We're picking up our RX-8 in a couple days.

I've never had a rotary before, and am wondering if there's a recommended break-in protocol for the engine like there is on piston engines?

Does Mazda recommend anything specific? Do any of you recommend anything specific?

Thanks . . Stu

 

The tips from Racing Beat seems to make sense.

 

RTFM or search...

/thread

 

Stu, first off congrats and welcome to the addiction. I recommend reading the stickies. This site has everything you need to know as long as you use the search button at the top.

As for break-in, Mazda states that it is not needed. However, if you would like to prolong the life of your engine, they recommend not reving past 4000 rpm for 600 miles. I just got a new engine and I am following a little more tedious break-in procedure. The procedure I am following is a mix of multiple break-in procedures for rotary engines from mazda to racing break-in procedures.

During the first 5,000 miles, do not use any synthetic oils. During the First 2,000 miles, do not go WOT.

For the First 1,000 miles, vary the revs as much as possible with the maximum rpm of 4k. After 1000 miles change oil and oil filter.

For the next 500 miles, vary rpms as much as possible with the maximum rpm of 6k.

For the next 500 miles, vary rpms as much as possible with the maximum rpm being the redline. Change oil and oil filter after 2,000 miles.

After that, be rev happy and enjoy. This is a mix between all of the methods I have read. This seemed like a decent procedure to me.


Oh, btw. DO NOT turn the car on, move it out of your driveway and turn it off. You may flood the engine making it difficult to start the engine. Just make sure the engine has been warmed up before shutting off(temp gauge needle just about half way) and/or rev to 3k rpm for 5-10 seconds and then shut it off. Again, read the stickies

 

THANK YOU EXPO1 !!

 

Strike the "or" from that. And add the note that the rev is only if you warmed by idling instead of driving.

See the Quick Tips booklet for Mazda's procedure.

Ken

 

Ken-x8, the reving to 3k rpm for 5-10 seconds has been stated by multiple users to be used if your car has not been fully warmed up and you NEED to shut off your engine. They state it will help prevent the engine from flooding. Ive never done it so idk. Again, its all in the stickies

 

The search button works well

 

^^ knew that was coming

 

I know. Which is why I have reiterated Mazda's procedure multiple times. If the stickies give the wrong procedure, they need to be corrected.

Ken

 

i guess i got beat to it. lol

anyways racing beats guidelines makes sense

or it says in the owners manual says how to break in as well.

 

Mazda is probably right.
I see plenty of engine failures on properly broken in engine.
There's 3 schools of thoughts when it comes to new engine break-ins.
I personally believe that modern engines do not need a break-in period.

 

hmmmm... well... apparently i didn't break it in properly.

I did a 350 mile drive from norcal to socal the day i bought my 8... rpm's were varied, but i didn't stay below 4k... or 6k for that matter. I didn't redline it a ton, but I didn't baby it.

Will have to see what happens...

 

Oh well, you're still covered under warranty

 

racing beat