ImPmpnU2

i check my oil about every other fill-up (550 miles roughly) and usually need to add almost half a quart of oil.... anyone else add this much oil!?!

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

how hard do you drive, redline every shift??? that's a lot of oil use.

ImPmpnU2

i dont drive it really that hard... well i bought the car with 900 miles on it (probably never had any oil added). and now i'm at roughly 3000 miles and have added a quart and a half - so i guess maybe half a quart every 1K then.....

mrkinn

I have an oil question if u dont mind me butting in ur thread... As long as the oil is between the lines on the dipstick am i ok?? I checked it the other day and its just under the half way point... ???

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

you're 'safe' at that oil level, but probably want to top it off if it's below the halfway mark, especially if you happen to have some oil laying around...

LiveToRev

1/3 quart of oil every 1,500 miles

mrkinn

i do it... anyone have a fav. oil they use??? mobil.. what about synthedic crap??? what 5w20 w30???

torbee

OK, really stupid question from someone who is admittedly automotivelly challenged:

Can you put too much oil in? I mean, I hear people talk about "topping it off" but I've wondered exactly how precise you have to be.

(Please don't crucify me for my ignorance)

LiveToRev

I'm currently using Mobil dino oil 5w20. Will be switching to Castrol dino oil soon.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

yes you CAN put too much oil in there, the oil level gauge (aka the dipstick) has 'FULL' and 'LOW' markings for a reason. always try to keep the oil level between those two markings.

Detrich

every other fill up i usually check the oil first, then add around a quarter of a quart of the mazda rotary oil...

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

That sounds like quite a bit of oil you're using up. I typically only have to add a half quart every 1000 miles or so. I wouldn't worry about it too much though.

As for Oil questions:
I've been using Castrol GTX 5-20 and it works pretty well.
Torbee: YES, it is possible to add too much oil. Some people even say that having too much oil can be worse then not having enough. IF you happen to overfill by a little, I wouldn't worry TOO much though since our car does burn off that oil as you drive.
MrkinnYou CAN add synthetic to your car if you like. Mazda does 'not recommend' it only due to the fact that not all synthetics are made the same. Belive it or not some are pretty crummy... If you are going to use synthetic, I'd probably recommend using something like Redline or Royal Purple.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

mrkinn

i really have no desire on using synthedic.. What does it do?? u dont have to change ur oil as offten and doesnt break down as quick...blah blah blah In my eclipse I used mobil all the time.. but is it safe to say that oil is oil??? some use different detergents??? Talk about hyjacking threads.. sorry

lefty63

I usually add a quart between oil changes and I use Mobile 5w20.

Astral

Mine uses 1 quart every 2000 miles. I find myself adding 2.5 quarts between oil changes (every 5K, according to the heavy duty schedule II in the manual).

I suppose I don't really drive it hard, hence the oil usage is not high.

REMillers

Probably every oil change I'll add half a quart if that, sometimes I don't need to add any.

Check it every 2 fill ups, which in redneck central here as they stare trying to figure out where the rest of the engine is

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

i use at most 1/2 qt every 3000 miles (my oil change interval)

however i have used as much as 1 full quart in less than 200 miles

it was during track day weekend of course

Avalonstar

Yeah, I'm about normal with everybody else. A quart every 1250 to 1500 miles... and I use Idemitsu.

Krankor

Alright, my turn to flaunt my ignorance.

What's with this "topping off" business? When it's down enough that I can add a whole quart, I do so, but I can't fathom screwing around with half or third quarts. I'm really not interested in carrying around opened, half-full bottles of oil in the car. If I'm keeping the oil between the lines, why isn't that good enough?

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

you do have a point, as long as you keep the oil level between the lines you're fine.

some of us (well most of us) are just really **** about keep the oil always topped off

REMillers

Not only do track days eat up more oil, but in some cases cause grass to get stuck in the wheel wells

Barry Gross

I only have 1,000 miles on my 8 and the dipstick indicates I still don' t need to add any oil yet. The 8 is great!

RX8_GT

I do oil changes every 2500 miles on my RXs - and generally check it half way between. Occasionally 1/2 quart added to the 8 then - if I've been pushing it a little.

The 2500 mile oil change is cheap and easy IMHO - just 30 minutes on Rhino ramps.

Rotary78

I use Castrol GTX 5W-20.... i thought we weren't allowed to use synthetic oil?

Krankor

Ok, thanks. That was what I figured, but I wanted to be sure I wasn't missing anything.