Fred Osborn wrote:

Paul, Does the RX-8 low profile oil pan result in a decreased oil
capacity or a higher oil level in the block? Also, what type of oil

are

they recommending?

Fred O.

I think it is still five quarts. I am not sure with out checking the

manual.

I suspect they run a higher level in the block. Also there are two oil

coolers

that may add to the capacity.

It did a real strange thing yesterday.  The oil level light came on as
I was zinging down the freeway at 85. I said oh s*** Robin did not check

the oil

level as she had been driving it for a week or so. I got off the freeway

and pulled

over. Pulled the dip stick and saw no oil. Fortunately I had a quart of

Mobil One

in the trunk and put it in. I drove sixty miles up to the hangar.
I let it sit for 8 hours or so and checked the oil. It was well over

full!!!

Strange.

The oil pan is very shallow. On the order of an inch and a half. It has

some strange

trap doors in it to keep the oil on the oil pickup screen  when you are

cornering at

.9 G. What I suspect happened is one of these doors stuck closed

trapping the oil

on the side of the pan and in the block. I had just got on the freeway

using a fast

on ramp. The oil level sensor was on the opposite side of the pan than

the door

giving an erroneous indication of a low oil level.
When I first checked the level I did not wait long enough for the oil to

drain back

to the pan.

Sorry I digressed.

Nothing in the manual about the type of oil to use but I am checking

with

the service manager if synthetic oil is OK. I'll have and answer later

today.

Paul Lamar

I checked with the service manager and he said no synthetic but he was not

too

convincing. No reason why not. The mechanic backed him up but then he

mentioned

synthetic as being too "thin". I said but you can get 15 W 50 in Mobile 1
which is far from "thin". I have some contacts at Mazda so I will look

into

it further. I need a reason.

Paul Lamar

"Duane C. Service" wrote:

Paul,  There is not a reson in the world not to use synthetic in any car.
It is by far a superior lubricant, and does not boil away like mineral oils.
No manufacturer can deny a warrenty claim as long as the oil specs are met.
(I am the Amsoil dealer-lurker that met you at Shady Bend)

Duane C. Service

 
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