Its about time... 26 mpg Woot!
#1
"...I'm a Dapper Dan man"
Thread Starter
Its about time... 26 mpg Woot!
I drove from Newport News VA to Aberdeen, MD on 9.5 gallons of gas and pulled a whopping 26 mpg!
I crused at between 65 and 75 mph while on the cruise control the whole way.
Finally things are lookin' a wee bit rosier!
I crused at between 65 and 75 mph while on the cruise control the whole way.
Finally things are lookin' a wee bit rosier!
Last edited by Rotary Nut; 07-01-2004 at 10:18 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Originally posted by Wurmfist
I don't believe it...
Maybe cause yours is automatic?? There's no way in hell I think I could get even 20 out of mine. I wonder what I'm doing wrong?
I don't believe it...
Maybe cause yours is automatic?? There's no way in hell I think I could get even 20 out of mine. I wonder what I'm doing wrong?
I have a MT, run 87 octane Shell, and get close to 20 mpg in 50 hiway/50 city driving.
Also if you don't have the M-flash, get it. Make sure your tires are at 32 psi cold too.
rx8cited
#6
I don't mean to rain on anyones parade but..... you guys bought a rotary powered sports car; rotary cars are known for having higher fuel consumption than piston driven cars. Don't you think its kinda contradictory to buy a car like an RX8 and then turn around and complain about mileage???
#7
Respect the Yellow Line!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think its great that your getting that mileage, however I drive my 8 like I stole it which means about 16mpg for me and Im perfectly fine with that, I bought a sports car because I wanted to go Zoom Zoom.
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Virginia
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes the Zoom-Zoom is why we bought it but look how much the rotary has improved! My first two rotarys (RX-2) got at best 21mpg and had 100hp. Now with more then twice the power I have on three occations been able to get 27.5mpg with cruz at 65mph still useing 87oct gas. My RX-2 got 12mpg in town and the RX-8 get 17mpg. I love the rotary its like driving an electric smooth motor!!!
#10
"...I'm a Dapper Dan man"
Thread Starter
Well yes I use 87 octane Exxon regular, used the cruise at 10 mph over the limit the whole way and yes I have an automatic.
Miles driven: 248.00
Gallons used: 9.54
Odo reading: 7267.00
MPG: 25.99
Miles driven: 248.00
Gallons used: 9.54
Odo reading: 7267.00
MPG: 25.99
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: South Florida
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think he was able to get the improved mileage based on the fact he had just shy of 10 gallons of fuel. This makes the car lighter and more economical. A warning to those who use 87 octane. Be careful and monitor what's going on because when I put some in the other day it was pinging at 6000 RPM. Granted that it was hella hot and humid and I'm at sea level, plus it was probably bad gas. I'm not saying you will have problems, just be cognizant of what's going on. RX8's rule.
#12
Senior Member
Originally posted by JimW
I think he was able to get the improved mileage based on the fact he had just shy of 10 gallons of fuel. ......
I think he was able to get the improved mileage based on the fact he had just shy of 10 gallons of fuel. ......
He used 9.54 gallons, but never said how much he started with .... I'd assume a full tank if one was going on a trip.
I doubt starting with 10 gallons vs a full tank (15.9 gals) has any measurable impact on gas mileage.
rx8cited
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hm... I have yet to break 200 miles before the light comes off (usually when about 3 galons are left) which gives me a sweet MPG of 15 (but more around 12 or 13 usually) in city driving.
Oh well, this is not going to make me like my car any less.
Oh well, this is not going to make me like my car any less.
#14
Registered User
I use premium because I rather spend a little more on gas than compromise performance and/or knock the seals off my rotors so to speak. I usually shift at around 4500 to 6000 rpm and get just under 18mpg combined city/highway (mostly city). I have 6800 miles on the car and have the m flash. No doubt I could do better on mileage by shifting at 2500 to 3000 rpm, I could also probably live longer if I never ate another cookie. Not likely to do either.:D :D
#15
THREAD KILLER
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats! I use all 91 now coz I just noticed that driving all city gives me bad MPG on 87 octane. 91 gives me the best city MPG. If I am planning on driving a lot of highways, I fill up with 87 coz its the best combo in my experience.
#16
Rotary powered since 1988
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nut,
I've followed your other thread about mpg.
great you got 26. wondered if you are using AC?
do you have the vent system set with AC off and air at your feet for that stealth AC. I wish we could set the vent on our feet without the AC coming on.
just passed 5k and I'm at 19.1 overall since the m-flash. 93 octane.
I've followed your other thread about mpg.
great you got 26. wondered if you are using AC?
do you have the vent system set with AC off and air at your feet for that stealth AC. I wish we could set the vent on our feet without the AC coming on.
just passed 5k and I'm at 19.1 overall since the m-flash. 93 octane.
#17
I have always believe there is no such thing as a dumb question so....
Just bought my 8 a couple of days ago. Tell me what this "M flash" is.
Thanks.
Just bought my 8 a couple of days ago. Tell me what this "M flash" is.
Thanks.
Last edited by Dlrosie; 07-02-2004 at 08:49 PM.
#18
Registered
The "M" flash is simply a new ecu program that is loaded into the car by the dealer that retunes the fuel and ignition maps in the ecu to give better mileage/power/responsiveness. Not necessarily all of those at once but that is what it can entail. This only applies to cars that were tuned prior to the "M" flash. Every time Mazda releases a new ecu program, they give it a letter designation. We are currently at M.
I don't buy the "it gets bad gas mileage because it's a rotary" crap. A well tuned rotary can actually do quite well. My old nonturbo '88 RX-7 got about 18/22 when I got it. Remember that car only made 146 hp stock and had a terribly restrictive air flow meter which the RX-8 does not have. With some ecu tuning (Haltech) and a different exhaust that car ended up getting me about 23/29 mpg!!! I actually think it is possible to do a little better than that. Hurley Engineering in England has some 2 rotor cars with nice exhausts and SU carburators that can get 30 mpg hwy and the 3 rotor can get 25 mpg hwy. It is all about tuning.
I don't buy the "it gets bad gas mileage because it's a rotary" crap. A well tuned rotary can actually do quite well. My old nonturbo '88 RX-7 got about 18/22 when I got it. Remember that car only made 146 hp stock and had a terribly restrictive air flow meter which the RX-8 does not have. With some ecu tuning (Haltech) and a different exhaust that car ended up getting me about 23/29 mpg!!! I actually think it is possible to do a little better than that. Hurley Engineering in England has some 2 rotor cars with nice exhausts and SU carburators that can get 30 mpg hwy and the 3 rotor can get 25 mpg hwy. It is all about tuning.
Last edited by rotarygod; 07-02-2004 at 09:04 PM.
#20
"...I'm a Dapper Dan man"
Thread Starter
In answer to those questions.........
WTF! Yes of course I started off with a full tank. The 9.54 was the fuel used or replaced since the start of the trip. You would be stupid not to!
Yes the AC was on the entire trip, upper vents were used only, and no, the recirculate was not on so it was sucking in fresh air from outside, except of course when I was traveling up the BQE on my way through the city.
I have been getting better MPG since I have been using 87 oct. and yes I do get the occasional pinging but that is very rare.
WTF! Yes of course I started off with a full tank. The 9.54 was the fuel used or replaced since the start of the trip. You would be stupid not to!
Yes the AC was on the entire trip, upper vents were used only, and no, the recirculate was not on so it was sucking in fresh air from outside, except of course when I was traveling up the BQE on my way through the city.
I have been getting better MPG since I have been using 87 oct. and yes I do get the occasional pinging but that is very rare.
#21
Rotary powered since 1988
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dlrosie go to this thread in the tech garage good info about the m-flash try the brake tap test ...
M-flash info/questions
Rotarygod ... I still have my 88 GXL 5-speed It's bullet proof ...Guess I will have to sell it now that I have my 8.
M-flash info/questions
Rotarygod ... I still have my 88 GXL 5-speed It's bullet proof ...Guess I will have to sell it now that I have my 8.
#22
Registered
Originally posted by RenoIV
Rotarygod ... I still have my 88 GXL 5-speed It's bullet proof ...Guess I will have to sell it now that I have my 8.
Rotarygod ... I still have my 88 GXL 5-speed It's bullet proof ...Guess I will have to sell it now that I have my 8.
#23
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I get 25 on the highway easy.My automatic gets great MPG compared to manual.I did not buy this car to save money
Last edited by EatMyBanana; 07-30-2004 at 05:40 PM.
#24
Rotary powered since 1988
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm off topic ... No doubt they are fun, light weight and very tossable (sp), I bought it new in Va. one with the car ... lived in Chicago for a while started in the bitter cold every time. never flooded GREAT CAR if I win Mega Millions tonight It stays
like your "..."s
like your "..."s