Simple question that I have not seen an answer for either in the manual or on the forum; When the oil level is a bit low, how much do you put in to top it off (gauging it by the level on the dipstick)? Now, if this information is in the manual, someone please scold me, but I have never changed the oil in my own car *ducks*. Let's say the oil is about 1/3 from the bottom marker line on the dipstick... how much oil would you put in from a quart (or more...)? I'm just afraid of putting TOO much in is all.

put in 1/2 quart and check it...it will probably take almost a full quart........

The way I usually gauge it is when the dipstick is almost on low it takes a little more than a quart to get it back to full, so knowing that I usually break up the stick into 1/4 of a quart and fill accordingly.

What year is your 8? The newer ones (mid '05 onward, I think) have an improved dipstick with marks about every half quart.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/docs/pdf/01-047-04-1438b.pdf

1.8 quarts from the low to the full mark, not quite linear between. I think there's a DIY on adding your own marks to an older stick.

This is a TSB, not a recall, so there are no free sticks but the cost for one is pretty low.

I've been adding half a quart when the level drops to the half quart mark.

Ken

Thanks for that find! New 2006, about 350 miles on it so far. It does look like i have the newly revised dipstick. The oil is so fresh/thin though, that i find it difficult to read it off the dipstick!

Quick question for you oil experts...

The oil that I'm using right now only comes in 4 litre cans. When I top up after opening a fresh can, does the air in some way change the remaining oil in such a way that its not "as good" as the fresh stuff the next time I use it? The guy at the shop said it wasn't really good but I think he just wanted me to go for an oil change instead of buying for top up. I usually change oil after tracking the car every two times and top up in between. I'm guessing its ok to keep the top up stuff for a longish period and continue use it with no problems. Correct?

Tom.

^ watch for water contamination

Put the lid on and it will keep just fine. I'm assuming it has a screw top, so you can close it tightly.

It's not like brake fluid, which is hydroscopic and starts absorbing moisture from the air once it's opened.

Ken

Cool, thank you! Its screwed in tightly in a dark, dry area of the house so should be fine me thinks.

Tom.

Put the lid on and it will keep just fine. I'm assuming it has a screw top, so you can close it tightly.

It's not like brake fluid, which is hydroscopic and starts absorbing moisture from the air once it's opened.

Ken

each notch on the dipstick represents one half a quart...I think. If I'm wrong, please correct me. I think someone else posted this info as well.

Also remember, the oil will expand when the temperature rises so it is better to check oil when the engine is still warm.

Also remember, the oil will expand when the temperature rises so it is better to check oil when the engine is still warm.

But you also need to wait long enough after turning it off for all the oil to drain into the pan.

The orientation video that came with my 8 says to park on level ground and wait five minutes. I carry a spirit level and a stopwatch to make sure I do it right.

Ken

I normally just check it every couple times I fill up. When it gets close to the L I put a quart maybe a quart and a half in.

<shrug>

^^^Ken-x8:

Do you wait 5.00 minutes to begin the procedure (open hood, reach under engine cover) or do you make sure that you are actually removing the stick from the oil sump at 5.00 minutes?

wow you guys are really nuking this out.... just wait a few minutes for the oil to settle out

it's ok if you wait 5.05 minutes or 4.95 minutes :p:

After my second fill-up, I added an entire quart of Royal Purple. Was that a bad idea?

heh.

R.

After my second fill-up, I added an entire quart of Royal Purple. Was that a bad idea?

heh.

R.


If you over-filled it most likely. Did you check your dipstick to see if you even needed to add oil. I add a quart of 5w-30 when I am close to the L, generally about every 3-4 fillups.

If you over-filled it most likely. Did you check your dipstick to see if you even needed to add oil. I add a quart of 5w-30 when I am close to the L, generally about every 3-4 fillups.

i add oil every 2 to 3 month :wiggle:

What is the best way to check the dipstick? Take it out, wipe it off, reinsert and then read?

Yup. And it's tricky because the oil is such low viscosity and pale in color that it's tough to get an accurate read. Get it horizontal in strong light as soon as possible, and check both front and back to be sure you're reading the wet/dry line correctly.

I check mine about every 500 miles, but ignore it until it gets about 2/3 of the way down to the low mark, then add a quart, checking mid-way to ensure I don't overfill.

At a quart every 2000, that's only one quart between changes. You could complain about that?

Yup. And it's tricky because the oil is such low viscosity and pale in color that it's tough to get an accurate read. Get it horizontal in strong light as soon as possible, and check both front and back to be sure you're reading the wet/dry line correctly.

I check mine about every 500 miles, but ignore it until it gets about 2/3 of the way down to the low mark, then add a quart, checking mid-way to ensure I don't overfill.

At a quart every 2000, that's only one quart between changes. You could complain about that?

Thanks, RotrDoc. How's Gulfport? I'm from Biloxi myself and just moved back to California from there about eight months ago.

^^^Ken-x8:

Do you wait 5.00 minutes to begin the procedure (open hood, reach under engine cover) or do you make sure that you are actually removing the stick from the oil sump at 5.00 minutes?

Yes. :)

When I first got the car, I checked the oil every 108 minutes, but I could never find the button so I gave that up.