ok, well i have tried searching but have not gotten a definite answer yet, so just to be sure I'll just ask here for a straight forward answer


well, i have had my 8 for a couple weeks now and a couple gas station fill-ups later it seems like my oil level is getting low.

for starters, what kind of oil do i use? when i searched i found (Royale Purple) but then i find non-synthetic....

can i get a straight forward answer.. like what brand and so on.

also how exactly do i know how much oil should i pour in? or how should i know how much oil i need to add so i dont over-flow

-thanks in advance
(hopefully the flames wont cause global warming)

 

Oil is a highly subjective topic and everyone has had a great and terrible experience with every single brand of oil out there.

We have people (like myself) who have used synthetic oil since day one while others swear that it will ruin your engine. People who use 5w-20 with success and people who use 20w-50 with success.

Best thing you can do is read opinions and research and make up your own mind.

In terms of "how much" you pour in? You pour in until the dipstick shows your full. Bottom line is do not let your oil level get low. If you run a lowered amount of oil in this motor you'll seriously shorten it's life. Make sure you perform regular oil changes with whatever you do.

 

You'll find there are dissenting opinions on what kind of oil to use. Synthetic vs. Conventional. After reading the thread on that topic, I've decided to go with conventional due to the fact that oil is added/replaced fairly frequently and it's cheaper to go with Conventional (there doesn't seem to be a large difference between the two although Synthetic has a negative stigma attached to it for the misinformed).

In regards to oil weight - you'll get dissenting opinions. 5W20, 5W30, etc. I'm located in SoCal and have been using 5W20 with no problems. Though people will disagree that 5W20 is too thin.

One common thing I've noticed is that a majority of people here seem to use Castrol GTX (which I typically use as well). Haven't seen/felt a difference with Valvoline or Shell oil though. There may be long term affects or there may not be. People have had different experiences.

In regards to how much oil, the the volume of oil indicated by the bottom line to the top line on your dipstick is 1.8 quarts. Double check the owner's manual but I do believe it is 1.8 quarts. Add an appropriate amount of oil without exceeding the top line.

 

+1 agree

 

ok, but just one more question, i have been looking around online, and for some reason they all seem to say "Synthetic".... could anyone help me find one? or at least show a photo of a bottle (still new with cars)

 

If you're looking for conventional oil, you can find it at your local NAPA, Autozone, Advanced Auto Parts, etc. I have no experience with buying oil from online vendors (such as Royal Purple which I believe most people purchase online) so I can't help you out there.

I think you're asking where to find Non-Synthetic (aka Conventional) oil and I tailored my response around that assumption.

 

hmm, a bit confused
but will this do

 

That white bottle above is a bottle of conventional oil.

A bottle of synthetic oil will clearly state "Fully Synthetic" or something similar on the front of the bottle.

 

i bought my royal purple at pepboys

 

alright, so hopefully i dont make an expensive mistake
i should get the WHITE bottle right?

 

As Flashwing said, read up on the discussion of the different types of oil and make a decision you're comfortable with.

Flashwing uses Synthetic (the black bottle above) for his/her own reasons.
I use Conventional (the white bottle above) for my own reasons.

 

also how would i know what type of oil is already in my car?
or would it really matter if i had 5w20 and i top it off with 5w30
because i bought my car used a couple weeks ago and they added everything before i left the lot

 

Most Syntecs are "FAKE" Synthetic (Group III) with the exception of 0w-30 weight(I believe its Group IV)

Why pay premium for a fake synthetic when you can get , say, Castrol GTX for probably 1/3 of the price ? Which is probably same ****.(I forgot what Group Castrol GTX belongs to)

you want true Full Synthetic? get stuff thats based on Group IV(PAO) or V(Ester), it usually cost more than "fake" synthetic like Syntec, Valvoline, etc. Royal Purple(IV) and Redline(V) sells them. Mobil1 oil uses Group IV too.

Anyway to the original question, top it off with anything, its better than nothing. All kinds of motor oil mix, regardless of Synthetic or not, heavier or lighter weight.

How to add? look at the dip stick, there is 2 points, L to F. its about 1.75 quarts between them. so just fill them up little by little, until you're "almost" up to F. Cuz motor oil expands when heated. Also, pour it using a funnel, if u pour it down from the bottle directly into tube, some of the oil might end up inside your intake (not good)

 

alright!
thanks for the tip!

 

idk if i'm toolike but i live in central FL and use 10w30 castrol in summber and 5w30 in winter. I have used valvoline, pennzoil and even quaker state and not seen any problems with either but i tend to like castrol the most.....

 

Well if it matters we use 5w-20 for the rebuilt engines, non synthetic and I know for a fact that the first race the Mazdaspeed RX8 ran with the castrol synthetic sponsorhip and won the daytona 24hr in last they used non synthetic.....you didnt here that from me. I dont know what they are running now in the engines for mazdaspeed, they probably ran some tests on it this year, who knows I haven't seen them since late last year though. Personally my only opinion on it is from what I understand the engine should burn oil and synthetic is designed to not burn up as easy so I dont know if thats the best combonation but then again as I said I dont know too much about whats best I just go by the books.

 

While at the dealership for my wife's mazda6 service. I noticed that they sell Mazda synthetic oil. Yes. mazda's very own brand. Anyhow the label at the back has a bold disclaimer "NOT FOR ROTARY ENGINE". This is for 5w20 and 5w30 oil. Hmm....

 

Funny, no one's asked that before.

Okay seriously, oil is debated endlessly. In my opinion, 1) checking your oil every other fill up 2) not letting it get low, and 3) changing it every few months/few thousand miles is much more important than what kind of oil you use.

Just my 2¢.

 

Read the link in my signature.

 

Good info. Nice to know. I don't think it really matters as long you you maintain your car. Never let it run low on oil, and keep up with regular changes. I may switch to synthetic on my next 8. BTW I've got 10 qts. of Chevron 5w-20 if someone wants to come to Stockton and get them.

 

I'll stick to my dino oil change with synthetic Pennzoil premix! The best of both worlds

 

frequent oil & filter change >>>>>> type of oil or brand.

 

Iagree

 

I highly recommend unless your super low miles that you dont switch oil, its been known that switching can cause leaks if the miles are up there. BTW I actually got married in stockton, well technically French Camp, dont know why I said that but I did.

 

i partially agree. i agree that frequent oil changes are good. but if you are going to be using the cheap stuff with a fram oil filter you better be changing the oil ever 1000-1500 miles.

i use mobil 5w-30 and either a mobil1 filter or the oem filter. i change it every 3000-3500 miles.