sorry if this is in the wrong space. =] please forgive me lol, moderators feel free to move this

So i saw one used 2004 RX8 Automatic with about 12,000 Miles on it and it called to me...the car was gorgeous...and In my price range. (still has warrenty left on it to!)

I test drove it....loved the style and the quality of car, and although the gas mileage isnt great...im averageing about 20....

Now...my concerns....


I drove it last night, and I put 89 octane in it....Is that a REALLY bad thing? to use midgrade....or do i HAVE to use high? will I do ok with 89?

Also....The engine light came on after about 100 miles....I am getting it checked tommorow, but it puts a little worry in to my mind.

=] I was also wondering if anyone could just post some general tips and tricks for keeping the car reliable, safe, and under control....

I have been reading on the internet, and finding a lot of bashers for this car...or a lot of people who really love it... can someone put peace and mind in my brain =]

I havnt signed the financeing...go in monday, so, If this is a bad purchase....please make me aware of it now =]

 

sorry to double post.

But also...what may cause the Engine light to come on? Is this a major concern?

 

i bet the 89 octane did it... seriously spend a few more dollars fillin up and get 93 thats most likely it

 

Congrats on your new purchase.

The check engine light is likely from the gas cap. I've had mine replaced 3 times...it's probably not a big deal though. Bring it to a dealer and have them check it out and make sure you've got the newest flash...and that all recalls/TSB's are all done

 

You're probably okay with 89 but really is 10 cents more a gallon for 91/93 that much more?

Skip Starbucks once a week.

 

Only use 91 or 93 in the 8. It's designed for high octane. Using a lower octane rating will cause the engine to knock and perhaps equal more problems down the road.

Can't tell you exactly why your engine light came on. It could be as simple as not tightening the gas cap after fill up. Go get it checked.

You definitely made the right move in purchasing the car. One of the most fun cars on the road. As long as you treat it right, the reliability of the car should not be an issue either. These rotaries have the ability to last longer than regular piston engines due to fewer moving parts.

 

89 octane did not trip the check engine light, it cant.

the place you bought it from cleared the check engine light when you bought, now that you bought it, and drove it a couple times, the check engin light came back on.

check gas cap, screw it on tight, just in case that triped it.

you want to get the engine light checked out. i would say go to auto zone get a free check, but judging by your post,(no offence) you do not know a great deal about this car. so just take it to were you bought it, and get it fixed under warrnty.


o0o0o and one more thing, SEARCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



yea 89 octain is ok, 91 is recommended by mazda.
I use 93 octain. its only like 1.00 more a fill up, so why would you not use the top grade? its just a dollar, USE IT.

 

Search is good and watch out for 04 ATs. They have engines with the kiss of death.

 

Yeah......don't want to scare you or anything and hopefully it's just the gas cap. Take it in for sure and have them read what the code is. If you don't trust the dealer, most Autozones will read it for free. As stated above, the dealer cleared the CEL and probably never fixed the problems. Oh........so said it was and 04 right?

 

yes it is an 04,

and you are correct i probably could of done a little more reserch on the car.... Premium here is about 20+ cents on the galon but your right....ill start useing that


also...i did check the gas cap.....

 

Sorry for the double...again =] Dont know what your guy's policy is on that, but....

does anyone know if advanced Auto parts will check the code for me? if so...ill go down there in an hour or so.

and, rg200amp not offended at all by your statement =] your right...I dont know a lot about the car, and I am very greatful that this community is being so helpful in teaching me what I need to know =]...I like to be informed.

 

im not 100% sure if advanced dose it, i know autozone, and napa do it for free.

pepboys, and strauss auto charge 80.00 bucks for the same sevice.




good luck with the car, if you still have the warrnty, just take it to where you bought it from they will check the code, and fix it.

 

I do still have warrenty =], but if I can go down the street and at least get the code checked....if its nothing serious =] Its peace of mind till i can go after work tomorrow lol, Otherwise I really loooove driving the car...its a total chick magnet =] People just stare at it lol

It did happen AFTER i filled up....if thats an indication,

Thanks in Advanced.

 

lower octane DOES cause the check engine light to come on. it hasn't happened in my 8 but it happened when i accidentally put 87 in my rsx type s. lower octane burns at lower temperature so it causes detonation. (pinging/knocking). no complete combustion results in lower performance. plus it's not a good thing to do to your engine to save 2 bucks every fill up.

 

also is it possible, that if the dealer put 91 in it and I didnt know it...and I put 89 in it...could that cause minor issues,

if so...should i burn the fuel sorta low, before filling it up...to cycle it out?

Sorry I am not more knowledgeable

 

IMO The rx-8 is a pretty good platform to learn to drive a stick. Trade out for a 6speed MT and enjoy the car for all its worth

 

The gas caps have some sort of leak problem or something....so even if it's on nice and tight, it still might not be sealing correctly....

 

lol, they only have the one...and it does have padle shifting...so thats half the battle right their =]

 

A lot of your questions can be answered in the RX-8 FAQ at the top of this forum.

Also, mixing different octanes is not a big deal - they will mix together and average out based on quantity of each.

 

=] I tightened the gas cap, and filled it up....The code went away, im still going to have it checked =] but peace of mind is nice.

Also, i went to advanced to get the code checked...they didnt have the adapter needed =[

but...its gone

 

so it was just tightening of the gas cap? That's gotta be a relief.

9 times out of 10, the reason for the check engine light is the gas cap.

 

Phew................nice to have that relief huh?
Hopefully you won't see it again. You can still have it read(if free) and see if any codes are stored, but I think you got it!

 

Ah, another goddamned, 20-post, know it all newbie.

Octane doesn't have dick to do with that, dipwad. My '04 RX-8 has run on a steady diet of 87 octane BP and is just fine.

Check your gas cap - six clicks when you close it. Most likely the culprit. Reopen then reclose your gas cap, then drive for 3 days and see if the CEL goes away. I bet it does.

 

Wrong again, noob!

 

Damn, Stew,

I was reading this post just for fun. And I was actually really enjoying reading this guys problem, and seeing how so many nice people helped him out, and how he didn't get any "search noob" ****. Then I read your comment about another poster, he was just trying to help, even if it wasn't right. Just correct him. Whats up man, you got a power problem? You sound like a grumpy old man seriously. No need to hate, its a website dude.