View Full Version : DIY: Secure your oil bottle


romulus
05-16-2004, 06:02 PM
You will think that Mazda would have given you a small compartment in the trunk to store your extra oil since we all know that the rotary engine consume a small quantity under normal operation.
I tried to find out a suitable place to store my quarter of oil, but I didn’t like the idea to store it in the rear center compartment nor laying flat in my tray organizer fear of loose cap and oil leak in the trunk.
I found a solution of this problem (see picture). There is a void in both passenger and driver side inside the trunk if you put your bottle of oil against it, you will find out that is a perfect place to store it. Now here is a way to secure it.

romulus
05-16-2004, 06:03 PM
1) Start by getting all the tools and materials. You will need a flat head and a Phillips screw driver; a utility knife. And a 12” long by 1” wide strap. You can find a strap in a local surplus store, outdoor/camping store, and most likely at Walmart.

romulus
05-16-2004, 06:04 PM
2) Pop out those snap pins (4 total). The snap pins marked in red require a small flat head screw driver to pull out the center pins while the one marked in green needs a Phillips screw driver to unscrew the center pin.

romulus
05-16-2004, 06:05 PM
3) Pull out as far you can the liner and with your utility knife, cut two vertical slits about 2 to 3 inches apart and 3 inches away from the trunk floor.

romulus
05-16-2004, 06:05 PM
4) Start sliding your strap into the slit. I found out that trying to slip in the strap in the slit is a bit tricky unless you make them wider. I used the tip of the flat head screw driver and wrap the strap around it. Then I just pushed in.
Repeat the process for the other slit.

romulus
05-16-2004, 06:06 PM
2

romulus
05-16-2004, 06:07 PM
5) Once done, proceed to reinstall the liner and the snap pins. Secure your extra oil. So far I have no issues with the liner nor the bottle of oil coming out from the strap. For extra spill precaution, you can put your bottle of oil in a ziplog bag.
Note: this mod is only meant to secure your bottle of oil. I was not meant to secure heavy objects. If you do, most likely you will rip the liner apart during hard breaking and cornering.

romulus
05-16-2004, 06:08 PM
Here you go.... Oil bottle secured :)

Baller
05-16-2004, 06:57 PM
very nice, but it should be synthetic.:)

Omicron
05-16-2004, 07:34 PM
Another nice little DIY from you, Romulus. Kudos!!! :D

takahashi
05-16-2004, 07:56 PM
Dont discuss what oil to use there there are millions of threads about this in this forum

I love this idea --- getting an RX8 buckle will make it absolutely perfect.

Taka

P.S. From looking at your watch bend --- you are not wearing a Polar Heart monitor are you? hehe --- I guess you can measure your heart rate while making holes in your RX-8 hehe :D

thew
05-16-2004, 11:05 PM
Uhh.. the scooped out spot in your trunk is really designed for your Oil.. if you buy the cargo compartment you can store 3 quarts of oil on one side and your owners manual.. or CD's in the other. no cutting ! I mean what else did they want you to put there. My rx8 shop book does speek of storing your oil there..

But to each his own ... I would just hate to see some oil get loose and make a big mess in your trunk.. Thats another reason why the cargo tray is great.. it can fill up with oil and none will get out to damage your stuff.

MazdaManiac
05-16-2004, 11:35 PM
Why not just stick it in the pass-through compartment lid? That seems to be what it was designed for anyway.

thew
05-16-2004, 11:39 PM
there to but it may spill
:)


good point

zoom44
05-16-2004, 11:41 PM
mine's in the pass thru. no problems with that. but this looks like a good idea if you dont like the pass thru idea. nice pics and easy to follow.

romulus
05-17-2004, 12:48 AM
The reason I didn't wanted to keep my oil in the pass-through compartment is that I have other stuffs in it, plus is impossible for me to get it from the trunk since I have a spare tire. But again, it might not be the same for someone else.
About the watch.... just a standard G-shock watch... nothing fancy. Oh yeah, my heart rate is as steady as it can be while doing the process. Got over my fear long time ago :cool:

InuYasha
05-23-2004, 07:00 PM
An easier fix, if you dont want to cut holes in your trim is this:

Buy some self-stick velcro (hook & loop fasteners). Get the ones that are about 1" square.


Inside the package you will find some pads with "hooks" and some with "loops". You want the ones that have the "hooks". These will be the harder, stiffer of the two.

Stick 3 or 4 of these pads directly to your bottle of oil. Press the oil with the fasteners directly onto the "fuzzy liner" in the noted recess.

It sticks amazingly well, its not going anywhere until you remove it!

romulus
05-23-2004, 08:39 PM
oh yeah, I totally forgot about velcro. Believe it or not when I was installing my spare tire braket, I have to cut the liner several places per the instructions....I said to my self WTF Mazda ask me to do surgery on my baby?....... Well that was then.... this time I did it without hesitation.... with a lot of care of course.... :)

Trapps
05-25-2004, 07:30 AM
The UK cars come with a nice bag with velcro backing. The bag holds the oil, paper funnels and some disposable gloves. It fits exactly where this mod fits it.

Paul

D MENAC 7
05-25-2004, 01:44 PM
I just use a red (velocity red RX-8) milk crate that holds everything from waxes, conditioners, wipes, spare lamps, drying towels, wax applicators, etc. Oh yeah the oil is there too. I have never had an oil spill because I put the top on securely. Besides, it sits in there snug as a bug in the rug with all that cleaning stuff.

Bob The Eskimo
05-25-2004, 04:32 PM
This is how I hold my oil in place. The sub enclosure is built directly arround the bottle, and the tire kit.

greese
05-25-2004, 05:45 PM
if that bottle ever leaks or explodes you're fuck3d.