I went to my local dealer tonight to get my first oil change, (2K miles) and was told that as per Mazda, they are not performing first oil changes on all RX-8's until 5K. Something about glossing on rotor housings was mentioned, I was too confused to remember, but has anyone heard of this?

Never heard of this, although I'm not an authority on the topic. I was planning on changing the oil today on my car (977 miles), so if anyone knows if this is an issue post up quick! I doubt it is, because I've read of many people who have changed their oil within 500-1000 miles without any concerns on this site.

I think they might have meant they are not offering the 5k free oil change anytime before it hits 5k. You can get your own oil change, but you have to pay for it before 5k. I changed mine at 2.5k, and freebie at 5k

Sounds like dealer-speak to me.

John

PS First Oil Change at home at 2500 - dealer change at 5K - then alternating home/dealer. Best for car - best for warranty IMHO.

You actually get to pick your warranty service based on one of the two schedules listed in the manual. For me, I go in every four months regardless. 100 or 1000mi, it doesn't matter.

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what do you guys mean by free 5K mile service? I did not buy the car before the HP scandal, and therefore am not entitled to any free maintenance, correct?

The comment made was that Mazda recommends NOT changing the oil more frequently then 5K to avoid glossing in the engine.

I can't see how a dealer would benefit from turning away a customer wanting to pay for an oil change, and this dealer and I have a long history. I'm on a first name basis with all the techs, and they did all of the warranty work and maintenance on my Supercharged Miata.

I don't know what to think, help!

I had mine done @ 1400 miles (4 months). The book says that you should have it done at least every 4-5 months, even if you don't reach the mileage on the cheater card.

If this can be of any help. This side of the big pond (Europe), first oil change (and subsequent ones) are at 20.000 km (12.500 miles). It makes sense as the oil is 'injected' into the rotor housing, there is no contamination by gas or metal particles. Or am I wrong?

Oil injection to the rotor housings for seal lubrication and sealing is only part of the equation. Oil is also pumped to the main (eccentric shaft) bearings and into the rotors, where is acts both as a coolant, and to lubricate the rotor bearings and gears.

Thanks KKMmaniac for correcting me. So basically the oil will be contaminated by gas and metal particles.
What is the 'normal' oil change interval for US RX8?

The recommended interval in the US manual is 7k miles between changes. There's a "B" schedule for hard-use which specifies 5k between changes.

Simon.

Will change out the oil at 2.5K myself and then at the dealer for the 5K oil change (the freebie). Alternating thereafter, perhaps even foregoing the dealer changes and simply doing it all myself... not necessary to have the dealer change the oil to preserve the warranty, so why should I pay for it?

Anyway, I've always enjoyed changing the oil myself in the cars I've owned...

SpacerX:

Sounds like we're going to use the same oil change pattern, Seems like reasonable method to me.

Added cost to 100000 miles is only $240 - if filter/oil costs out at $12.

The RX-8 uses about 1 quart per 1000 to 3000 miles - so actual cost even less as some of the oil change will be replacement of normally used oil.

The dealer gets his share - the warranty requirements are documented - win - win.

John

Changed mine at 2500mi and then again at 4000 and again at 5000. It may seem a little proactive but I'm taking the car out to several track events a month and I like to keep the oil fresh. I judge the oil changes by the amount of racing, oil consumption, and miles. This last interval was re00al soon as there were two weekend track sessions in a row and I'm planning a drive out to the D1 festival in CA this weekend. I don't mind changing the oil more often. It's cheap insurance. Anyway for regular diving aplications your probably fine just leaving the stock oil in there for 5000. But if you drive hard, change your oil regularly.

A good friend of the family works for Amsoil. I know they are a synthetic oil but they still criticize companies for such short recommended drain intervals. While synthetic oils don't break down as fast as non synthetics, they (non synthetics) do last MUCH longer than 3000 miles. It is all a money making strategy by the oil companies to help them sell more oil. Over the years they have brainwashed everyone into this 3000 mile bs story that is commonly accepted in the U.S. As stated above the recommended oil change interval in Europe is much longer than it is here. Why don't they tell us that here? Simple really, we're too stupid to figure it out and that makes them more money. I only change mine more frequently if I am doing track events. A highly strung turbo car is harder on the oil as well. Otherwise I never change it before 5000 miles and sometimes longer. I have never had an engine issue with any of my cars and I do drive them quite hard.

My 2nd gen RX-7 had 186,000+ miles on it and was getting in the low 20's for gas mileage when I pulled the engine out. It still passed emissions with flying colors too. I only removed it to put in a ported motor, not because it was dead.

Here's a link to that website. FWIW: I have run synthetics in my rotaries before even though Mazda doesn't recommend it.

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/lng_article/index.htm

More Europe stuff on oil :

Oil change intervals on Audi TDi using 'long drain' synthetic is actually determined by ECU and can last up to 50,000 km (31,000 miles).
Of course you have the option of standard oil and intervals of 15,000 km (9,000 miles). Around here, that's the usual oil interval across all makes and models except sport cars like Porsches...

This is all good info, but my question is about the FIRST oil change. Should I do it sooner to remove the filter which may have caught some metal particles worn off during the initial break in period?

I put 100 miles a day on the car, so this'll probably be a moot point by the time I get an answer....:D

i waited until 5k to do my first oil change. there was nothing in anything i read that was mazda produced that said otherwise so that's when i did it. the car does not have any "break-in" oil that would need to be changed sooner.

Tony Orlando:

Do first oil change at 2500 miles - that's my 2 cents - and a straight answer.

John

What I have always done in the past when I built a new engine (rotary) was to change the oil and filter at the first 500 miles and then again at 1000. This isn't because I was worried about the oil breaking down but rather making usre that any debris from seals wearing in was removed from the system. After 1000 miles I begin my regular intervals. That is just the way I do things though to be safe.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tony Orlando
[B]At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what do you guys mean by free 5K mile service? I did not buy the car before the HP scandal, and therefore am not entitled to any free maintenance, correct?


not sure, but just got an email from the yummy service relations girl at the dealer i got my car from telling me i got a free oil change at 5k miles.

maybe they will just give me a filter.

beers

IMO rotarygod is absolutely right about this 3K miles interval being a ploy and a scam by the oil companies to be able to sell more oil.

I, for one, will stick to the Mazda recommendation regarding the oil change intervals. Which is 7.5K miles for regular use. Yes, that includes the first oil change as well. That's what the book says and I see no reason why would I not go by that.

I always followed these recommendations for my other cars and had ZERO engine problems in well over 100K miles (apiece) on them.

End of story (at least for me :p)

My dealer sends me reminder cards to get my oil changed at 3500 miles. They have sent me 3 so far, as I did not go get it done. I'm at 9500 miles now.

Originally posted by Tony Orlando
At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what do you guys mean by free 5K mile service? I did not buy the car before the HP scandal, and therefore am not entitled to any free maintenance, correct?

The comment made was that Mazda recommends NOT changing the oil more frequently then 5K to avoid glossing in the engine.

I can't see how a dealer would benefit from turning away a customer wanting to pay for an oil change, and this dealer and I have a long history. I'm on a first name basis with all the techs, and they did all of the warranty work and maintenance on my Supercharged Miata.

I don't know what to think, help!

I was told I didn't need any maintenance program since there would never be anything that could go wrong on the car - hahahaha. I'll take it to the dealer for warranty stuff I guess and to my mechanic (maybe - he admits he hasn't seen one yet) for other stuff. Gee maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones and never have anything go wrong!