How much oil has your RX8 burned in the last 5000 miles?
 

Curious to know what the average is...

I'm guilty of choosing 5+ Yikes!!! in the poll. :p

With my car I've noticed that oil useage is directly proportional to the throttle position. For example with normal driving (in my case that is moderately aggressive with 16-18 MPG as a point of referrence) it burns through a quart of oil in about 1,000 miles but during track days it will go through a quart in about 600 miles at 7.5 MPG. This makes sense because the oil metering pump is supposed to inject more oil during heavy loads to protect the engine.

IMHO I'd rather have it inject more oil to protect the engine and have to top it off more frequently versus having it inject a set amount for all conditions and risk more engine damage.

You know the oil light at high-speed problem? I've come to the conclusion that it's a good thing. It tells me my car needs oil, becuase it only happens when my oil level is not completely full. I've seen it happen with my oil level at about 75% full.

But once fill it to 100%, the problem goes away.

Based on the results so far, oil usage (which is normal for a rotory engine) seems to be very small and a non-issue.

Agreed. With mine, more oil is used when traveling at super-highway speeds for extended periods, at > 4K rpm.

Oil add more.....
 

My answer to this poll is - "obviously I haven't added ENOUGH".

If engines are cratering due to inadequate front rotor lubrication, then it seems obvious that the injection amount is inadequate. My previous rotary used about a quart a month, and I suspect Mazda wanted to drastically reduce the consumtion, to make it more user friendly.

I think they went too far, cut it too much, and I predict that Mazda will shortly recall the cars to raise the amount injected.
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doc

I accidentally clicked on "5" thinking that it used 5/4 .. the word 'quarts' confused me and now I don't see how to correct it.

I just filled up again, so after 3000 miles it has used 1.25 quarts.

Since you asked 5000 - I should've voted 2 quarts I guess.

-Peter

FYI,

I only have 2000 miles on mine. In which time I have put in a little over a quarter. At this rate it will be about 2.5 to 3 quarts in 5000 miles, so that is how I voted.

-Mr. Wigggles

I have 5600 miles and never seen oil light come on

I have added oil twice but less than 1/2 a quart total

I used one quart in 3,000 miles. My driving has been moderate -- reference point around 17 mpg mixed driving, 20+ highway, with A/T.

i have about 4800 on my 8. never had the oil light come on....crossing fingers, since i am gonna drive to vegas in a week.

i wonder if MikeB's car never having had the oil light come on has anything to do with it being an automatic....since it has a lower rev limit?

take care

santino

maybe santino
it is a auto

I am at 2000 miles now, and just added 1 quart (for the first time).

BTW, anyone have thoughts about oil changes. Since you really only change a part of the oil (the oil coolers hold a bunch), doesn't it seem like we are just diluting the dirty oil? Anyone think we should drain the coolers (I noticed that Canzoomer mentioned that he flushed his once with compressed air).

I just went over 2000 miles... the car was overfilled when I bought it and its still a bit over the full line

Thanks everyone for contributing to the poll.. I realize now that I am actually burning more oil people.. I guess I drive pretty rough.. but loving every second of it hehe

I'm slightly over 4500 miles and have added a tad over 2.5 qts. I like the WOT too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

hmmm.... guess that's a real good reason the MPG is low too... If you drive it like you stole it... 10-12mpg isn't bad at all and while you're gassing up... CHECK THE DAMN OIL!

If you drive like my legally blind cousin who leaves her left turn blinker on for 30+ miles while in the left lane of I-75 going 52mph in 6th gear... then I'd say your MPG and OIL usage will be drastically different than my results. BTW if my cousin bought an RX-8, I'd have to smack her around and make her eat at the KIDDIES' table this Holiday season.