RX-8 Series II Owners Manual On Engine Oil
11-30-2008, 03:33 AM
#1
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RX-8 Series II Owners Manual On Engine Oil
Here is what my RX-8 Series II (FE1032) Owners Manual has to say about Engine Oils..
Please keep in mind this is meant for the Australian and New Zealand Markets.
I am not trying to flame ANY heated debate, just information as I do not know what the Series I RX-8 Owners manual says...OK
Please keep in mind this is meant for the Australian and New Zealand Markets.
I am not trying to flame ANY heated debate, just information as I do not know what the Series I RX-8 Owners manual says...OK
Last edited by ASH8; 11-30-2008 at 03:39 AM.
11-30-2008, 04:06 AM
#5
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As the manual clearly says a low viscosity engine oil (like a 5w30) is good for fuel economy but not good for engine protection, particularly in Summer.
As the manual says Higher Viscosity Engine Oils are required for high temperature weather. So in Summer you will get slightly poorer fuel economy but greater protection.
And this is where I do not agree with Mazda Australia, the Mazda Rotary Oil (which is Castrol) of 5W30 is too light a viscosity for our summers, particularly 35-40 degree ones, and particularly if it is supposed to be a mineral oil.
This Summer I will be using Castrol GTX 3 15W40 which is a "premium" mineral oil and is recommended for the last RX-7 13B REW Turbo., and as a bonus it is much cheaper than "Mazda's Genuine Rotary Oil".
You can pay anything from $26.95 to $32.95 for 5 litres GTX 3, or $46-$80 plus for MRO.
As the manual says...
"When choosing an oil, consider the temperature range your vehicle will operate in before the next oil change"
As the manual says Higher Viscosity Engine Oils are required for high temperature weather. So in Summer you will get slightly poorer fuel economy but greater protection.
And this is where I do not agree with Mazda Australia, the Mazda Rotary Oil (which is Castrol) of 5W30 is too light a viscosity for our summers, particularly 35-40 degree ones, and particularly if it is supposed to be a mineral oil.
This Summer I will be using Castrol GTX 3 15W40 which is a "premium" mineral oil and is recommended for the last RX-7 13B REW Turbo., and as a bonus it is much cheaper than "Mazda's Genuine Rotary Oil".
You can pay anything from $26.95 to $32.95 for 5 litres GTX 3, or $46-$80 plus for MRO.
As the manual says...
"When choosing an oil, consider the temperature range your vehicle will operate in before the next oil change"
11-30-2008, 04:14 AM
#7
IIRC, there is at least one manufacturer that makes a 5w-50 (which is even better in theory). I think Porsche recommends it for one vehicle or another.
However, I'm always skeptical of wide-range multi-visc since its the additive package (which goes away quicker than the oil looses serviceable viscocity) that is responsible for the range.
A 0w-50 would be the ultimate. (And it would probably be good for only one drive cycle!)
Unless you live in a place where it stays below -20°F continuously.
But, then why would you drive an RX-8 in such a place?
11-30-2008, 04:16 AM
#8
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I can go back to when I first started as a member here saying that the oil was not good enough for extreme weather (like the guys in Nevada, USA had), I got flamed.
Regardless what a valued member here once said that the RENESIS eccentric shaft oil galleries are smaller (thus a lighter oil must be used) than the last RX-7 is TOTALLY Incorrect..
I had this confirmed by another valued member and Vendor here who has rebuilt both engines and there is no difference, there is also no difference between OIL PUMP rotor clearances. There is also NO difference in the MOP oil feeding tube inside diameters between the RX-7 and RENESIS engines.
Regardless what a valued member here once said that the RENESIS eccentric shaft oil galleries are smaller (thus a lighter oil must be used) than the last RX-7 is TOTALLY Incorrect..
I had this confirmed by another valued member and Vendor here who has rebuilt both engines and there is no difference, there is also no difference between OIL PUMP rotor clearances. There is also NO difference in the MOP oil feeding tube inside diameters between the RX-7 and RENESIS engines.
11-30-2008, 04:25 AM
#10
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It is clear MNAO and MMC recommended a light viscosity engine oil for emissions and fuel ecomony...and look all the damage it has done to the rebirth of the rotary and the RX-8 publicity wise...I wonder if it was really necessary?
11-30-2008, 04:37 AM
#12
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Thread Starter
Which is why 10w-50 is perfect ALWAYS.
IIRC, there is at least one manufacturer that makes a 5w-50 (which is even better in theory). I think Porsche recommends it for one vehicle or another.
However, I'm always skeptical of wide-range multi-visc since its the additive package (which goes away quicker than the oil looses serviceable viscocity) that is responsible for the range.
A 0w-50 would be the ultimate. (And it would probably be good for only one drive cycle!)
Unless you live in a place where it stays below -20°F continuously.
But, then why would you drive an RX-8 in such a place?
IIRC, there is at least one manufacturer that makes a 5w-50 (which is even better in theory). I think Porsche recommends it for one vehicle or another.
However, I'm always skeptical of wide-range multi-visc since its the additive package (which goes away quicker than the oil looses serviceable viscocity) that is responsible for the range.
A 0w-50 would be the ultimate. (And it would probably be good for only one drive cycle!)
Unless you live in a place where it stays below -20°F continuously.
But, then why would you drive an RX-8 in such a place?
Where as in Australia there are only a few small mountain areas we get snow in winter the rest is just cold, with very few days below 5 degrees C or 35F.
So only one grade of oil is required and I like the 15W40
11-30-2008, 04:39 AM
#13
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11-30-2008, 05:14 AM
#14
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Mazda USA Still recommend only a 5W20 In the Series II Owners Manual.
They don't show a variable viscosity chart at all , Just 5W20
Go Figure
They don't show a variable viscosity chart at all , Just 5W20
Go Figure
12-01-2008, 02:47 AM
#18
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The ammount of multiple rebiulds from that supplier is discraceful, what the F**K have they done when some owners have had to have 3 or more replacements, MNAO needs a rocket up their backside for letting this happen for too long.
Crikey, they are dealing with their HALO car, look at the damage to Mazda's Quality,Surveys, and reputation...it is bullshit.
I hope now that Mazda Japan may now find a way to take over the North American operations, like they want to.
12-01-2008, 02:55 AM
#20
MNAO should have done the rebuilt contract properly in the first instance with Japan Trained staff that MNAO controls..
The ammount of multiple rebiulds from that supplier is discraceful, what the F**K have they done when some owners have had to have 3 or more replacements, MNAO needs a rocket up their backside for letting this happen for too long.
Crikey, they are dealing with their HALO car, look at the damage to Mazda's Quality,Surveys, and reputation...it is bullshit.
I hope now that Mazda Japan may now find a way to take over the North American operations, like they want to.
The ammount of multiple rebiulds from that supplier is discraceful, what the F**K have they done when some owners have had to have 3 or more replacements, MNAO needs a rocket up their backside for letting this happen for too long.
Crikey, they are dealing with their HALO car, look at the damage to Mazda's Quality,Surveys, and reputation...it is bullshit.
I hope now that Mazda Japan may now find a way to take over the North American operations, like they want to.
still love the car!
it will be fun to see how this plays out.beers
02-19-2009, 06:41 PM
#24
man those are some thick oil grades there!
but here's a question, if the general consensus is that 5W-20 oil is 'too thin' for basically any summer (85F+) driving, why is it in the oil chart, it is STILL allowed in that temperature range, heck, it even has a higher top-end temperature range than a standard 10W-30!!
but here's a question, if the general consensus is that 5W-20 oil is 'too thin' for basically any summer (85F+) driving, why is it in the oil chart, it is STILL allowed in that temperature range, heck, it even has a higher top-end temperature range than a standard 10W-30!!
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