Nubo

Agreed, the recommended frequency for checking the oil is far too frequent in normal use, but they have to be able to "catch" the occasional high useage from a hard-driving spree.

Given that this takes some diligence on the part of the owner, it's always been a mystery to me why Mazda doesn't simply add an oil-level indicator to the instrumentation. This is not rocket science. I owned a 1984 econobox Renault Alliance that had just such an indicator. When you turned the key to the "ACC" position, a needle would swing to show you the current crankcase oil level. It was an accurate and stone-cold simple way to keep close tabs on the oil level with no effort, no hood raising, no dipstick pulling, no oily rag.

It's a remarkable irony that I had such a system in my cheap little car that barely used a drop of oil, but no such thing on my RX-8 where oil usage is constant, variable, and critical. It's a shame they forego such a trivial solution in terms of both cost and complexity. And it applies to either method -- crankcase oil or external tank.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I think the reason is that there are too many morons ... I mean typical *I buy this car cuz it looks cool but I dont know **** about cars* kind of people out there who simply cant read **** and they can get confuse real easy.

The more *instruments* in a typical car, more confusing they will get, and more *dealership visit for no reason* will occur.

Thats probably one of the reasons why Mazda *killed* the real oil pressure gauge in Miata couple years ago.

mysql

oil pressure I can see becoming a confusing issue for some people.

But an actual oil level gauge is like a fuel gauge. Empty or Full!

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Trust me, there are people thats soooooo retarded that you wont even understand how can they live without a brain.

I've seen TONS of those people in my old internet cafe.

TitaniumSaddleGT

Hey,

Does the Oil Pressure gauge (shown in pic here) give an indication of the oil level too? I know that's what you are referencing above.
I'm not retarded... I just wonder if the oil can be super low but the gauge stays put.

mysql

no.....

peterlemonjello

The oil pressure gauge is a dummy gauge. It's not like the temp gauge that'll move in conjunction with temps. The oil pressure gauge indicates pressure and no pressure. It'll never fluctuate.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Oh my god ... freaking n00b .... please do some research about ur car sheesh ...

TitaniumSaddleGT

hey. yes i am a noob. something wrong? and I am doing research. that's why i am here dude. why do you have this "holier than thou" attitude. i just got this car May 2008. 1 month bro. this is a complex car and I am putting in the effort to learn. have a bit of reasonable perspective.

shaunv74

It's a gauge based on a "yes or no" pressure sensor so it doesn't show variation in pressure. It's just an idiot light. The only way to get an actual oil pressure reading is to purchase an aftermarket gauge like Racing Beat's gauge kit. In real life the oil pressure swings from ~20 psi at idle to ~65 psi at WOT. That would scare the crap out of most normal people so I get why mazda did that even if it's not very helpful. Either way you can be a quart or two low and not see variation in your oil pressure. It's not a good indicator until you are actually out of oil and causing damage.

robrecht

What I like about a real oil pressure guage is it seems to tell you when you reach normal oil temperature--would prefer an oil temperature guage.

TitaniumSaddleGT

some other cars do have actual oil level gauges.

example: Porsche 911
http://www.perfectpowerinc.com/tech-tips.html


Call me dumb as a stump if you'd like, but I actually did think that the oil pressure guage was an oil level gauge for the entire first week that I had this car. I thought, oh cool... Mazda made it simple for people to see where the oil level is. That's really great! But when it was just sitting 2 ticks to the right of the half way point and not budging a bit, I looked closer and noticed that it said "Oil-P".

Of all cars, it seems that the RX8 would be one of the top candidates for an accurate oil level gauge. Mazda engineered an amazing car. An oil level gauge doesn't sound like too much to ask for, especially given the history of issues with so many people not knowing that rotary engines use oil by design.

mysql

the car makes a distinct sound when you run out of oil. Therefor no oil level is needed, right?

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

totally not needed.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Too slow.

speed ur learning process up.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

of course.

TitaniumSaddleGT

oh. right. sorry, sir.

shaunv74

BMW also has a digital oil level gauge instead of a dipstick. I think that's a bit overkill and I'd always want a dipstick as a backup.

LionZoo

Don't mind nycgps...

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

nycps is just messing with ya ......

Nubo

It doesn't work that way. Even if it were a REAL oil-pressure gauge (which it's not), the oil level doesn't really affect pressure much until the level is so low that the oil pump is drawing air.

Socket7

Why in gods name wouldn't you want all kinds of dials that go higher when you nail the gas to the floor? I mean, sure, I get the whole "lowest common denominator" thing, but dammit, when I'm driving I want to all kinds of stuff happening to the indicators on the dash. It really touches the inner child in you to see the tach rising and having the oil pressure and temp gauges rise in response too. It makes you feel more in tune with the car, and gives it that much more personality.

Why have them at all if they'll never move? it makes the instrument panel look dull and lifeless.

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

nycgps is a noob.

OpTiCaL

This is an awesome thread! Thanks for all the info. I came across this info when looking for oil flash points. This should solve most questions as to what w weight would be good for you.


SAE W viscosity grades for engine oils Grade cranking pumping
0w 3250cP at -30°c 60,000cP at -40°c
5w 3500cP at -25°c 60,000cP at -35°c
10w 3500cP at -20°c 60,000cP at -30°c
15w 3500cP at -15°c 60,000cP at -25°c
20w 4500cP at -10°c 60,000cP at -20°c
25w 6000cP at -5°c 60,000cP at -15°c

SAE viscosity grades for engine oils Grade low shear high shear
20 5.6 - 9.3 cSt at 100°c 2.6 cP at 150°c
30 9.3 - 12.5 cSt at 100°c 2.9 cP at 150°c
40a 12.5 - 16.3 cSt at 100°c 2.9 cP at 150°c
40b 12.5 - 16.3 cSt at 100°c 3.7 cP at 150°c
50 16.3 - 21.9 cSt at 100°c 3.7 cP at 150°c
60 21.9 - 26.1 cSt at 100°c 3.7 cP at 150°c

a (0w-40, 5w-40, 10w-40 grades)
b (15w-40, 20w-40, 25w-40, 40 grades)

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

<Thread hijack>

How could a triangle thinggy can produce any power ?

I do not understand. Guide me to the light please ?

<End>

hmm