When I check the oil on my Rx8, I have a hard time reading the dipstick because the oil is so light and thin to read. Does anyone have this problem, and is there any techniqes I can do to help better read the dipstick?

So far the car show's to be full of oil, and I have done about 4 fill ups on gas.

 

No problem here, although I agree that it is not particularly "easy". Try rotating and moving the dipstick around until you get a reflection of light off it and you should be able to see the more shiny section where the oil is. Either that or paint the dipstick a lighter color, with high temp paint perhaps. I've thought of that myself.

 

Rather than paint, you could do what I did. I used sandpaper on one side and kind of polished off the light green coating off. It left one side shinny silver, and the other side stock color. It's not like it will ever rust, it lives in oil. It helps quite a bit, but when the oil is new, I still have to twist it in the light to see it well. Just make sure it's clean before you put it back.

 

Yes that drives me nuts, on top of the difficult access and all. But luckily the whole oil consumption thing is a little overblown in my opinion. I'm at 1,500 miles and thus far have only used a quart and I am right at the max (that is, if I was able to see the oil level correctly...).

 

Yes, the whole oil "controversy" is way overblown. I'll check mine later today because it's been a while, but the oil consumption in my 8 has been quite acceptable. Just be sure to read the dipstick in good lighting, and use a funnel to pour the oil. 5W-20 loves to pour faster than water.

 

Well having driven my 8 for 13500 miles, I have changed the oil 4 times, and had to add about 6 or 7 quarts of oil between my oil changes. That seems a little high. In tandem with the poor mileage I have been getting since I bought the car, gas and oil costs for me have been over $2000 is 5 1/2 months. I think the issue is overblown for those that don't experience the problem.

 

I used a scotch pad to buff one side too....works great.

 

Just want to remind you guys...check the oil in your engine when it is cold. I use to think that it really didn't matter...but it does try it.

 

The tech at my car wash said to:
1. Run the engine until car warms up
2. turn the car off.
3. pull the dipstick out
4. wipe the dipstick
5. put the dipstick back in
6. pull the dipstick backout and read the dipstick.
7. add the oil as needed.
8 put the dipstick back in, and turn the car back on.

I didnt find this to work... so I just add oil frequently. (once every 2 weeks)

 

It does matter and the manual says to check it 5 minutes after shutting down with the engine at normal operating temperature - not cold as you're suggesting.

 

I think that's a given! I don't recall anyone in this thread suggesting to check it when the car was running. That's just common sense. What I get annoyed with is the inaccurancy in my oil readings. I checked my oil last night after about 30 minutes sitting in the garage after a 30 run and is showed 1/2 way between full/low. When I checked it again tonight after another 30 minute wait in the garage (again about a 25-30 mile trek running errends) and it showed a little over 3/4 full. So I'm very careful when adding oil. Only a little at a time.