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Mazda RX-8 Care & Maintenance

103 messages,  Last post on Oct 25, 2009 at 5:17 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda RX-8, Auto Body, Engine, Fuel System, Interior, Oil, Paint, Coupe

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#75 of 103 Maintenance by rsredmage Mar 31, 2007 (5:36 pm)
I plan on buying (financing) an RX8. But before I do, I want to know how the maintenance is. If I needed an oil change, could I do it myself? If I took it in, will it cost over $50-60 dollars? Or is it like a mercades where everything has to be specially made for the car, oil changes are like $200? Is it true that I have to put more oil in every other time I fill put gas in my tank? Replies to this message: goopilot21 (Mar 31, 2007 9:50 pm)
#76 of 103 Re: Maintenance [rsredmage] by goopilot21 Mar 31, 2007 (9:50 pm)
Replying to: rsredmage (Mar 31, 2007 5:36 pm) yes, you COULD do it by yourself, but there is really no need to. i take my car to the mazda dealership every time it is time for an oil change becuase for 1. it is only 29.75 total. #2 they do an entire fluids check and even check the extras like tell you how much your tires have worn and they inspect the car for anything else wrong. with the cost of the oil and oil filter, you are already using up half of what they charge you.but considering you have their knowledge and skills of your unique car put into the maintenance, it is so worth it to pay 30 dollars.. plus you know it is getting done right..... now for the myth that you have to put oil on the car every other tank of gas, that is true.. you wont have to put much in, but you should check it every other tankfull and try to keep it at the full mark. considering you can do this in the same time it takes to full up the tank.... its not wasting any time, but it is so worth it to have that car.. i do kinda suggest that you check out this site or do some research on the rx8 before you by the car though becuase it is different that any other car.... te rx8 likes to be revved and it is actually worse to not rev it than it is to rev it, and so on..... jsut go to this site and read stuff and look around about it...http://www.rx8club.com/index.php
#77 of 103 Re: Synthetic Oil [4_my_8] by peterrx8 Aug 09, 2007 (8:01 am)
Replying to: 4_my_8 (Mar 09, 2007 6:23 am) Well, here's another contribution to this discussion. I was at the Mazda dealer yesterday getting my first oil change and took the opportunity to discuss this issue with the Service Manager. He agreed that the 5W20 was not optimal for engine and brought out a container of Motul 8100 Eco-nergy 5W30 100% Synthetic oil. He told me that this oil and the other fluids in this line were used by Mazda to obtain their performance specs for th Rx8. Of course, short term performance measurement and long term care of the engine can be two very different things and when I brought this up he showed me a letter from Mazda Canada endorsing this product for long term use in the rotary engine.   I also raised with him the issue of seal hardening through use of the synthetic oil and he indicated that in his experience synthetic was easier on seals than conventional oil. I'm no chemist, so what do I know?   I've noted discussions in this thread relating to weather conditions and the consequent effect on lubrication. While Toronto summers these days have too many days in the mid-30's (mid-90's F) we certainly don't have the consistent heat of the southern states. Perhaps this is a factor in Mazda Canada's endorsement of the synthetic option.   Comments?
#78 of 103 Re: Oil Change Frequency [deaun] by jarman1 Aug 24, 2007 (12:37 pm)
Replying to: deaun (Dec 23, 2006 10:09 pm) I have an 04 rx8 6 speed with 91+K miles. My engine blew two days ago. I used only the 5w20 GTX and whatever Mazda put in there. I have learned from a MFG of the RX7 engines that the APEX seals in the RENESIS are 1/2 the thickness of the RX7 specs. My advice is find out whatever you can about keeping the engine cool. I live in N.FL and most of the miles on mine were highway. I did not opt for the extended warranty, but this is a warning to ALL RX8 owners. Change the coolant and oil frequently. There is no reason my engine should have blown at 91K miles and I have a feeling as does the dealer here in Tallahassee that Mazda is going to see most of the RX8 engines go at 90K+ miles. Especially since the APEX seals are 1/2 the thickness of the orginal design. A rebuild from MAZDA will cost you $6100, and it comes with a 12 month 12k mile warranty. I love the 8 and the Zoom Zoom, and having owned an RX7 thougth the 8 was great until two days ago!!! Be Warned trade it in before you warranty expires or purchase the extended warranty that covers the engine.   Good Luck to all you 8 owners.   signed, a soon to be EX 8 owner.....
#79 of 103 Fickled Car (won't start) by 4drrx8 Nov 30, 2007 (8:29 am)
I bought the 2004 RX8 when it first came out and currently have about 29,000 miles. I have been experiencing the car not starting if it sits past three or four days...This have occurred for more than five (5) times now and I have to call roadside assistance to have it towed to the dealer for them to start (decompress the engine) the car. However, they keep telling me that the RX8 is a "FICKLED CAR" and everyone experiences this if they don't start the car for a period of more than three days. I just don't believe it and would like to know if anyone else is experiencing this problem before I tackle this legally with Mazda. I don't want this to be my bill when the warranty is expired. The car have plenty of power in the battery, it appears to be a fuel problem while the engine is trying to turn over...Can anyone provide suggestions or comments on this? Replies to this message: yellowrx8 (Nov 30, 2007 2:40 pm) phil59 (Nov 30, 2007 4:38 pm)
#80 of 103 Re: Fickled Car (won't start) [4drrx8] by yellowrx8 Nov 30, 2007 (2:40 pm)
Replying to: 4drrx8 (Nov 30, 2007 8:29 am) I have had only one occurrence of this....I started the car on a cold day and ran it for only about 30 seconds and then shut it off. 15 minutes later it did not start. Otherwise this has not happened. I have a 2004 AT with 32,000 miles. Runs great. I had heard before that the 2004 batteries were under sized and I think my delaer did replace it with a larger model (not positive on that though, would have been awhile back).
#81 of 103 Re: Fickled Car (won't start) [4drrx8] by phil59 Nov 30, 2007 (4:38 pm)
Replying to: 4drrx8 (Nov 30, 2007 8:29 am) sorry to hear you having that type problem,I have a 2004 rx8 which have 37,500 mi.I have let the car sit sometimes a week before I start it but have not experience that problem.I bought this car last May with 32,000 mi.so there is not a lot miles on this car.
#82 of 103 rx-8 general info by speedfreak13b Mar 04, 2008 (5:32 pm)
i came accross this post bsin on the net i have been workin for mazda for about 4 years now. i read all your posts and i have a few responses. first, is oil it should be checked every 500 miles at most it should be about 1/2 a quart you would be surprised how many people dont, and mazda recommends 5w20 not 30 changing might not hurt but if you live in an area where emission is regulated i fully recommend 5w20, emission standards are different in canada as opposed to here in america so refer only to your owners manual not some dumb sh&t workin behind a counter. second is to the question about starting your car every so often which also refers to the people who have issues with flooding i dont want to make people feel stupid so if you already know cool if not listen to this when your car sits up for a while the oily film inside the rotor housing begins to in a sense wear off if there is no lubrication then the engine will not build up the necessary compression to start the car this is more prone to happen in a automatic as well as engine failure a note if you own an automatic where rpms are kept lower aand the metering pump is not pushing out alot of oil so try to stay in the manumatic option and keep your rpms in the mid range, "constant lower rpms destroy these engines over time". also if your car floods and your out of warrenty dont bring it do the dealer there are a few rare case where this is necessary follow your owners manual they are a few ways to unflood the engine that another day another time type answer
#83 of 103 rebuilt engines by mdw1000 Mar 06, 2008 (9:34 pm)
For those of you that need rebuilt engines, check out Mazmart.com. It is run by some great guys who will build you a great engine. They are also great with any parts you need. They built me a custom differential with a 4.77 gear. I also have their water pump. Better cooling and frees up a few hp.   They also recommend premixing, espeicially with the ATs. If you want to learn a ton about premixing pros and cons, etc, go to RX-8club.com and search on it.
#84 of 103 Loud thumping noise from rear axle by pensfan30157 Mar 17, 2008 (10:29 am)
2004 RX-8 with 25,000 miles. Noticed really loud/bad thumping noise coming from rear of car/rear axle. Progressivly worse as speed picks up. Tires are fine with 32 PSI in both rear tires. I did rotate them also but the noise and thumping vibration continue and actually seems worse now. Any ideas? Maybe bad rotors? I have no issues when breaking, no scraping, no thumping, no problems at all, just when driving do I hear the loud noise and feel the vibration. Not too bad at slow speeds but from 40 mph up its really bad. I do not drive this car very often and am getting concerned with all the little issues I have had with it (CEL on 3 time in 6 months, the AC turn knob broke off, now this really bad thumping noise from rear of car).   Thanks! Replies to this message: mdw1000 (Mar 21, 2008 7:12 pm) 4_my_8 (Apr 01, 2008 10:09 am) lesch (Apr 01, 2008 3:53 pm)

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