Checking oil level

[CBDFrontier06]

If you want a good scare, check a late model Mazda 2.0 or 2.3 first thing in the morning. Both my 3 2.0 and my 6 2.3 both barely show any oil on the dipstick when you pull it out cold. But when you re-insert and pull again, it reads "full". I have no idea what causes that, but it'll sure wake you up the first time it happens.

I always check mine after sitting overnight because (I'm guessing) there's so much oil spashed up into the dipstick tube during driving that it's very hard to get a dependable reading even after 15 minutes post-shutdown. It's just a big smear halfway up the dipstick.

 

[Eddie]

StrangeCBDF: My Mazda 2.3 CX 7 read full when overnight cold and ~ full when checked hot @ ~ T=-5 minutes.

 

[Dad2leia]

They have started using cable type dipsticks now, which helps with that splashed up in the tube oil draining (less area for the oil to sit on.

Both our '07 Pilot and the in-laws '07 Cobalt have this tytpe of dipstick.

 

[Lonnie]

My 4Runner V8 is difficult to read.

I think that the most important thing is to check the oil the same way every time. Being off a bit because of technique won't put you that far off as long as you wait a few minutes after stopping the engine. Missing a trend is a bigger problem. That's what you're really looking for, not the exact amount.

 

[CBDFrontier06]

Eddie, do you have cable-type or blade-type?

 

[Greggy_D]

Quote:

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If you want a good scare, check a late model Mazda 2.0 or 2.3 first thing in the morning.

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Krappiest dipsticks EVER. How do they expect you to get an accurate reading from this darn thing?

 

[artificialist]

My 03 ION has one, but it irritates me that the tip nearly always rubs the inside of the tube, impacting readings.

Good thing my ION has no issues with oil loss.

 

[CBDFrontier06]

Mazda is the first make I've ever had that did this

1st Pull this morning:

Re-insert and pull again:

 

[Cutehumor]

I check my oil cold after I have driven 17 miles all highway. let's me know how much oil is in the pan minus fuel dilution/water.

 

[buster]

The Nissan 4.0L is the only engine I've had that the level is right when you wait 10-15 minutes after the engine was hot. When it's cold, the level is slightly below the full line. The Mazda was always at the top regardless of whether it was hot or cold.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Holy thread revival, Batman.