Oil light malfunction?
 

So I just got my 8 about a month ago and ive put about 2k miles on it. I put a quart of oil in it cos from my research RX8's need a re-up on oil between oil changes. I understand that im due for an oil change soon but I dont think that is the problem in my situation. Let me explain.

Starting about a week ago my oil light came on while I let my car sit in neutral, but as soon as i begin to drive the car - the light turns off and everything seems fine. So I put the car back into neutral to see if the light would come on again - and it did. Even after fully warming my car up the problem persists. This has been happening for about a week now and its starting to get me worried.

I kinda think that it could be a light malfunction or something simple like that. Any thoughts on what it could be?

since you didnt say it, i'll ask... Did you check the oil level with the dipstick?

Yea its about 2/5 full - a lil on the dark side too but I dont think it NEEDS and oil change right this moment.

Add a little oil, our cars burn oil and you have to add some between changes, mine did the same thing for about a day but i quickly added some oil

How's about you put more oil into it while checking the level with the dipstick until it's at least close or at the full mark???????
Use the dipstick........by this I mean......don't guess and overfill it.

Then check it about every two fill-ups of gas.



Jeez!

So you are sayin to keep the oil as close to full as i can at all times? I was under the impression that it didnt matter as long as there was a decent amount of oil in the car. I will go fill her up to the brim tomorrow and let ya know if it solves the problem

following on Mazurfer and his avatar...



Son.. I say son... Ya got to put some OIL in that thing! Now pay attention boy.. pay attention now... what ya got there is 3/5s eMPTY . Put a quart it... go on /foghornvoice

if you filled the oil up and its still showing + u have an early model, then it might be ur oil sensor giving out. Known problem. happens to 2004 model

Seriously.................2/5ths oil in the car is probably low enough to set the light off.

I'm concerned now that you said you'd fill it to the brim. I know you might have just said that and meant you'd fill it up, but fill it to the full line on the dipstick, that's what it's there for.
Add 1 qt, then let it settle a few, then check it with the dipstick and add a little more if needed. Then check again and repeat the process until you get it to the full line.

Do you have to keep it full 100% of the time? Obviously not, but I think you let it get too far down. I wouldn't let this car go much below 3/4's but that me. Just check it every other gas fill up and add when needed.

Even if you are coming up for an oil change, it's still no a good idea to let it get that low.

You don't know how many times I wish I had some sound bytes of his voice saying different things like this so that I could link them in!

Mine did this uring summer... I had it full then pop went the wankel

It's an idiot light.

You should heed it's warning.

:p:

http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/foghorn5.wav

http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/pay_attention.au

http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/lookahre.wav

Funny guys, I know the sound bytes are out there and can be linked in, but I was kinda hoping there was a way to have them inserted(so to speak) so they would just play automatically when you viewed a particular post. That would be good, but would certainly create havoc. :crazy:

i wish they could at least play in the window and not open a separate tab ect. so you click and it just plays

I was gonna say "It's not the light that is malfunctioning", but then that would've been rude. Wait.....did I just say that out loud? :D:

Well - I put in more oil as you guys suggested and the problem has continued. Any ideas?

could be a bad sender

the oil is now on the full line on the dipstick and it still shows the oil light while idling but goes away when you start moving?

Yea oil is to the tippy top and the light still comes on while in neutral and once I begin driving my car it goes away and everything is normal. HOWEVER - now that there is more oil in the car; it takes longer for the light to show up. Id say about 4 or 5 mins before the light shows up. Previously the light would come on right away.

I am going to do an early oil change and see if it solves anything.