RX8 XTC

OK guys i think u all read about me having Problems with my CAR, Anyway to the Point i was there to day talking to them about the oil thing and all that, So They asked me what OIL did i use I Said MOBIL 15-50 and the Service DEP. was Shocked, He side (( OMG )) if u USE that OIL it avoids the warrantee on the Engine if it blows UP!!.

I said ur kidding me ?!?!?! he told me no am not kidding I told him why is that and he said because the oil i USED is too thick for it and it was going to blow off the Seal's and do some other stuff so I was Stunt is this true or am I tripping or is he TRIPPING big time Someone Just tell me what's going on PLEASE.

P.s the only oil they said I should use is 20-30 SE or something like that I don't remember.

fredraction

I’m new the RX-8, but I’ve been dealing with cars for 25 years. Here’s what the manual says about oil…

Note that they recommend 5W-20 for the entire temperature range.

So what do those numbers mean? The two numbers indicates that this is an “all weather” oil. In other words, the oil meets the SAE low temperature requirements (when the oil tends to be thick) and can handle the high temperature environments (when oil thins out). The numbers are referring to the range of the viscosity (thickness) of the oil.

A 5W-20 oil is fairly thin when compared to a 10W-30. A 15W-50 (what you indicated you used) is really thick by comparison. Many cars use 10W-30. I’m guessing that because the rotary injects some oil as part of its operation, it needs to be a little thinner. Using a thicker oil than what the typical engine might use in a rotary may indeed be disastrous. I used to use 15W-50 in a beat-up old Oldsmobile I used to have to keep it from burning oil. You want the rotary to be able to burn some oil.

I’m not sure what kind of trouble you may have caused, but the manual is clear as to what could happen if you use the wrong oil. I’m sticking with the recommended.

MadDog

really man, it says 5W-20 right on the oil cap!

RX-8 friend

OK, there is a lot of confusion about oil ratings. I'll try to explain what I know.

5W20

The "W" means the oil is rated at the freezing and boiling points of water.
5 - at 0 C the oil has the same viscosity as straight 5 weight oil at 0 C (freezing point of water).
20 - at 100 C the oil has the same viscosity as straight 20 weight oil at 100 C (boiling point of water)

You will also find oil with ratings such as 10-30 (no "W"). The viscosity measurement temperatures are different than if they have the "W". I don't remember if the temps are set or manufacturer defined.

One thing all this doesn't define is how the oil behaves outside the specified temps. For example, in other engines I have found 5W30 oil will loose enough viscosity once the engine is warm that at idle the main bearings can actually contact (you can hear this as a rumbling sound). I don't use that oil.

For Mazda to be so brash as to require only one type of oil, there is obviously something fishy. I wonder if they get some kind of kickback from the one or two companies that make that viscosity. What about 0W20 synthetic? It should be fine. And don't try to jump on me that synthetic isn't recommended - thousands of rotary owners have been using it for years with very good results.

kellybrf

iTrader: (2)

i really want to switch to redline as thats what all our other cars run. should i be going for 5w or 0w?

Gord96BRG

Me too - why on earth would you use 15W50? That's nowhere near the range specified by Mazda, and there's absolutely no reason for using an oil that thick. I would easily believe that the 15W50 oil might cause problems with the oil injection system, since it's much heavier than the oil for which the system is designed/calibrated.

Synthetic oil is fine, but you have to use 5W20 or 5W30.

Regards,
Gordon

mngpao

Oil viscosity, oil level, tire pressure, maintenance schedule, etc. is all in the manual so people would know what to use or do to keep their vehicles operating properly and maintain the warrantee.

While I'm on my soap box I'd like to add an item to be pondered about after-market gas mileage improvers (like K&N, Tornado, etc.). If there is an item on the market that will improve gas mileage, don't you think the auto makers would use it if it helps improve their entire line of autos to meet or exceed government standards?

niadvance

yeah they would use items to improve mileage since the feds require car companies to have their fleet of cars to have a certain mpg average. i think thats why they have small cars that get 35 mpg to offset their suvs that guzzle gas.

Genom

I too wonder where one earth did you get any information suggesting that oil? Also, how did you miss it in the manual, as well as the printing right on the oil cap? I mean come on!

KrustyKlown

But I thought in Oz or Europe or maybe both the 8's use 10W-30. I really think this is a little too much of a conspiracy theory.

RX8 XTC

OK i DIDNT KNOW THAT THIS IS My 1st time OWNING A ROTARY

(( GO'S SITES IN THE CORNOR ))

RX-8 friend

OK, you're excused. Please stop shouting. You can now leave the corner. Please read the owners manual .

PhineasFellOff

He deserves to be in the Darwin Awards.

RobDickinson

THAT oil is supplied and recomended by mazda for all european RX-8's.

Maximus

What problems you been having with your car? Just wondering if those problems were due to 15-50 you've been using.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

That was my first thought too :D

SMigneco

I absolutely agree with RX-8 friend regarding the synthetics. Although the manual specifies non-synthetic, there is nothing wrong with using synthetics in the Renesis. I have been using M1 5W 30 and have had zero problems.

G8rboy

Take your owners manual with you to the corner... you'll be tested tomorrow. No cheating, but you'll have to identify the head gasket, cam cover, and power steering fluid reservoir.

DreamWarrior

That might be difficult...could take a while to find some of those on the 8...a long while :D.

RX8 XTC

Nop its nothing to do with the 15-50 it was just losing OIL SOME how hade to Use 1-2 Quorts Of oil a week!!

rx8miami

1-2 qt's a week? wow that's some seriosu driving or somethign is worng. I ahve only added 2 qts. in 4500 miles in between changes. I shift high and downshift often too. that is really wierd.

Toomuchfun

FYI
I just completed my first oil change. The dealer (Monroe, Michigan) was great. I tried to have them use a 5W-20 synthetic BLEND motor oil. They responded that the use of ANY synthetic would void my warranty and showed me the tech. bulletin. So, unless Mazda spends the time and $$ to test it, synthetic will not be approved. They also performed the "L" flash and all work and oil was free.

Spin9k

just reading through this thread.. one thing strikes me... and I can't help wonder why some get so emotional and **** about such a simple thing?

What is this simple thing? - Why doing what mother Mazda recommends on oil - just buy and use what your respective manual says! Hard? NO! Takes a rocket scientist? NO!

Your know it's like asking someone stubborn what part of 'NO' don't they understand.

Life can be easy or SO HARD. Why do some want to make it so difficult I will never know.

I means when you are on your deathbead are you going to moan... " if I'd only used Mobile 1 in my RX-8....."

Sheesch!

fredraction

^ ^ ^ Amen brother.

Frank Patrick

That's because the OIL cap say - 710
Or am I looking at it upsidedown ?