Where To Find 5w - 30 Oil???
 

Realizing my car needed a top up of oil , i went to 3 pretrol stations and rang several auto parts shops none carried the 5w - 30 grade of oil that is recommended for the rx8 .
Apart from the local MAZDA dealer no one seems to carry this grade of oil , as i like to top up every 1000km or so this is a small inconvenience that we may have to go back to dealer every time we need a top up .???

ISthe correct grade of oil 5w -20 0r 5w -30 ???

hello
 

its 5w 20 if theres a strous auto or pep boys they carry it i just bought a case casthrol gtx drive hard 5w 20. For 20 bottles it was like 30 bucks for them.

I think that's about a 12,000km drive with a couple of VERY LARGE puddles.

KEV YOUR RIGHT ON ITS A LONG WAY TO GO FOR OIL.

Funny enough i finally managed to get castrol 5w- 30 from supercheap , didnt think that they would stock this partircular type, but they do.

Synthetic or "dino"?

Edit: Looks like it is synthetic.

That is good info - Thanks!

And it is probably the same stuff the dealer uses at service time.

BTW - Who didn't know the oil doesn't get changed at the first service (unless you ask and pay for it?)

Cheers,
Hymee.

Alternative good engine oil to consider, very expensive though!!!
1. Mobil 1 10W-30 http://www.mobil.com.au/mobil/mn_mob...bil1.asp#10W30
2. Castrol Formula R 5W-30 http://www.castrol.com.au/products/formular/index.html
3. Fuchs Titan Super GTO 5W-30 http://www.fuchs.com.au/html/passeng...ngine_oil.html

I am personally a Mobil 1 fan, so I will try Mobil 1 first.

Re: hello
 

5W-20 is for the US of A, for Australian climate they recommend 5W-30. Anyway, it is very hard to find 5W-20 in Australia, almost impossible. The only one I know is Fuchs Titan GT 0W-20.

Do we need to change it ourself??
Or they will change it as we bring it in for service??

Thanks WINNING great info , much appreciated.

Thklam youre not actually changing the oil youre merely tooping it up , rotary engines use up oil especially for the first 15000km until the rotary seals are well lubricated ,you should chek youre oil levels every 2weeks and top up if required , this is a simple procedure you dont need your dealer to do it.The oil also helps in cooling the rotaryengine.

BTW - How much was the Castrol R 5W-30 at supercheap?

HYMEE THE COST WAS $45.90 FOR 5 LITERS , and i bought a funnel on special 99cents you need one otherwise you are going to make a mess topping the rx8.
Reading the oil guage is not so easy tried to scrape oil stick with brush to be able to read easier , maybe i will put some markings on it.

Filled up with BP ULTIMATE for first time , will let you know if there is any difference from SHELL OPTIMAX.

5w-20
 

I picked up a couple quarts of Castrol 5W-20 from Discount Auto parts. Did you know that two quart bottles of 5W-20 fit perfectly in the storage bin located between the backs of the rear seats (aka trunk pass through cover)? Makes a handy storage spot....those bottles would fly all over my trunk the way I drive...LOL!

Anybody got any 1.8927059 litre bottles so I can give this a try :p

I bought some Castrol synthetic 5-30W this morning on special for $44.95/5L, saved $5!

I've always used a graduated plastic kitchen jug for adding oil (mine, not the kitchen's!), so I know how much I'm putting in. For the 8 I'm using a little 250mL jug.

From a point of view of the engine, going through a little oil keeps the engine in good shape. Say you're using 250mL/1000km, that's 2.5L between 10,000km services. I think the sump holds 4L, so that means the oil is on average a lot fresher than a reciprocating motor that burns much less oil.

My wife has a Nissan NXR, and her oil is like tar after 5000km, which is when we change it.

Labrat , you are definetely spending tooo much time in the lab , hey i like your system of measurement very scientific.

I remember them teling us a the Sydney drive day to NOT use synthetic oil. Something about the apex seals!!!

Does anyone else remember this ?!?

Umph!!!

Just got some 5W-30 Castrol Synthetic myself (as a topper upper).

I hadn't heard anything negative about synthetic oils in the rotary, in fact I thought most with that sort of viscosity would be synthetic.

Keep in mind - I can't provide adequate maintenance for a gate hinge :(

I brought this up with my wife, who was also at the drive day. She also remembers them telling us to not use synthetic oil.

They said that some synthetic oils had been shown to corrode the apex seals... this is part of the reason Mazda will be importing and selling oil.

OK, I hope I have this down right, as it could be the definitive answer to which oil we should be using for topping up.

I rang up my dealer's service dept. this morning - Grand Prix Mazda, Aspley, Brisneyland. They said it is Castrol TXT Softec 5W-30. They also said it was especially formulated for Mazda. Being at heart a sceptic (I am a technologist - it comes with the territory), this made me think that oil companies don't make special products for niche market cars.

Yesterday, I had purchased some Castrol Synthetic type R at SuperCheap Auto. I went back this morning, and was told by the store manager that the TXT Softec had been replaced by the Synthetic R. He said it is not a full synthetic, but has some mineral component.

Next step was to ring the Castrol technical help line (1300 557 998). The guy checked his manual, and said that the difference was merely a naming re-alignment to reduce the number of brands in their range. TXT Softec 5W-30 and Synthetic R 5W-30 are exactly the same formulation. He also said that TXT Softec 5W-30 was specified also by BMW (so much for exclusive manufacture for Mazda!).

One of my colleagues here used to race RX-7's in kiwi-land and said that full synthetics aren't so good, because they don't burn well. He actually used to put oil in his petrol!

Apparently Synthetic R 5W-30 isn't a fll synthetic and has a mineral oil component.

OK, I hope I have this down right, as it could be the definitive answer to which oil we should be using for topping up.

I rang up my dealer's service dept. this morning - Grand Prix Mazda, Aspley, Brisneyland. They said it is Castrol TXT Softec 5W-30. They also said it was especially formulated for Mazda. Being at heart a sceptic (I am a technologist - it comes with the territory), this made me think that oil companies don't make special products for niche market cars.

Yesterday, I had purchased some Castrol Synthetic type R at SuperCheap Auto. I went back this morning, and was told by the store manager that the TXT Softec had been replaced by the Synthetic R. He said it is not a full synthetic, but has some mineral component.

Next step was to ring the Castrol technical help line (1300 557 998). The guy checked his manual, and said that the difference was merely a naming re-alignment to reduce the number of brands in their range. TXT Softec 5W-30 and Synthetic R 5W-30 are exactly the same formulation. He also said that TXT Softec 5W-30 was specified also by BMW (so much for exclusive manufacture for Mazda!).

One of my colleagues here used to race RX-7's in kiwi-land and said that full synthetics aren't so good, because they don't burn well. He actually used to put oil in his petrol!

Labrat i spoke to the mazda tecknical department in melbourne and castrol 5w- 30 synthetick oil is the right one to use apparently on ly the earlier rotaries had to usemineral oils but not the new renesis rotaries .

MAZDA is also bringing their own oil for the rotary from JAPAN which will be available for purchase for the rx8s, hopefully it will get here soon , but if its priced like their accessories i will be telling them to keep it .

This oil will only be available at mazda dealers .

Hang on - I thought Labrat already established that the "special" Mazda oil and the Castrol R 15W-30 are one and the same.

Cheers,
Hymee.

It would not surprise me if the Japanese RX-8 oil was an OEM ("badge engineered") product, ie., a suitable grade from an oil refiner in a special Mazda pack. It hapens all the time. Yesterday I bought some ISO400 film at Coles. Agfa film was $4.00. Polaroid (made by Agfa in Germany) was $2.88 on special. The pricing all depends on how the brand is perceived in the market place, or in Mazda's case, how they want the brand to be perceived.

BTW, sorry about the double post. The forum went crook just as I tried to post the first time.

Thanks for the hard work...I've just had a call from my dealer that my new oil sump has arrived, and I'll be going in next week to get it fitted (part of the Oil light problem dealt with in another thread).

So, I'll see if I can find out anything about the Mazda oil - availability and price...and get an opinion on the Castrol product... but the off the shelf Castrol alternative sounds like the way to go...

Any one which oil is the best for the car? what about different rating like 5w 50. What difference does it make

OK - Just to throw a spanner in the works...

My Brother-In-Law is the Director of a BP division. His prior position with BP was worldwide sale of BP synthetic base product. BP = Castrol.

So I sent him an email asking him if there is any difference between TXT Softec 5W-30 and Synthetic R 5W-30.

His reponse:

TXT Softec 5W-30 = Part Synthetic
Synthetic R 5W-30 = Full Synthetic
"Thank you for supporting our product"

So I will now ask him for any futher information on which is the special oil for the Renisis.

Mmmm...


Cheers,
Hymee.

Hey Hymee

If that's the case, you might get your BIL to chivvy up their technical hotline people and make sure they have the right information to give to the punters. Fortunately, my beast didn't need a top up, and I've kept the docket for the oil. Does that mean that Mazda Oz has cornered the market on a superseded product?

OK - I got another response from my "bro"

"well to be honest, formulation could change from one country to another; it's rare because it cost extra money but it happens. on th e other hand, I am sure a guy from the help line would not tell you what I told you, just in case you work for Shell or Mobil !! anyway, it's true that some formulations go better with some types of seals than others and I would follow the recommendations if I were you, but we are really getting down to the 3rd order details here, which should not make a difference unless you drive a formula . Now, of course the way you like to cane your baby might, under extreme conditions (going uphill at maximum speed and with 40 C outside), influence the service conditions. anyway as long as you stay within the recommended drain interval , it should not be a worry!
anyway, at the end of the day, check on the price if there is a bigdifference (>about 20%), what i said is right!"

Sorry for the slightly broken english. He is French, working in Tokyo! But he is a top guy.

BTW - I looked in the owners manual last night. Outside Europe, there is 13 distinct grades of oil suitable for the engine, ranging from 5W-20 to straight 40.

So now it's time for some Hymee opinions:

• There are more myths about oils than there are about sex.
• Someone mentioned mineral oil burning better... I thought the oil was injected to help lubricate the apex seals.
• I would have thought the better the lubrication properties of the oil, the better the protection offered to the seals.
• If you use what is recommend in the owners manual, how can you go wrong? The warranty is good.
• I reckon the newer Castrol R would be just fine.

(insert teacher smilie here)

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hymee i have read that depending on the oil used your power rating could have a differential of 3% -4% when testing the car on a dyno , if thats the case then( oils arent just oils )

Hi fellow rotariens !!

you may already know this but I have read in many books and service manuals that Mazda only recomend using mineral based oils in Rotary engines.

Check with your local dealer!!

REgards

Daz

That is right. Obviuosly the lower the visocsity of the oil, the less friction.

Also note that you can get different readings on a dyno depending on the day. And it is near impossible to compare one dyno to another. They are a tuning tool to measure changes made to things like the state of tune (i.e. fuel and spark maps) etc.

Cheers,
Mark.

Hymee, please thank your bro-in-law. I noted (as I'm sure you have) that the Castrol full synthetic was around $75/5L at Supercheap. I seem to remember that the TXT Softec was pretty much about the same price as the Formula R when I used to buy Magnatec for my other car - I used to think $25-28/5L was enough, and was shocked at paying $50 for oil. How a new car can change your perceptions.

I think the argument against synthetic in the RX7 was that it didn't burn as fast, and that it led to varnish build up, but apparently the Renesis has different design characteristics in this respect.

After all of that, I checked my car after about 1000km of motoring, and found it only needed ~100mL, if that.

We took it up to Noosa today to hear some jazz (us, not the car). The only problem was some rather aggressive hot Commodore and Ford drivers. I think there's nothing better than letting the morons roar past. Hell, they know deep in their bones who has the cooler car. What do we have to prove?

No worries labrat.

I probably know some of those Commodore drivers:eek:

Well, my last car was an SS (and my dog's name is Brock, and I have a Holden card.....). Totally different sort of car. In pure horsepower terms it was a long way in front of what I have now. It was putting out 235 kW at the rear wheels, which buy a common rule of thumb is about 300+ kW at the flywheel.

It would nice to do similar mods the the '8 - nyuk, nyuk!

But kW is not everything. The '8 is a sports car from the ground up. It more than makes up for the lack of power in it's handling and brake package, and it's level of refinement. I love my '8!

You are right about letting them fly buy ya. Although I am going to be tempted...

Cheers,
Hymee.

(just to keep this thead on topic) PS - I get your drift about synthetic not burning and therefore gumming up. I guess the jury is still out. I will probably be tempted to get a bottle of the Castrol R 5W-30 for top ups.

Thanks guys,

I was a little iffy about putting in a synthetic oil in the motor but your comments have given me the confidence to go ahead.

This forum is a great source of information for those of us that love our RX8s. There may be some rubbish on here but I cannot imagine not having this huge source of information available

My dealer in Canberra (Slaven Mazda) told me they are using Mobil1 0W-40. I note from the Mobil website that this is a fully synthetic oil.

Timbo

Brookvale Mazda service chap said "YOU SHOULD NOT USE SYNTHETIC OIL IT THE RX8".

I would advise Mazda Australia if your Mazda dealer is using what seems to be the wrong type or grade of oil and ask them what is going on with that dealer if it's wrong. (Dob them in!!!)

If you suffer engine damage due to the dealer's stupidity I've no idea where you stand - specially if it blows up the day after your warranty expires.

I've never seen Mobil 0w-40 for sale, what engines would use that in Australia?

So here is something to ponder...

Why would synthetic oil not burn? It is still long chain hydrocarbons, the same chemical composition as oil out of the ground, it is just made in the lab.

Just thinking,
Hymee.

Maybe rotaries are meat eating engines...

Castrol just rang me in response to my email query about Mazda recommending Castrol product.

I was told that 5w30 Synthetic R is the recommended product for the RX-8. I queried this due to the recommendation to use non-synthetic oil and asked if this had been OK'ed by Mazda and the person on the other end of the phone consulted an email he had and told me that Mazda is OK with this.

Anyone heard anything from a reputable source at Mazda?

sco,

Did you ask "the person at the other end" if they could forward on the email?

That would just about bury the issue.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Kev, according to the Mobil website, Mobil1 0W-40 "provides maximum protection, even during extended-use driving. It meets performance specifications of most carmakers, including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, Volkswagon and General Motors." No mention of Mazda!

In terms of Mazda mentioning a number of possible oils, this accords with Australia's competition laws which would act to prevent Mazda specifiying the oil of just one manufacturer.

http://www.mobil.com.au/mobil/mn_mob...cts_mobil1.asp

But this oil story is becoming a real muddle: synthetic or non-synthetic; 5W-30; 0W-40? Castrol, Mobil etc

It concerns me because I always change my oil & filter every 5,000k, and want to get onto a consistent high quality oil that totally meets the vehicle spec.

Timbo:confused:

I agree with the thrust of Hymee's argument, that in effect oils ARE oils, synthetic or no. It's one of those areas I guess (as a chemist) I should know more about, but until now, hadn't given much thought. I can only think that with synthetic oils the manufacturer has more control over the spectrum of hydrocarbon chain lengths (and I suppose the chemical nature of the hydrocarbons) than is possible with oils derived from the refining of crude oil. I could imagine that synthetic oils have been produced to give a longer service life than their "natural" counterparts, and this could include a higher resistance to combustiona. It could be this higher resistance (translating to "harder to burn") which could be of concern in rotary motors.

I'd like to see a more informed exposition than my speculations.

I too have checked the table in the owner's manual, and it would seem that at least in SE Queensland, we can use an oil with a higher minimum viscosity.

No I didn't... as I would not expect someone to comply with a request like that.

I really want to hear this sort of information from Mazda, not Castrol anyway.

Does anyone recall seeing anything in writing about not using synthetic? I can't seem to find anything in the manual that states this.

mazda dealers will be getting japanese oil within 2 to 3 weeks but i suspect it will be no different than castrol 5w -30 as i dont believe that mazda has an exclusive oil just for the rx8 , and it will be interesting to see the price difference between castrol and mazda .
Iwill be changing my oil when the japanese version comes in .

Honestly, the oil debate is nearly as old as the rotary itself. At the end of the day, Mazda (and I don't count the opinion of dealers here) have NEVER officially recommended any synthetic for rotaries.

BUT, (and here's how the controversy starts), companies like Mobil and Castrol have tested their synthetic blends and have stated that they are OK for rotaries. This thread is as good as any of the hundreds on rx7forum.com on the topic:

http://ausrotary.dntinternet.com/for...opic.php?t=263

IMHO, I've seen enough people get >100,000km using Mobil 1 so I'm convinced it burns fine. If I had a car under warranty though, I'd be using something like XHP because the oil cannot be blamed if something goes wrong.

As soon as that warranty finished, I'd be back on Mobil 1. I was seeing 5-7degrees cooler water temperatures when running Mobil 1 and pushing 215rwkw

-pete

I rang Mazda customer service on Thursday... they said the "Mazda" oil was available now. So I rang a couple of the bigger spare parts depts in Brisbane... they both said they don't even have a part number yet and no idea when it would be available.

Pretty poor effort from Mazda customer service I must say.

Agreed. You would think they would get there act together. Wonder what they would do if you needed an oil change, or for that matter asked for one :eek:

Cheers,
Hymee.

My understanding is that the correct RX8 oil is available to the Mazda service departments in a bulk drum, The guys at the service department of Brookval Mazda have all been of on several RX8 training course and seem to know their stuff.

But it's NOT currently available as a "spare part". They've been told it will be coming out with an Oil Co's brand on it, soon - but no "when".

As mentioned previously - they filled a 5l container for me. It tastes great!!!

Kev,

That sounds like the go. I might give that a try. :D

Cheers,
Hymee.