310Guy

I’ve averaged about 12-13 mpg with mixed driving.

I had called, e-mailed and written a letter to Mazda about this. Phone call was a waste of time, as well as the e-mail. I did get a response to my letter but it was a form letter saying that MPG is just estimated, blah, blah, blah. In fact, Mazda’s response said I had told them “the dealership checked my car and everything was fine.” When I read that, I said WTF? I was pissed because I had NEVER even gone to a dealership (nor said anything like that) and the person writing the letter on behalf of Mazda obviously did not read my letter.

I wrote another letter to Mazda saying their customer service was horrible and my car was still having poor fuel mileage (not to mention that my first letter had obviously not been read).

So, before I heard back from Mazda on my second letter, I went in for my airbag recall and mentioned my poor fuel mileage and the “L” flash possibly helping this issue. Of course, Santa Monica Mazda did not know anything about this flash but that the master tech would call Mazda. Yeah, right.
(Here’s another nugget: Santa Monica Mazda’s service department didn’t even know what Mazdaspeed was and didn’t know the parts were made BY Mazda. )

Anyway, recall was done but NO follow up about my gas mileage. In fact, before I would sign the order papers to get my car back, I had them add to the comments area that I had complained about the fuel mileage. Otherwise there would have been no documentation about my complaint.

Now, I got a phone call from Mazda regarding my second letter. I’m going back to Santa Monica Mazda to have a fuel consumption test/reading done. They are also going to keep the car all day and drive it around to see how quickly it does drink up fuel. Mazda is also giving me a rental for the day.

Here’s my problem with all of this and maybe I just don’t understand the “business” of car dealerships, but why not just take a fuel consumption reading in the first place? Why did I have to go through all of this? Are Mazda service people that incompetent?

I’m done venting.

More to follow after my service visit on Wednesday, 3/31.

misterdc

I feel your pain. I'm getting 10.6 MPG. Maybe 11 on this tank. I was with Culver City Mazda and the service department was the same way. Never have I felt like the kid the jocks beat-up in the locker room like when I mentioned "L" flash to them.

I've called, emailed, mailed, etc. Then I called Galpin Mazda in Van Nuys. I go in Monday. They were SO understanding and said that my mileage is wrong! I'm not crazy! They're going to run tests, update the PCM, and get Mazda tech on the phone.

Fingers crossed.

310Guy

Damn, 11 mpg? Do you have an auto or 6-spd? Also, when did you purchase your 8?

Well, I hope things work out for you. Keep us posted about what happens at Galpin.

I probably should have told Mazda North America that I wanted Galpin to look at my car. He asked which dealership I would like to take my car to and I just said Santa Monica because it's the closest to me. Oh well...

Only bright side for me is today (Sat.) I'm finally having all my Mazdaspeed parts installed. WooHoo! (I'll still waiting to install the K&N intake until my fuel issue is addressed. I don't want Mazda saying the intake is the reason for the poor fuel mileage.)

TM45

I have averaged 19.7 in mixed driving since I got the car and when I floor it more often than normal, the worst I can do is around 16.

Driving styles vary, but with 11, 12 or 13 something is wrong with the car.

It would be interesting to hear what they tell you, 310guy.

Doesn't California have a lemon law?

DrComputer

Like I stated previously, Galpin did do the L reflash for me once I asked then sternly and called Mazda Customer Service. They even put an official "Mazda certified modification" sticker under the hood with the L reflash part number on it. I've had one tank of gas since the reflash.... still only getting about 13-15 MPG though. Not sure it really did any good.

310Guy

From my understanding, the test is specifically a fuel consumption reading. Whether or not they do any type of re-flash, I do not know...

Navybeardbb

dude 310 guy i know exactly what you mean. I went to my dealer and hinted them to give me the reflash but they didn't, they just looked at it and said everything was okay... Also i told the tech. that i get about 14 mpg on the FREEWAY, and he looks at his 'partner' and says "hey bob 14mpg is that about right?" and bob just shook his head yes. I was like uhhh...great. i just want the M reflash.

310Guy

As mentioned above, I've installed my Mazdaspeed parts. I can't wait to see if the dealership will say anything about them...

Pix here: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=24258

310Guy

I have a funny feeling this is all going to be a waste of my time.

I just dropped off my 8 and asked specifically what a "fuel consumption test" consists of. The service "writer" gave me a blank look and said he didn't know. All he could tell me is the general service manager was going to drive my car tomorrow.

WTF?

That's just great. And then what?

I've called Mazda USA but the customer service person that had been helping me was gone for the day.

The best part is, my loaner car is a Mercury Sable. Now, I'm not knocking the Sable but I don't think this car has been clean (at least the inside) since 2003, which is the year of the car.

Yeah, I'm guessing this whole thing is going to be a waste of my time.

Navybeardbb

a sable, ouch my car salesman told me that if i ever needed they would loan me a subaru most of the time.

310Guy

Well, I got my car back. Nothing was done. The service manager claims he drove the car for just over 70 miles and got 18.4 mpg. That's amazing since the best I've ever gotten was 17.3 mpg over a weekend with mostly freeway driving. It doesn't make sense.

I don't know what to do. He called Mazda and told them of his "results." I can't help but feel that I've been screwed here; i.e. the dealership is too lazy to really spend some time helping me with my problem.

I was told the service tech did check for any DTCs and allegedly didn't find anything. If that WAS done, I'm really confused. I was hoping that some code would have tripped with the diagnostics test, e.g. A/F mixture, too rich, etc.

I just don't know if it's worth my time anymore to continue to push this issue with Mazda.

I've done my own total mpg average calculation. During the time I've been keeping a log, 1310 miles, I've averaged 14.5 mpg (which is better than I first stated only because I had previously eliminated my worst and best averages to get a better sample). Again, this is mixed driving. I just don't get the mileage the service manager got, it just doesn't make sense.

****, I'm at a total loss on what to do, if anything...

RenesisPower

You let them drive your car for 70 miles ?

Guys, I have two neighbors who work for Mazda in Irvine and they tell me that the refalsh is intended for the flooding problem and has nothing to do with fuel consumption.

Mazda is very concerned with the flooding problem and is dilligintly working on it but there is less of an urgency on MPG.

310Guy

I did not go and ask for the reflash. I only stated that I was getting poor fuel mileage. During my initial visit I mentioned that I heard the reflash *might* help with fuel economy.

moogle

goodness 10mpg... that's like the gas guzzler of a viper.

310Guy

Funny part now is the service manager at Santa Monica Mazda won't return my phone calls. What an ***.

I'm beginning to believe his "results" were bullshit.

RevRaz

Maybe talk to another dealer. I have close to 2k miles now and I'd say I average about 22 mpg.

310Guy

Auto?

RevRaz

Sorry, I didnt read where your's was an AT, mine is MT.

310Guy

That's still pretty amazing, though, 22 mpg. Good for you. There's plenty of members who are not close to that average.

rx8spiritR

hold it there, sorry for disturb, but what is a "L" reflesh? what is it about? your can runs 13-15???? so it'll be a full tank every 3 day, you're paying over 450 every month if you're putting 91 for your car. which is more then people who drive STi and Evo nor 350Z, my FD used to run 4 days per tank. SO is this another problem with the 03 rx8???? damn, i'm about to get it probly this saturday or next week. don't scare me now, at this point i already know there is air-bag problem, horse power short, engine flood, over heat, and even MPG problem, **** that KILLS!!!!!!! y you don't talk to a lawyer about your situation? i'm sure with those attitude mazda have gave you, they will pay for it. THEY SHOULD!

310Guy

Well, lucky for me my daily commute has changed (less) since I purchased my 8. So I'm not re-filling every three days. Usually about one a week (average about 200 miles/week).

Don't need to talk with an attorney...

RevRaz

Any better for you yet? Even after driving in the 100 degree temp last week and running full A/C I still got 22.8 mpg on my fillup this morning.

Puppy1

CALL THE OWNER - BOB HORTON, he was very happy to help me after I had a really bad experience with the "DIS-Service" Manger.

mikeb

puppy 1
where have you been??

ptiemann

@rx8spiritR:

Don't make it worse than it really is.

There is no airbag problem. If you pick up your car next week, then it will have the airbag fix applied already.

Same about the heat shield. You car will be fine.

There is no serious flooding problem. I've pulled my 8 out of the garage tons of times without letting it warm up or similar; never flooded it. I think to flood it, you need to (almost) floor the gas and then shut it off right away.

About fuel economy.. that's *borderline* a problem. I don't know how you calculate the $450 / month. Do you drive 40000 miles a year? I drive 30000 miles a year and if all were driven in the RX-8 it would cost me $300. That's assuming 20 mpg and a price of 2.40. It runs fine on 87 Octane by the way. I got the M flash done, at first no change in mpg, but last tank was a hair rising 26 mpg. Yes, that's doing accurate math, no fuzzy estimate.

The hp shortage.. is not a problem, it is a fact. Maybe Mazda's honesty in this point is a problem. The car doesn't feel faster than a Boxster (216hp?) to me.

-Peter