.

Unless you have that kind of money to throw around.

EDIT:
There is a huge SOCAL-NORCAL group on this forum ... seek them out as I'm sure one of those guys will help you out. They all have code readers.

 

I guess the options are to take it to a mechanic who has a code reader, buy a code reader, or find someone who has one. It will have to go to the mechanic anyway so that's probably what I'll do soon.

 

I'm not very mechanically inclined so forgive me if this is a stupid questsion, but I thought sparkplugs and ignition coils were used to start the engine. If the engine is starting up fine, then how could the problem be coils or sparkplugs? Or are they used for more than just startup?

 

I do believe that CA did pass a law that doesn't allow auto parts stores to read engine codes.

Until you find out what codes are stored in the ECU, you don't know what problem you actually have. And you could be spending money, buying parts, for the wrong problem. Either get a code reader (ODB II-CAN Bus) from a friend or buy one for your own use.

 

Wow, if that's true, that's nuts.

Can you elaborate on the reason?

 

Pep Boys read the code for free and it was P0301 which means misfire. Then they wanted to charge $90 for a complete diagnosis and they mentioned it would take all day and they don't have coils in stock if that's the problem. I told them thanks but I would come back next weekend when my husband can drop it off so I don't have to wait all day. Hope it is ok for another week.