Hi guys,

my trip from home to job is quite short (~10km, 50-90km/h), so I've been wondering how long the Renesis takes to go up in temperature.
My current car (306 S16, 4-cyl 2liter) just barely reaches temperature in summer, but from now on and until april it won't, or not fully at least (it reaches 80-83°C, normal is 88°C).
I fear gas mileage would go crazy if I decided to get an 8 instead.

So? Share your experience.

BTW, has anybody in Sweden heard about when it'll be available at least for a test drive? I mean, I like my 306 a lot, but it's now 10 years old, and if I ever want to sell it while it's still worth something, I shall not wait much longer. Or keep it another 10 years...

Arnaud

 

It took two under 2 minutes and 1/4 mile for the needle to get to the centre of the temp gauage this morning (approx 10C outside), which I thought was very quick. That was just pulling gently out of side roads and creeping up to the traffic lights - no thrashing it up to the cold fuel cut off at 6000rpm!

The real test will be when frosty if I've been caught out and not put it in the garage over night. The heated seats should come in to their own then, but I dont think it will be long before the cabin worms up with that little boiler of a rensis by your left foot.

Cheers
---Dave

 

Hi and Welcome to the forum, first Swedish member?
In the UK it has been about 10 - 13C by day and about 3-5C at night, maybe you should check the Canada forum as you have similar Winter temperatures? It sounds like the cold weather affects economy a little bit but dont know how much yet.
Mine reaches max temperature after about 5km, so I am sure that in your 10km journey it will reach maximum temperature and wont do it any harm.
JH

 

And since the rotary is just so unique, may I remind you all that it needs attention to a couple of points: oil and temperatures.

Which mean: pay attention to the level of oil (and fill up as necessary), and also pay attention to the temp gauge (fill up coolant if necessary). The later goes for the warm up cycle too.

So, when you start up the car in the morning, dont move it until oil pressure is nominal, let it sit for at least 0,5-1 minute before starting to roll, and keep the RPMs below 3K until the temp gauge reaches its "resting place" (i.e operational temperature). I know it sounds like a PITA, but you'll thank me in the long run

 

I agree with Jon H, you need to check the Canada forum.

I saw one post either on the Canada forum or the main forum from someone in Canada. They set out one morning when it was -15 degrees C and the coolant temp gauge did not reach normal until they were stuck in traffic about 10 miles later. And when the traffic freed up, the temp when down again!

There were suggestions in the reply he got to partially cover the air intakes. Sounds a bit dodgy.

 

From the weather forcast I think it was nearer 14C. Today was very wet, and it took twice as long, and twice as far. But still nothing to worry about.

Cheers
---Dave

 

To help speed up engine warming, don't switch on the fan heater until the engine has warmed up.

Many car's cockpit heaters suck heat from the engine's cooling system. Turning the heater on when the engine is cold means that the heater will be taking heat away that should be being used to bring the engine up to temperature.

Also, (partly) blocking the radiator should only have an effect once the enigne is warmed up. If the engine is cold then a valve normally closes preventing coolant circulating through the radiator - there's no point since the engine is cold and you want to build up heat rather than get rid of it.

Blocking the radiator probably only reduces the general airflow around the engine bay. This may have a slight 'warming' effect but it's not to to with the coolant/radiator system.

Not sure if this is exactly how the 8 works but it's the system used by most cars.

 

Thanks for the advice.
From what I've read there, it shouldn't be a problem. Respect the procedure against flooding and that'll be about it. And if temp goes in the -10°C range, anyway I'll have to go scratch the windshield (no garage...:-(), so it'll be warming up in the mean time, just as I'm doing with the current car.

Arnaud

 

Hey wont need to guess the outside temp again. I've just read the owners manual and found out about the button on the right hand side of the radio controls. Pressing it shows switches the display between the AMBient and the slected climate control temperature.

Is there anything this car doesn't do? :D

Cheers
---Dave

 

Im also from Sweden, I think Canada gets much more colder weather than most of Sweden, Sölvesborg is definitly in the south
as well where I also live, currently +7,7C outside my window...

 

BTW the situation in Sweden is a bit "different" since Mr Olle Olsson the general distrubtor is losing the licens from Mazda, he end up
selling Alfa Romeo and Fiat instead.
Long time marriage that ends up in a divorce from Mazda (they
probably reckon he makes too much money from them).
I think this could affect the amount of RX8s entering Sweden
soon...