I spent the afternoon trawling around the local San Francisco gas station forecourts looking for 5w-20 motor oil (as recommended in the handbook) but to no avail, does everyone stick religiously to this grade or is it safe to use other types ?

I bought my 2005 RX-8 a month ago and have been reading on this site the need to keep an eye on the oil level. Hmmmm, why didn't the dealership tell me this when I bought it ? They simply said see you in 7500 miles for the 1st oil change ...

 

they have 5w-20 oil in walmart. 7500 miles for first oil change? isnt it every 3000 miles?

 

I know, 7500 miles does sound a bit steep but it even states that in the service section of the 2005 handbook.

 

90% of North American RX-8s will probably follow the 'Schedule B' maintenance schedule, aka 'severe driving' condition, which calls for 5000 mile oil changes.

people here do 3000 because we're **** about our cars, at least i am :o

and yeah, most gas stations don't carry the new 5w20 grades, have to actually go to a *store* to pick those up :D

 

Why? I don't think 90% is true...

I think the 3K miles comes mostly as the result of successful marketing of oil companies and oil change places since that means extra revenue for them. IMO the schedule described in the manual (for me that is the regular, 7.5K miles interval) is just fine.

This whole topic is more like a religion, so it can be argued about all they long.