Synthetic does not void your warranty.

 

(I agree with you wholeheartedly about there being no problems and significant benefits to using synthetic in the Renesis, but...) Care to show us where the manual specifies non-synthetic? Page number will do, please!

We've been through this many times - the owners manual actually does NOT say anything about type of oil, mineral or synthetic, for or against. ALL that it specifies is API spec SL, 5W20. As long as your synthetic oil is a 5W20 that meets API SL - you're good to go.

Regards,
Gordon

 

They lied, and as far as any of us here know, there is NO tech bulletin barring synthetic oil. There was an earlier Driver's Tips pamphlet that the dealers handed out that mentioned not using synthetic, but that has since been withdrawn - there's several technical memos or e-mails from Mazda that have been posted here that say that Mazda now says it's OK to use synthetics. If they had a genuine tech bulletin, we'd LOVE to see it - could you get us the Mazda TSB number?

Further - several forum members who are employed in the oil refining industry have pointed out that it is impossible to make a 5W20 that is NOT a synthetic blend - it can't be done with straight mineral oil! That is, EVERY 5W20 on the market is a synthetic blend already, even if it isn't prominently labelled as such.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Just throwing caution to the wind...

While it's not stated in the manual, I did get a technical reference sheet at time of purchase (issued by Mazda) stating NOT to use synthetic.

Just my 2c.

 

I E-Mailed Mazda. Here was the (probably non-technical) reply.

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.

Synthetic oil is not recommended for use on the 2004 Mazda RX8. Please
be aware that as a result, any complications resulting from the use of
synthetic oil will not be covered under warranty.

Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to
assist you. Please feel free to reply to this message with any further
questions or comments.

Please take a moment to give us your opinion about our e-mail service.
Click the link below to complete a brief, online survey.

http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2F68UVS8R

Regards,

Marie Mortensen
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business


Just FYI, hopefully not too ****!

 

Actually, further to my posting...

the tech sheet states:

Never use synthetic oil. Only use SAE 5w-20.

What the hell is SAE? The only thing I found on the net is Penzoil SAE.

 

SAE stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers. They are the standards organization that classifies oil viscosity/temperature. Most common oils should have their seal. The following picture right off the back of a bottle of Castrol 5W-20 in my garage…

 

Ahh.. mucho gracias. *sigh* of relief.