We bought a leftover '07 RX-8 yesterday. Because this is my wife's car I likely won't be very active on this forum or in '8' activities. The wife is not the auto enthusiast that I am. If permitted, though, I might attend cruises, say, in my Miata, if such is allowed.

My purpose in writing is more to thank the forum than to say hello. I read many threads here, the most important having to do with the flooding and impossible-to-start problem that was very intimidating once I learned of it. I am (somewhat) comfortable that the problem existed mostly in earlier model years and has for the most part been corrected by Mazda. The depth of knowledge and experience here is reassuring.

I must ask owners of '07 and '08 models how necessary is it to follow the "warm up rule" before shutting down. For example, the wife went out this morning to gas up the '8' - the gas station is about 1/2 mile away, not far enough for a complete warm up. If she were to drive there and then shut down, will she be able to start afterward? ( I had suggested that she go to the store first, and gas up on the way back).

As you all know, this car drives marvelously. We shopped and test drove: Honda V-6 6MT coupe; same in new Altima coupe; Civic Si coupe, Tiburon V-6 MT; and a BMW 328i Coupe. In both of our opinions, the '8' out does them all in the overall driving experience. Even though I love my Miata, I'm a little envious of the wife's new car.

Let me know what to expect in flooding problems. Thanks again.

 

Dont worry about flooding problems. You're too far into the car's life to have those issues. Just be careful and follow these instructions. I have a 05 and never leave my garage until my temp gauge goes past the first 2 lines. I then baby it out of the neighborhood. After that it's ready for speed. Congrats on the purchase. Get snow tires and you will be good. Have fun and be safe in it.

 

I see you're already experience the wonderful mileage this car gets...you got it yesterday and you're already filling her up?!?

I have an '06 and never flooded my car. But I do the "Rev to 3K for 10 seconds" if I do a short trip like that...

anyways, welcome and congrats on the purchase

 

I pretty much keep it safe . I wait till the temp is up to par. Then again , if I'm just going around the block I'll drive one of my other cars . Like you said those issues are pretty much taken care of.

There's alot of info here, so have your wife look around and all her questions will be answer .

Good Luck.................

 

If you are that worried about the flooding, you could install a simple switch that shuts off the fuel pump when you want to shut down the engine, so instead of using your key, you use the switch. That way, the car will never flood, not even when shut down stone cold. I heard that it's fairly common among RX-7 owners to install such a switch (don't know how true this statement is though).
I'm planning to do the same thing as soon as my time permits, even though I never had a flood for over 4 years of ownership - and I have a 2004 which is supposedly more prone to this problem.
I'll do it just to be on the safe side, not because of any bad experience.
IMO the whole flooding issue is blown out of proportion.

 

welcome... What was the price for your wifes car?

I too have an '07 and haven't flooded it yet. Normally, if it gets to 1/4 on the temp gauge, you should be good. I've gotten a little under that 1-2 times, but it still started fine.

 

My 07 hasn't flooded yet, and there are times when I only drive a few blocks and shut her down, and she starts right back up. I have a feeling it will come to bite me int he butt later

 

Letting your engine warm up by idling is not good practice - an engine should warm while it's working. Start the car, wait 10/15 seconds for the oil to circulate (a little more if your in a really cold climate) - then just drive it gently until your are up to full operating temp.

Regarding the flooding - you don't have to completely warm up the engine, just put a little bit of temp into it. If the needle has started to move, you'll be fine. I am not aware of an 07 that has experienced flooding.

 

Welcome!

A short drive like you described is generally enough to warm the engine past the point of flood concerns. Like others have said - once the needle starts to move you should be fine, and that doesn't take long. But, as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention . . .

 

Welcome and congrats on the car. Will the wife let you ring it out on nice weekends?

As far as flooding I don't think you will have to worry about it. Mine's an '05 and has never flooded ever. Just make sure it's at least revved to 3000k before it's ever shut off cold.

Post some pics of the Miata and the 8 when you get a chance. Enjoy.

 

I have heard mixed reviews on that. I started with I am doing and have been problem free. Hopefully nothing changes. Curious though, what is the difference between and engine ideling and the drive wheel moving?

 

Pics of said wife with the car .

 

I don't think there's too much other than wasting fuel. The engine warms up quicker if you drive off immediately.

 

I know, I know, I've read all the mileage complaints. BUT, yesterday after picking up the new 8 with a full tank, we took it 140 or so total miles (70 each way) to visit her Mom. What a great car! She went again this morning (mother is hospitalized) and wanted to fill up before she left, because the gauge showed about 1/2 full. I'll report MPG later.

Yes, I'll take responsibility to wind it up every now and then. Wife never got into the second Vtec cam setting in her Prelude that required about 6500 as I recall.

Also, someone asked what we paid. I then looked and find that we have no copy of the sales agreement. I know what we paid including all taxes and fees, but need to get that contract for the price of the car.

 

Congrats. Two very nice cars and great colours! Now head out to miata.net and put the haterz to quiet!

 

An engine that warms up at idle tends to develop cold spots. It's better for the engine to warm up while moving because it needs to move to "work" - you don't idle it down the street; the engine is designed to warm this way (check the manual).

It's also faster, and less wasteful - especially since you live in Florida! Start it up, listen for the rpm to drop a bit (prob 10 seconds), the drive off - just be gentle with the acceleration and rpm while it comes to up to full operating temp.

 

Congrats to both of you. You know you will driving it too. I never do any warm up procedure on my 8 summer or winter in four years of ownership. Drive it the same as any other car. I move it around cold all the time. Never understood all this flooding and warmup stuff. No need to. Sometimes is cranks afew seconds longer than usual before starting. Always make sure you have a strong battery. Sounds like your getting around 19/20 mpg. The car is a real gem. Enjoy

 

still waiting.........just a reminder though

 

One thing non rotary people are not always aware of is that the rotary engine is oil injected and the dip stick has 1.8qts between the two marks. So expect to add oil or do as I do when it gets near the low mark just have the oil and filter changed.

 

I usually start, and wait until the revs get down to ~1300 before driving off. I've never had any problem starting the car after shutting it down relatively cold. Actually, the only times that I've had to crank longer than normal were after long drives.

 

Wait a minute............


A picture of the wife too.

 

Check your manual for "breaking in" period before bouncing off the rev. limiter. Also, RacingBeat has their own recommendation. Either way, I would not put too much strain on the brand new motor, for a while.

 

+1 Breakin period being no revving for the 1st 1000k miles.


If you do need to drive before letting it warmup past the 2nd coolant line, just keep it under 4k rpm until engine gets to temp, which is about in the middle for the coolant temp reading.

(Note: Coolant reading & Oil pressure reading are both dummy lights) unlike the cars of the yester years, these are designed to stay at a set marker once nominal conditions are met and only vary during warmup. I've seen coolant temp range from 180-208 degrees and the coolant needle not vary on the dash.