2004mazdarx8tx

Ive been using mobil 1 10w30 full synthetic with mobil 1 filter and have been changing it once a year since i dont drive it more than 10k miles. Was wondering if anyone else goes that long between oil changes. Also anyone use the walmart brand full synthetic?

NotAPreppie

I generally avoid all things "Wal*Mart" on principle. They take the concept of "built down to a price" to an unsettling extreme.

With a full synthetic in a daily driver (as opposed to a track toy), I'd keep the OCI down to 3k/3 months. Some owners go as low as 2k or 1k miles but I think that's a little extreme if you don't take your car to the track.

If you're paranoid, you can send your oil out to Blackstone Labs (or similar) and have them check it to help you fine tune your OCIs.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Based on 5 years of used oil analyses, I'm doing 5000mi or 1 year including some track time. The oil is LiquiMoly full synthetic and the UOA show it still has quite a bit of life left at that point.

Don't take that as a rule unless you're using the same oil in same conditions though.

UnknownJinX

I personally do it every 3k miles(so every 3.5 months-ish) but I use 5W-20 conventional. Like mentioned, do some UOA to figure out your own schedule.

I think there was a cold flow test for a couple of synthetic oil of the same viscosity and the Walmart one has consistently performed the worst. At -40 it basically just wasn't flowing at all while the other oil was flowing at least a small bit.

Anyway, you can get some quality synthetic for cheap when there is a sale going on. I recall that at some point you can get a 5L/quart jug of Pennzoil Synthetic for around $10.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I change mine with every engine replacement, just make sure you use a good synthetic.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

You beat me to it.

wannawankel

NAVYSECO

I recently just changed my oil and it was not close to the 5000km mark however was in the engine for 6 months. Stationed here in Japan I was able to get my hands on the WACO chemical which is highly reccomended by the Japanese mechanics who know about 8's...

Steve Dallas

Oil every 3,000 miles. Filter every 6,000 miles. Mobil 1 0W40 and OE filter.

2004mazdarx8tx

intresting, thanks for that, ive been using mobil 1 once a year but seeing how its like 30 bucks for mobil one and a filter i think i can afford to do it twice a year

2004mazdarx8tx

i think 5w20 is too light of an oil for a rotary, in my opinion mazda used this light of an oil to meet federal regulations. but thats just my opinion, my car seems to run way better with a 30 and im going to use a 40 my next go around.

2004mazdarx8tx

ya i kinda wondered if it was worth doing a mobil 1 filter twice in a year when it says 1 year or 10k miles, was just at walmart, and the mobil 1 filters now say 1 year or 20k miles, is there a way that the oil analysis can check filters?

New Yorker

Unlike most of the people here, I'm just an advertising copywriter. I don't have a degree in automobile engineering nor engine architecture and, unlike most of you, I've never designed engines for mass produced automobiles. I haven't even tested 5w20 vs heavier oils!

So… I use 5w20, changing it four times a year. Over 12 years and 43K miles I've had zero engine problems. None. Nada. So who knows… perhaps the oil weight Mazda recommends is correct. I know… crazy thought, huh??? Guess I'm just a risk taker by nature.

All kidding aside, all anyone needs to remember is to change the oil and filter regularly and check the oil level often. Oil weight? I suspect that's not nearly as important.

2004mazdarx8tx

right just giving my personal opinion, you really cant compare what a car goes through in ny vs tx, theres a reason why people choose a heavier oil when its 105 outside.

UnknownJinX

Like said, it depends on where you live and what you do with your car.

If you live in Texas and track a lot, XW-40 is a good choice. Mine is a spirited DD on the west coast of Canada, so 5W-20 does just fine.

I wouldn't just blindly go up the grade. Thicker oil doesn't necessarily mean the best protection. In fact, you want the thinnest oil that won't break down in your driving conditions.

Here is a good place to learn about oils:
https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/201...-test-ranking/

04Green

iTrader: (1)

3K

At 3333, 6666 and 9999 on odometer.

REDRX3RX8

wannawankel

Does anyone know of an inexpensive 5W40 conventional that I can use in place of Wally World Supertech 5W30? As you know I'm on an "experimental" 1000-1500 mi OCI using $12 Supertech.

Steve Dallas

I have to use OE filters due to having a Series 2, but I use Napa Gold (Wix) or Mobil 1 filters in my other cars



Honestly, I'm sure I could push the OE filter to 9K miles, and I might in the future, but I am under engine warranty for the next year, so I'm keeping my nose clean.


Off the top of my head, I don't know of a test for filters. You want it to maintain oil pressure without opening the pressure release valve. You would probably need data logging to see when that valve opens by looking for a rapid change in pressure. I suppose you could cut open filters at different intervals and see how dirty they are. In any case, filters are relatively inexpensive and not a wise place to save money. The same can be said for oil.

UnknownJinX

TBH the OEM oil filter is like CAN$10 a pop from the local dealer. Not many filters are cheaper than that. And yeah, if you have an S2, get the OEM one. My dealer told me that it's actually specially tailored for the S2 RX-8, as they can't find any other Mazda that uses it.

I change my filter with every oil change, which I guess is a bit too excessive, yeah? An oil change without the filter change would have been a lot quicker, too, since you don't have to take the undercover off to reach the filter. Less messy, too.

florida8

2000 miles, 20w-50 castrol gtx

Steve Dallas

There is a long thread about it here somewhere. The S2 filter has a higher rating on its pressure relief valve due to the higher oil pressure in S2 cars. It is unique to the RX-8 S2, and aftermarket filters are not available. I buy them for about $10 off Amazon, and I can't complain about that at all.

UnknownJinX

Yeah, I read the thread made by ASH8. That sealed the deal for me.

And you are saying you change the filter every 2 oil changes? I change the filter with every oil change, but then again I am using conventional oil. At least the S2 oil filter location isn't as awkward as S1...

IamFodi

iTrader: (1)

2,000 mile oil changes, Mobil Super 5W-20 conventional (because still in engine warranty).
6,000 mile filter changes, Genuine Mazda filter (because S2).

Considering going synthetic after the engine warranty is up. Not sure what OCI I'll do then...

Steve Dallas

I have a Fumoto valve that allows for easy drain and fill events. I do that every 3K miles and change the filter every 6K miles. I use quality synthetic oil, which makes my change events look silly, until you realize I also track my car about once a month.