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Mazda RX-8 Care & Maintenance

129 messages,  Last post on Dec 24, 2012 at 12:18 PM

You are in the Mazda RX-8 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda RX-8, Auto Body, Engine, Fuel System, Interior, Oil, Paint, Coupe

Messages Page 11 of 14

#96 of 129 cabin air filter by psfod3

Jul 16, 2009 (8:10 pm)

I have a 2007 RX-8 with 21,000 miles on it. I was in the dealer today for a oil change and they suggested that I replace the cabin air filter. I declined to do it today because I looked all through the owners and service manuals that came with the car and there was absolutly no mention of a cabin air filter for this car. Was the dealer just making this up.

#97 of 129 My 2005 RX-8 AT by trispec2007

Sep 23, 2009 (8:26 am)

Hi folks. I've not been here in awhile. Thought I'd update this little forum with some practical wisdom.
 
My Check Engine light went two nights ago in downtown Boston. I had been tweaking my parking spot right in front of the Boston Ballet building, trying to make sure none of the Bostonians, with their "bumper banging" parking technique, banged into my RX-8.
 
After several starts and stops, with the engine warm, where I revved to 3000 before shut down, my "Check Engine" light lit up. I instantly grabbed the manual, and it seemed that the most likely issue was a sensor problem, caused by my starts and stops. I drove home slowly and thought the issue would disappear by morning. It didn't. So I drove to the dealer.
 
The dealer charge me $95 to plug the system up and have the computer tell me that an Error #22, which is the SSV out of spec error. It tested fine at the dealer, but it'll be $700 to replace if it occurs again. Here's hoping it was my stop and stop parking that caused it.
 
In the mean time, they also found that both of my engine mounts had gone. They said mine had lasted ten times longer that anyone else's.
 
Over a year ago, a cold engine vibration had started, but I had just put up with the vibration because it went away once the car was warmed up. Well, that vibration was the bad engine mounts according to them. So I had been driving around without good mounts for a long time. I must have had my car for service and oil changes half a dozen times during that time and they never checked the mounts. Ugh!
 
Anyway, $525 to replace both mounts, $95 to diagnose a potential future problem. An entire year of driving around with a potentially dangerous engine mount flaw.
 
Here's the wisdom. An RX-8 AT when idling, cold or hot should ALWAYS be purring, not harshly vibrating. An RX-8 MT, when engaging the clutch, cold or hot, should ALWAYS be silky smooth, right up to the stall point. Otherwise, check the engine mounts!
 
Still lov'n my sweet ride. Did my fourth 2000 mile Boston to NC beach run. Two 10 year olds, my wife and I. Listen'ed to Harry Potter all the way done. Fantastic way to travel, by RX-8. I still feel just like Harry Potter on his Nimbus 2000 and his Firebolt, every single time I drive my RX-8 AT. I so love my car....
 
I don't really even care about the $600 bucks anymore, because she's driving like new again... so nice and smooth.

#98 of 129 Re: My 2005 RX-8 AT [trispec2007] by grinnin

Oct 03, 2009 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: trispec2007 (Sep 23, 2009 8:26 am)
Hey Trispec - good to see a post again from a fellow Bostonian. My 2004 MT GT is still zooming along wonderfully (36K now) except for one setback (which of course happened on a parkway just outside NYC so I was nowhere near home) The heat shield over the catalytic converter corroded off and started hanging by the wires leading to the O2 sensor bouncing along under the car. Well, I didn't know that at the time so when I yanked the loose shield off I severed the wires and the car shut down due to O2 sensor failure. Oooops. New heat shield and O2 sensor was about $400 at a dealer in Yonkers NY. Not too bad. We have also become a 2 mazda family this summer with the addition of a 2006 Madza3s. My wife even wanted a manual tranny after driving the RX-8 so much. I am sure I will need to start replacing some exhaust and brake items soon, but the car has really been fairly trouble free for me (all the more surprising since the 2004s seem to have had the most issues) It has always started just fine for me on the coldest days. Sometimes I only add oil once in the 3000 miles between oil changes. And, I drive it pretty much whenever I want even in the winter with high perf. all seasons on it. Not sure what all the folks mean when they say you have to make compromises to drive a pure sports car. I find my RX-8 perfectly tractable in all driving conditions except a raging blizzard. 5+ years later and I still drive with this HUGE grin on my face. Can't believe how enjoyable my car is.

#99 of 129 Re: Mileage [mikemartin] by m3metro

Oct 12, 2009 (4:38 pm)

Replying to: mikemartin (May 18, 2009 9:21 pm)
PLEASE, tell me what you are doing to get that kind of mileage out of your RX8. I get about 210 per tank. You did say 50/50 in city and on highway. I did notice better mileage when I had to commute to work from my folks house for a week (I was house-sitting).
 
LOVE MY CAR. I have no issues at all. It's a 2004 GT 6-speed with 25,000 miles on it (yeah, 5 years old with that kind of mileage). The engine is still under warranty until 11/2010. I use cheap dino oil, as suggested in many forums. It loves to be "rode". I check the oil once a month, I let it warm up for 60 seconds when the day first starts and I make sure to red line it twice a week so everyone involved remembers what this relationship is all about.
 
My next car will, probably, be another slightly used RX8. I've had it for 7 months and still can't believe it's mine.

#100 of 129 Re: Mileage [m3metro] by 04rx8newbie

Oct 17, 2009 (8:38 pm)

Replying to: m3metro (Oct 12, 2009 4:38 pm)
I hate to admit this, but I feel prey to the eye candy and responsiveness of the Mazda rx8. I have recently purchased a pre-owned 2004 rx8 with about 80K miles on it. Love the car. However, I appear to be experiencing the same problems as many other '04 rx8 owners. I am looking for some experienced advice as I have been provided with conflicting instructions so far.
 
The check engine light came on about 1 month after purchase. Although it felt like it was going to stall it didn't, and I took it immediately to the dealership where I purchased. They were not aware of the starting procedures and managed to flood the car and were not able to get it started. In trying to get the car started again, they informed me that there was low compression and that the engine was shot. Shortly thereafter they notified me that they had gotten the car running. One month after the car home, the check engine light is on again. At this point, the car is not exhibiting the stalling issue. I took it to a different dealership, and they too informed me that there is a compression issue.
 
My confusion is that I have read many posts saying that compression may not be the issue? Additionally, I have been told that the car needs to be revved slightly prior to turning off the car, and then told that is nonsense and does not need to be revved?
 
Are there any experienced rx8 owners that are willing to provide some insight to a rx8 newbie? Any would be greatly appreciated.

#101 of 129 Re: Winter Driving with the RX-8 [ksmigel] by seapal

Oct 21, 2009 (2:24 am)

Replying to: ksmigel (Nov 22, 2008 12:43 am)
i am buying a new 2009 rx8. i live in the DC area. i know they need performance snow tires for snow/ice traction and i should go down to 17". Any recommendations on where to buy tiire/wheel packages and is online better than local shops or does shipping and installation costs defeat the online store prices? And any snow tire and wheel recommendations? thanks to all the informative posts on winter driving already.

#102 of 129 Re: Winter Driving with the RX-8 [seapal] by trispec2007

Oct 25, 2009 (4:00 am)

Replying to: seapal (Oct 21, 2009 2:24 am)
Crazy talk man. You don't need snow tires in DC. Cheap all seasons are perfectly fine for your current 18" rims. Going to 17" rims will kill your tire pressure sensor. Tire pressure sensor is much more important than snow tire.
 
I live in Boston. Even here snow tires really are not required. My cheap all seasons handle 4" of fresh snow. The traction control and LimSlipDif handle the slippage. Snow tires might handle slip better, but the car bottoms out at 5" so nothing will help with that.

#103 of 129 Re: Winter Driving with the RX-8 [trispec2007] by seapal

Oct 25, 2009 (6:17 am)

Replying to: trispec2007 (Oct 25, 2009 4:00 am)
thanks. so many postings on this and other blogs are from owners in real snow country it's not clear if i need them for the occasional 1 inch snow/slush or it All Season Performance tires will work. what i do know is that the stock low pressures won't keep me and my family safe. so while most of the winter in DC is cold temps we only get average 2-3 snowstorms per winter of 1-3 inches. most driving is just on freezing pavement. All seasons or snow tires for the RX8? thanks for you post Trispec!

#104 of 129 RX8 by chillynay

Dec 03, 2009 (3:18 pm)

I have a 2004 RX8 and I LOVE it. Unfortunately I live in Denver and we get a lot of snow during the winter, my car stays home and gets cold. Everytime the temperature drops to 30 or 20 degrees I have a hard time getting it started up. I am not sure why that is but once it gets warmer it's fine and it starts up with no trouble. I assume also that having good snow tires really makes a difference when driving it in snow or icy conditions, I drive it at all when it's snowing. It is absolutely fun to drive though. I do have to get rid of it this year since everone is opposed to me having an unreliable car in the winter here in Denver. One thing I don't like about it is all the maintenance and you always have to put oil in it and check that it has the correct amount. One problem I did have with it was the oil metering pump wnet out which out of pocket was about $850 dollars. Regardless I still love it, but we have to part ways soon.

#105 of 129 Heavy Carbon on Tailpipe by seapal

Dec 06, 2009 (8:55 am)

I have a new 2009 rx8. i am noticing heavy black carbon buildup on the end of my exhaust tailpiles. is this common for this car? should i change the type of gas i am using. Also, i often make a 450 mile roundtrip drive for work all highway at 75 mph. the engine was down 2 quarts of oil from that trip and a few extra days. i knew the car is known for its oil thirst, but how often are you other owners adding oil on new engines and with what octane gas? thanks for all posters.

Messages Page 11 of 14

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