SkidPadJunkie

Mine is just out of break in and I'm getting 16 in town and 20+ on the highway pretty regularly. I'm using 93 octane Amoco supreme. I commute in mine every day and because there isn't much opportunity to play on my commute because of the traffic, I am shifting pretty close to the recommended shift points they give you in the manual in city driving, which basically works out to upshifts at about 3250. I love that cryptic language in the manual that these are the recommended shift points for "regular driving." As opposed to the kind of driving we all bought the car for and what it was designed to do? Anyhow, when traffic eases up and I can have a little fun I do, but there is sort of no reason to hit five grand on the tach just before braking for the next red light 400 feet away. You're just burning extra gas with nothing to show for it.

My only other gas saving tip is that I have also noticed that this car has an amazing ability to roll without power being applied. Maybe because it is light and aerodynamic and the center of gravity is so low to the ground, but I have been shocked at how easily it will maintain speed without being in gear, it doesn't even take a steep hill, even quite modest inclines will keep it up to speed. There is a small hill going into my subdivision, when I turn into the subdivision I put the car in neutral, and that little hill gives me enough momentum to roll 3 blocks over basically flat ground and turn into my driveway uphill without any loss of speed. I still have to put on the brakes after I roll up into the driveway.

It is never going to be an economy car, and that's not what any of us bought it for, but it sounds to me like something is wrong with it if those are the numbers you are getting, unless you are puttering around town in heavy traffic at 5-6k on the tach constantly for some reason.

Just a wild guess, but I'd have them check the brakes and the traction control system if they can't find anything wrong with the engine. If something is wrong there and you are getting the brakes applied all the time incorrectly, that could be causing it to have low mileage.

Jerome81

12 mpg is pretty damn poor. Could be something with the engine, but also could be a faulty O2 sensor. At least on piston cars, when the O2 sensors go bad the MPG drops significantly.

Be SURE (100%) that you have the new flash. Sometimes dealers give you BS because they don't know what they're talking about. I'm sure you know that.

ml2316

you are an idiot.

SP767

I really appreciate all of you who have posted support and ideas. This is why I really like this forum.

I will bring up all these possibilities with the dealer.

They tell me that they did the M flash, but I don't think that they did. I do the test of stepping on the brake 20+ times with the ignition on and the engine off and I do NOT get a oil pressure gauge sweep.

Appointment is on the 9th of August.

What octane gas do you all think that I should use? I'm using 93 right now. Should I try going down to 87?

steve

ptiemann

Sounds convincing.. but a few people have reported 12 mpg even with a full tank of 'granny driving'. I don't know what/ how their grandmother drives though.


Also I remember that someone had one of those 13 mpg RX-8s, and then got in an accident, totalled, got a new RX-8 and achieved instantly much better fuel economy (with driving style not having changed after the accident, I assume)

This should be considered proof that there has been a problem with some early RX-8s. I repeat my advice that he should get rid of it. Either way.

-Peter

thew

nope.. its just a flash thing.. I have a early 8 that did the same.. the M flash fixed mine..

its not like the newer 8 has any diffrerant componnets in it.. its the same car.. just has the recall fixes from the Line. and shoudl roll off the line with the M flash already embedded.

remember that the * is a very advanced car.. IT has a computer that is 5 times more powerful than the Space Shuttels. (then again, My Lawnmower does to :P) ...

Anyway give it some time.. After the M flash is really done to the car.. it willtake week or so for the ECU to relearn your driving style. ....

IF after that it still deos not get better than 13 mpg.. then theres a real problemb.. Then you start calling it a Lemon .... really loudly .. in the middle of the showroom

IT will be fine..

Katchoo

If you are getting below 15 MPG then something is wrong with your car. Now, if you are driving full throttle on a race track then 10-12 may be acceptable but not on the street.

You need to have your dealer or maybe a performance Mazda tuner take a REAL close look at your car.

Something stuck in the air cleaner box maybe? Have you seen your cat lately?

bigfatpop

SP - Sorry for my rude post. It was uncalled for, and inexcusable.

Again, I apologize.

Jeff

Dlrosie

EatMyBanana - Build date is 4/04. # - 37258

310Guy

I dunno everyone. I got the M flash about a 1,000 miles ago and no improvement whatsoever. I've done everything to see what might be making my mileage SO bad... letting the car shift, using the paddles (and shifting below 3,500 rpms through each gear), etc., no help at all. If I just let her rip, I'll get about 12-13 mpg. If I drive like grandpa, I'll get in the mid-13s. I'm at the point right now that all I say is, "F*ck it." There's nothing I can do about. I'll probably be getting rid of my 8 next year some time; I'll never buy another Mazda again. (And before anyone writes, "You bought a sports car..." I did buy a car that stated MPG would be 18-24 mpg. I get 13 in the city and 19 on the highway. Sorry but that's too much of a difference for me.)

thew

did you try the Break pump test.. ? and did the Invoice from the dealer say "M" Calibration ?

some Dealers are saying there doing the flash but they are not. !!

if you have the flash.. and really really know that you do.. then you need to take that 8 back to your dealer and tell them you will not take it back untill they get you at least 18 mpg. ! ....

Now yours is an Auto so it will not get the same mpg as a stick.. but it should do at least 17 ! mpg....

You have to remember that its not Really Mazda's fault.. its the lame as Service writers that wont let there mechanics do the work !

....

Sounds like you still have the k flash..

ptiemann

indeed not the same... based on what I saw here, the ATs get better mpg. Didn't Elara get 27 over a full tank in an automatic?

mysql101

There are too many people who report ~10 mpg mileage and could not get any better mileage regardless of driving style. I think claiming it's the guy's driving style is barking up the wrong tree.

I almost never do highway and I haven't been able to go lower than 17.5 mpg. Unless I start driving around in 2nd gear at 9,000 rpms all the time, I don't know if it's physically possible to get mileage that low.

MTCD01

Didn't want to start a new MPG thread. My 8 consistently gives me 13-14 MPG with 90% City driving (lowest recorded was 10.2 MPG - all my fault). Last weekend I took it on a 176 mile (each way) trip to the beach. I averaged 77 MPH both ways (up to 95 MPH cruising at 84-88 MPH) and was well above the 4,000 RPM mark, alleged gas guzzling line at 3,750 RPM, I was surprised that I got 22 MPG both ways.

I know that my 13-14 MPG could be improved if I grannied it up a bit (stopped hitting the buzzer) but I enjoy driving and think 2-3 MPG is a small price to pay for the fun factor.

I never thought my car would break the 20 MPG mark let alone do it while traveling 80+ MPH.

Had to share.

thew

I am not sure who thinks its driving style ???

but.. I do not belive that the Auto can get better MPG.. than the stick..
In Weight alone the Auto is a heaver car than the stick.. As long as you drive the Stick withut getting your foot in it.. then the stick should be able to get better mpg than the auto.. I have never heard of an Auto getting better MPG than a stick..


Who has the Weight numbers of the Auto vs. the Stick ?

thew

i was getting 22-25 on my trip to the Grand Canyon.. I avraged 95 mph on the way back to Vegas.. That Leg of the trip i got the best MPG.

(side note)
Oh.. when i take the car to Laguna Seca in Augest I will get to fill it up with 100 Octane unleaded racing fuel.. We will see what that does to the mpg.. Of course my speeds will be much higher than normal to.. :D

MTCD01

Based on what I've read here and what I have experienced myself, 10.2MPG, you should end up somewhere around 8 mpg. MPG is directly related to fun.

Twinturbo2800

ok........ my car has 6,500 miles.... my best MPG was around 18,
i get between 180-215 miles out of every tank ...... ( 93 oct )


is somthing wrong here??? or is this normal for that kinda milage.... seems pretty low 2 me.

thew

18 mpg is good for city driving.. and even Highway if you drive like me..

NoPistonsHere

It is in the Mazda Fast Fact book...but have not gotten to 382 yet I have a 6MT. I got to 338 on a full tank

Curb weight
3029 AT
3053 MT

SP767

I'm really down on my car right now. I am very disappointed. My dealer is giving me the delay shaft. I just bought this car less than two weeks ago, and they tell me that they can't address my problem until the 8th of August because their service department is too busy.

They had my car for an entire week while I was on vacation, and they were to give me the M flash. Well, I dont' have the M flash, so they lied to me or don't understand.

Meanwhile, I'm recording my gas mileage to build a case up. I can't break 14mpg in highway driving, and I am struggling to get 10mpg in casual mixed driving.

This whole problem has completely ruined my buying experience.

I know that they are going to look at the car on the 8th, and I am going to be patient, but while I wait for service, the whole ordeal just depresses me. I'm afraid that i have a lemon and they won't be able to fix it.

Steve

SP767

Can someone please verify for me for sure, what the test is to verify the M flash?

I did a brake test, where i had the ignition on, engine off, and I pumped the brakes 30 times, and NO brake pressure sweep.

Is this the only know test to verify the M flash?

thanks

steve

thew

yes you have the break test right.. if it does not sweep the oil guage after about 20 pumps then you dont have even the L flash...

Why are you allowing them to put you off untill Aug 8th? This is a Warrenty issue and they need to get on it now.. just take it to a diffrent dealer... And tell you old service manager that you do not have even the L flash.. Tell him to show you the print out from the Computer !


I am really having a hard time understanding why they are blowing you off.. How can it be ok to wait untill Aug 8th ? unless you did not demand it.. IT really only takes them 20 mins to hook up the computer to the car... Theres a connector under your stearing wheel .. thats where they hook up.. they dont even have to open your hood.

I mean really this is pissing me off... Give me that guys number !! I want to call him !!!

CAnt you just drive by there and tell the service writer that it must be flashed today ! you aer talking you 8 on vacation and wont even be home on the 8th ~~!


Ugg Crappy Dealers **** me off ...

310Guy

I never got the L flash but I was told by the service rep when I got the M flash that the M flash included the L flash "information."

Does this make sense? I would think so but I don't know if I have to go back and specifically ask for the L flash...

SP767

thew,

Thanks for your support!

Maybe I should do that. Maybe I should take my car to a different dealer.

I have run my tank dry today. 173 miles on one tank of gas!! Crap.

Steve