Rx8 Maintenance
 

I just recently bought a 2005 rx8 :) It has 53k Miles on it.

I was wondering what kind of maintenance work should i focus on and worry about in the future. I want to keep this car running for a life time. I've read up on a few things but i need more information about everything you guys know.

I don't know much about the rotary engine. but i know if you take care of it. it will be nice to you. should i worry about my apex seals and is there other things to worry about?

When should i replace or maintenance anything in the car is what im basically asking. From spark plugs, fluid change, flushes, etc.... it's my first newish car and i want to make it feel loved :)

Thank you ^^

since youve read up on a few things. Tell us what you learned and we will tell you if you need any additional info. This question has been asked a billion times. Come on this car came out in 2004 (earlier in japan) dont you think its been asked. Search

well i didn't read on maintenance work. lol. just read about the car ><

Most important thing is to check the oil level once a week or so, depending on your driving habits. Refill if needed.

when should i be worried with refill, less then half?

Don't wait until it gets halfway. Some people check the oil level every gas fill-up and some people checks it once a week or so. It's really up to you when you want to check it, just make sure you don't empty your engine with oil.

Anyway, these engine burns oil faster than any regular piston engines around.

The 8 manual says top off if low or even depleted.

unfortantly i don't have a owners manual. it didnt come with one.

every 3k miles is recommended to change the oil? 5w-20 right? or is there better oil i can use?

The manual says 7500 I think, but, with this car I think you'd have to be on crack to go that long, or just misinformed I suppose.

There's a pretty...large debate on what oil is best to use. I've been using M1 5W-30 Since I bought my car, and I think that's what a large majority of us use.
I also check every fill up, which is around every 220 miles for me.

should i worry about the apex seals in the engine or anything like that? or is the oil basically the main concern?

There's no need to worry about the apex seals unless you start having hot start problems, and even that could be a number of different things such as coils, plugs, wires, dirty fuel pump sock, failing fuel pump, etc.

Though, before I even bought the car, if I were in your shoes, I would have had a compression check done, if you didn't.

Just keep up on the oils, coils, plugs and wires..and the car should treat you just fine.

It's been wonderful for me.

Just got my 8 a few weeks ago and love it :) You should swap out your plugs, coils and wires about every 30,000 miles. Keep your ignition system healthy...
And as for oil (i wish not to get into the oil debate....) i use castrol gtx 5w-30. I live in utah where it gets bloody hot in the summer. Depending on where you live, will affect which oil you will want to use. And as for the apex seals i wouldn't worry too much about. But like a few others have said, i would get a compression test before you do anything. A renesis can fail in a lot less than 53,000 miles if it wasn't taken care of properly.

Hope this helps!

thanks man. i do appreciate it. i will get that check when i find someone that can check it.

basically change or refill the oil before it runs out? ive been checking it every night. it does burn a lot of it lol

the car i have seems like it has been taken care of. i will get it tested and i live in southern california. where it becomes hot and i can get stuck in traffic. sounds like i should use 5w-30 then ;o

maintenance tips:
check oil every other fuel up (make sure it's ABOVE half full)
Change oil every 3k miles
plugs/coils every 20-30k (or upgrade to BHR coils)
drive your car hard. Bring the rpm's to redline (9k rpm) as often as you can. No specific data. Use your discretion...
Learn to search and read these:
FAQ’s https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx-8-faq-please-read-before-posting-959/
New and Potential Owner’s, Start Here https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
Congratulations, you got an 8 https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/congratulations-you-got-8-a-202548/
New Owner FAQ’s https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...&highlight=FAQ

Also, make sure you read the “stickies” in each sub-forum

Checking it each night is a good precaution. I do the same thing as i tend to get on it quite often :) Which you should do. A healthy redline a day. AND please, please, please, let your car warm up for 5 or so minutes if possible.
Search up about the oil debates. Make the decision for yourself on the weight of the oil and synthetic (royal purple) or non synthetic(castrol, m1,etc...) It looks like another member already posted the most important stickies. Read up on them.

'RX8Soldier' summed it all up for you 'pepsi1337s'. Read the links and you'll understand more for yourself why you need to do this and that rather than waiting for someone to answer your questions.

Checking every night is a bit often, although I've got to admit that when I got mine I'd lift the hood that often just to stand there and admire it.

Typical oil use is in the range of a quart every 1000 to 2000 miles. Checking every other gas fillup is usually enough. I like to top off when it needs half a quart. Don't need a funnel if I pour from a bottle that only has half a quart in it.

I'll pile on to the recommendations to keep on top of the coils. At just past 40,000 miles I was planning on ordering the BHR kit, but I had a spectacular blown coil incident before I got around to it. Back on the road with dealer-installed OEM coils, but after the next 30K I'm going BHR.

Ken

Thank you guys. bhr seem to be a thing to do. And it sounds like im fine, going 80mph everywhere has long as i check oil constently. And it sounds like its healthy to have a little fun once in a while. And warming up the car i will take note of that.

When upgrading the coils. Any recommended spark plugs??

Don't waste money changing your coils every so many miles...OEM coils are crap...Go with the BHR Ignition kit...It will save you money in the long run.

Once i upgrade the coils. Do they have to be replaced later on?

I gave you the bloody links! Why don't you start doing some more research...
Hint: click the link in my sig, and type in bhr coils

I'm surprised you guys didn't flame the hell out of him for not searching lol

I'm surprised that nobody pointed him toward mazdausa.com to get a pdf of the owner's manual ... although that's probably in the bloody links.

As is the info that the best spark plugs are the OEM NGK's...and that they cost around $80 from honest vendors versus $200 from a dealer.

I kind of like the idea of people just answering newbie questions, rather than flaming. The good info is always useful to see. All of the really good flame lines were used up long ago.

Ken

well to be honest. i was at work when i saw those links and just questions kept popping in my head.

i understand there is a lot of reading that i have to do. but it gives me the chance to see what you guys really think about everything due to the fact you're all rx8 enthusiast.

But, i do appropriate all the help and questions being answered. It makes me feel more secured that i can keep driving this car after 54k miles on it, used. And it being my first brand newish car and payments. My constant questions might be annoying but it makes me more at ease and i do appreciate that a lot you guys.

There's a few plans on the car i'm thinking of doing. bhr coils. upgraded intake, oil coolers, radiator basically everything to help cool off the engine. placing the battery in the rear to have more room in the engine bay. suspension, wheels and exhaust. exchange everything to leds. But, thanks to you guys i'm looking forward to working on my new rx8 :)

I do apologize for not reading just been a hectic week.

I also don't know what type of rx8 i have so i can't figure what this switch in my car does. The light on it also stays on when i switch it 'on/off'. If you know anything about it, let me know. Thanks
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/5...7290700181.jpg