word. i don't understand why people feel compelled to set off at 2k rpm and not shift until 5k. i usually set off at about 1250 rpm and shift at about 3k. in stop and go traffic that's more than enough power...what am I missing here? I drive spiritedly for sure...the other day i was just cruising around in 2nd at 6.5k just so i could punch the throttle everyonce in a while. But in everyday driving, I don't understand the techniques some use around here. Seems pointless really, unless they just like the sound and feel of it.

 

I take off from about 1.5k, sometimes with the radio I get lost on the long clutch and start at like 2-2.5k.
I shift at 3k in normal drives. If I run up the RPMs in traffic I'll just skip a gear to get them back down.
When I'm in the mood, the fun starts at 5k.

Yea, now I know why everyone bitchs about gas mileage. Mazda put the VFAD in for a reason.

 

Was that at my post? I get 19 mpg, 80% city, '04.

 

OK. Sure... You probably taken a Renesis engine appart and noted that there was not much carbon build up because you reved it...
Until people doesn't see actuall facts, then everybody should just stop speculating and guessing.....tyring to play "rotary experts".
Well... This is true for the older rotaries... The fact is that the new ones "Renesis" this fact is just a speculation. This is not known yet for certain... I am not sure if the carbon can escape as it did on the older versions being that the renesis has it's exaust ports on a different location.....
Time will tell.

 

Very few owners get crappy mileage. If you drive it mostly in city stop-and-go traffic, then of course you'll get crappy mileage. Search through the polls and you'll see a couple on mileage. Personally I get 17-18 city, 23 highway.

My normal launch is 1500-2000; Autocross launch is 5000. I shift at 4-5000 when in normal traffic. Spirited driving goes to 7000 or so, with the occasional 9000 to blow out the tubes. Track shifts are 8500-9000.

 

normal everyday driving i shift at around 4-5k. when im playing, well...you know....9k.

 

Suggested shift points are in the owners manual. They seem reasonable for conservative city traffic.
The beauty of the rotary is that your have such a HUGE rpm range to choose from!Hell you can to 64 mph in 2nd! Now do you want to?
Want a car to last? . . Never use RPM's you don't need. Piston/rotary/electric . . doesn't matter. Friction & speed never did any mechanical device a good deed even if designed for it. One of the reasons diesels last so frigging long is the extremely low speed of their pistons. (Other factors are at work as well but you do not see 250,000 miles before ring wear on a gas engine.