Taking care of your RX8
 

I want to apologize in advance for posting this thread but i tried searching and didnt really find the right thread so im not sure if I wasnt searching for the right thing. I was just trying to figure out what the guidelines are for taking care of an RX-8 (what i should check regularly, how often to change oil and just general suggestions). I know the rotary engine requires much more attention and care than a regular engine and I just want to make sure I give it all the care it needs. So again my apologies but if theres is already a thread posted for this then please direct me to it!

I wouldn't say MUCH more attention, more like 'a little more'. You want to check the dipstick every other fill-up of gas. I change oil every 3,500 miles but the manual says 7,500. In the below thread I have the complete list of all my maintenance for the first 100,000 miles of my 8.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/another-100-000-mile-rx-8-road-124921/

really, all you gotta is be on top of checking the oil and drive the hell out of the car. Get your oil changed regularly and you'll be fine.

YIKES! Your '04 manual says to change the oil every 7,500 miles?

The first time I got an oil change at the dealership, the sticker had some crazy high mileage like that on the sticker for the next change, and I thought it was just a mistake. Since then the stickers have been the standard 3,000 miles. I prefer about every 2,000 miles, I don't like dirty oil.

7,500 miles would make for some dirty-ass oil!

7,500 is still the Schedule 1 recommend oil change interval by Mazda and all that is required by the warranty. Schedule 2 is the severe use interval and that is 5,000 miles. That is similar to other cars also. There is a large number of people that believe the 3,000 mile oil change advice is a scam. To me its cheap insurance and since a large amount of old oil remains in the system after a change a wise practice in this car.

Well I have started to see good results over the last ten years at 5k oil change intervals in vvarious vehicles.

Enough to trust.

HOWEVER, I agree with Expo, we have about 2 quarts left over in the oil cooler and lines.

So I recomend 3k miles for the 8 for normal street driving.

Oh ya I definitely plan on changing oil n filter every 3k miles. Will probably run 5w30 royal purple when it starts getting warmer out and still undecided on the premix but im probably gonna order a case of 12 qts idemitsu premix from mazdatrix.com. but check the oil regularly and make sure to drive it hard sounds easy enuf! I plan on getting a remote starter installed on there too to help with warming it up especially when its freezing outside!

Is your car an automatic? I don't think I'd want a remote starter on a manual, and I don't believe most shops will even install it on one.

I've wondered for a while if old, dirty oil could clog the oil injectors over time. Does that sound plausible, or is there something in the oil injection system that makes this unlikely?

Its stick but its a very interesting system they install, heres basically how it works even though i dont think im getting the exact system they talk about in this article:

http://www.mobileedgeonline.com/wp-c...-transmission/

p.s. these starters r obviously slightly more expensive but i think all the major shops around here install them.

The heat in South Florida takes a toll on oil. Driving in rush hour traffic also contributes to wear. I have shortened the time I change my oil to under 3000 miles. One change I made I noticed how dark the oil was. That was when I was changing the oil around 3000 to 3200 miles. I drive fairly hard and that is a contributor to wear as well. Use common sense. If he oil on the dipstick looks dark, change it.

if you are going to "drive the hell" out of your RX, then I would suggest you get the oil changed at 5k or sooner, if u r using mineral (make sure to use the correct grade for your climate). I won't comment on synthetic for fear of infuriating the synthgods, so all I can say is use at you own risk and you can probably extend the oil change intervals! Keep the oil level topped up!
Avoid short distance driving, not warming up the engine properly or for long enough, or you will get lots of carbon deposits.
Allow the engine, coolant and oil to fully warm up before your hammer it!
Avoid using ANY oil or fuel additives. They will ruin your engine in the long run in my professional opinion!
The Renesis is a very reliable engine, (just my experience).

Hey

You should think twice before installing a car starter. They dont garantee you a 100% first attempt ignition so if it doesnt start the first time you might flood ur engine and thats not something u want happening. Your better off starting it in the cold urself

I wonder if he read any of the stickies?

lol ya ive read quite a few but theres so many with so many posts i havent gotten thru all of them yet...

shoot i didnt think about that... guess i wont be getting the starter then!