ASH8

20,000 KMS (12, 000 miles) !!!!, are you sure Mazda does not recommend an oil change at 10K (6K Miles) ??.

Australia used to be 15,000 KMS (9km) with an Intermediate at 7,500 KMS.

Now all servicing is every 10,000 KMS (6,000 miles).

I can't confirm this guys (UK) Servicing History, but 12,000 miles is way to far to go before an oil change...that is just ridiculous.

bse50

I can confirm this

Chibana

I'm thankful for the variable redline in my 09. It's not uncommon for me to forget that the car is still not up to temperature before I get into it (it's hard to resist driving this car), and the car cut's off the fun at 5,000 or 7,000 RPM (depending on how long it's had to warm up). When it does, I always say a silent prayer of thanks to the rotary gods for the variable redline.

Nubo

IIRC, wasn't this supposed to be a feature of the RX-8 all along? My 2004 owners manual has this to say:

As far as I can tell, my car has never been unwilling to rev, regardless of temp. So was the variable redline just a lie until '09?

ASH8

The 09's three Variable LED's is really only a two stage, the last or 3rd one stays on permanently at around 8250 RPM (for memory).

First stage goes out at 42c, second at 60c or 70c for I think, would have to look it up to be certain.

I am not sure about the S1 RX-8's, perhaps it means fuel cut out at the (your) red-line which I think is 8750???.

But, I think I recall someone saying the ECU will still cut fuel on a stone cold motor at or around 6000 RPM.

Would be interesting to know Nubo, you say yours has never been hesitant to peak out on a cold one.

Wankel_Rotor

nope, I do full oil change in 1000 miles, well sometimes more. usually once a month, so it depends how many miles I ve driven in that period of time.

JinDesu

iTrader: (2)

That is extremely excessive... but each to their own.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Why would you drive your car hard at any speed when its not warmed up. Just because the PCM doesn't let it rev to 8k doesn't mean damage is not being done at 5k. The car always needs to be warmed up before you get on it. Always.

Nubo

While it is a problem assiduously avoided, there have been times when it was necessary.

BigMikeATL

I talked with a local Mazda guru (independent shop) who's a fellow rotor head.

His feedback mirrors that of many on this board:
- Premix. Does not hurt anything and is definitely a benefit. Idemitsu FTMFW!
- 5w20 is way too thin. In Georgia, he runs 20w50 year round, though 10w40 is great for most folks.
- Let the engine warm up and go easy on it for the first couple miles.


I have been doing this the last 3000 miles and notice a definite improvement in engine performance and mileage is holding steady at 18.5mpg.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Same thing I got from a lot of Rotor heads,

the point of lubrication is to add a "layer" of oil between the housing and apex. it also prevents carbon from sticking.

the only problem with Idemitsu Premix is that its not free

I use 20w50. oh yeah. my oil change for my 8 is due, need to put some NEW 20w50 into it

I seen a lot of dumbasses, with 350z or STi, as soon as they get into the seat they just rev the **** out of it.

So this is not just a problem with Rotary. Its everywhere.


20w50 + Premix FTMFW !

czar

iTrader: (3)

i think you can set the cold redline with the cobb, i didn't even know it existed until i read the manual and was looking at it in the cobb. by the time i start the car get out of the parking lot and begin to pull in the highway my engine is usaly close to warmed up

Feras

iTrader: (1)

i doubt it was the 5W30 oil, thats not too different from 5W20

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Can you set the cold redline with the Cobb?

Chibana

And that's true of any car, not just rotaries. I think the only reason I get "caught" in my RX-8 is because that 5,000 RPM limiter when the car is totally cold (I always wait the 15 seconds after starting it cold, like the manual states to do) is so ridiculously easy to hit. None of my other cars have ever revved so smoothly and easily.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Remember just because the coolant is somewhat warm doesn't mean the oil is.

ASH8

Very True about the Coolant and Oil, however, I will always wait until the first LED Red band goes off at 40c, then drive off slowly and keep at about 2500 RPM until I reach major road, but still keep under 3000 until fully warm.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I don't have a fancy LED so I wait til' my Scangauge reads 140 degrees F water temp. Oil temp gauge will be going in as soon as I get off my lazy butt.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

wow,

great thread to come back to..

notes.

the ecu will keep stupid away.. means you cant drive the motor to hard with the motor cold.. simple.

i cant say for sure, but i doubt mm cobb tuning touches that.. first, why would it? and second, why would he..

as to the bearing wear.. well that is bad..

as to led temps, the ecu does not see the leds. it is a visual clue.. i have to look for them next time i am in one of those hi brow 09s!!

beers

ASH8

No it has no eyes but the ECU controls the pretty lights...with the Coolant Temp Sender Unit behind the water pump..well they are all tied in together..

neXib

When it comes to normal users and service intervals and driving hard when cold I wouldn't trust them further than I could throw them. I think they take too much time between oil changes and probably don't wait until the car is warm before they push it. Or I know many do. Which is why I was skeptical of buying an RX-8 with much mileage. Mine is driven many short trips so there's no way I'm going over 5000km intervals. I also have the AP with extra oil map and such.

Personally I don't believe in premixing, as I'm not sure the proven positive effects is enough to offset the unknown possible negatives.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Premix has been a Well-known working solution to ALL Rotary engines.

There is no negative to premix except that its not free.

Use it and your engine will rev happier.

Its that simple.

Bigbacon

iTrader: (4)

doesn't pre-mix possibly gunk up the fuel filter?

bse50

It's up to the quantity you premix. even up to 300gr\tank i experienced no clogging using motul oils.
Anyway the fuel filter is a $5 replacement or so, a new engine runs some 0 after that 5!

RK

iTrader: (1)

Not sure why this is becoming yet another premix and weight discussion. This is an 04 and we know the 04-06 didn't have proper oil metering until they received the most recent recall. Premix was vital for those model years and definitely reduced wear and risk of engine loss during that period.

Since the last flash the number of reports of new engines has gone down significantly for those model years and 07 and 08 model year engine replacements are very rare. 09 mazda changed the delivery system.

I would be much more interested in seeing an 07 model year that lived just off 5w20 at good (ie 3k) oil change intervals torn open. Until then premix is a time tested helper for the engines.