reddevilwarrior

I am planning on getting one this weekend.
let me know what I should do for mainteance.
I know about the oils. (burns a lot)

1. I heard some people carry in their trunk (oil)
Which oil should I use? what's the best brand for my car?

2. I have to warm the the car, before I drive right?
how much time do I have to give it a car?
It's just before right? not after I am done driving?

3. Anything else I need to know about?

thanks fellas

Phantom Menace

Hi. Your questions, in and of themselves, are pretty difficult to answer. There are many opinions just on oil, alone. There is a search button on the toolbar. One click, and you can access the "advanced" search. Through that you can put key words, look at specific threads, even look up specific member's past posts. That is the best way to answer these types of questions without being flamed by some of the "senior" members who hate repeating themselves. Consider this site a library when needing a technical quesiton.

Me, personally, I've >2k miles so I still use mineral oil. I use the Mazda recommended weight and with all the petro approvals for the car. I specifically use Castrol GTX for its detergent properties and "gunk" breakdown claim. But then again, I'll never really know sans I rebuild my engine myself.

I'm not sure when or even if I'll go synthetic, primarily cause it costs a lot and I don't want to get "hooked" on a particular brand and find it unavailable come oil change time. Notwithstanding when/if I do I'm inclined towards the Royal Purple brand.

Keeping oil in the car is the first thing most do when they hear "it burns oil." In all actuality, speaking for my own experience only, I've about 2k miles and have yet to put a drop of oil in. I do, however, check it at every fill up of gas. I changed the oil at 650 mi. just to get the "break-in" debris out and even then, I did not loose any oil. I was actually worried that my car was not working properly because it was not loosing oil, as some exaggerate about. You can keep a quart in for peace of mind--I do. Some go all Captain Insano and keep a case. As if you'd loose a case of oil in your engine without "warning" signs. So check it regularly and often, you'll be okay. If you have a newer model, the dipstick is notched every 1/2 quart. So, if you are one notch below, add 1/2 quart, etc.

As per warming, its more so, I think, in before shutting down than before driving. Although it never hurts to warm up before you drive so oil is able to warm up and move out of the oil pan. I warm up about 5-6min before a drive. That is, I wait for the needle to get in the middle mark. If I start and the engine is "already" warmed as per the needle, I still wait 5-6 minutes. My secret? I'm a smoker. I don't smoke in my car so I smoke before and after I get in and out. Each cigarette takes about 5-6 minutes...so, ta'da! Not very healthy nor recommended however.

I hope this helps, even if just a little.

Remember: Searching can be a pain, reading through pages and pages of conversation. But in the process, each search I do, personally, I find I learn heaps more about our car than before I started. Even if I've learned something unrelated to my origninal question.

2 cents.

Nopstnz

use the search button and your questions can be answered much quicker.

FlyLow

I use castrol and I carry extra oil in my car. I also premix but thats a whole nother thread.

encorez

premix thread https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=premix

AdRoCK3217

Don't carry oil in your trunk, unless you're going on long trips, or ENJOY having oil on your carpet/tire changing tools.

Check the oil once a week, or every 400-500miles, whatever comes first. No need to check more than that..it's just silly.

Use a good, quality mineral (Castrol GTX 10w30 is my oil of choice), or a VERY HIGHLY REGARDED synthetic, like Royal Purple. Not just any oil should be thrown in -- that's very dangerous.

There is no need to sit and let the car warm up, unless you will be in need of merging at high speeds immediately. I have about a mile of drive before needing to get above 4000rpm..which is more than enough time to get the car fully warmed up. Don't go over 4000rpm until the temperature gauge needle is about 1/4 up. Don't hit redline until its right near the 1/2 way (operating temperature) point.

There is no need to let it cool off after driving - unless you just did an EXTREMELY spirited run, with no normal driving afterwards. The only time I could think you would do this is at the track. If you drive like a normal person for the last 1-2 miles, the car will be much more cooled than you could possibly do just sitting idle. If you want to be ****, turn the heat on for those last 1-2 miles. Heat on = cooling engine.

I don't premix, but I plan to get the premix adapter. It replaces the pull of oil from the oilpan for an external source, so you won't need to check your regular oil as often. This also allows for synthetic to be the only oil injected into the motor, which burns cleaner, and leaves a film on the metal surfaces = better.

Krankor

I carry oil in the little compartment between the back seats. The only reason I do this is that I like to follow the recommendation of using 5W20, and that's not always available at whatever-gas-station-I-stop-at.

You don't need to let the car warm up before you drive it, you need to let it warm up *before you shut it off*. That's all. Other than that, they say not to drive it real hard until it's warmed up, take it easy.

DaveCM203

I always carry oil in my trunk. Just a quart or two and have been lucky with none leaking in 43,000 miles. The problem is that I tend to fill up at night when the only thing open is the gas stations and they do not carry the 5w20 that Mazda recomends. I usualy have to add one quart after about 2000 to 2500 miles.

It is a great car. If you just take care of her and treat her right, she will take care of you.

reddevilwarrior

Thanks for your info. guys.
It helped me a lot.

5w20 vs Castrol GTX 10w30?
what's the difference?

5w20 is mazda recommend I guess?
the Car has 10k miles on.
which one should I use?

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I use 5w30 Royal Purple. and Im in NYC.

I feel that by using 5w30 the car idles better. maybe just my butt dyno kind of thing going on. Oh I premix as well. so might be the Premix effect. who knows

You can use 5w20. but you better make sure you have the latest recall.(Latest Software for ECU) You dont really need to carry a bottle of oil all the time. Unless theres a leak somewhere you can check it for every 3-4 fillups. thats not a lot to do.

6speedRenesis

Not entirely True, If you're dealing with close to freezing temps at start up, be sure sure to let the temp at least reach a quarter of the way up the temp gauge before you attempt to breack 6500 RPMS.

I've experienced some temporary power loss be reving it too quickly with out getting up to temp when it's 20 degrees (f). Once at operational temps, no problems at all.

jisoo26

I've been using 5w30 Castrol synthetic blend for a year now. Easy to find, works very well. Absolutely no problems so far

ken-x8

Use either 5w20 (Mazda's US/Canada recommendation) or 5w30 (most of the rest of the world).

5 is how thick the oil is when cold, 20 when hot. If you use 10w30 you run the risk of not enough oil flow before the engine warms up on cold days.

20 vs 30 is to help meet fuel economy requirements. Not that it helps (IMHO), but 5w20 tends to be officially labeled as being fuel economical. There is ongoing debate as to whether it goes any deeper than that, i.e., is the oil injection on US/Canadian RX-8s calibrated specifically for 20.

Years (decades?) ago it was traditional to run one grade thicker oil than manufacturer's recommendation, for the extra film strength, and to just be careful on warmup. These days I'm not sure if that should really apply - oil is a lot better now. Personally, living in a mid-Atlantic state I use 5w20, but if I lived someplace hot I'd probably use 5w30.

Ken

reddevilwarrior

exactly what I wanted!... thanks ken.
I guess brand doesn't matter as long as its 5w20?
PS. I live in PA. it gets cold sometimes.

Raptor2k

3). A lot. Read over the forums, check out some major topics. Don't be disappointed with about 220 bhp. Hopefully you're getting stick-shift, don't waste your money on an auto, things of that sort.

AdRoCK3217

Sorry!!!! MISTAKE! I did not mean to type 10w30, I don't know WHAT I was thinking! I was topping off my oil today as read 5w20 (had to pick it out of the 20w50 section of oil I have stashed for the RX7) and realized my mistake!

5w20 is the oil of choice for the RX8!

Krankor

No, entirely true, since I said exactly what you just said. I said not to drive it hard until it's warmed up. That's not the same as not driving it until it's warmed up. I didn't cite the specific rpm but otherwise you correct my post to say the exact same thing.

Wilson

Warm the engine up.

Check the oil every 2 or 3 tanks full of gasoline.

Drive it easy till you get it broken in properly. Then drive it like you stole it.

ken-x8

Brand should not matter - that's what the API rating scheme is about. But it's fun to pick one brand, stick to it, and tell your friends that you have good reasons.

PA! I'm not far away, in Northern Virginia. My RX-8 and I will be paying a visit to your fair Commonwealth in about six weeks, for the Lincoln Speedway Ice Breaker.

Ken

Winfree

When you turn your car off, make the security system beep - then all the little inside lights will go off - it's easier on your battery. Always check your trunk and make sure it's closed, it has a light that can drain your battery.

Get a good coat of polish on your car early and it will help protect the finish.

If you live in an area where there are rodents (sea ports, woods, etc.) put a couple of moth ***** in the front compartment - the firewall is made out of mouse candy - your comprehensive insurance will cover replacement...

If you live in a dusty area or lots of city smog, have the service man change the air filters they are located behind the glove box -

The car is pretty much like most piston Mazdas, if you get a good one with all the recall issues checked by your dealer. The noisest thing should be the little generator up front, and that should just be a whisper.

You might consider a bottom screen if you have rocks on your road or are driving on freeways where things get dropped...

Inexpensive wine or vinegar can be used to remove hard water spots - follow with distilled water. Distilled water in the radiator, or in antifreeze mix will reduce mineral build up in the radiator (same as any car) distilled water - prevents windshield spots - but be sure to winterize with antifreeze in radiator and windshield areas as overnight freezing can occur. Same as any car.

Dust tends to build up around the back suicide door frames, make sure you clean these periodically and alert your car wash gang - otherwise they overlook the back doors.

If you run your battery down, just jump it like a regular car - and you may need a running car to do it - the lights will come on but the engine will not turn over without plenty of juice. There are so many bells and whistles on the 8 it can take a little more recharge that a usual car

Pay attention to the tire warnings and keep the air at the proper level for safety, better milage, and wonderful handling.

Honk and wave at other 8s!

You will really love this car! You will have new car nerves at first, but once you learn you can trust her it's really great!

cowboyup75146

Under the hood on the passenger side there is a small area by the fire wall that will fit 1 qt of oil for storage , works good for me 05 rx8

Hotsauce

Same here, right next to the washer fluid resvoir a quart of oil fits in there nice and snug.

Astral

Use Castrol GTX 5W-20. It's good, it's the recommended weight.

Honestly, you don't even have to carry it in the car. Check at home every 1000 miles. (I carry mine in the trunk anyway).

No. If it's really cold out, warm it for 30-60 seconds. Don't exceed 4-5K RPMs when cold.

You must let it warm up before you shut it off. That's the major quirk. If you start it, let it run for 5 minutes, rev to 3K RPM for 10 seconds and shut it off.

Make sure you can live with the gas mileage. Do the scheduled maintenance. Enjoy the drive!

reddevilwarrior

for better gas mpg. what is the good tire pressure for stock tires?
and for winter, is psi supposed to be higher than normal for better mpg?

thankkkks

RotaryP7

Hmm.. This is interesting..