New Rx8 owner, some questions!
 

Hi all !

Before anything, I HAVE read the new/potential owners thread.

I have recently acquired a 2005 Mazda RX8 GT and I am in love. The RX8 is my favourite vehicle :) It has always been something I have wanted. I am 20 years old and reside in beautiful British Columbia.

http://oi46.tinypic.com/21liyqg.jpg


I had some questions though. At the dealership, all tests were done and everything was working perfectly, as this was a surprise gift to me I wasn't at the dealership myself but the paperwork said everything was in excellent condition.

I know all about the oil consumption, flooding, oil changes, premium gas, mediocre fuel economy(nobody drives a rx8 for fuel economy)

My question is, the oil levels currently are a bit over half way, and from my knowledge 5W 20 is Mazda's recommendation, can I just fill up the engine with 5W 20 oil from any brand or will I have to use the exact same brand the dealership used? (Dumb question I know, but I don't want anything bad to happen to this car)

I also feel that the accelerator is very sensitive(could be because I came from driving a 1996 Jetta) and I end up giving it too much gas while releasing the clutch. Any tips regarding how to get a smooth launch would be great since I am fairly new to Manual transmissions since I did not want to drive automatics anymore.

Thank you.

Yes just fill it up with any 5w20 oil but at least try and go for a major brand. Even if there is another type of oil in there it is still ok. Also read about oil on this site and decide what type of oil you want to use, or just go with 5w20 if you are keeping it dealer maintained and want it easier.

Just release the clutch slowly until you feel it bite a bit and then give it a little gas while releasing the clutch the rest of the way. Being at 1500-2000 rpm(try for closer to 1500) is plenty to get the car going just don't dump the clutch and make sure you are smooth letting it out. You are not going to hurt it by slowly letting it out as long as you are not going like 20+ feet with the clutch still being let out. It can be explained a hundred times but you will just need to get experience and then you will be fine.If you feel you are giving it too much gas then try giving it less and see what happens.

Also do not ride the clutch pedal, use the dead pedal next to it to rest your foot.

Be sure to read this https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/ if you have not already. If the link doesn't work its in this same sub-forum at the top as a sticky. If a compression test was not done or you do not know the results it might be a good idea to get one done before the 8year/100k mile warranty runs out on the engine unless it has for this car already.

Any 'name-brand' 5w20 will be fine.

That said, most owners 'feel' 5w20 is too thin, and use 5w30 or 5w40.....

I would NOT use 10w30, since most are low tech and cheaply made.

Personally I use 0w40 full synthetic, covers all my needs.

The clutch and shifting will come as you drive, have fun!

Thanks for the replies, I had something pop up in my head,

I read the new owner thread but I could not find what I was looking for.

How much oil does the engine exactly hold? Everyone says to add a quart every 1000-1500miles depending on how you drive it.

Also, could someone please put all these amounts into Canadian terms as I can't wrap my head around gallons, quartz, and miles(Sorry). Currently it's a bit over half way so I know I have to fill that up soon.

https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...n-guide-26291/
Last post has all of the technical specs, including the various capacities. An oil change is usually around 4 quarts, but can swing plus or minus a quart from that depending on how you do it, how much oil is left, how much oil is in the cooler lines, etc...

1 quart is just about 1 liter
1 US gallon is just under 4 liters
1 mile is 1.6km

Thanks RIWWP,

If I were to use 5W 30 non synthetic oil, would it void my car warranty as 5W 20 is the recommendation? I ask this because there are many people who use different kinds. Also, if my car currently has 5W 20 running in it, would putting in 5W 30 cause damage?

Sorry for these oil questions as I did not have a lot of information to go off on since I wasn't present at the dealership when it was bought.

I put 5w-20 in and top off with 5w-30. i might make the switch next oil change to run just 5w-30.

Also from what I understand, mixing 5w-20 and 5w-30 on an oil change and for example 2qts of each, it will give you 5w-25.

I think RIWWP has a whole thing on it.. I know its somewhere on the forums.

It's in my sig, new owner's thread. Oil section.