First off, hey everyone, this is my first post to this forum. I just bought my first ever RX8 yesterday. I'm not too familiar with the operation of the vehicle yet but I'm getting the hang of it. I purchased the Sport AT model with the Grand Touring Package and the 6-disc CD Changer. The car looks amazing. Now my question is when I test drove it before buying, I accidently put it into the manual mode. I didn't realize this until I was already on the road. So while driving, I heard a loud beep and then realized I was overreving the engine, so I quickly slowed down and shifted it back to full auto. Now I'm just wondering if I caused any permenant damage to the engine by doing this? I'd appreciate any replies and suggestions for a 19-year old new RX8 owner. Thank you.

 

Unless you are focused on going through the break in period properly or if the engine was cold I wouldn't worry about it. And if it only happened once I really don't think it will hurt the engine. But people have different views on breaking in a car properly. I read somewhere on here that the first 20 or so miles of an engine's life are the most critical. Some said it should be pushed very hard these first miles while some said it shouldn't. I want to say most said it should be. Well, if anything your in a better position than me. My car had been test driven for 500 miles before I bought it. Imagine how many people redlined it every day and beat the crap out of the engine when it was cold? Hopefully the dealer stalled them while it was warming up(the first dealer I went to did that to me, the guy wouldn't get out of the car and let me drive it. Glad he did though, it was the managers GT I was testing, haha. Oh well, I have no issues, I am getting 21 mpg in mixed city/highway driving and after 8,237 miles she still hasn't complained once.

 

First of all, welcome to the boards. Second, while most would agree (myself included) that properly breaking in the engine should be done before reving the thing to mighty hell. Many others would also disagree as well. How long were you driving for while hearing the beep. Even on properly broken in cars, it isnt healthy to just hang on the rev limiter for long periods of time. Either way, I hope its ok and good luck to you. Congrats on the purchase.

 

Thanks for the replies. As to how long I was driving while hearing the beep, not long at all. As soon as I heard it, I let off the gas and it quickly stopped. I'd say the beep lasted about 2 seconds. The thing is though, when I purchased it, it already had 192 miles from being driven from a dealership in Tampa up here to Jacksonville, so it was past the 20 mile break-in period you were talking about. So hopefully it'll be alright and if not, I still have that 4 year/50,000 mile warranty so it's all good for now. They are still supposed to install a spolier on it as I purchased one. That should happen next week. After that, I'll post some pics even though you guys have probably seen millions of them

 

I really think you will have no problem at all. And I seriously doubt your engine will give you any grief just because of that incident before 50,000 miles. One guy someone around here, I think Lambert has over 100k miles and no major problems I think. That 20 mile thing could have been on piston cars for the seating of the piston rings or something, can't remember the thread I read that in.. Your car is fine, I wouldn't worry about it. Congrats on the purchase and let's see some pics!

 

there are threads that go on and on about the break in period, best thing is to do just look it up on the search engine and just see other peoples opinions, and another thing, the AT 8 you can put it in manumatic mode whenever you want, an example if your going 40 mph in straight AT, you can just shift it to manumatic mode and just ride through the gears, its not hurting anything.... good luck and congrats

 

congrats on the purchase my friend, a couple pointers:

1. the beep is normal, its a warning about how high the rpm's are. we owners actually like hearing it once and a while and it is perfectly fine for a broken in engine. follow the proper breakin then enjoy the high rev's.

2. everything you need to know is on this forum. alot of members get aggrevated if someone post a new thread about an old topic that has been discussed here for years. examples : what kind of oil to use, what is your gas mileage. So to avoid this you can use the search feature. just have some patience and search thoroughly and you can answer just about any question you might have.

3. read the manual, seriously read it front to back, it'll answer ALOT of question for you.

4. take some pics and congrats

 

Nah...no damage. Those engines are spin-rated to...uhhhh...was it 14K? Something like that. Anyway it is the trans that has the limitations and that is why you have the limiter.

 

I understand exactly what this guy is feeling. Whenever I usually get something new, I obsess over every aspect of it and have nightmares of defects and such.

But in the end everything comes together and it usually turns out I was worried about nothing.

 

Your owners manual has break-in recomendations in it too.