qft

 

I appreciate all the responses and after some more driving, I've settled on:

1st - 5 - 5.5
2nd - 4.5 - 5
3rd 5 - 5.5
4th - 4
5th -3.5 - 4
6th - 3.5 - 4

After the car has warmed up. It seems to be working out well.

Another question, how long is the break in period. I'm at 250km and I'm dying to redline it.

 

I second that one on the stupid minivans slowing me down.. Why are there so many minivan's on the road.

Two things I absolutely hate on the road..
1) Toyota Corollas
2) Minivans

Both these tend to be ULTRA SLOW....

 

My shift points....

1st to 2nd - 9.2k
2nd to 3rd - 9.2k
3rd to 4th - 9.2k
4th to 5th - 9.2k
5th to 6th - 9.2k

Gas Milage: 12mpg

O yeaaa baby!

 

Damn nOOb - you've got some reading to do!! Start w/ the manual (should be in the glove box ) and then continue on here.

Manual = 1000 w/no redlines + some other stuff
Many here recommend 2 K break in.

Break in def. makes you twitch a bit . . .

 

For me I think every Toyota are SLOW, especialy FU**ING Echos

 

I shift at 4K RPM. so does my wife who is the normal driver of the car.

Still remember the day she came home and said the car "dinged at me" Uh yea honey that's OK just don't make a habit out of it.

 

Here are the 1st-2nd shift rules I use, putting shift points into mph.

0. Shift for safety. To avoid emotional and unpredictable drivers, it's safe to shift up when they are out of sight.

1. If you're first in line at the stop light, when the light goes green, you had better floor 1st gear to at least 35 mph before shifting into 2nd. Shifting too early into 2nd is dangerous, because that allows other cars to potentially hit you from behind. You want to position yourself ahead of the pack and ride that position all the way home--that is the safest way to drive.

2. If you're engine braking down to a red stop light, and are first in line, and the guy behind you thinks you're just driving slow because your brake lights aren't lit, and he changes into the right lane beside you, and is inching forward with his brake pedal because he thinks he's going to get ahead of you and change into your lane, you had better floor 1st gear to the beep sound before shifting. You need to be ahead of such dangerous and drunk drivers. Done correctly, you will watch him in your rearview mirror shift into your lane behind you. Last thing you want is him underestimating your acceleration, and smashing into your side during a lane change, as he is an impatient driver.

I wouldn't worry about mpg at first. The RX8 gets better mileage after the first 5700 miles. I started with 11.9-12.1 mpg, and now I'm getting a huge 13.2-13.5 mpg! In fact, by using 5th gear as much as possible on the freeway, you can increase your mpg by as much as 1. I believe 6th gear is almost too dangerous to use.

 

Why do RX8club members all seem to have carbon buildup on the mind? I mean goddamn, if you get to 7000rpm under load (3rd gear or higher) ONCE every 500-1000 miles, you won't have any excess carbon buildup! You people saying you redline the engine in 1st every time you go out to drive to avoid carbon buildup...are just plain sad. Without being under load, the apex seals will not be sprung against the rotor housing with enough pressure to scrape off anything except the injected oil.

Yes, the apex seals can be used to scrape off the carbon in the engine. No, you cannot do this in first gear, and most likely not in second. No, 9300rpm in first is not the same load applied as 7000rpm in third.

Sorry for the rant, but this is getting SAD. Carbon buildup is NOT that complicated...

If you ENJOY redlining first, second, whatever, as I do, just SAY IT. Don't pretend your doing it to avoid carbon build up. Your only fooling yourself..

 

it depends do u like to have fun when ur driving

 

i beep it every chance i get ... carbon or no carbon. i also drive it like i stole it except when im warming her up. i didnt buy this machine to baby it or to get great gas mileage. i bought it to DRIVE! i drive in the rain, the snow, the mud, etc.

basically i beat the crap outta her every opportunity i can and she loves it. zoom zoom makes me grin grin.

better?

 

Yeah because that's the only way to get going n/a!!!

 

thats actually quite good to know. i dont get the opportunity to get up to 85 very often. but i suppose it happens at least once in a while

 

I agree, it's funny how one person comes on and starts a post about redlining daily to remove carbon buildup and all of a sudden everybody's a parrot to that. I'm still skeptical as to how much of this "must redline daily" thing is real and how much is BS. The engine may benefit from it but does the rest of the car, particularly the transmission? There's gotta be a tradeoff somewhere in wear and tear.

 

jeez now I know why everyone on this forum has such crappy mileage,..


In my NA 7 its 2.8-3.5k when watching mileage (normal driving),.. and thats with way taller trans/diff ratios and less low rpm grunt then the renn.

Does everyone here have a first away from the stoplight / keep up with the rabid minivan soccer moms complex or something?

Good to know that if i ever actually get an 8 I will most likely be getting better mileage then my 7 (20ish in town) if you guys are getting 15 mpg shifting like speedracer everyday .

 

[BEGIN//devolve_into_mpg_thread]

 

redline it everytime

 

now isnt that the truth... the clerks at my local gas station defintly know who I am by now.

As for the original question,
normal cruising I usually shift between 3.5-4.5k
More spirited driving between 5-6.5k
Hauln *** 7k-beeeeeeeeeeeeeep

 

when you and the zoom zoom become one, THATS when you will know when to shift.... but for now stay on first gear....

 

And the problem with that would be...?

 

I shift between 3.5-5k during normal intown driving and get around 22mpg.
And in the twisties I shift between 6 and beep.

 

Usually around 5... 6+ if I'm having more fun...

 

I generally shift in the 5-7K range. I drive with little regard to getting the best fuel milage possible. I find myself cruising a lot at the 4-5K range when on side/city streets just so I've got instant acceleration if I need it (and it's fun).

edit: and I tend to hear a beep at least once a week; usually in 1st or 2nd gear.

 

If you have to ask how to shift this car, you should have the AT.

 

Then the title would of read "How do I paddle shift?" I think its smart to find out all you can, especially if it is something completely new to you like having a rotary. Its better to ask a dumb question than to get into a dumb situation!