Hey -
I just picked up my RX8 last weekend with 11 miles on it. I couldn't be happier. Question - What is the breakin period for the car, ie when can I red line it and feel comfortable about doing it. Also - did any of you get your oil analyzed after your first oil change. (and when did you get your oil changed for the first time, i was thinking at about 1000 miles)

 

RTFM.....

It's recommended not to drive at any single speed for any length of time (vary speeds), no excessive rpms for long periods of time, etc etc.....for the first 600 miles.

some ppl did it, like me, others didn't, they are just guidelines. I wouldn't go racing the thing from the get go, just go and drive and enjoy and use common sense for the first month.

 

Welcome!

The "official" break-in period is 600 miles. In the owners manual, it says to keep it under 6000 rpm for the first 600 miles and to be easy on the throttle and brakes.

If you ask Mazda Motorsports (the competition arm of Mazda USA), their recommendation is to keep it under 4000 rpm for the first 60 miles, 5000 rpm for the next 60, 6000 for the next 60, and so on, until 300 miles. Change the oil, and the motor will be considered "broken in"

I followed the second path, as it also gave me time to bed-in the brakes, clutch, etc. BUT - everyone has their own opinion.

I changed my oil at 300, 1000, 2500, and every 2500 after that (it's easier to count).

Also, if you want to have fun driving it fast, be sure to bring it out to the Dec. 7th autocross at Gulf Greyhound Park (Houston SCCA Website).

I'll be there with my yellow one, pics at the link in the signature.

Welcome again to the new owners club! I hope you enjoy it as much as we all have.

 

Break-in...just take it easy on the first 600 miles like everyone else and the manual has pretty much said.

For the first 600 I kept it under 5000 RPM myself.
Under 6000 RPM until 800 miles on the odometer
Redlined once a day after that until 1000 miles on the odometer.

Had the oil changed at 1150 miles, only because Mazda was closed on Thanksgiving day.

PS: Welcome to the club! How do you like your car so far?

 

Thanks....I love it, I've been babyin' it though, not really gettin on it hard. I wanted to find out about the break in period first.

Another thing, have you guys noticed a black sut start forming on the tail pipes? I assume it has something to do with burning a little bit of oil. Just wanted to know if you guys are seein the same thing. I only have 190 miles on it so far. Calculated my mpg for my first tank of gas and it seems that I'm gettin about 14.5 mpg. Hmm.....

 

The car runs rich by nature, especially during idle. So avoid warming the car up on the driveway more than you have to. Just a minute or two is fine, and just keep the revs below 3500 RPM for the first mile or two of driving. Due to the richness it runs, especially during warm up, you'll guzzle significantly more gas. Once you get up to cruising speed, especially 70-80 MPH on the freeway, you'll notice you'll get a little better gas milage.

 

And don't base your gasmilage on the first couple of tanks of gas. Dealer uses lowest octane gas they can find for one, and two, the engine isn't broken in...I'd base it on gas milage after three or four fill ups, and after the first oil change has been done, which I'd recommend doing before 2000 miles on the odometer, assuming you can afford to pay an extra 25 dollars during your time of owning the car

 

do you have a boyfriend? :D my break in period is the first drink

 

*Sigh*...you could have at least came up with a better lien than that :p

"Want to polish your bonnet if you check my oil"

 

Break In??? I redlined the car the 2nd day I got it!! Took it relatively easy on the first. Still couldn't resist from speeding over 110mph though.

I said screw it, Im enjoying this baby from the get go!!

Im getting 14.5 mpg and yes I also have the black sut on the tailpipes.

 

Don't all cars get black **** onthe tailpipes?

 

Wow, that's funny. I've never had a ****, black or otherwise on my (car's) tailpipes.

 

I tried to wipe the tail pipes off and ruined my towel. That stuff is nasty. I'm at 1100 miles. Is it universally agreed that I should get my oil changed? I don't recall that from the manual.


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Just checked the manual. Schedule 2 says first oil change at 5,000 miles or 4 months (3,000 miles or 3 months for our friends in Puerto Rico) -- like to hear opinions on this.

 

You don't have to get your oil changed at 1100 miles. It's just that if you think about it, that's 1100 miles on a "brand" new motor. Which means that it's worn in so that any extra material has been scraped off. That's extra material that's been scraped off recirculating.
As someone with so much passion with cars, I can't bring myself to not change it for 25 bucks or so...but then again, if I as passionate as I would like to be, I probably would have changed it myself...

 

Well, think of it as not ruining a towel, but gaining a tail pipe wiping rag...:D You can use it too for cleaning the wheels. They get real nasty - a combination of brake dust, road grime & tire dressing. I hate that nasty tire dressing goop!

About the oil, I didn't change mine yet, just kept it topped-up. She's going in for the 4 month checkup @ 3,000 miles & the oil is no more dirty looking than weak tea. There is an oil filter. I suppose though that if I was headed for 5k before 4 mo., I would seriously consider a 2-3k oil change.