2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 234

J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 9 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM Maintenance and Care Owner Maintenance Engine Oil NOTE The Mazda RX-8 requires regular inspection of the engine oil level. The compact, high performance RENESIS rotary engine in your vehicle consumes a small amount of engine oil due to its structural design. Although your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil level warning light and an engine oil pressure gauge, it is best to keep the engine oil level in the range between full and low by checking the oil dipstick regularly. Inspect the level when refueling. Engine oil viscosity, or thickness, has an effect on fuel economy and cold-weather operation (starting and oil flow). Low-viscosity engine oils can provide improved fuel economy and cold-weather performance. But high-temperature weather conditions require higher-viscosity engine oils for satisfactory lubrication. -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 5W-20 M Recommended Oil Oil container labels provide important information. When choosing an oil, consider the temperature range your vehicle will operate in before the next oil change. Then select the recommended viscosity from this chart. FOR GASOLINE ENGINES CAUTION Using oils of viscosity besides those recommended for specific temperature ranges could result in engine damage. Energy conserving oils are recommended. A chief contribution they make to fuel economy is reducing the amount of fuel necessary to overcome engine friction. (ILSAC) The quality designation SL or ILSAC must be on the label. 8-9 Form No. 8R65-EA-03C