Ty Jones

What’s up guys! I’m new here just purchased a very clean, dealership serviced rx8.

I want to learn more about maintenance for this car. I’m aware of all the scary rotary issues blah blah. I know.

just as in fluid changes, how often and if there’s any guides on fluid changes..

Engine Oil
transmission oil
brake fluid etc

i did notice the container on the top right of engine bay is almost low, wondering what that is and the best fluid to replace with as I’m new to working on cars.. I typically work on 2 stroke Jetskis!

also for the gas.. I heard it’s good to do a oil premix.. if so what oil should I use and what ratio?

thanks!

CaymanRotary

Welcome to the club! Congratulations on your new ride. You will get a lot of answers to those questions by reading the new owner sticky at the top of this forum https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/. I'll still answer your questions though. For maintenance: oil changes are every 3000 miles, transmission fluid is 30,000 miles (may as well change out rear diff fluid too if you are there), and brake fluid any time you change your brakes. The container I think you are referring to is the windshield washer fluid reservoir. You can and should be premixing. If you still have a catalyst, 4 oz per tank is good. If it's a decat midpipe you can go with 8 oz per tank. Always fill with premium fuel only! The choice of 2 stroke oil is up to you so long as it is JASO FD rated. Hope this helps!

Ty Jones

Thank you! No the windshield washer fluid is blue on the left side if you are looking at the engine. this small container is on the right* side with a brown fluid with high and low indicators on the side of container.. i really wanna say this is brake fluid but wanted to be sure.


whats the best oil to use for a oil change, and preferred oil filter...

the car is still completely stock.. im about to do a Catback in a few days would that make a difference for the premix? and what would you recommend for premix what is preferred?

CaymanRotary

Ahhh the brake master cylinder. Yes, its DOT 3 or 4. Oil type is a touchy subject around here. I personally use Castrol GTX 10W-40 across all my RX8's but the type isn't as important as doing regular oil changes. Use the OEM Mazda oil filter as well. As stated earlier any premix can work so long as it is JASO FD rated. Personally I use the Lucas 2 stroke. Ratio depends on if you are removing the cat or not. Using too much 2 stroke can accelerate the demise of a catalyst.

Ty Jones

im keeping the cat on, as I still have to get an emissions test for my car since I bought it in another state.

I do plan to premix, with cat on what’s best ratio per tank? I know on jetskis I usually run 32:1 or 40:1 ratio

i also heard synthetic engine oil is bad for the rotary.

im just trying to line up the best maintenance schedule I can and get all the supplies for the maintenance so please any opinion you have I’ll take it

CaymanRotary

You can use a semi-synthetic safely like Castrol Magnatec. I tend to shy away from fully synthetic though im told its ok to run it now. Premix is like I said earlier, around 4oz per full tank of premium fuel and you'll be good to go. You don't want to go much more than that since you are keeping the cat.

Ty Jones

In my area I usually have the choice of 87 which is regular gas... then 89 (premium) and 93 (super, typically what I use in my 2 stroke jetskis)

should i go with 93 with 4 oz of premix pre tank or just stick with 89 with premix

This is the oil I purchased: Castrol GTX High Mileage 5W-20 Engine Oil 5 Quart, with the Mobil m1-108 filter as i seen on the DIY oil change on the forums. hope this is correct

CaymanRotary

A thicker oil is better for the bearings which are known to be a failure point of the engine. This is the main reason I always run a thicker oil. You can run 5w-20 though, its just not something ill ever use. Main thing about oil is to make sure you check it every second fill up to make sure there is always oil in it. Just never overfill it. This is more important than choice of oil weight. Castrol GTX is a great brand.

For gas, go with the 93 and 4 oz of premix per tank. The oil filter you chose will work but always safer to go with the OEM Mazda filter whenever possible.

Ty Jones

Update below

Ty Jones

okay.. an issue I discovered today is when the a/c is on there’s like a vibration and gets strong the higher you turn the fan up and the heat didn’t seem to get hot.

what engine oil would you put in. I usually have really cold winters and really hot summers it’s typically split 6 months summer 6 months winter, though I don’t plan to drive no more then 2-3 times a week nothing more if that.

also how much oil do I put in when I do a change? And what’s too much oil. Sorry for all the questions I just really wanna learn and take care of my 8 as much as possible

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Have you read the new members thread yet? It's also reflected at rx8help.com, new and potential owners section. Your answers are there. Mazda recommends 5w20 conventional oil, you can go 5w30 to be extra safe. If you want to go synthetic, there are many threads here about that, without a conclusion. If all you're doing is driving around town, conventional is fine. Don't forget to change it regularly and maybe plan for a used oil analysis.

You have a dipstick, put it enough to fill it up to full. No more. The whole system is 7 or so liters but any one oil change only gets out maybe 4. Measure out the old oil you get out of it so you have an idea. You'll have to put it into containers to bring somewhere anyway, may as well use them as measure.

theflbhunter

I have a 2007 RX8 GT 6 speed. Had the engine rebuilt by Rotary Resurrection. I fired it up runs fine, the
catalytic convertor got hot to the point of trying to melt carpet on the passenger side over converter. Installed new mid pipe
now the muffler appears to be getting very hot. I bought the car not running is it possible the muffler is plugged up also ?

Loki

iTrader: (1)

One way to find out
You can start your own thread as well.

CaymanRotary

Absolutely could still be clogged. The muffler should flow completely free and could either still be plugged before or after the midpipe. I had this problem and the exhaust was clogged before the cat. Had to remove chunks of the catalyst that were lodged in the exhaust manifold. I still have no idea how that happened but obviously it can.

CaymanRotary

Kind of normal for AC to make the car rattle a bit at idle. Unless its excessive rattling I wouldn't worry about it. If you aren't getting hot air it could be an issue with the heater core. Would require more investigation.

I live in a tropical climate so I always run 10W-40. However, it might be wiser to run a lighter oil during the winter months. On the oil dipstick there are two notches near the end. You just want to make sure the oil is between those two notches at all times. The engine consumes oil as you drive it which is why you want to check it every so often. I usually do that every second time I fill it up.