Just wondering what other 8's will be out on the roads for this Thanksgiving holiday. I'll be traveling from Dallas to Houston this year (about 4 hours). With the 8, I actually look forward to the drive :) Where is everyone else going? Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm going from Florida to Norfolk, VA

A reminder:

Make sure to bring oil with you! Most gas stations do not carry 5W-20. I have to buy mine at Wal-Mart.

I'm traveling from Kansas City to Atlanta. Looking foward to the drive. Open her up and yes, i will have my oil. LOL

Traveling to Ireland to visit the parents, unfortunately I cant take my RX8 pride...oh well :-)

Im taking mine from Dallas, TX to Mcallen, TX, about a 10 hour drive south. To be honest, I am a little nervous, haven't had any problems with mine yet, except the AC cycling issue. Hopefully the 8 won't let me down. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

We have Thanksgiving dinner at this little restaurant in Arrowhead every year. I usually have to drive the Suburban as my parents ride with us. This year my parents are driving my Moms Mom and Dad up. So I was thinking I'd get to take the 8 :). But my bother-in-law called and he will be coming down from San Fransisco. So with the kids that makes 5 in our group :(. We'll be in the Suburban again this year.

Originally posted by allstate
A reminder:

Make sure to bring oil with you! Most gas stations do not carry 5W-20. I have to buy mine at Wal-Mart.

Thanks for the reminder about oil....

However, maybe it's just I-95 but there are just about as many Wal-Marts as there are gas stations!

with about 6-8hour drive is it necessary to carry the spare oil? im having an oil change before the trip im sorta new with the oil and what type is necessary especially with the rx8. usually i think from sf to sd its only 300 or so miles so it wouldnt be necessary? we change the oil every 2000-3000 miles right?

Originally posted by mrtux
with about 6-8hour drive is it necessary to carry the spare oil? im having an oil change before the trip im sorta new with the oil and what type is necessary especially with the rx8. usually i think from sf to sd its only 300 or so miles so it wouldnt be necessary? we change the oil every 2000-3000 miles right? I have to add a touch of oil about every 1500 miles or so. If you check your oil before you leave you will probably be fine, depending on how far you have to travel. My point was that 5W-20 oil is difficult to find and it is better to be safe than sorry, especially on longer trips.

So I take it relyingg on the oil pressure gauge on the dash and the oil light is not enouhg to tell me if I am running low on oil ?

It took a bit of looking to find a local source of 5-20 oil to add between changes (I only added it about 3,000 miles, and the mark was safely above "low" when I did). Then I took the RX8 in for the four-month service at the dealer -- I have the free-service card -- and SURPRISE! The dealer's no-charge statement says they replaced the oil with 5-30. I'm going to ask them about that, and ask for 5-20 when they give me the new oil pan Mazda's service bulletin says that early models will get -- which the dealer didn't mention to me.
It's worth spending time on the forum, and not just for entertainment. You find out things you need to know.

2 quarts fit very nicely in the storage compartment between the trunk and back seats (in the hatch itself). I plan on keeping 2 full quarts there as long as I own the car...

You guys are a bit behind....Thanksgiving was last month! :D

Originally posted by sazebac
So I take it relyingg on the oil pressure gauge on the dash and the oil light is not enouhg to tell me if I am running low on oil ? Although I'm sure the warning lights are reliable, I wouldn't personally bet my engine on them.

Originally posted by allstate
Make sure to bring oil with you! Most gas stations do not carry 5W-20. I have to buy mine at Wal-Mart.

Where exactly do you have trouble finding a Wal Mart when traveling?

greese

Originally posted by greese
Where exactly do you have trouble finding a Wal Mart when traveling?

greese Well, in TX at least, there are not many Wal-Marts located right off the interstate. So who wants to interrupt their trip searching for a Wal-Mart? I hate stopping for gas as it is.

Originally posted by allstate
Well, in TX at least, there are not many Wal-Marts located right off the interstate. So who wants to interrupt their trip searching for a Wal-Mart? I hate stopping for gas as it is.

Ideally, find a Wal Mart that sells gas. I get my gas at Sam's Club and typically pay about $0.06 - $0.10 less a gallon for it.

I'm always driving through the southeast where there is a Wal Mart and a Waffle House every other exit.

greese

Going from Euless to Irving....?

D.C. to Ann Arbor. Got the M3s & Fox wheels on; let 'er snow.

I asked the service manager why the printed statement for my 4,000 mile service said 5 quarts of 5-30 oil, when Mazda saysthe AT RX8 takes 3.7 quarts of 5-20. Oh, he said, that's the same for everyone. It means up to five quarts, and whatever oil your car is supposed to get.
I can see they didn't try to dump in 5 quarts; it's only overfilled by about 1/4 inch on the dipstick. There's no good reason for them to use the wrong grade of oil, so I believe (and hope) they used 20 weight.
The svc mgr hadn't heard of the bulletin from Mazda that authorizes new oil pans for early RX8s, so I gave him the number, which is 01-027/03.

i made the 230 mile drive home for break today, only saw 1 other 8 during my trip.

I just drove from Va to Niagara Falls and back- not for Thanksgiving, but close enough. Nine hours each way- car did fine. Thanksgiving only going from Richmond to Manassas.

Originally posted by Elara
Thanksgiving only going from Richmond to Manassas.

I'll be driving to VA later today and was wondering what happens to you in VA if you get caught with a radar detector even if you have it off?