Newb here

[Box]

Just bought an 03 228bhp rx8 and I absolutely love it , the oil pressure needle sits 2 notches above centre, is this fine? Or is there an issue?

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi & to the RX-8OC

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[warpc0il]

The oil pressure "gauge" is fake. Basically it either reads just right of centre, or not at all, as it's only connected to a pressure switch.

[acegeezer]

.. and it's a "231" .. do some reading on here as soon as you can, your question and all the others that you will want to ask will be found on here by searching
to our forum, join the club as a full member as soon as you can as you are restricted to only certain topics as a guest.. you really need to enable access to the members area .. and you will also gain access to the Technical information

Don't forget to post some pictures, you will need to use a third party to upload though until you're a member, as the upload tool cannot be seen until then
Please fill out your profile properly to include your location, it's a good idea if you ever need help we then know whereabouts you are and can direct you to specialists if necessary.

[geofftl1000r]

[Eddie_r32]

.. and it's a "231" .. do some reading on here as soon as you can, your question and all the others that you will want to ask will be found on here by searching

No he's right it's 228bhp = 231ps . Welcome!

[Shagrington]

and Hi and Box. What warp;cOil said about the oil pressure gauge - consider it more like a 'do I have oil pressure yes/no' indicator.

Have a good read through whatever in the FAQ section you didn't already read and then (and just ignore me if you know all this already) here are my best tips for keeping it all running sweetly:

1. To start up turn the key to position 2, wait for most of the lights on the dash to go out (I watch the airbag light by the glove box), press the clutch to the floor (optional, but reduces drag), turn the key to start and do not touch the throttle until it has started. You can drive off straight away, just keep the revs down for a bit (see #4 below).

2. Never turn off the engine before it has reached at least somewhere towards normal operating temperature (should only take a minute or two, but best to go for a short drive if just swapping cars round on the drive etc). Switching off cold risks flooding, which is a real with a rotary engine. Mazda recommend rev to 4k and hold it for 8-10 seconds switching off while still revving if you have no option but to switch off cold (it is not necessary to do this in any other circumstance).

3. Check the oil level regularly (use the dipstick - the oil gauge tells you nothing other than that you have or don't have pressure) and top up if necessary with semi synthetic 5w30 (most people and specialists are advising to use 10w40 now though) ... small amounts at a time, no more than ½ a litre then check the level again before adding more as you don't want to overfill it.

4. Use all the revs once the engine is nice and warm (don't sit idling to warm up, start up and drive but keep it below about 4k until the needle on the water temperature gauge is pointing straight up, then give it another 10 minutes for the oil to warm up too before really thrashing it ) and hit the beep often. Best acceleration is from 4k revs up - to pull away you really need to rev to 2k - you can let the revs drop after lifting the clutch if you are in traffic, cruising steadily at 3½k revs and changing down to go up hills or accelerate gets you the best mpg ... which still won't be great.

5. Join the club for discounts on all sorts of things (you will very quickly get the cost of membership back - and then some), loads more info in the members only sections (including access to all the workshop and technical manuals), local meets (or if you can't find one exactly local it is a good excuse for a drive if you come to one a bit further away), a sexy keyring just for joining and more.

[Box]

Thanks for all the info guys! I'll update my profile now.
I'm following the start up, warm up and revving up procedures and all seems to be fine