Just did another oil change at the dealer. I never really checked before but I just looked at the work order. They put 5W-20 semi-synthetic oil in the car. Not bad considering they didn't charge me more than for a regular oil change.

 

semi-synthetic? I've heard you should not put a synthetic oil in rx-8.

 

I've herd that in order to make an oil 5w20 it must be partialy synthetic. :D

 

I was told non-synthetic only.

 

The manual will tell you much, Grasshopper!

S

 

With all the confusion about oil, I only get the car serviced at authorized Mazda dealer. I don't care if they put mud in the car, something goes wrong, they owe me.

 

My first couple of oil changes, the dealer used 10w30. I had read the threads here about how the computer wouldn't allow the tech to code in 5w20, but the dealers were swearing they were using 5w20. So I paid the receipt no mind. My last change I asked the guy and he said yea they do put in 10w30 that's what the dealer recommends. So I ask about using 5w20 and the guy said it will cost more. I replied that I get the free maintainence, he said he would check with the service advisor and came back and said it's covered. I'm sorry but I don't understand how a Mazda dealer can go against the owner's manual?

 

With all due respect you need to determine what weight of oil the 8 gets, then make sure the techs put it in. Leaving it up to chance is too risky.

 

At my Dealer, the computer had the same problem.. it would only show 5w/30 and not 5w/20.. but to put my mind totally at ease.. the senior tech took me to the garage and showed me the special 'barrels' of 5W/20 they have especially for the '8'.... and said he wouldn't allow them to use anything else as it was a directive from Mazda that they must use 5w/20 and nothing else.

I stood there and watched them 'fill her up' from these 'barrels' and so I have no issue with the printout saying something different to what they actually use!