bob teatow

89 vs 87 -
It is always okay to use a higher octane gas. But almost all experts will tell you that you are just wasting your money.

Higher octane is required by some high compression ratio engines - putting low octane gas will cause engine "ping" - which is premature combustion of the air/fuel mix.

However - many cars these days can tolerate or do just fine with 87 octane gas even when the owners manual recommends higher - modern engines have sensors and timing controls that avoid the ping....

At least that was what I was told about my (non-turbo) Volvo. Even the dealer told me to just use regular.

M3

remenber i told you that my car was perfectly fine well no no more my transmision just blew up or like the dealer wants me to call it it neutralize for automatic users do not put your car in neutral and accelerate to much ok

micdmac

[QUOTE=Hitman Hart]

1- I have trouble starting the car when it's been sitting for an hour or more. The engine crankls normally, so I it's not the starter or battery - I think it's the fuel pump, because when I try it the second time, it starts no problem. When I turn the key to the "ON" position for several seconds, it will normally start from the first try. I don't think it's a major problem, but it is annoying, on a brand new car.

I think it's the fuel pump - and I don't want them to change the wrong part or something.



Hitman Hart - It is actually a good idea when starting any car to put it in the 'ON' position for a second before you crank the starter. If you do this in a quiet area, you should hear the fuel pump make a humming noise for about a second as it prepares to pump fuel to the engine. For this very reason, it is also a bad idea to leave your car in the 'ON' position with the engine off for any sustained period of time. However, I realize that your problem may be more complicated.

Hitman Hart

Hey micdmac. I had the problem fixed by the dealer a couple of weeks ago. It was the check valve on the fuel pump that had a slow leak - that's why it had to crank for a while before starting. The most common problem associated with extended cranking time during startup is the failure of a check valve located in the top of the fuel pump. The reason for this, generally, is that the check valve in the fuel line sticks open causing lack of fuel pressure. This usually occurs after the car has been sitting for a while or overnight. The fuel pressure leaks down causing the fuel pump to have to work very hard to push the fuel from the tank to the fuel rail. The solution to this is to replace the fuel pump check valve.


Anyhow, they changed the entire pump, and everything is just great now.

Mikekat

While driving on the highway 3 days ago my Mazda 3 would start bucking in fourth gear. Then, when I went to accelerate it would not downshift and it was stuck in fourth. Then when I pulled off the highway it got stuck in third gear. I had roadside assistance tow me to the nearest dealer in West Springfield Mass.

They called me and said the transmission needs to be replaced and they are not sure when the part will become available!! I am trying so hard not to be pissed about this cause I love the car but how can a huge problem like this have happened so early!? The car has 9000 miles on it!

I have a 2005 Corolla loaner that they gave me from hertz but I would like my Mazda with a new transmission.

Anyone else have transmission problems??

M3

bro the same crap happend to me like two weeks ago the gave me a brand new transmision and im happy about it, but that doesn't happend by it self you must have overrev too much

Mikekat

I never got the car over 85 MPH and never over reved it. The transmission went as I was on the highway going 70 for a steady amount of time. I assure you the transmission failure was not because I abused my car.

They called me today and said the part is on back order and may be available a week from now. Not what I wanted to hear.

benq

Well my car's transmission isn't as bad as Mikekat but I do have a problem, when the temperature gauge(or whatever you call it) doesn't hit the mid point, the engine has a problem going from 1st to 2nd, when it changes it jerks really hard. So I brought my car to the dealership and they said its a programming issue and 3 other cars have the same problem which surprised me and now just recently my engine light has come on which hasn't really impressed me.

vtohthree

M3, Mikekat, and benq... what transmission are you guys using? manual or auto sportshift?

Mikekat

I have the auto with the tetronic shifting that I don't use much. My tranny was screwing up in 3rd and 4th gears and it was in automatic mode. I had to call roadside assistance cause it was real bad and I could not get it back on the highway. The tow truck guy while putting my car on the ramp complimented my car on its looks and I was like "shutup man I don't want to hear it right now."

I am really getting sick of my 2005 Corolla loaner they gave me. I want to zip around in the RX8! Hey I think I deserve that for a week!!

benq

I'm using the auto sport shift right now... I can't stand using the triptonic feature to warm up the car when im driving... its neat but annoying cause if i keep using i should have bought the standard ya know?

M3

auto sport, but the thing is that i did abuse it i over rev by accident to much

M3

when they gave me the loan i upgrated for a rx8
it was like 30 or 40 bucks more

vtohthree

nice

M3

yeah i know pretty sweet i was a happy and speedy driver for allmost 2 weeks