General Maintenance/Oil Change
#1
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General Maintenance/Oil Change
Hey!,
I just finished the paperwork on a new Velocity Red Touring RX-8 to be brought into this world and to me sometime in April, target delivery date. The information on this site has been a great help to me, however I do have a question I think would be best answered by the experienced people on this board.
I realize the rotary is vastly different then regular piston engines and I realize we are suppose to check our oil and add more if necessary every other fill-up. What is your recommendation on actual oil changes or other standard maintenance on the vehicle? I know that the 3000 miles really doesn't hold true anymore for normal piston engines, many of those can go 6000 or more without any problems not that I would wait that long. What is the situation with our new beloved Rotary engine? Can any old place change the oil or will Mazda force me to go to them to get it "done right"? Thanks for you information in advance!
Cerestes
I just finished the paperwork on a new Velocity Red Touring RX-8 to be brought into this world and to me sometime in April, target delivery date. The information on this site has been a great help to me, however I do have a question I think would be best answered by the experienced people on this board.
I realize the rotary is vastly different then regular piston engines and I realize we are suppose to check our oil and add more if necessary every other fill-up. What is your recommendation on actual oil changes or other standard maintenance on the vehicle? I know that the 3000 miles really doesn't hold true anymore for normal piston engines, many of those can go 6000 or more without any problems not that I would wait that long. What is the situation with our new beloved Rotary engine? Can any old place change the oil or will Mazda force me to go to them to get it "done right"? Thanks for you information in advance!
Cerestes
#2
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I always follow the manufacturers recommendation. On this car, the regular service interval is 7500 miles, or 5000 under extreme conditions. I'm finding myself adding a quart of oil in between (did so yesterday at 8200 miles, after a 5000 mile oil change. Level was just below the low mark on the dipstick.)
You can go to any old place, just make sure they use quality materials or even do it yourself for that matter.
You can go to any old place, just make sure they use quality materials or even do it yourself for that matter.
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My take on the oil is this:
check it weekly - especially at first.
Prep for a change at 3000 - Monitor the oil condition. It is the best indicator - is it semi clear, brown and cloudy or black and smelly? Obviously black and smelly is not good.
Congratulations on your soon to come brand spankin new red jewel!
Owner since 7/19/03
check it weekly - especially at first.
Prep for a change at 3000 - Monitor the oil condition. It is the best indicator - is it semi clear, brown and cloudy or black and smelly? Obviously black and smelly is not good.
Congratulations on your soon to come brand spankin new red jewel!
Owner since 7/19/03
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I don't know if you change oil yourself, but I had a little trouble getting a filter wrench that would fit it. I never owned a Mazda before, so I was unaware that the filter was TINY in comparison to anything else that I had ever had before. It took several trips to pep-boys with a replacement filter to find a wrench that fit, and the universal wrenches were right out. Way too big.
Other than that, I found my oil looking and smelling funky at around four thousand miles so I changed it then, but I may just be being obsessive. I've been using Castrol 5/20 and that seems to be working well, and it should be pointed out that not alot of people are manufacturing or stocking 5/20 yet therefore be sure that whatever shop youy might take it to has the oil to put in and does not up you to 5/30.
Other than that, I found my oil looking and smelling funky at around four thousand miles so I changed it then, but I may just be being obsessive. I've been using Castrol 5/20 and that seems to be working well, and it should be pointed out that not alot of people are manufacturing or stocking 5/20 yet therefore be sure that whatever shop youy might take it to has the oil to put in and does not up you to 5/30.
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Originally posted by Haze
I don't know if you change oil yourself, but I had a little trouble getting a filter wrench that would fit it. I never owned a Mazda before, so I was unaware that the filter was TINY in comparison to anything else that I had ever had before. It took several trips to pep-boys with a replacement filter to find a wrench that fit, and the universal wrenches were right out. Way too big.
I don't know if you change oil yourself, but I had a little trouble getting a filter wrench that would fit it. I never owned a Mazda before, so I was unaware that the filter was TINY in comparison to anything else that I had ever had before. It took several trips to pep-boys with a replacement filter to find a wrench that fit, and the universal wrenches were right out. Way too big.
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Everyone,
Thanks for the information so far. Good to know it's not really anything too different then other cars. I've heard some people complain about the difficult in checking the oil in these because of the engine cover, etc. Is it really that hard/annoying? I guess next time I'm by the dealership I'll just have them show me where the thing is hiding at under the hood.
Cerestes
Thanks for the information so far. Good to know it's not really anything too different then other cars. I've heard some people complain about the difficult in checking the oil in these because of the engine cover, etc. Is it really that hard/annoying? I guess next time I'm by the dealership I'll just have them show me where the thing is hiding at under the hood.
Cerestes
#7
Took my 8 in to Jiffy Lube today to try to get the oil changed. They had 5W-20, but did not have the proper filter. They called the auto parts store next door, and they didn't have it either.
I really don't want to change it at the dealer, so I guess I'll try to get the stuff together to do it myself.
I really don't want to change it at the dealer, so I guess I'll try to get the stuff together to do it myself.
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Originally posted by Speed-ER doc
Took my 8 in to Jiffy Lube today to try to get the oil changed. They had 5W-20, but did not have the proper filter. They called the auto parts store next door, and they didn't have it either.
I really don't want to change it at the dealer, so I guess I'll try to get the stuff together to do it myself.
Took my 8 in to Jiffy Lube today to try to get the oil changed. They had 5W-20, but did not have the proper filter. They called the auto parts store next door, and they didn't have it either.
I really don't want to change it at the dealer, so I guess I'll try to get the stuff together to do it myself.
#10
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Originally posted by Speed-ER doc
Took my 8 in to Jiffy Lube today to try to get the oil changed. They had 5W-20, but did not have the proper filter. They called the auto parts store next door, and they didn't have it either.
I really don't want to change it at the dealer, so I guess I'll try to get the stuff together to do it myself.
Took my 8 in to Jiffy Lube today to try to get the oil changed. They had 5W-20, but did not have the proper filter. They called the auto parts store next door, and they didn't have it either.
I really don't want to change it at the dealer, so I guess I'll try to get the stuff together to do it myself.
http://www.trussvillemazda.com/parts...004/model/RX-8
#11
Originally posted by Speed-ER doc
Took my 8 in to Jiffy Lube today to try to get the oil changed. They had 5W-20, but did not have the proper filter. They called the auto parts store next door, and they didn't have it either.
I really don't want to change it at the dealer, so I guess I'll try to get the stuff together to do it myself.
Took my 8 in to Jiffy Lube today to try to get the oil changed. They had 5W-20, but did not have the proper filter. They called the auto parts store next door, and they didn't have it either.
I really don't want to change it at the dealer, so I guess I'll try to get the stuff together to do it myself.
Why would you not want to change it at the dealer if I may ask? In my area Jiffy Lube charges $29, my dealer will charge me $25 so from a cost standpoint the dealer is cheaper...plus since they are supposed to know this car less chance of them doing something wrong...god forbid some Jiffy Lube guy flooding the engine of your 8
I'd do it myself but I'd rather pay someone to do it. I don't like to get dirty and crawl on the ground to change oil anymore. I'm just trying to do my part and keep the U.S. economy growing ...you know that lesson about you earn a dollar...you spend that dollar...someone else get's it...they spend it. I sweated over my car for 4 hours washing and Zainoing on Sunday...that's more work than I did on my last car in the past 6 years combined
#12
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Look for an "F" size filter wrench at any Auto parts store. Got mine at Pep Boys - it is actually a dual-size wrench, with the outer size being larger than the F.
#13
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Originally posted by Jsuzuki
Mazda has part that fits perfectly on top of the filter and you could use a socket wrench to take it off. I used it for the Miata I owned. Ask the parts department.
Mazda has part that fits perfectly on top of the filter and you could use a socket wrench to take it off. I used it for the Miata I owned. Ask the parts department.
Nah, I got one at Pepboys already. Same thing, a filter socket to go on a socket wrench, and it too is a perfect fit. So, problem was solved. Thanks for the advice though.
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Originally posted by Jsuzuki
I thought it's the "small" filter for Mazdas. Mazda cars only use two size, small and large... I'm pretty sure the RX-8's filter is the same as the Miata filter.
I thought it's the "small" filter for Mazdas. Mazda cars only use two size, small and large... I'm pretty sure the RX-8's filter is the same as the Miata filter.
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