Budweiser8Jr

Ive read alot of conflicting information and was wanting some opinions from the day to day drivers of these beautiful machines. Right now my 8 has around 250 miles...

As far as break in, I normally shift around 3K but at times (emergencies) I have had to take the car to 7K for a very short period of time, I know this might be high, but I limit it alot. Any problems here?

I have read where regular 87 octane gas has been working for some and increasing mileage...or should I stick to Plus grade and above?

Lastly, I drive in a very bad area to be breaking in a car (the I75-I70 interchange), so it is really hard to keep the engine revs down at times, I don't want to hurt the engine, but I also don't want to hurt the car in a wreck.

All in all, I love the RX-8, it is the sexiest car I have ever owned, I want to make sure she is with me for a long time so I just want to make sure I take care of it. In the minor abuse I've given the engine, what are the long term effects? I do have the 7 year, 85K warranty if anything arises.

rx8wannahave

Dont' worry about rare events during break in and go to Racing Beat's website for a detailed break in for the rotary.

It can take 87 without much of a problem from what I hear, but this past fill up the button was stuck at the gas station so I put in 87 (for the first time) instead of 93 and after being in the 20's the previous 3 out of 4 fill up's I went back down to 18.7. So...the saving gas thing didn't work for me and the savings are too little to care honestly.

I stick to Chevron 93 for the cleaning agents and quality of fuel.

But...87-93 is just fine, remember 91 is the recommended.

I'm glad you love your 8, again...don't worry about rare events and while your on the highway you should be in the 3.5-4K range so don't worry about it. Go to RB's website...

Welcome and read read read, you will learn alot. Enjoy the ride...

fredw1

Proper break-in will ensure a longer, trouble-free engine life--at least so they say. There are all kinds of recommendations from Maxda's "drive sensibly" to Racing Beat's recos to even more conservative regimens. If you have the MT, then shift sooner than normal, but I think 3K might be just a little bit too conservative. I think I tired to keep mine below 4500 during break-in, but went to 5K a couple of times. I'm not too worried, though.

dazygirl415

Perfect solution: take a road trip so you reach the break-in mileage point sooner.

HolyCross05

what is racing beat's website address?

bascho

Budweiser8Jr, going over the 6K mark for short and infrequent periods is not going to effect the break-in. The thing you really want to watch out for is driving at a constant RPM level for extended periods of time during break-in. Highway driving at the same speed for extended time is no good. Try to vary the RPM levels during break-in and do not red-line if you can help it....you should be ready to let'r rip at the 600 mile mark. Some will tell you 1000.....but that is conservative.

Budweiser8Jr

I gotcha on the road trip. I've put about 200 on it in a 24 hour period. I hated driving till I got this car. I am just overly paranoid, its my first new car I've bought...wanted one since I seen the prototypes.

Now I just gotta worry about snow tires. I may try it on the snow the 1st time with the DSC on, normally driving a manual in the snow I just drive in 5th or 6th except for takeoff. If I feel its dangerous, I'll park it and buy a crapper.

Bad_Karma_RX8

www.racingbeat.com

Found by: www.google.com

bascho

I drive mine in Michigan this time of year with the stock tires......it can get very scary. The DSC does not help in the snow with the stock thread....but those with snow tires have had good luck. I am lucky because I am able to car pool with my wife easily enough....so winter tires are not a necessity for me at this time.

Go48

Do a search for and read the threads related to snow and snow tires before you "try it". I don't have any experience with driving this particular car in the snow myself, but I've read many threads on this forum about others experiences driving this car in the snow with the summer tires--enough to convince me that it's not a smart thing to do. And I grew up in MI and learned to drive in the snow with (less powerful) rear-drive cars. Do yourself a big favor, go ahead and get a beater for the snow driving. Or get snow tires for the RX-8.

Raptor2k

About the gas, just use Mazda's recommended 91 or higher to be on the safe side, unless you're counting pennies. For performance, some people on the forum say they notice more acceleration with 87, others say they do with 93/91, and I can't really tell for myself.

dazygirl415

I actually noticed less acceleration with 87 than 93 (since I can't find 93 around here). But that's my butt dyno talking.

Can't help you in the snow tire department, sorry, but I hear stockies suck.

yiksing

Some say break-in gently, some say hard. The only thing I can say is do whatever you want as long as the oils are warmed enough and you don't stay at a specific rpm.

Budweiser8Jr

Right, I have been staying under 3K until it reaches operating temp. Then I try to keep it under 5.

wisconsinben

This is sound advice. I "tried it" in the snow with stock rubber. VERY SCARY! I'm so glad I've invested in winter wheels and tires. My car went from nearly impossible to control to having more control than your average passenger car. If you will be driving in snow more than once or twice a year...get new rubber.

Budweiser8Jr

See, I live Ohio, so it is only treacherous once or twice a year down here. This morning I drove in a sleet/rain mixture, got in 6th gear as early as possible and never lost control once.

I have considered everything said, the only thing I can think to do is take it to a local parking lot when we do have snow on the ground and see if it fits my comfort level.

I am somewhat familiar with street tires in snow, I had Falken Z's on my lowered S-10 manual before and had minimal traction issues, as long as I drove within the limits of the weather. I normally go 30 mph in snow...im not one of the people who think they are glued to the road in low traction issues.