break in period
 

I read alot about the break in period here but there's very little said in the manual. How long you guys think i should run it before really taking the revs to the bell? I've gone up to 7k so far on a few occasions.

I have no previous experiences with thr rotary engine. I followed the instructiions in the manual with some exceptions. I did not take it above 5000 RPM for the first 1000 kms. I then bumped it up occasionaly to 6000 RPM for the next 700 kms. I then bumbed it up occasionaly to 7000 RPMs. I'm at 2500 kms and I just bumped it up a couple of times to 8000 RPM. I'm going to get my oil changed around 3000 kms. Just before I go in, I'll bump it up to 9000 RPM. I'm also keeping hard sarts and stops to a minimum until 3000 kms.

I do not know if I'm too cautious, but it is my baby and I want to treat her well. On the other hand, the car is meant to be driven and I will be doing that after my first oil change at 3000 kms.

I also have observed the cold shutdown procedure which is not just for the break-in period but all the time. This is something that will be challenging for me to remember as I've never had to do this before.

The above sounds about right and is probably too cautios even. I think by 1-2K km you're good to go. :) Unless rotary engines are different from piston when it comes to the length of the break in period. Modern piston engines are broken in by the 1,000km mark. Of course they will not provide max hp at that point but they are ready for the redline.

Thanks guys, i'm at 2200 Ks now so i'm about good to rev it up. The oil change at 3000 k... is it to be on the safe side or a manditory thing to do. I've never done that before on my new cars.

I had an RX-7 for 5 years but bought it used at 11000 Kms so i did not need to break it in.

There are two schools when it comes to the decision on how soon to change the first "break in" oil.

There is an awesome webboard that has a lot of knowleadgeable people wrt to engine and other machine lubricants. They also analyze used motor oil to see how well the oil has held up in a particular car over the interval. Here is the url: http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi


Some people say wait the maximum interval since the "break in" oil has special additives to help the engine break in. Usually the break in oil has tons of molybdenum in it.

Then there is the school of thought that you should change the oil by the 1000km mark to get out all the engine particles that are in the oil from the break in.

It's up to you really.. Personally I think it should be somewhere in between, not 1000km but also not 6,000km. On my car I would change it at 2-3K km.

ill follow that lead... 3 K it will be.

Dealer told me not to come back till 8000 KM! That's what the manual recommends, for the climate we are in, in Ottawa.

I might do it every 6000

How about for that 1st time?

Dealer over here told me to start at 8000 km , and every 8000 after that also . Will ask them again tomorow.

8,000 km ?

That's interesting, the standard interval is usually 6,000 Km.

Let me know what your dealer say after you confirm with them, MadJoker. Thanks.

Also, for those of you who are getting (or have gotten) their oil change, please let us know the cost Mazda are charging us per oil change for the RX-8, thanks guys.

Hey all, just check with my dealer again , a re-affirmed that the intervals on the 8 is 8000 km... i'm gonna go read the owners manual, just to make sure...


Madjoker

I was told not to come get my first oil change until 7500 miles.

However, I'll likely wander in there at around 5000, and then every 3000 thereafter. I drive harder than most people do and I think the oil changes will reflect that.

f1michel, check your PM.

Says right in the service manual climate 2 (for ottawa) 8000Km even the first one.

I think it's 8000Km or 6 months though, I'll probably hit 6months before 8000km.

i'll deffinitely hit 8000 Kms before 6 months... more like
2.5 or 3 months i'll let you guys know how much they charge for the oil and filter change.