How well does the RX8 start in winter? (looking to buy 2005 RX8)
#1
How well does the RX8 start in winter? (looking to buy 2005 RX8)
Hello gentlemen,
I would like to join your fine establishment, but I have a few questions to educate myself about your membership product.
I would like to buy a 2005 RX8 GT manual transmission and have it for my year around car. I live in central Canada where the weather drops to -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees F). How is the Renesis for starting in this weather? Also if I understand the engine design properly, a cold crank without the engine starting will flood the engine correct?
This might be a very silly question, but does the RX8 come stock with a block heater? I’ve read about guys adding an oil dip stick heater in the winter.
Basically my questions all pertain to winter application for the sexy RX8 beast.
Side question: I read the 2004 first revision Renesis did not properly lubricate the center of the apex seals so they would wear out prematurely. Do you know model solved this issue? (did this issue actually exist?)
Thanks!
I would like to join your fine establishment, but I have a few questions to educate myself about your membership product.
I would like to buy a 2005 RX8 GT manual transmission and have it for my year around car. I live in central Canada where the weather drops to -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees F). How is the Renesis for starting in this weather? Also if I understand the engine design properly, a cold crank without the engine starting will flood the engine correct?
This might be a very silly question, but does the RX8 come stock with a block heater? I’ve read about guys adding an oil dip stick heater in the winter.
Basically my questions all pertain to winter application for the sexy RX8 beast.
Side question: I read the 2004 first revision Renesis did not properly lubricate the center of the apex seals so they would wear out prematurely. Do you know model solved this issue? (did this issue actually exist?)
Thanks!
#2
I live in Michigan so it doesn't get quite as cold as where you live but my 2004 GT hasn't had a problem yet starting. I kinda think my starter is the old version because it seems to crank a little slow at times but she always fires up. I plan on changing to the higher cranking starter in the spring.
To my knowledge the 8 doesn't come with a block heater.
The apex lubrication problem does exist. I'm not quite sure if it'll ever be fully resolved but you can pre-mix your fuel to help the situation. Check out this thread for information about that. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/gas-oil-premix-thread-99636/
Good luck.
To my knowledge the 8 doesn't come with a block heater.
The apex lubrication problem does exist. I'm not quite sure if it'll ever be fully resolved but you can pre-mix your fuel to help the situation. Check out this thread for information about that. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/gas-oil-premix-thread-99636/
Good luck.
#4
Extraordinary Engineering
Hello and welcome
For cold weather you'll want to run synthetic transmission fluid because the standard fluid will turn to molasses in the cold and mess up your shifting. Might as well do the diff as well. Lots of threads here about what to use.
Oil pan heaters are great on the rotary. I never tried a block heater. You could look at a battery warmer as well.
Use an oil temp gauge. You'll have to purchase and install it. You want 80C min before you shut down. You'll have to somewhat block off air flow to the oil coolers to achieve this temp. (Don't let the oil get too hot though). The oil temp at the oil filter is after the oil coolers and before the engine...
In 9 C weather my 8 struggles to keep 75C at 120km/h in 6th
To answer directly, I drove for three winters and never experienced an issue starting. Don't forget winter tires!
For cold weather you'll want to run synthetic transmission fluid because the standard fluid will turn to molasses in the cold and mess up your shifting. Might as well do the diff as well. Lots of threads here about what to use.
Oil pan heaters are great on the rotary. I never tried a block heater. You could look at a battery warmer as well.
Use an oil temp gauge. You'll have to purchase and install it. You want 80C min before you shut down. You'll have to somewhat block off air flow to the oil coolers to achieve this temp. (Don't let the oil get too hot though). The oil temp at the oil filter is after the oil coolers and before the engine...
In 9 C weather my 8 struggles to keep 75C at 120km/h in 6th
To answer directly, I drove for three winters and never experienced an issue starting. Don't forget winter tires!
Last edited by DarkBrew; 11-17-2010 at 04:01 PM.
#6
Extraordinary Engineering
#9
Extraordinary Engineering
My oil thermostats never open in cold weather
Remember that all the oil runs through the hoses and across the top of the coolers whether the thermostat are open or closed.
So the thermostats only control whether the oil runs through the fins.
The entire path somewhat cools the oil even if the stats are closed.
Remember that all the oil runs through the hoses and across the top of the coolers whether the thermostat are open or closed.
So the thermostats only control whether the oil runs through the fins.
The entire path somewhat cools the oil even if the stats are closed.
Last edited by DarkBrew; 11-18-2010 at 09:04 AM.
#10
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No problem starting at -40C (= -40F). It does rev up pretty high in the first minute or so. Heaters do help (and you probably should install them as well as a onboard battery charger), but I have started at -40F without plugging in several time. Yes the shifting is sluggish in the first couple minutes, but it is not too bad even without synthetic. We have been driving RX-8 for 4 years all winter long.
#13
Extraordinary Engineering
My stock temp gauge shows the engine is fully warmed up when the oil temp gauge has not reached 60C and water temp is under 80C
The engine runs fine and starts well but I have to wonder how much extra wear the low temps cause.
Last edited by DarkBrew; 11-18-2010 at 09:09 AM.
#14
I drive at Red Line.
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Well I can't speak for driving in 0C weather, because here its an extreme rarity to drop below that. Although in the next week it is supposed to unfortunatly. its a 3 mile drive for me to get home, I usually get in the car, start it, then put my seat belt on and get settled. I don't start driving till the rpms have finished their ups and downs, so I would say 30 seconds when it levels out in cold weather. I did not read the oil and water temp guages, I just took a quick glance at the dash before I shut her off, but Next week when Its below freezing I will give you my exact numbers.
#17
So this Rotary thing...?
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If you look in StealthTL's pics he has a photo of his temp sensor reading -36C.
Last winter there was a week where it got really cold here (high of -30C) and I had no issues all week long other than incredibly long warm up time. Fuel economy suffers from the large amount of idling.
Last winter there was a week where it got really cold here (high of -30C) and I had no issues all week long other than incredibly long warm up time. Fuel economy suffers from the large amount of idling.
#18
I drive at Red Line.
iTrader: (1)
well the other differing factor is that you guys are running the stock insulated hood. I'm running a CF vented hood. So my warm up times in the extreme cold would be a little slower than yours in the same temp. I can tell you what my times to warm up are at maybe -5C at the coldest.
#19
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Well I can't speak for driving in 0C weather, because here its an extreme rarity to drop below that. Although in the next week it is supposed to unfortunatly. its a 3 mile drive for me to get home, I usually get in the car, start it, then put my seat belt on and get settled. I don't start driving till the rpms have finished their ups and downs, so I would say 30 seconds when it levels out in cold weather. I did not read the oil and water temp guages, I just took a quick glance at the dash before I shut her off, but Next week when Its below freezing I will give you my exact numbers.
#22
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Check the link below! I dont know what happened to the sound in the video i think my blackberry is just gay and didnt record it properly since the engine sound is wayyy louder! it happened today after leaving the car at the train station for like 10 hours and not using the oil pan heater. Yeah this car comes with an oil pan heater not blocker heater. The car always starts like a champ! I also got new sparkplugs before the winter just to be on the safe side. I recorded this video just for you op so you better watch it! haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyRQ3Mo58_0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyRQ3Mo58_0
#25
I live in alberta canada and this is my first winter with the rx8. We've had some -35 nights so far and ive never had a problem starting it whatsoever. I dont have any heaters for it ( i live in an apartment and I wouldnt have access to a plug in anyways)..when its really cold it fires up just fine but it does that idle jumping for a couple of minutes until it warms up then it drops down to regular idle. I do have the updated ECU flash and updated starter/battery. I think if you get all those done then you'll be fine. GET SOME WINTER TIRES THOUGH!!!!
P.S mine is an 05 as well with 41xxx KMS on it.
P.S mine is an 05 as well with 41xxx KMS on it.