Mazda RX8 interesting facts
October 12, 2008 · Print This Article
The RX-8 is anything from an ordinary car. From the unique 1.3 litre Wankel rotary engine to the rear-opening passenger doors this car is truly a modern marvel. Below is a compiled list of some of the more interesting hidden-features embedded in each RX-8. These fun facts were borrowed from the knowledgable forum members here and at RX8Web.com
- The RX-8 has an aluminum hood that incorporates Shock Cone technology to minimize head injuries in the event of an accident with a pedestrian
- The RX-8 power steering is electric instead of the old style hydraulic systems
- The RX-8 has a return-less fuel system. This means warm fuel isn’t returned to the tank and fuel evaporation is reduced.
- The RX-8 actually holds approximately 7 liters of oil, but when you change the oil only 4 liters are drained and replaced. This is because the oil cooler(s) are not drained when you drain the oil pan.
- The RX-8 has an electric power steering system. If your RX-8 engine stalls for whatever reason (i.e. run out of fuel) then the electric power steering continues to operate allowing you to steer safely to the side of the road.
- The electric power steering management is based, like the engine AFRs, on a programmed map that takes into consideration vehicle speed, steering input torque and engine speed.
- The RX-8 steering wheel has a magnesium core to save weight.
- The front seatbelts can be buckled into the rear seatbelt clasp but cannot be unclasped. DO NOT DO THIS.
- The bonet and rear doors of the RX-8 are aluminum. Additionally, they arent welded together but instead joined via friction.
- The combustion chamber is covered with a resin coating to improve the initial engine break-in.
- The Eccentric shaft has a bypass valve that opens when the oil is cold to allow cold oil to bypass the rotors and help reduce the engine warm-up period.
- RX8s already have the seat heater wiring in place in the center console, even if you dont have leather seats or seat heaters.
- The RX-8s fuel tanks contain two roll-over valves that close and stop your charcoal canister from being contaminated with fuel in the unlikely event of an RX-8 rollover.
- The glove compartment light is on all the time while your headlights are on.
- It is possible to disable the TCS/DSC completely on an RX-8 by pressing and holding the DSC switch until both indicator lights illuminate.
- Additonally, the dealership technicians can tell if youve set the DSC/TC to full off mode because doing it stores a fault code.
- The RENESIS rotary engine utilizes a metered oil pump to inject a small amount of oil onto the apex seals of each rotor to keep them lubricated and reduce failure.
- The RX-8 Tire Pressure Monitor System has both a low pressure and a high pressure setting.
- The high frequency sound you hear under the hood when the key is on but the engine is off is the electric throttle actuator pushing the throttle butterfly toward closed, waiting for you to start the engine.
- Every time you first start driving the RX-8 there is an audible thump heard from the car. That is the ABS braking system performing a self-test.
- The manual RX-8 models have a carbon fibre drive shaft (the non-UK auto has a steel drive shaft).
- The carbon fibre drive shaft is protected from damage by shields and the connector pipe of the exhaust system.
- A spare tyre is not supplied as standard.
- Not tightening your gas cap correctly after fueling will cause a CEL (Check Engine Light).
- Using the factory supplied tire sealant as a repair requires the replacement of the tyre.
- The RX-8 clutch pedal height is adjustable.
- There is an audible alert tone when your car reaches 8,500 RPMs.
- Chassis Dyno-ing an RX-8 will make the ABS/DSC system think it has a malfunction and give you a CEL. However, if you shut off the DCS and TCS you can dyno the car without causing a CEL or DTC.
- The RX-8s automatic headlight adjusters, for the HID equipped cars, sensor is on the REAR anti-roll bar, which is why a lot of folks complain about headlight aim after they install lowering springs.
- The catalytic converters contain Platinum and thats why theyre so expensive to replace.
- The steel exhaust systems grow in length by about an inch when they are up to temperature.
- It is possible to listen to sounds coming from each individual speaker of your car, in a prescribed order. With the radio on, Press the power button and AUTO-M at the same time for 1 s. The speakers will then sound in the following order: Front passenger side speaker and tweeter, drivers side Front speaker and tweeter, drivers side rear speaker, and finally passenger side rear speaker.
- The early RX-8s had black windscreen washer tanks, and later ones had opaque white so you can see contents without taking cap off.
- All the instrument cluster warning and indicator lights are LEDs.
- The 18″ (non-bright finish) OEM alloy wheels are painted and clear coated.
- The RX-8 has drive-by-wire. There is no accelerator cable. The accelerator pedal sensor is a dual sensor that outputs to the PCM dependant on pedal position. Each sensor is a backup to the other if one fails. The PCM outputs to the throttle body which also has dual sensors.
- The MAZDA RX-8 has a 5-Star roll over rating from the NHTSA. The RX-8 was the only auto in the US that got the 5-star rating.
- The rear brake rotors have 60 vents, while the front rotors have 54 vents. Additionally, the front disks are the largest ever offered on a MAZDA production car.
- The Power train Control Module (PCM) carries out a full sixty step test of the Metering Oil Pump (MOP) every twelfth time the engine is turned off.
- Zoom-Zoom-Zoom is from a 1994 soundtrack CD Only The Strong & was written by a guy named Kao Rossman, performed by Serapis Bey.
- The roof on the RX-8 has structural members that are constructed of nitride treated steel? Nitriding fuses titanium to the steel with nitrogen through heat. This produces a very strong, yet lighter weight (2.2 lbs less than ordinary steel) roof and contributes to better handling.
- The RX-8 employs mode control panels which are 2 circular depressions in the floor panels. These two circles vibrate alternately creating waves which cancel each other out and reduce noise and vibration in the cabin.
- At about 13,000rpm harmonic vibrations will destroy a RENESIS, but it could theoretically live its entire, long life just shy of that.
- There are four side seals in the RENESIS rotor. A keystone to scrape carbon buildup from exhaust gases, a cut-off seal to eliminate blow-by between intake and exhaust ports, and twin oil seals to well, you know, keep the oil where it needs to be.
- There is a Seat Track Position Sensor that tells the onboard airbag system what position your seat is in.
- There is also an airbag sensor in the front seatbelt buckles to tell the system that your seatbelt is unfastened.
- The 190 has larger secondary fuel injectors than the 230.
- The clock on the NAV system is nearly perfectly accurate thanks to GPS.
- The Automatic Level Controls for the radio incorporate a microphone that was tuned to listen to the sounds your car makes while ignoring sounds of other vehicles in order to automatically adjust volume appropriately.
- The boot lip spoiler is fitted in Europe for fuel economy reasons.
- As the rotors rotate the apex seals are actually sucked away from the rotor housing and therefore a spring is needed to keep the seals planted against the trochoid chamber walls.
- The rear differential doesnt use clutch disks like normal LSDs do? Instead it uses a complex series of gears to allow the wheels to rotate at slightly different speeds, but still lock under given conditions.
- The front wheel arch vents are not just for show, but do indeed help to vent hot air from the engine bay.
- The RX-8 employs a first ever multi-link rear suspension for a MAZDA production sports car.
- Each Renesis engine is hand-built (assembled) from start to finish by a single person.
- There’s a special compartment for coins to the right of the steering colum no need to use the ashtray!
- The slot in the driver’s sun visor is handy for car park tickets!
- The ‘virtual’ b-pillar in the rear door is a structurally sound as any saloon car
- The patches on the bumper of the 230 are the headlamp washer covers, and pop out about 7cm under wather pressure to reveal the nossels that spray the headlamps, to prevent the xenon beams from being scattered by dirt. They can be manually pulled out for cleaning.
- The RENESIS name stands for Rotary Engine Genesis But also for Rotary Engine for the New age with Exhaust on the Side and Intake on the Side.
My wife just got rid of her RX-8, thank goodness. Brand new in
September, 2004, the car has been towed in four (4) times, all due to problems with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The first three times were all under warranty, which expired in Sept. ‘08. The last time was last week. And I do mean the last time, for us at least. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Her new Acura RDX is quicker, more comfortable, and a sportier drive than the RX-8. The RX-8 rotary is simply no match for Acura’s turbo 4 cylinder. The only advantage I’d give the RX-8 is dry weather handling (it’s ranges from positively dangerous to merely useless in wet and snow/icy conditions). Sorry Mazda, but there really is no Zoom Zoom Zoom with the RX-8.
Great car!!!
excellent handling, superb performance a ideal car for those who don’t want to follow the masses!
The RX8 is an awesome car. You need to look after it though so no good for numpties with no clue about cars. Wet and snow handling isnt great but then few cars with lots of power, rear wheel drive and fat tyres are.
Better ride than my old 350z, nicer handling than the ‘02 mustang and more bells and whistles than the ‘92 corvette.
I reserve total judgement for now. However it is growing on me quickly!
You drove your sports car in the winter?? I’ll save you time and money- dont do that with any of them. Buy a truck or beater.
well….ya know if you knew how to service the car yourself and actually knew howto drive in all weather conditions, it wouldnt be so scary oooooo
poor reliability,better cars around
Acura better? I guess you can say that if you’re the type of person who is ok with being seen in a Honda…
I agree very much… I am 16 and have one. i love the car. it is very unique and runs very well!
Also i have had it for 2 years and i have never had a single problem.
Just bought 2004 RX8 w/ 57k miles-already have issues w/ power steering -light occasionaly stays on and power steering goes off-also both sun visors are useless due to cheap plastic construction-had A/C suddenly blast hot air out of no where? Seems like this car is possessed! HELP
I have an 04 RX8 and absolutely love it. It is extremely temperamental but if you love it enough to learn how to drive it and take care of it, you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. Yeah, it’s a high maintenance car but I think it’s worth the maintenance. Main point to remember, don’t hop in it and move it with out enjoying a ride around the block first or you’ll be without your wheels until you get it flushed.
I love Mazda RX8, I just bought it yesterday. Its awesome!!!. there is only one problem. Today when I was driving the accelerator pedal just went all the way down and stucked, The engine started reving so bad that i had to switch off the engine. Then after few minutes the accelerator pedal was back at its original position.
please help
I got a 05′ RX8 Auto with paddle shift imported from Japan and i absolutely love it! Never had a problem in the last 2 years, amazing handling and brakes! only thing im gunna do to it is maybe fit a new exhaust and tune the car as its an auto. One thing is that you should regularly check and top up engine oil as they do drink up oil!
Bought my RX8 last year at 49xxx kms now it has 79xxx never really had any MAJOR probs with it just the starter went and i have to change the Oxygen sensor and the brake pressure sensor nothing big when its covered under warrenty. The only bad thing id say about the car is the gas mileage but what do you expect its a sports car. I guess when they designed the rotary they figured it has the power of a V8 so why not have it use as much gas as a V8 HAHA. And yeah for those who say it doesnt perform well in icy/snowy conditions all i have to say is what the hell are you doing driving it in those conditions? Look at the car .. does it look like a winter car? Exactly
I bought my RX-8 a month ago. Due to the Belgian goverment rules. You have to import it as an 2600cc. So high taxes. That’s the only down site that i can think of. Oh yea the miles per gallon (liter per 100km) when you’re a person who loves great cars. Then those to things are no reasons not to buy an RX-8.
Man I love my car. And so do the people who stop at crossovers to take a second look. In Belgium i gues an RX-8 is more exclusive then the Lambo’s, R8’s or Ferrari’s who’re bombing by almost every day.
Let’s hope my car doesn’t suffer from those elektronic malfunctions.
greetz.
Great Car, Just had 20″ rims on, full cat & exhaust system and a huge turbo with new catch can oil coolers etc…Nothing short of awesome!
I’m gutted about the RX8, this is one fine looking car and the sound and performance are stunning, I mean a 1.3 that delivers 231bhp, how exciting, novel and interesting. However, I bought one two days ago., 7 years old but Full main dealer Service History, and low miles (34k) on the clock. Drove home lovely. Couple of days later after sitting on my drive, it is totally broken. Now I realise this car is is hugely tempramental. It is a only a car for godness sake, why cant you just move it about without needing to have the engine flushed??? I’m sorry I am a petrol head, but clearly not enough for this car. Surely any decent car could do 30k on the clock without major engine overhaul???? What is this an Alfa???Looking on the forums, this car needs more tlc than a classic Ferrari. And it is only a Mazda. Nissan and Toyota have given Japenanese cars a reputation for reliability that Mazda cannot fulfil.
well ellie.. you should have done a compressio test before buying an RX8… it alll about how it was maintained before you.
Buy a new ONE or one in good shape, treat it right and you will reach 100k km with no problems.
have a 2004 RX8 having lots of problems.. newest is today.. the “AT” light came on books says ” transmission electrical” any help hints before we take it to the dealer..? also have had problems with lots of wabble.. tried new tires… now it seems they say 2 bent rims..any ideas on replacement rims other than the dealer..?
The problem with “moving the car” is mis-stated here. The real problem is that, if you shut off (or accidentally stall) the engine before it warms up, the computer gets confused and the NEXT time you try to start it it will flood; and a flooded Wankel rotary will not self-clear. That’s where the mechanic comes in. All you have to do is NEVER shut it off before it has a chance to warm up. Normally you only need to wait just until the temperature gauge needle has come off the pin.
P.S. The flooded Wankel engine is in no sense broken; it just needs to have the spurious fuel cleared out, after which it will run fine. The problem is that clearing the flooded engine normally takes a mechanic, and is thereby both inconvenient and expensive.
I’ve had my rx8 for over a year. It’s an 05 shinka. The only so called problem I’ve had is that the clutch pedal bracket broke which I guess is common since Mazda went cheap on that. Everything else is amazing! If you have engine problems, it’s because you aren’t driving it right. You drive it like a Honda and not the sports car it is. Never shut it off before it’s at normal running temp. If you need to, rev it to 3000 rpm for a couple seconds and then hit about 6000rpm+ to clean out the engine. You won’t have problems. Also it’s a good idea to hit red line every now and again to clean out the carbon in the engine. It’s a drivers car, not a Honda!
Ps. No need to take it to a dealer if it’s flooded. Just go by the manual. If that isn’t working, take drivers side tire off, take out the sparkplugs and kick it over for a few seconds. Fuel will come out. Put the plugs back in and it should start up fine.
You have got to be kidding me! I love my 04 RX-8 in all its glory. However, In the pass year I had nothing but trouble with my car. I have replaced my spark plugs about four times(in the dealer). For every time I carried it to them, they had no clue as to what can cause the spark plugs to go bad. I now have a private mechanic who is really good, but still no clue as to why my car stalls after getting off a highway. Can any one give me a clue as to why this is happening?
Ps. I always allow my car to reach its normal temperature before driving.
@Georgina : You probably need to change your ignition coils as well, not only the spark for better fuel burning.
Same problem with stalling after highway use, apparently it could be a bad catalytic converter. I’m going to have mine checked this week. Of course I’ve had 3 sets of plugs, wires, and coils in 20K miles and the dealer is clueless too.
Ignition coils. They’re known to go bad every 25K or so. Check it out.
I LOVE my RX-8, I hope to drive it forever. And then some more.
looking to buy a rx8 192 and need to know more info, such as the things to be aware, and any other important info on the rotary engine as my knowledge very little of them
I have a 2005 and in the past 2 months my check engine light has turned on 3 times. the dealer first told me it was the gas cap, then it was the evap pump shorting out along with the purge valve was sticking. I don’t trust the dealer anymore so does anyone have an idea what it could be?
I love my car, but I’m getting so tired of getting it fixed.
Like everyone mentioned B4, its not a honda, just put better oil in it, i use 5w 30 non synthetic better lubrication than 5w 20 of course, maintain it like its a newborn they tend to be bi polar sometimes but when you treat it good it will pay you back 100x better.
Just read comments about flooded engines. I called out Mazda Assistance the first two times this happened to me but all you need to do is remove the fuel pump fuse and then turn the engine over for no less than a minute, pop the fuse back in and fire her up. This works for me everytime. I’ve been told and it has been proven that if I take my car out the garage, clean it and then some time later put it back in the garage - it will be flooded. The moral here so I’ve been told by Mazda is to run the engine up to temperature before cutting it out. If you do want to turn the engine off quickly shortly after starting then rev the engine to 5,000 rpm and then switch off straight away. Hope this helps some of you.
had my rx8 about 4 months no problems at 43,000 just had my oil changed and now it runs like crap you can hear a bass sound throughout the car while running and its terribly hard to start hangs a little bit and it doesn’t have the perk it did before the oil change i’m kinda frustrated now!!
If your clutch pedal has broken please do everyone a favor and report it as a safety issue to the NHTSA. Not only does that increase the odds that there will be a recall and we get reimbursed, but it may prevent someone from getting killed. Also, it will encourage manufacturers to make better products and own up to their cheap designs.
My son and I test drove 1 today. I drove, I absolutely loved it. The car is a rocket, and handles like a dream. After reading these blogs though, I not sure that my son could give it the tlc that it needs. Plus, I was wanting something w/ a little better gas mileage. He already has a gas hog.
bought a used 2004 2 yrs ago at 78 000 km. There is 122 000 km now. No major problems, Just pull fuel pump fuse turn engine over for two or three minutes then replace fuse to correct flooding problem. Then get oil change immediately. Drivers side sun visor an issue. The car is fun to drive first thru third gears is very quick. And know that engine burns a bit of oil, so do not panic when oil light comes on.
JUST BOUGHT 05 this car is amazing, its like having a unique looking car you don’t see one in every driveway. yes it does have some quirks like warmming up befor restarting and likes its oil other than that a real pleaser to the road mine is a manual been up to one thirty mph still had some more handling was impressive one sweet ride also had a custom cat back exhaust with glass packs sounds better than aftermarket. i’ve had a lot of sports car i like this one the best!!!!!!!
Just bought my rx8 three months ago. I love the car and don’t regret buying it. It has the automatic trans with the slapstick which i like, but it does have the power steering problem that others have been talking about. I’ve been a mechanic for over 20 years, but I haven’t took the time yet to crawl under it to find out what’s going on with the PS. When I do, I will post what I find. I have put the scanner on it and it does show a torque sensor code, but I talked to a guy at mazda, and he said it’s a connection problem, but he didn’t say where. As I said, when i find it, I’ll post it on here to help others fix their own cars and save some money.
Other than the PS problem, I love the car. I plan on keeping her for a while.
I BOUGHT MY RX8 HI POWER NEW IN 2004 ,I LOVE THE CAR ,BUT EVERY THING HAS GONNE WRONG,2 X CLUTCHES,1X GEARBOX,ENGINE REPLACED @ 99000 AND AGAIN @ 120 000,LAMDA SENSORS,CAT THIS CAR HAS COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND IN SOUTH AFRICA PARTS ARE NOT CHEAP,IM THINKING OF PUTTING IN 20B TWIN TURBO,ANY IDEAS