A common thread seen on the forum is how difficult it is to check the oil in the RX-8, including having to remove the engine cover, etc.

I've been surprised at this since checking the oil hasn't seemed that difficult to me. It occurred to me that maybe I'm doing something different so I decided to share it here. Please ignore if this is obvious or old hat....

Step 1 - from the drivers' side there is an "access window" which is framed by a number of hoses. I've outlined the window in this pic

 

Step2 - here's a closer look "through the window"

 

Step 3

You can snag the dispstick by reaching through this "window". Extend your fingers with your palm facing towards the engine cover. Hook the tip of your middle finger through the loop of the dispstick.

 

Step 4

Using your middle finger, apply force to lift the dipstick up out of its tube about an inch, to allow the rubber plug end to clear the tube. Now, begin withdrawing the dipstick while simultaneously applying pressure towards the fender. The idea is to put just enough bend into the dipstick so that you clear the hose which frames the top of your "window".

 

Step 5

Continue to withdraw the dipstick while applying light pressure to continue avoiding the hoses. Congratulations you are in command of your dipstick :p

This method seems natural to me and I think it may be what the engineers intended since there is that crook at the end of the dipstick, which just so happens to perfectly fit into the dispstick hole when you begin to reverse this procedure. The dipstick has taken on a very slight bend but does not seem enough to hurt anything.

 

I found something even easier. When the light comes on, add a quart. This always keeps it between add and full on the dipstick so you dont really ever need to check it.

 

IMO, the light is indicating the level is dangerously low and you should never let the oil get that low.

If the light comes on as a matter of course and you will tend to ignore it. Thus, when something does go wrong (rock through the oil-cooler) and you do actually have a dangerous situation, you'll be less likely to take immediate action on it.

I think that letting it get low enough for the low-level light to come on is risking the oil pickup sucking in air (especially during cornering) and dropping pressure, thus damaging the engine.

It's not that hard to check, even if you do take the engine cover off, and is well worth the peace of mind and the possible risk of engine damage.

 

That's my philosophy too. At least while it's under warranty.

 

Hey, that's what I do all the time :D I've only done what the manual suggests once.

 

There is a reason they call these type of lights, "Dummy Lights"


Nubo: Thanks for the post. Get them to put it in the DIY forum

 

I keep checking my oil and never need to add any...of course I have it changed every 43 miles.

:P

 

I added a quart just last night.
I've got 2000 miles on my car and it was getting close to low. The light hadn't come on but I figured it was time to fill it up. It's just below full now.

 

I only found my oil low once, within the first 2k miles also. After that I get it changed every 2500, and I've never had a problem - just passed 15k, which means six oil changes.

 

Seems to me that letting the oil light come on is a bad idea. Gotta go with sferrett- it's probably a whole lot easier to damage the engine between the time the light comes on and the time you actually refill it, especially if you're driving it like you stole it. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for easier solutions, but not when they run the risk of damaging the most expensive piece of machinery I own.

 

Still don't have an 8 to brag about but when I was a kid, I had an old Dodge PU that had the deep oil dipstick and had to hang into the engine bay to hook it. Fixed that problem by cutting the finger loop off 1" below the loop and welding an extension on. Don't know if this would be a viable fix for this situation but it might be worth looking into.

 

I agree the dipstick is difficult to use. I like the idea of attaching an extension. Why Mazda did not extend the tube up higher thru the "window" is beyond me. In a car that requires frequent oil checks, you should make it easy. I also find it is hard to replace, especially in low light. It's dark down there!

I'm thinking of painting the top of the tube yellow to make it more visible and then using the idea of extending the "handle". I'll take some pix, when I get around to this project.

 

I thought that when the oil light was on it meant that the level was fine... uh oh...

 

dude you sure are hairy!!!

 

BTW, Nubo, thanks for sharing the pics. It's funny because I just checked my oil this morning (no the light wasn't on ) and was about to reach in like you did, but then thought, "Guess I better remove the cover." I checked it, then just about closed the hood without putting the fuggin cover back on. Put the cover back on, then went on my way. I guess if I had just reached in, all would have been OK.

I like the cover because it makes it look tidy, but I'm not sure it's worth it sometimes. Maybe I really should just wait for the light :D

 

Help me out here - I'm confused. I have the biggest, widest oli gauge on my dash that I have ever seen. I intend on monitoring my oli consumption mainly by watching the oil level descend ( just like I do on the gas gauge, tho that's a LOT faster LOL) . I also check the dipstick without removing the cover once a month or so - about every 1000 miles. I have two questions. Am I the ONLY person who has an oil gauge and WHY would anyone ever wait for the LIGHT to come on? I mean, if you're out in the middle of nowhere with no oil in the trunk, what are you going to do - I was always told never ever drive with your foot on the clutch and never ever ever drive with the oil light on!
Or is it just me?
Sue

 

I believe the oil light comments were just jokes (I know mine were). If the light is on (unless you have the baffle problem) then you should probably park it and put some oil in it.

As for the oil gauge, it measures pressure, not level.

 

So if it measures pressure it really isn't analog - I mean the level will not change until the pressure drops - and essentially that is the same as what would trigger the light to come on, yes?
(hey note I'm not just new I'm a girl so I get to ask stupid questions now and then)
Sue
(and I refuse to drive any sports car referred to as a "chick car")

 

and it is a "dummy" . . . it does not show actual oil pressure. It is a guage equivalent of an idiot light.

 

LOL that's my assistant -- Igor.

 

Something like that. I wonder how it would react if the head gasket blew or something. I had an oil pressure gauge on a previous car when I blew the head gasket. Of course, no oil light came on (still plenty of that), but the pressure gauge dropped quite a bit from it's normal position. Then again, on that car the press gauge seemed to move in normal driving ( a bit higher at higher RPMs) and the '8s doesn't seem to move at all.

Hmmm... Maybe RAM's right (?).