I'm on the 3rd tank of gas with my new 8 and the oil level has hardly changed; maybe down 1/8" on the dipstick at most. I'm still breaking in the engine so I'm keeping the RPM's below 5k and mostly around 2k to 4k. From what I've read, the Renesis engine is supposed to use a bit oil and the oil level should be checked at every second fillup. I think I've read reviews where some drivers actually needed to add oil every second or third fillup, or maybe a little longer. Since my 8 is apparently not using much oil yet, would it be safe to say the oil consumption goes up with more spirited driving?

1.3L

 

Well, dont worry about the level to much.. hell I just wait for the light to come on and get the oil changed. Cuz by the time the light comes on, I have 5k on the oil and ready to get changed out..

just want I do...

IF you have highway miles like I have on each tank. you use more oil.. Ie higher RPM'S... City driving LOW RPM"S = less oil burning..

 

Putting oil every other fill up is somewhat exaggerated, just check it every couple and add oil as needed.

 

I don't recommend that. Some rotary experts here clearly said in the past, that is one of the worst things you can do to your engine...
checking once in a while is not a hard thing to do.

 

1.3L, I have about 1,500 miles on my 8 now and have added one quart in total (about 1/2 quart each time a few weeks apart), and it's now right at the full line. That's with a mix of "sprited" and "sober" driving, depending on conditions and the concentration of law enforcement. My guess is that it does go up a bit as the RPMs go up. However, it also seems like pretty reasonable consumption to me, and oil itself is not expensive. It's kind of fun actually to go out and dust it or tinker under the hood on Saturdays, and check the oil. Make sure you use a funnel to pour the oil, though--5W-20 is REALLY thin stuff, and easy to spill if you just try to do it straight from the mouth of the oil bottle.

 

I 100% agree. And because I am a newbie on this site, usually lurking more than posting, I don't want to make fun of anyone. BUT, they call it an idiot light for a reason......

 

the light is saying Ohh hey im low. out of the 9quarts of oil total.. Dont think im doin any harm.. if there are facts. sure but if its just the level.. I dont think it can harm.. but then again.. Im no rotary god. so yes I might be wrong.. =)..

if someone could point me to the direction where I could find facts about it..Thanks..

 

I think it's more like 7 quarts...

 

After about my third tank, at around 500 miles, I put in one cup of oil. I would've put in a bit more after 1000 miles except that I was getting the oil changed anyways. The car most definitely uses oil, whether it be granny driving or not. I'd be a very bad idea not to check the oil at all between oil changes. I do it just about every time after I do go around driving in a spirited fashion.

 

In first 1200 miles still in middle of dipstick marks and changed oil then since was 5 months. I know-I should be driving it more but I use my practical car for hauling and shopping-but is some fun-SVT Focus with Jackson Racing supercharger.

Bob

 

Definitely seems to use more at higher rpm.

 

3200 miles on mine - I changed oil at 2000 miles after breakin and it was only down about 1/2 quart. I check it every 2nd or 3rd fillup and will add if it is down a quart before I change it. Just checked it after a "spirited" road trip and down about 1/4 quart. My friend has one of the earliest builds (delivered 10/03) and he had much higher oil consumption until one of the early recalls (I think they actually changed the oil pan design and something with the computer). He now has consumption similar to mine. I think the higher consumption is old news and not a concern.

 

I lost track of time recently and let the oil level went very low (slightly below the L mark on the dipstick). At the same time, my most recent tank of gas yielded the least MPG ever (14.4MPG vs ~17MPG mostly city). Seems to me that there are benefits to keeping your oil at healthy levels, besides preventing the engine from going kaboom.

 

I'm sure the oil consumption goes up when the revs go up.

It sure did in my FD...

 

Seems to work the other way for me - spirited driving is OK. A long haul at constant speed on the motorway, or sitting in queues for more than 10mins, will instantly use about a pint.

I can feel the difference at the top of gear once it gets down to about the middle of the range, so now I keep it pretty much brimmed. If you drive near the limit of handling in this car it's a good idea to keep it full because it's not a dry-sump design so things will slosh around a bit under gees...

I'm struggling to find the right grade in the UK... what brands do you guys use over there?

 

i was scanning thru the owner's manual last night and i believe it says the more you are into the higher revs, the more oil it uses. it is the nature of the type of engine.

yamajj

 

I've been driving the **** out of mine right out of the box... and the oil level is only at the 1/2 way marker. 1000 miles on the car so far.
I don't believe in break in. It's called break in for a reason.
Engines can generate up to 5% more hp if they are raced right out of the box... at the expense is engine durability, so if you plan to keep the car until it has 200,000 miles on it... make sure you take it easy...