So to feel like I've not been lied to about anything, I'm going to call my dealership today and ask a few questions.

I only have a few, but if you guys could help me compile a list of important things to ask them, that would be awesome!

So far:

• ECU Flashes (or PCM? something about firmware updates)
• Squeaky brakes
• Battery Issues ( I don't have any so far but from reading, it's my understanding there are some)
• Updated Starter (Do i have it)
• Proof that all recalls were dealt with
• Where the hell is the plugin?? It's freakin winter!
• Clutch making noise when engaged (foot off) then going away when clutch is pressed down

The "resident rx8 expert" at my dealership likes to discredit everything you guys say as in i mention i read a lot of people online talking about such and such and he'll say it's wrong and proceed with some explanation of why.

But if you guys have suggestions PLEASE share them =)

 

I'm assuming you are looking to buy an 8.

Ask for a carfax. Get the VIN and run it on the MazdaUSA website for information on recalls.

Squeaky brakes fall under warranty, I believe, because they are a Technical Service Bulletin issue. Check for the TSB and what warranty it falls under.

Squeaky clutch is also another TSB. If you still have the warranty for it, they have to fix it. Tell them it's a life or death situation (it really can be).

Unless it's an 04/05 car, you won't need to worry about an updated starter. If it is an 04/05, the Carfax or MazdaUSA report will tell you if warranty work was done for the starter.

Plugin? What plugin?

Get the carfax. I didn't get the carfax with my car and I sort of regret it. The dealer should give you a carfax report for free - if they don't, claim shenanigans and call them cheapskates.

Also:
1) Test drive the car. Start the car, warm it up for 15-20 minutes (light driving), and slowly bring the car to the redline and just past it (hear the beep for one second, then shift up). You may need a long straight area or an on-ramp to do this legally. The noise should go from a low rumble to a loud and higher pitched whine at the end. If you hear any weird thumps or noises in between, take note of it. It may be the sound of the VFAD opening, but that's at a very specific RPM.

When you let off the gas, you may hear some thumps while the rpms come down. That's pretty normal.

You should feel a stronger pull once you pass 4000rpms. If you don't, there may be something wrong with the electrical system, or the engine may need to be de-carbonated.

I'll edit for more information when I think of it.

 

I actually just bought one, a 2006. These are questions I've gather on my own. Or something I couldn't find the answer to here on the forums. Thanks for letting me know that stuff is under warranty tho!

When you say "What plugin?" Are you implying that there isn't one or that you don't understand what I'm talking about? (It's a big thing to me because this 8 is gonna have to make it through Canadian winters =)



Oh and the original buyer had the 3 years 100,000km warrenty, and i got till the end of 2009, so I wanna get all of this stuff done ASAP!

 

RX-8 didn't have a block heater option, you will have to add one. Others here have done so .
You can Call Mazda Corp and they can check the recalls based on your vin. If your up to date on recalls you are up to date on flashes. The most recent flash was also part of a recall.
Dealer is supposed to place a blue sticker some place under the hood/ door jam for recalls.
Starter not an issue on an 2006.
If your 8 starts up fine the BATT is ok.
Clutch & brakes would be an local dealer issue

 

There are multiple warrantys - 4 year 60k powertrain (might be 6/80, not sure), 8 year 100k engine, and a bumper to bumper warranty that i can't remember. You should still qualify for every warranty.

Since you've bought it already, you can ignore the second part isaid above lol...

And no, I do not know what you mean by "plugin".

 

Thanks man! Anything else I should ask them about?

(btw, your avatar is ridiculous!)

 

'twas the block heater.

 

BeetleJuice Is the man!! They will not do this for free but I would pay for a compression test. Getting a baseline reading now could be useful later if you have an engine issue.

 

When you say "plugin" are you talking about a block/battery heater? If so there is no OEM option, and many aftermarket choices. I know there has been a lot of discussion on the forum by the Canadian owners. I did some research when I moved from VA to Chicago and ultimately came to the conclusion that it was not needed. Two winters in Chicago, real cold for a few months, and no starting problems. Just let the car warm up properly and make sure that your battery is good. Since the car is new to you, I would recomend getting a new battery.

P.S. Get snow tires if you don't have them already!

Edit: Expo beat me to most of this. Got called away from my desk in the middoe of writing a responce.

 

When was your car purchased for the first time? How many miles do you have? Thats when your B to B starts. This is automatically transfered to you with the remainder of the time. Here is what Mazda says on the 2006...

Mazda warrants that new 2006 Mazda cars and trucks will be free of defects with normal use and prescribed maintenance for 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Ordinary maintenance items, adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and certain other items are excluded. This transferable "limited warranty" is included on all new Mazda vehicles sold and serviced in the United States.

 

Rosenthal Mazda has posted all the open Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that are open for the Mazda RX-8 here: http://www.finishlineperformance.com....php?pageid=11

There are TSBs for clutch noise and squeaky front brakes that you can print out and take to them.

2006 has upgraded starter and battery already. However, I'd consider a new battery since they last about 4-5 years max and you live in Canada where it's much colder.

2006 was last year for 4/50K mile US warranty before it went to 3/36K miles. You should still be under the b2b warranty with only 10K kilometers.

 

Thanks! I just got back from the dealership and he showed me all of the stuff done to the car, it's all up to date and had select recall and TSB stuff done to it.

Apparently my 3 year warranty for recalls and such ends on the 8th of this month, But have the 5 year, 160,000km still in effect for the power train =)

I have a time booked on Monday for them to look into the clutch noise.

Also, they don't have the machine capable of doing a compression test here but said they could use one in the area if i wanted ($200 CAD labour cost)

Told me never to touch full synthetic oil ever; I also showed him royal purples rotory claim on their website.

All in all I'm pretty satisfied about all the rest of the information matching up from this forum and to what he said. Thanks guys!

 

Didn't realize Canada was shafted that extra year that the US got on the b2b warranty till 2006.

Just to make sure you're aware: a recall is always covered in or out of any warranty. So that engine flash reprogramming was a recall for any RX-8.

The TSBs are covered free only if your car is under the b2b warranty otherwise you will have to pay up or see if you can get your dealership to cover it. Maybe since your car's warranty recently ended, they'll cover it.

No need to go into the great debate about synth versus dino oil. Up to you what you want to use. What everyone does agree on is that 8 owners should forget 5W-20 and got to at least 5W-30.

 

I actually don't know the what any of the numbers and letters represent...From my understanding it's the weight and viscosity?

Without starting a flame fest on me, telling me to search the forum, what do those numbers and letters actually mean, why does Mazda suggest 5W-20 and why does everyone agree that 5W-30 is the beez-neez?

 

This is a big issue. Do some reading here before you have them look at it.

Sounds a little high to me, but you can expect to be charged something for this service.
I doubt he has done as much research as some people on this forum. Read up and make your own decision. Hard to tell if there is a one size fits all "right decision".
Forget about the dealership as a source of good info. Continue to learn about your car, and you should be in good shape. Read, read, read.

 

Oil questions start a flame fest, because there are many many threads on the same questions already and people do not search or look at stickies.

Go to this forum and look at the stickies on oil: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/

I've pointed you in the right direction. Come back and tell us what you've learned.

 

all the rx8s i've test drove, and my personal one makes a noise when you press the clutch in and when its engaged in netural, i think thats normal, just the flywheel spinning.

my brakes randomly squeak, had them checked, nothing wrong so idk.

gl

 

2006 shouldnt have any squeaky brake issue. even it does the solution is they gonna put some lube on the clips anx send u away.

starter is up to date

battery might die one day with ano prior warning. it usually last 3 yrs or less


o for brakes they might not do it. it depends on how good the dealership is

oil .... they use 5w20 cuz we got a load of tree huggers and a bunch of politicans that are clueless about science. thats how catalyst converter was born and look at how it fuxked us over

use at least 10w40