rx8wannahave

Well I just got the best of all time fuel economy from my RX8.

Since the gas prices are crazy I decided I would try to squeeze out the most fuel economy I could out of my RX8 these past two weeks and what did I get....

100% City
Keeping her in 6th gear from 40mph and up (instead of my normal 45mph and up) and shifting under 3.5K most of the time but going up to 5K also:

269.8 miles on 13.331 gallons = 20.24mpg

Also, I finally went over 5K miles in my RX8 after 9 months of ownership so she might be finally breaking in.

Actually, I drove pretty normal but all I did was just avoid redline or extended trips over 4K. Normally I would shift at 4.2K (1st) 4K (2nd) 3.5K (3rd) 3K (4th) and then skip 5th to cruise in 6th gear around 2.5-8K most of the time but this time...

I shifted at 3.5-7K (1st) 3.2-5K (2nd) 3K (3rd) 2.7K (4th) and then skipped 5th to cruise in 6th gear at 2-2.5K. I also would stay in 6th a little longer before shifting down to 5th. I don't completely ignore 5th but it's a rarely used gear to be honest.

Note: I use Chevron 93 with the cleaning agent to keep the carbon monster away

So, I'm really happy with those numbers but to be honest the other method feels better when driving so I'll probably stick with that since I avg 19+ mpg doing the above. I'll give up 1.25mpg for more fun but it's worth it. Aslo avoiding readline (at least once a week) is not really realistic in my opinion.

But with that said, just because I can...does not mean I'll be driving the 8 in daily driving, in daily traffic, with daily cops and bad drivers all over the place like a race car. It's just not worth it...but when the chance presents itself and it's not a stupid place to push the 8 (inside neighborhoods, heavy traffic, by schools, high traffic roads, etc) I'll have my fun. (Racing is for the track...young boys and girls!!!)

I didn't think the 8 had it in her to do 20mpg in all city...I guess I was wrong! :D

gh0st

i get a little over 170 miles for about a 14gal fill....

denward

RX-MEN-8

I have a A/T. I use 93 oct. since using lower triggered my CE light.. I have been getting 19 mpg constantly for about 1 year.. City driving w. some minor highway to my office.

czr

iTrader: (3)

Good job. I have yet to break 20, but did you measure fun? Ok, you did it now back to your regularly scheduled program...

I always start out saying I will try to max out my mpg on this tank, but then I forget and have too much fun. Even if I think I am flogging the gas pedal, I am still getting high 17s low 18s. The $3 I would have saved is well spent. But I will get 20 mpg one of these days... oh yes I will.

8is>enuff

Wannahave, not sure if you're aware of this, but in the owner's manual it specifically states not to shift into 6th under 48mph. You are seriously lugging the renesis. I don't know if it matters to you or if it's a terribly bad idea for the engine in particular, but I figured I should let you know.

Well, grats on the good mileage at least.

truemagellen

I used non ethanol laced petrol this weekend on a long drive and got over 25 miles per gallon

RotrDoc

I just posted this on the "EPA to change testing" thread, so bear with me---

Just got my 45,000 mile service and the "R" flash (NICE!!!). I was very disciplined on the Interstate and held her to 70-72 (3600 rpm). This is the first time I've come anywhere close to the EPA numbers: 23.4 mpg running through 14 gal. It was a bit of a thrill watching the odometer roll past 300 without the warning light on, but not enough to make up for the frustration of driving that slow.

rx8wannahave

Yes, that was a "let's see what I can get" type of thing. I'll stick to my normal driving and keep the 19's I normally get.

The FUN meter for this test was at 6 out of 10 (because just driving the 8 is fun let alone pushing her) but I normally like that in the 8 range at least.

OH GOD...was it 48mph? I thought it was like 40 or 43...WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!!! To make it up I think I’m going to beat her up for the next week...lol.

But seriously, I'll have to verify...if your right...what was I doing to my poor little rotary???? GOD NO!!!!


It seems the R flash is a good one...at least that will make the experiance of being without my 8 a little better.

TownDrunk

It's funny to log on here and see thread about "good" gas mileage. I've had relatively great mileage since my flash as well, no tank under 20mpg since.

truemagellen

Oh I forgot to mention in addition to the Non-oxygenated (non-ethanol) petrol that I have the R-flash as well

Glyphon

actually, it doesn't.
from the owner's manual, page 5-9.
Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting

For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
1 to 2 23 km/h (14 mph)
2 to 3 35 km/h (22 mph)
3 to 4 47 km/h (29 mph)
4 to 5 58 km/h (36 mph)
5 to 6 74 km/h (46 mph)

For cruising
1 to 2 23 km/h (14 mph)
2 to 3 34 km/h (21 mph)
3 to 4 45 km/h (28 mph)
4 to 5 56 km/h (35 mph)
5 to 6 68 km/h (42 mph)

rx8wannahave

R-flash = :D

Can any of you tell me if I was hurting my rotary?

truemagellen

Oh Snap!! Thanks Glyphon that is what I thought.

Glyphon

you were not. in normal driving situations, the renesis is perfectly capable to below 1.5k rpm. it won't be an acceleration demon, but you aren't hurting it in the least.

and those shift point are listed for optimal fuel economy, not any sort of lower limit to avoid engine/tranny damage.

rx8wannahave

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Thanks Glyphon! I guess my memory served me right for once...:D

8is>enuff...what are you doing to me man? LOL...trying to freak me out. :p

Jackallll

wow...for 100% city driving that is amazing. Anytime I do 90-100% city I get about 180 miles to the tank.

truemagellen

woops I meant mixed in my post

rx8wannahave

I normally fill up with 13.1-13.3 gallons at 250-255 miles with my normal driving all city. But I was able to get almost 270 without the light coming on which amazed me to be honest.

Normally, the light comes on at 249-252 miles so feel free to try it out on your 8 (that driving style). No...I don't suggest it for fun but maybe if your having a penny pinching week you could keep the gas station away for an exta day or two depending on how much you drive.

I can't say I'll try it again anytime soon, but if your being conservative or want to push what you can get out of the tank it's possible (not easy but possible) to hit 20mpg in city driving with not too much traffic keeping you at lights for long.

Take that EPA bashers...lol :p :D

But, for fun...I'll be back on my normal driving schedule by this afternoon…zoom zoom zom!

TrueM...gosh, mixed gas must really SUCK!

truemagellen

I meant mixed driving

but ethanol 10% is law here...that does suck

beachdog

So, for combined acceleration and cruising:
1 to 6 68 km/h (42 mph)

A two speed. Just like an old Powerglide

8is>enuff

My apologies wannahave. I read it on this site somewhere and believed it. My fault for not verifying the info before I posted. Oh well. :o I didn't mean to scare you - I just was trying to look out for a fellow 8'er.

And Glyphon - there's nicer ways to correct someone. But I'm sure you knew that.

strokercharged95gt

ive always gotten 20-22 mpg on my daily commute to and from work. I get well over that on all highway. Im still on the first flash that came with my 2004 though.

Razz1

The more lugging, the more carbon, the more carbon, the more problems in the long run.

Meowloud

I'm lucky to get 16mpg driving very conservatively
I don't have any new flashes, no recall work done, past oil change by 4 months. 89 Octane usually.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

I'm getting about 200 miles on a 13.5g fill up.