Aratinga

Okay; this has happened to me twice now, at two different dealers, so this is more than just a fluke. Just so y'all know, I'm one of the "free scheduled maintenance" cars -- otherwise I wouldn't go near a dealer service department. I took my 8 in for its second oil change today; I tried going to Anaheim Mazda this time since Claremont Mazda's service department is virtually impossible to get a while-u-wait appointment with (see this thread), and when I did finally get an appointment they proceeded to overfill my car with the wrong oil (using 10W-30 instead of the manual specified 5W-20). I made them drain it and promised myself to never subject my car to their incompetence again.

SO -- I figured I'd give Anaheim Mazda's service department a try. Getting the while-u-wait appointment was no problem. When I got there, I thought I'd better ask to make sure they use 5W-20 oil. They told me, "Oh, no -- we don't even carry that. We use 10W-30. It's fine for the RX-8."

I showed them my owner's manual, which specifies ONLY 5W-20. I even showed them the oil filler cap which has 5W-20 stamped right on it. One of the service guys then disappeared into the back office, allegedly to call Mazda Technical/Engineering to get an answer.
After 10 minutes, he comes back and says they told him it's okay to use the 10W-30 and that the 5W-20 is only specified because of EPA gas mileage requirements.

I wasn't buying it -- I walked. I then called Mazda Customer Service on my cell phone from the parking lot and asked them what was going on, and why I can't find a dealer who was willing to put the correct oil in my car. The Customer Service drone goes, "Oh really? We haven't heard of this before." I told him that most owners probably ASSUME the dealer is putting the correct oil in and don't even ask or check.

So he says he'll get back to me "at the beginning of next week". In the meantime, I'm fuming. So do you guys know for sure that you have 5W-20 oil, or did you just "ASSUME" the dealer put the right stuff in? I suggest you look at your receipts and call your service departments. You may be in for a surprise. Post your results here!

Racer X-8

My report has 5W-20 written by hand on it. That's a pretty good indication. I'm a little impressed that they got it right.

My condolences on the local incompetence there...

I'm like you, if it weren't for the free maint., my and my car's presence around the service dept. would be very rare indeed. If you want it done right...:D

tribal azn2

if we cant trust our dealers, then who can we trust?




seriously tho, dealers are scum. and im due for an oil, ill be sure to make sure these beyatches use the correct oil

Nubo

I'll be interested to hear their response.

Thinthi

if we can't trust our dealers who can we trust... we can never trust our dealers... the same guys who will screw you in every way they can. never trust the dealers, they don't care about you at all....

jdmlover79

what kind of dealer willing to lose their license over engine oils?

shift_zoom8

Aratinga, if it wasn't for the free scheduled maintenance, where would you take your RX8 to get oil changes and other service? Is there an independent rotary shop close to Diamond Bar? I heard of one in Santa Ana. Forgot the name.

Also, Claremont focuses on the Ford side at the COMPLETE neglect of the poor Mazda side. Haven't you noticed?

I took my car for the first oil change to Romero Mazda right off the 15 between the 10 and 60. I was surprised that they actually put in 5W20 Shell oil, or at least that's what they wrote on the windshield sticker. Maybe you could try Romero Mazda. West Covina Mazda is also close to you. Is there any reason you went to Anaheim over West Covina?

bztips

Check out this link:
http://www.bestsyntheticoil.com/amsoil/5w20-cafe.shtml

It makes the same claim stated by Aratinga's service rep regarding fuel economy. If you believe it, there really is no need to use 5W-20, but if you insist on it, you should use a synthetic. Of course, that brings up the whole issue of whether synthetics are OK for rotaries. Lots of other threads on that have already been posted.

/Bill

Chuck Clifford

You are not the only one. There was another thread talking about the same thing. I asked specifically to my dealer, and before I could finish the question, he was stating that they only put 5W20 in rotaries, and that they have a couple of rotary mechanics that work all the RX7's and now RX8's that come in. They knew the flooding issue and how to deal with driving a car a very short distance. I was very happy with my servicing. I would keep pushing buttons, until you get the right answer, which is 5W20, just as the manual requires.

6speed8

I bring my own oil - Castrol 5-20.

allstate

One thing you could do is ask for the empty oil containers.

Jhouse

my dealer sais i have to specially request it or they just use 10w30
bullshit i know, i'm sure that even if i request it they wouldn't run out and buy it for me. my dealer also uses chevron oil products but a top my oil off with castrol 5w20. This issue really sucks because i only pay 10 bucks to have my oil changed by the dealer and it would probably cost me more to do it myself or i would.

93rdcurrent

bztips,

I am curious about the synthetic oil issue. My dealer said not to use synth or it would void the warranty and it also states in my manual not to use it. I understand that the oil is used to seal the rings around the rotors and how much different does the synthetic oil perform than the standard?

I will be taking my car in for its first oil change on Tuesday I'll let you know if they try any funny business.

Aratinga

Good question. For routine oil changes I've taken my other cars to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change place in LaVerne that I've always had good luck with. My Miatae and my previous Volvos all got Valvoline full synthetic oils. My Volvo dealer was great (Bozzani in Covina) so I never had dealer service issues with them. The Miatas are only worked on by trusted friends who are fellow Miataphiles with exceptional mechanical aptitude and every tool known to man (Thanks, you guys - you know who you are! )

I wish I knew of one. It seems that there are very few technicians at any of the dealerships who remember what it's like to work on a rotary engine.

Oh yeah, I've noticed. I wouldn't ever take any of my cars there again. If I wanted $%^&* Ford mechanics working on my car, I'd have bought a $%^&* Ford!

I'd been by the West Covina Mazda (I bought some Miata oil filters there) and wasn't impressed with their facility (kinda old and small). However, I did just call them and asked the service writer what oil they use in RX-8s. He gave the right answer (ding-ding-ding-ding!) so I've got a while-u-wait appointment for next Tuesday afternoon. We'll see...

LambertRX8

I regretted it but I did anyway. I had to take my 8 to the local Buick, Cadillac, Isuzu, Mazda dealer in my town. I figured since I bought it from them they would know. NOT! After sitting for an hour and then watching the tech take my car out the back door, (to see if it was running well), finally come back. I paid the bill sat in the car and looked at the window sticker. 10W30 OIL USED!!! I was pissed. I should have figured such incompetence from a BUICK/CADILLAC/ISUZU/MAZDA Dealer.

When I went back I vented my displeasure the service manager asked the "oil" guy what he did and his responce was "Well it said 5-20 on the cap but I put 10-30 in, it will be ok." They said they woould fix the problem but I was in a hurry and they had already wasted the better part of my day. I probably would just change the sticker anyway to make me happy.

Guess I will learn to to my own.

DAC17

I know. I watched him put in the 5-20 this afternoon.

9-K Rever

Guys on my last oil change the dealer put in 5-W 30 and I feel 8 is likeing that much better than the 5-w20. check this thread and see why.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...getting+better

Mazda Monkey

After 10 minutes, he comes back and says they told him it's okay to use the 10W-30 and that the 5W-20 is only specified because of EPA gas mileage requirements.

True!

stauburn

Once agian I take my baby to Mazda to get my oil changed( simply because I don't have the time to do it myself. I get my car back after the mandatory 90 min wait for a20 min job and the f***kers puit in the wrong oil!!!!!!!!!!! They used 10W30..Needless to say I was pissed..I pointed it out to the service person and she was pissed...so as they say s**t rolls downhill and the tech kid got his *** yelled at. Of course they changed the oil .

The sad thing was when I was getting ready to leave I overheard the cashiers talking to each other and they said they it was the second time today they someone put the wrong oil in the RX8!!!

The moral of this story is I will change my own oil after getting screwed over by 2 different Mazda dealerships....

Good day people,

Aratinga

It's pathetic how "old news" this is. Stauburn, that is in no way aimed at you! I'm just commenting on what a widespread screw-up this is amongst our thick-headed Mazda "service" departments. See these threads for more:

this one...

and this one....

And I'm sure there are more. I know how you're feeling! If I didn't have the free scheduled maintenance I'd never let a Mazda dealer's techs touch my car. As it is, I almost feel like I have to stand over them and watch them like a hawk. Sheesh.

Tirxer

currently 890 miles..

maybe changing the oil sometime 1200-1500 miles, please dont go to the dealership unless they let u inside and watch over them.. which is not likely. Find a local car shop that services factory service intervals for all imports. I found a place where they do everything from an oil change to body work. Im staying away from dealerships.

zoom44

but Monkey my man what does that mean? that 10w30 will somehow effect gas mileage? if so, the mpg isn't that great to begin with so why would someone want to take the chance of making it worse?

Q121825

I asked the Service Manager to show me on the floor the oil used. They had 5W20 on hand (more than just the 8 takes it in the Mazda line). Luckily for me, it was late on a Friday and they weren't busy so I could walk onto the service floor.

I also quizzed him about the flooding issue. He was quite understanding (having just blew $30k on a car) and explained at length that they understood and would take special precautions. In fact, it was cold and raining when I last changed my oil and we completed the paperwork and then drove my car to me so I could hop in while it was running. No flooding risk after pouring in ~5 quarts of cold oil.

I also asked to speak with the "Mazda Certified Renesis Mechanics". One is new, having just completed Mazda's required training. The other has been working on Rotary engines since the FC days. As of yet, they have not had to service any Renesis engines other than standard maintenance (oil changes).

Now, all 3 of them could have lied to me, but I will assume, for the moment, they did not. I couldn't watch them change the oil as they do not have a viewing window. Next time, when it is warmer, I'll stand in the doorway and watch..

Jhouse

my dealer finally started carrying it after selling about 6 rx8's

93rdcurrent

My dealer has had it since I bought my 8. I am one of the lucky ones.