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What is the best oil to use on an RX8?

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Old 08-10-2012, 05:18 PM
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Cool What is the best oil to use on an RX8?

I'm going to do an oil change on my rx8 soon and was just wondering what oil I should use. I know mazda recommend the dexelia oil, but I was reading that different oils work better depending on the weather and other factors...

I live in the UK.

I've read that synthtic oil should not be used as it leaves a film which messes up the engine.

Anyone got any preferences or any oils they've found to be better for the car? Or should I just stick to the Dexelia?
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Old 08-10-2012, 05:52 PM
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I don't think the brand is a big deal as long as you pick a legitimate big name company. Where people really differ is on the weight of the oil, I use pennzoil 10w40 but everyone has a different idea. There is a chart to help you pick oil weights but you could probably just put them on a dart board and pick one blindly and do just fine.

Search the forums because this has been discussed so many times it is probably 15-20% of the total posts on here. Let me google that for you
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Old 08-10-2012, 08:10 PM
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Just put what is recommended.
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Old 08-10-2012, 08:25 PM
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5w 30 for english climate IMO
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Old 08-10-2012, 09:27 PM
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A little thicker in hot climates, a bit thinner in cold climates. Won't say more about oil.

Standard questions answered here
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...rx-8-a-233937/
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Old 08-10-2012, 09:37 PM
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It's a rotary, it'll drink anything you give it.
most people go with 5w-30 or slightly thicker in the hotter climates. Just pick any name brand, they're all about the same.

as for synthetic, in case that comes up later (before this thread gets locked) It's really up to you. I haven't used it as I don't consider it beneficial since the engine is designed to burn oil anyways, just leads to a higher cost of oil during and between oil changes.
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Old 08-10-2012, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by DarkBrew
A little thicker in hot climates, a bit thinner in cold climates. Won't say more about oil.

Standard questions answered here
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...rx-8-a-233937/

The 1st thread listed has your answer:

Which oil to use

The most debated question in the community, bordering on a religious war, so I won't try to cover every point here.

It boils down to deciding for yourself.

Some go with 5w20, to stay with Mazda's recommendation in North America. Some go with 5w30 to go with Mazda's recommendation outside North America. Others go to 10w40 or even 20w50, the most common weights among RX-7s. The general arguement revolves around if 5w20 is too thin or not. Typically, you want to go with a heavier weight oil (higher numbers) the hotter the environment you live in. Many manuals outside of North America state something to this effect. So research up on it, and make your own decision.

Dino vs synthetic is another hot topic, with the main arguement revolving around if the strength of the synthetic is worth the cost, and if there is any better burning (or not better burning) than dino oils, and if any deposits are left behind that could increase engine wear. Mazda only recommends non-synthetic, but does not require it. Your decision.

One point to keep in mind is that OIL WEIGHT AND OIL TYPE HAVE NO KNOWN IMPACT ON ENGINE FAILURE METHODS. In theory, the only way that oil weight could impact an engine failure is if it is a bearing failure. Oil weight has zero impact on the internal seal lubrication. Bearing failures are incredibly rare. In theory, the only way that oil type could impact an engine failure, is if you subscribe to the belief that injected synthetic is worse to burn than injected dino. This is belief based only. No one has been able to provide evidence for burn quality one way or the other.


And yes, all weights of oils mix with all other weights of oils, roughly averaging the numbers. Half 5w20 and half 5w40 is roughly 5w30, for example. Not precisely, but close enough. Dino also mixes entirely fine with synthetic.

Closed. Too many oil wars.
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