Associated costs and parts for setting up a GReddy turbo kit
Traditional bolt-ons do close to nothing for the car because it was so well tuned out of the factory. For example, cold air intakes can give you ~3 hp, aftermarket catbacks can give you 2-5 hp. Depending on what product you buy, the bolt-ons can even lower the amount of power your car puts down. Buy... Read More »
RX8 trunk handle
Some people drive their RX-8 around for years without knowing that on the inside of the trunk, is a trunk handle. This handle is very useful for closing the trunk without touching the paint and getting finger prints everywhere Smile... Read More »
Why is my radiator fan running when my RX-8 is off?
The RX-8 has sensors that monitor coolant temps and switch on one or both of the radiator fans based on the requirements of the car. If you park your car and switch it off, and the coolant temperatures are above a preset limit, the car will enable the electric radiator fans. Typically they will s... Read More »
Why can't I shift into 1st gear at speeds >12 mph?
First gear is meant for moving from a dead stop. Due to the car's low gearing in first and the syncros, you may damage the transmission by forcing the car into 1st gear at speeds greater than 12 mph. Most of the time I avoid going into 1st unless I'm at a dead stop. If I *MUST* go into first, i r... Read More »
My car randomly pulls to the right/left of the road
The RX-8 has low profile tires. Low profile tires will pick up and find grooves and ruts in the road (even if they are not visible to your eyes). The result will be a slight pull towards one side of the road or the other on SOME roads. The term for this is called tramlining. This is normal and not u... Read More »
My shifter shakes! What the hell is going on?!
Unlike some cars where there is little to no vibration or transmission feeling in the shifter, the RX-8's gear shifter is actually mounted on top of the transmission. So much so, that if you install an aftermarket short throw shifter, you'll have to be careful not to get transmission fluid all over ... Read More »
Can I drive my RX-8 into a wall, or off a cliff?
The RX-8 owner's manual specifically states that you should not run your car into walls or jump it off cliffs. It also says you should not flip the car upside down.... Read More »
Can I use synthetic oil in my RX-8?
This topic is hotly debated. The RX-8 owner's manual says to use 5w20 oil that meets API and ILSAC GF-3 specs. It doesn't specify oil type. The reason why people still think rotaries and synthetic oil don't mix, dates back to the 70's when synthetic oils were new on the market. Rotary engines hav... Read More »
How can I reset my RX-8's ECU?
The easy way is to disconnect your car battery and stomp on the brake peddle a few times. Then leave it for a few minutes. The problem with this method is that some profiles are stored in RAM that cannot be cleared by disconnecting the battery. Each of the reset methods described here serve a ... Read More »
How do I prevent my car from flooding?
The RX-8 has proven to be a lot more susceptible to flooding than what most consumers are used to. Flooding occurs when the car is started (cold) then shut down before the engine is warmed up. The reason for this is that the car injects more fuel into the engine when it's cold. When you shut the ... Read More »
My RX-8 shakes at idle. What's going on?
Your RX-8 should not shake or vibrate at idle. However, you will feel vibrations in the shifter (manual transmissions only) because the shifter is mounted directly on the transmission. Possible reasons for vibrations at idle: Broken engine mounts: The right hand engine mount is prone to fai... Read More »
Should I get an automatic or manual RX-8?
This is a long debated question, one that I'm sure many can continue to debate for decades to come. The answer is simple: Personal choice. It's your car, buy what YOU like. With that said, I would honestly say that the RX-8 is best when mated with a manual transmission. The reason is simple, t... Read More »
What is that clunking sound when I first move my RX-8?
Possible explanations: ABS diagnostic self-test: When you first start up your car, and put it into gear, you will hear a "clunk" sound as you start to move. This is normal and part of the ABS system. All RX-8's will do this. Lug nuts: Make sure your lug nuts are torqued to 10... Read More »
How do I get into reverse in the RX-8?
The first time I sat in an RX-8 was for a test drive. The dealer told me to put it into reverse, but I wasn't able to get it into gear... The RX-8 has a reverse lockout that is supposed to prevent you from accidentally going into reverse. In order to shift into reverse, you will have to: 1) ... Read More »