i've had my rx-8 for about 2 months. i've only put < 1100 miles on it and still following the break-in rules. but i've already gone through a whole qt of oil (added .5 qt after 1 and again after 2 months) to keep the oil level topped off. doesn't that seem like a little too much oil consumption to be considered normal? at this rate, i don't think it could've made it to its first oil change if i hadn't topped it off. my friend has an rx-8 too and he says his eats 1 qt every 3K miles. i'm not even half way there and i've already gone through a qt. there doesn't seem to be a leak. maybe i'm not checking the oil correctly? warm it up, and wait 5 minutes before checking right? i do drive a pretty short distance on a regular basis, but always warm it up and try to drive a lot on weekends. does that have anything to do with it? will it be better once the engine gets a few thousand miles on it?

 

The oil consumption seems high for the duration of the break-in, then seems to drop off significantly.

Mine used a jug or two quite quickly, and now, at 30k, seems to use very little.

For a good break-in, it's the best oil you'll ever buy!

S

 

A lot depends on driving conditions. Stop and go traffic will result in significantly higher consumption, as will high-rpm driving. During periods where most of my driving is in rush-hour it's common for me to be in the 1200 miles/quart range. On the open highway it's more like the 3000 your friend is getting. Iirc, Mazda considers anything better than 600 miles/quart to be "normal". In short, I don't see a problem with what you're getting. If I were one of the people whose 8 never seems to use much oil I'd actually be more worried that the engine was not being lubricated properly.

 

Perfectly normal during break-in period and always keep the oil top up, don't wait for a next oil change just to save a few bucks.

 

I had the same problem and the dealership indicated I am supposed to add oil between regular maintenance? Apparently the rotary uses oil to lube the engine?

 

C'mon now, you're making Edmonton people look dumb.....

You have been on THIS forum since 2003, and yet you have no clue where the oil goes?

Un-frikken-believable.

S

 

He doesn't post much. I guess he doesn't read much, either.

 

for the first 20K miles my rx8 used 1qt per 1000 miles. Perfectly normal.

 

Agree with STATICLAG, two engines and 70K miles so far and my oil consumption has been pretty steady at about one quart per 1,000 miles (not including break-ins) over the life of the vehicle to date.

 

when i drive hard, yes my usually fill is 1qt per 1000 miles. except i change my oil every 2500 so its real quick.

 

I drive it hard all the time but I dont really add oil.

I change my oil in less than 3K miles, way before it would be able to burn everything, and I top it off each time I change it.

So I think Im good ! :-D

 

I've been here less than a week & I know where it goes. AND, i'm a chick!
My first clue was at the oil change sticker my dealer put in my window that said "Check Oil FREQUENTLY"
That prompted a question on my part & an explanation on the part of my svc. adv.
Okay, so not all dealers may use those stickers & not all owners may ask questions, but surely, you have heard something about it???

 

..................

Theres a Search button on the top of this forum.

You might be an *expert* and never look at manuals. Still Go look at your Manual.

*Im a chick* should not be use as an excuse.

 

Hmmmm...
My dealer recommends checking it every other gas tank fill up.
That's approximately every 500 miles.
And, there is a mark (added to the dip stick by my dealer) which shows where the "you are one quart low" place is. That way, I know when to add a quart.
FYI...it's bad to have TOO much oil too. So, don't add it just because. You have to go through the process of checking the level.

I guess it depends on how well you want to maintain your car.

 

WHOOOAAAA, Wait a minute there cowboy.......Whose using it as an excuse?

NOT ME. I was simply saying that I'm a chick & I know what happens to the oil, so what's your excuse if you don't?