Fuel Economy

[GiJoe]

Alright all you RX8 guru's out there, I have a question from a coworker of mine.

Over the weekend he bought a 2009 RX8, that is all I know about it. He came to me for information on it, basic things really. But his big issue with it is the fuel consumption. He aked me if there was anything he could do to get better MPG out of it. I did'nt have a solid answer for him, so I came here to find out.

Any solid ideas let me know.

Thanks in advance.
Joe

 

[R-X-R]

put an egg on the gas pedal

 

[GiJoe]

Well, I don't think thats the answer hes looking for. But he's an old school car guy, that takes care of his cars.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

Well, I don't think thats the answer hes looking for. But he's an old school car guy, that takes care of his cars.

rotaries by their nature suck down a lot of gas... he likely knew this before purchasing.. and if he didn't, he didn't do much research.

 

[GiJoe]

He did, I know a little about rotaries but not near enough to give solid advice on tuning and things like that. I also informed him and he knew more about it than I thought he would.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123759484

 

[GiJoe]

I read through that one already, but did'nt find many answers in it.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

that should help you understand that there really aren't any... as the topic is well discussed.

there really isn't any magic answer. tis the nature of the beast.

 

[GiJoe]

I guess I did'nt really read through the whole thing. I am rereading it now.

 

[solidtrance]

As has already been mentioned there is no magic answer. Getting an AP could help a little (not sure if it is out for the 09's yet). Other than that, the MPG will vary based on his driving style. Drive it with a light touch (egg on the pedal) and the MPG should improve a few ticks. But what is the fun in that??? My guess is that your coworker will start to complain about lack of power soon. Most likely he should have reserched this purchase more (or at all).

 

[GiJoe]

Lack of power how soon in the future?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

As has already been mentioned there is no magic answer. Getting an AP could help a little (not sure if it is out for the 09's yet). Other than that, the MPG will vary based on his driving style. Drive it with a light touch (egg on the pedal) and the MPG should improve a few ticks. But what is the fun in that??? My guess is that your coworker will start to complain about lack of power soon. Most likely he should have reserched this purchase more (or at all).

I still need to get down there so you can take me for a ride... I still have the very bitter taste of the auto I drove in my mouth.

 

[solidtrance]

Anytime the weather is good. Sounds sick with the full exhaust on it now, so it should be a good time.

 

[Ben Vo]

Is it a 6 speed manual? If it is, for everyday driving, he can try to keep the revs to a minimum...changing gears earlier. If I am trying to save fuel, I keep the revs below 4K rpm. 3K would be even better. But like Solid said....thats not very fun. Plus it does not save you that much. The common things also to do is make sure tire pressure is good and the oil is change regulary. The air filter should also be maintained by the manufacture spec. The last thing I notice that might save you a bit is don't down shift in the corners. Use your brakes instead. That might save a bit. All in all, you may see maybe 2-3 mpg improvement.

 

[Mikey444]

When I first saw the thread title, I thought to myself that there is no such thing as fuel economy with a rotary. Sorry, I just had to put it in words. Just have fun driving your cars. If you think of all the gas it pisses away as your driving, you wil never truly enjoy this car for what it is.

 

[Old Rotor]

The gas mileage of the rotary does not bother me at all now that I'm retired and driving very little. My 70' RX-2(my first of seven RX's) got 12mpg in town and 20mpg on the hwy and had 100hp. Now I get 16 in town and 23 hwy with twice the hp.