I almost have 1400 miles on my 8, more fill ups than I can remember, and I haven't had to put in oil on my 8 yet. The oil level as of today, is a bit shy from the top line on the oil dip stick. I'm thinking about putting a bit to get it to the top line again. When I first got the car, the oil level was a little higher than the top line but not by much. How much oil do you average? Sorry if there was a post about this already. I did search a bit but didn't see anything. Thanks.

If you got your car not long ago, then it probably has a newer flash than earlier cars. The newer flashes run leaner and use less oil as well as gas. They suggest that you check every other fillup, but you use far less than that.. I think about 1/2 a quart per 1200 miles is about right for me before the new flashes.. i seem to use less now!

Originally posted by restob
I almost have 1400 miles on my 8, more fill ups than I can remember, and I haven't had to put in oil on my 8 yet. The oil level as of today, is a bit shy from the top line on the oil dip stick. I'm thinking about putting a bit to get it to the top line again. When I first got the car, the oil level was a little higher than the top line but not by much. How much oil do you average? Sorry if there was a post about this already. I did search a bit but didn't see anything. Thanks.

Originally posted by guy321
The newer flashes use less oil as well as gas.



Really?.....I never heard that the newer flash changed any oil metering pump logic.

That's awesome that you're not burning through so much oil but I have to agree with Gyro.

I too have not heard anything about the newer flashes correcting the oil consumption...

Can anyone shed some light on this issue?

That's awesome that you're not burning through so much oil but I have to agree with Gyro.

I too have not heard anything about the newer flashes correcting the oil consumption...

Can anyone shed some light on this issue?

Hmm, I guess I should say that is not fact. However, if the newer flashes run leaner, then they SHOULD use less oil because they are using less fuel, assuming that the metering system uses a ratio of fuel to oil. And I'm not putting in as much oil anymore. I have filled 1/2 a quart in 3k miles.
Originally posted by Gyro
Really?.....I never heard that the newer flash changed any oil metering pump logic.

Sorry about the double post. :(

Computer has been acting up lately :confused:

Oil use is effected by how you drive the car. On the track, I can use a quart in only 200 miles of driving. On the road, I can go for 1500 mile and only use half a quart. It really does depend. Some can go even farther. I tend to drive the car hard.

I think what you are referencing is that the oil should be CHECKED every other fill-up.

Originally posted by Magnesium
I think what you are referencing is that the oil should be CHECKED every other fill-up.

Bingo! Nobody says you have to ADD oil every other fill-up; just that you are supposed to CHECK it every other fill-up, and top up as necessary (which varies, but typically is 1 litre every 1500 miles or more).

Regards,
Gordon

actually, since the m-flash its burning oil more often. it was changed at 500 (a standard change for a new car) and at 1700 (dealer did it b/c of milky oil.) everytime i checked it was solid in the middle of full and low until about 3500, right around when i got the m flash. since then (im now at 5k) ive had to put two quarts in

I am burning like no oil since the new flash. Even went on a long ass road trip, and the line has not moved in a long while.

as someone said.. it depends on how hard you drive.. if you're at low RPM's (as in highway driving) you will burn less than if you cruise around the city at 5k RPM s or play stop light racer.. All in all tho, because the mixtures are leaner at certain RPM ranges, the newer flashes would burn less gas/oil mixture for that range as compared to the older flashes.

I only added 1/4 qt of oil after 2000 miles. At this rate, I don't need to add oil between changes if I do that every 3000 or 4000 miles. I will still check it once every 500 miles.

Only had my 8 for a few weeks...how accurate do you find the oil gauge to be?

Originally posted by Buckeye3d
Only had my 8 for a few weeks...how accurate do you find the oil gauge to be?

There is no oil gauge. Not for the oil level, anyway. There is an oil pressure gauge, but all it shows is a) you got some oil pressure, or b) you got no oil pressure - ie, it's a binary indicator, not a real oil pressure gauge as Mazda used to fit to RX-7s and Miatas pre-1995.

Regards,
Gordon

um...please don't say your measuring your oil consumption by the dummy oil pressure gauge?

Didn't someone say that overfilling the RX8 wasn't harmful?

I hope that's true b/c I got a little overzealous and put in a 1/2 qt at 1200 miles and the rest of the qt at 3500 miles.

I checked it the other day and I'm...well....well above the full marker.

I went on a roadtrip with it like this and it was fine. Haven't checked it since I got back, but I imagine it hasn't moved. I'm probably 1/2 qt over or so...

Originally posted by XeRo
um...please don't say your measuring your oil consumption by the dummy oil pressure gauge?

I wasn't planning on it...just curious about the gauge. Only had the car for 3 fill ups. Planning on checking the oil level later today when I fill up.

Check every other fillup.

Mazda rates the oil consumption at 4000km/L (translates to ~9 400 mpg)

i have not used any oileither since the new flash . i ask the dealer to check into this for me because i thought you use oil to protect the apex seals.

Originally posted by Gord96BRG
There is no oil gauge. Not for the oil level, anyway. There is an oil pressure gauge, but all it shows is a) you got some oil pressure, or b) you got no oil pressure - ie, it's a binary indicator, not a real oil pressure gauge as Mazda used to fit to RX-7s and Miatas pre-1995.

Regards,
Gordon

That makes it very accurate for what it does. :-)

I have 7500 miles on my car, new L flash, had it for about 9 months now. Checked every other fill usually, and never had to add any oil. Oil changed every 3000 miles, techs never noticed any loss of oil as well?

Dealer stated that the new renesis is oil stingy thus it is a mute issue. It may take 10,000 miles before you notice a difference? The reason the manual states that you need to continually check the oil is because of the history of rotaries, and that this is a new engine.
Is this crock or what?

I used about 1 quart by the time I changed it at 1100 miles. Since then I've put another 700 miles on it and used maybe 1/2 quart. Used a lot of oil between 600 and 1000 mile mark, getting my redline fix.

Originally posted by cebat
I have 7500 miles on my car, new L flash, had it for about 9 months now. Checked every other fill usually, and never had to add any oil. Oil changed every 3000 miles, techs never noticed any loss of oil as well?

Dealer stated that the new renesis is oil stingy thus it is a mute issue. It may take 10,000 miles before you notice a difference? The reason the manual states that you need to continually check the oil is because of the history of rotaries, and that this is a new engine.
Is this crock or what?

Again, it has to do with how you drive it. Rotaries inject oil in the the chamber (rotors) for cooling and lubrication. It is designed to burn oil. How much is dependent on driving style and conditions.

On the track, I use 1 Quart in 200 miles.

On a long trip, I use 1 Quart in 4000 miles. (yes I made that drive)

i've only had to add oil maybe once in my 8 but maybe theres a lot of factors.

Should you check the oil level when the engine is hot or cold?

I've always checked my oil levels while the engine was cool.

IMO, it tends to give a more accurate reading.

Read your Owner's Manual.

Originally posted by Buckeye3d
Should you check the oil level when the engine is hot or cold?

I'm good for about half a quart every 3K miles. I thought it was going to be a lot worse than that. My tailpipes look like crap though and I have had a nasty bit of soot on the aft end of the bumper and trunk here and there. Now that I'm thinking about it, that may have only been after each time it's flooded. When you get it going again it pours black smoke for about 5 minutes. I'm at flash M now so I'm hoping I'm not going to see that again!

In case you're wondering (they always do) flood one made no sense -- engine warmed -- shut down -- next day ran for two seconds and then died.

2nd flood -- I guess die hards would say was my fault (I disagree) -- I started the car, moved it 10 feet and shut it off. Went to start it the next day and it was flooded.

No biggie to most of you -- infuriating to me!