I know if the oil is not topped up regularly it can mess up the engine. When buying a used RX8 i can ask the owner how often they checked/topped oil. Any ways of actually checking how regularly the oil was checked apart from the owners word. The used car has had service at Mazda dealership 3 times, last one at 25000miles about 12 months ago. Now its at 30,000 miles. I assume because the service was fine and the last one was a year ago and only 5000 miles ago that the engine should be fine. Worst case scenario no oil for 5000 miles, although I am sure thats not true. I assume most owners know about topping up oil.

Thanks for any help!

 

There is a low level switch and a light - unlikely you would drive long with it on, it's annoying. The car holds about seven litres of oil, so there is lots of "reserve", I wouldn't worry about it.

S

 

you can send some oil off to a lab like blackstone that can give you advice on any wear that the engine may have encountered.

 

Thanks again! Ollie

 

Three service visits in 25000 miles isn't a whole lot. Not enough for regular maintenance. Do you know what was done on those three visits? A year between oil changes is a long time, even if the car was only driven 5000 miles.

Ken

 

I am assuming that he has topped up oil in the last 5000 miles. Oil is at right level now! I asked him how often he topped up oil- he said every 1000miles. I can only but believe him. No proof - But seems genuine guy.

About the services. They were done at Mazda dealership so I assume that if anything was wrong they would have fixed it. I dont have the invoice sheets here. I am going to ring the garage tomorrow and see if they have any record of anything strange in the services it has had.

Ollie

 

I'd just be concerned about the frequency of service - has he been changing the oil regularly? Not topping up - changing.

Ken

 

How often should you take the car in for service? I haven't done that yet and I've had mine for almost 10k miles...

Then again I've been to the dealership 4 different times while having it for TSB's and other things that needed looking at so I suppose I shouldn't worry about that now, but in the future how often should I take it in?

 

I think oil changes were done in the services - which are every 12,500, as it says in the service book

 

Sounds like he is in London, England....their service manual states "Once a year" so no problem.

(You worry too much....)

S

 

Yes I am in London, England. I do worry , I know- lol. Its just because I dont want to buy a RX8 that has not had oil checked/changed enough and the tips on the engine have started to wear down.

thanks
Ollie

 

Not that this means he top off anything but ask the owner where he keeps the extra bottle of oil. I he is really up on this car he would carry extra. If he looks at you funny ask him about extra oil he might have around the house. A little Columbo line of questioning might turn up an answer.

 

Four times...we're even! At 9500 miles, Zoomy's been to the dealer four times as well. Three times for free oil changes, and once for a free state inspection. Doubled up two recalls (4206f and fuel cap) with oil changes.

My last oil change receipt says I'm way overdue for the 7500 mile service. I have no idea what they'd do at 7500 miles, other than charge for not doing much of anything at all. That's a problem with dealers. They have high priced "regular service" intervals that line their pockets. The last time I did a scheduled service was in 1980, with my VW Rabbit, where they charged $40 for what amounted to an oil change - worth about $10 in those days.

There's a good chance I'll keep bringing the 8 to the dealer for oil changes after my two years of freebes are over, since they charge $30. I'd spend $17 or $18 doing it myself. I'd also get dirty and have to dispose of the old oil. But I'm leery of what willhappen when it's gear oil change time, and they say "Time for your deluxe 24,000 mile service."

Ken