syntrix

A fumoto will work just fine. Thanks for reminding me, too!!!

Good info on the M1-110!

BTW, the R6 filter has got to be MUCH more expensive. I think it's like $12-14 at the dealer.

syntrix

Anyone fit the Mobil M1-110 yet?

And when I meant cheap Mazda filter, I was referring to the PRICE of the filter. The internals are the same, and motorcycle filter has to work MUCH harder than a car filter. So rest assured, that little filter must be doing great things for the rotory!

hotpot

This is a somewhat old page, but it tells you to stay away from FRAM oil filters. Has FRAM inproved its quality since, or would you also avoid them?

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

Doug Green

Thanks syntrix......nice work.

Kind regards,
Doug

Chris in MD

syntrix, outstanding instructions. Do you write tech manuals for a living? My RX is currently at 1200 miles and beginning to contemplate the first oil change. Combined knowledge on this forum is like having your own personal pit crew!

Pinhy

awesome!

Moderator: can we get this into the DIY forum so it is easily referenced later??

flatso

great thread one question...was the OEM filter as hard to get off as has been mentioned and can you use the F sized wrench to take the original Mazda filter off?

dplore

My original oil filter was very hard to remove. There is no
way I could remove it without the filter wrench. The "F" size
oil filter wrench fits on the original filter.

Also, I highly recommend using a jack stand before you
get under the car. Never get under a car with only the
jack holding it up.

B-Nez

Not sure about the Mazda filter wrench, but my filter wrench slipped on the filter the 1st time, because it was on there so darned tight. Some Saran-Wrap added the required thickness to torque that puppy off. Search for an earlier oil change how-to thread for more details and photos.

Ned M

iTrader: (2)

I'm using K&N oil filters because they have a handy 1" nut incorporated into the top of the filter so you can tighten/loosen the filter with a 1" socket on the end of your 3/8" extension instead of mucking around with a cap-type filter wrench or cramping up your hand. The K&N part # for RX-8 is HP1008.

I had to line a cap-wrench with sandpaper to get off the original filter. Many thanks to someone on this forum for that idea.

flatso

will the larger Mobil One filter be better because of the larger filtering surface?

rx8miami

great pics and inst. thanks!

itsallaboutgary

great instructions! did my first oil change today! thanks!

MadDog

I did my first change today after 1250 miles - just to get rid of any break-in particulate that might be floating around in there. Thanks for the tips!

I found that definitely had to poke a hole in the old filter with a nail. Even after letting the car sit for ~20 minutes or so, there was a substantial amount of oil still in the filter, which promptly spilled out onto the block when I broke the seal! I quickly tightened the filter back on, keeping a lot of oil still in the filter. Then I poked the hole to allow air in the back side of the filter. Then, after another minute, the filter was removed with only a drop or two needing to be cleaned-up.

MadDog

BTW, I used the larger M1-110 filter and jacked the left side of the car to get more oil out. I had to put in about 4.75 quarts back in to get it up even with the "full line"!

Tall Corn

Ok, a TC reply (you can call it Tall Corn or two cents - your choice)

Did my break-in change today at 1525 miles - Castrol 5W20 (Grey cap for those looking) and Fram PH6607. Been a Castrol GTX fan for years - Sorry Gordon -

Things noticed - 3.25 quarts out, 4 quarts in. After done, stick just slightly under F mark, not really worried since I check it pretty regularly.

Filter was kinda hard to get in and out through the tubing and the firewall but still made it ok. Oil dripped from old filter easily caught in paper towels placed at base of old filter prior to job start. I would, to ease extraction of the old and insertion of the new filter, suggest you set aside the dip stick, unless that was originally stated at the start of this thread.

One thing that got my attention was the color of the oil - it was a grey-like color, not muddy gray, like when you have a water leak or condensation problems, but unlike normal carboned motor oil, this was an almost transparent black, like looking through charcoal sunglasses. That's the best I can describe it. It didn't feel to the touch like anything other than oil, and had a normal mileage oil smell to it. The taste, well, ha! Didn't get that far....:p

Anyway, no trouble reaching the drain plug, although I'm glad I had purchased a 19mm box wrench for an earlier job I had done many miles ago on my '91 Camry.

I've had more difficult oil changes on my 45 years, but I'd rate this one as fairly easy also as long as you don't have the old filter torqued down too hard.

Tall...................

flatso

I did mine too and it took 15 minutes. Used the Mityvac oil extractor and Purolator Pure One oil filter along with the 3/8" socket filter wrench.

Mityvac

swoope

iTrader: (5)

also for a quick drain plug i got a fram SD2 cost about 12 bucks and fit is perfect.

beers

Nubo

I purchased a filter wrench from Trussville - it fits the larger, original filter as well as the smaller, replacement filters. Not sure if this is the "F" wrench, but it does have an "F" stamped on the inside along with other stuff.

Used a 6" and 3" extension, with a universal joint in-between. 3" piece connected to wrench and 6" to the ratchet. Original filter came off fairly easily.

mamccubbin

A little sandpaper under the cap wrench makes getting the original filter off a lot easier.

BlueGrimRX8

What size is the crush washer?

blue flash

why are you changing your own oil when the dealer will do it for you up to 36,00 miles for free?

Tall Corn

I just called my dealer's service department (Hiley Mazda in Arlington, TX) and posed this question to them.

Their answer was: An earlier release of the Rx8 did not have the HP as it was said it had when it was sold. Customers who had this model were given the offer of having a choice of having their car bought back or having their maint done for free.

I had purchased my base 6MT a little over a month ago and did not get this program as my car has plenty of giddy-yup.

Otherwise, any oil change is at my cost.

Tall.......................

Rotary Titus

I don't have that free service you're talking about, I only had the first free 2000km oil change and that's it!
plus, after my airbag recall where they broke part of my glove box and said nothing makes me kinda paranoid so I just let ppl working on my 8 out of my sight as little as possible :p

SpacerX

Great instructions!

Will be finally getting around to changing out the oil tonight. Will be using a Mobil-1 M1-110 filter with Motorcraft 5w20 synthetic blend motor oil.