Rx8 advice

[SMcP114]

I've currently taken an '05 Rx8 into stock here, and I've a few quick questions.

For servicing, what grade of oil should I be using?

Is it normal for the centre console to get pretty hot on a run? Mine gets very hot, not boiling but definitely noticable?

Any other handy tips for me to keep it alive?

[CarbonBlackM5]

SMcP114 said:

I've currently taken an '05 Rx8 into stock here, and I've a few quick questions.

For servicing, what grade of oil should I be using?

Is it normal for the centre console to get pretty hot on a run? Mine gets very hot, not boiling but definitely noticable?

Any other handy tips for me to keep it alive?

Oil - 5w30. Worth joining the RX8 Owners club because you get a worthwhile discount from Opie oils. You must keep a litre top up in the boot in case you need it. Some use more oil than most. I used to check mine every 500 miles or if I was going on a long trip. White gunk on the dip stick is normal, you just need to drive it more if this happens

The centre consule will get hot, thats normal.

As for tips just rev the bks of it. How many miles has it done? The coils need changing around 30K, signs of them failing is poor hot starting.

Worth fitting a Borla or Racing beat, makes them sound awesome. The Borla is a little louder and pops on the over run .

The wheels will start to bubble and corrode, thats nornal, I brought a spare set and had them powder coated.

The Bridgestone RE040 are rubbish. If you have them change to RE050 when they wear out. Much better grip, esp in the wet.

Great cars if you can afford the petrol, just need a little TLC but worth the effort. I had a minter and sold it for an M5 which turned out to be a money pit, should have kept it really

[Ali_T]

Also, make sure the oil is NOT synthetic. They really don't like running on it, and they just burn it off faster.

[lilwashu]

If it's getting REALLY hot the cat might be shot (cat sits in the lump by the driver's left leg) - give it an emissions test or thrash it for a half hour and see if the cat is glowing. If the emissions test fails or it glows, it's gone, and probably as a result of failing ignition coils.

[Ali_T]

Cat collapse is usually due to previous owners flooding the car a few times. The unburnt fuel damages the matrix. It's very obvious due to power loss and hesitation.

[SMcP114]

Thanks for the advice folks. They seem a complicated enough thing.

It's been flooded once or twice before. Reciepts here for coils, sensors etc around a year ago. It's done 68k with plenty of history so happy enough with it. I bought it needing a lambda sensor so I'll get that fitted tomorrow and see it it sorts it out. There are no hot or cold starting issues, thank god, although it does use quite a bit of oil and fuel consumption is shocking, although I've put that down to it needing the 02 sensor.

[JapFreak786]

A friend was getting around 14mpg on the local run in his,and he took care of it,my R33 GTR was more economical,170miles for a full tank was the average he got i think

[Ali_T]

JapFreak786 said:

A friend was getting around 14mpg on the local run in his,and he took care of it,my R33 GTR was more economical,170miles for a full tank was the average he got i think

His car must have been broken! Faulty catalysts or a malfunctioning third inlet port actuator would lead to that, but not otherwise. I got 18-20mpg regularly, and once got 27mpg on a longer run.

[Welshbeef]

Didn't Mazda quote the equivalency ratio incorrectly so it isn't a 1.3 but actually in effect a 4ltr which. Explains the logical poor economy.

[Ali_T]

It's equivalent to a 2.6 litre V12!