Mazda 2.5L Skyactive and oil level.

[Urshurak776]

So, I know this has been discussed before, but I have been monitoring over the last few months both my Mazda 3 and my wife's CX-5. They both have the same, non-turbo 2.5L SkyActive (VIIN code M.)

The oil level, a few days after an oil change, DOES in fact, rise a little.

Cars call for like 4.6 - 4.8 quarts with a new filter. When I change the oil, I drain until it stops dripping. Put plug back in. Put on a new filter and dump in a 5 quart jug. Run engine. Shut it down. Wait about 15-20 minutes. Check oil. Typically is a little over half-way between low and full marks. Even if I leave it overnight. So, I have added about .2-.3 quarts to bring it to full.

Fast forward a week. Check oil level cold in morning. About 1/8" - 1/4" above full line. Both engines. I also noticed this when dealer did my oil before delivery on the Mazda 3. Same thing. A few days later, 1/4" above full line.

Expansion? Seems like a lot for expansion. Maybe fuel? Doesn't smell and when I park car, oil is nice and hot (our commutes are like 37 miles one way.)

So, I'm thinking I should just dump in the 5 quarts at each oil change and call it a day? I have never had any vehicle do this. Just the Mazdas. Weird.

 

[zfasts03]

I dump in 5, which puts it in the middle. I will only add to bring it back to the middle if needed, maybe 3/4 up max. That is my safety for expansion or rise due to fuel dilution.

 

[Dave Hess]

5 quarts and don’t worry.

 

[Urshurak776]

I dump in 5, which puts it in the middle. I will only add to bring it back to the middle if needed, maybe 3/4 up max. That is my safety for expansion or rise due to fuel dilution.

What does the level settle on after a week?

You're both right. 5 quarts works fine from what I have observed over last few months.

 

[JavierH19]

Just dump the whole jug in and slam it. Never bothered to check the oil level and micro measure on my daughters cars that called for 4.whatever quarts to be put in. Just dump and slam.

 

[Pew]

So, I'm thinking I should just dump in the 5 quarts at each oil change and call it a day? I have never had any vehicle do this. Just the Mazdas. Weird.

I just dump in the 5 and call it a day in my cx5 with the same engine.

 

[#18FAN]

Same but I do put in about 5.2 qts to bring it to full.

 

[Urshurak776]

Same but I do put in about 5.2 qts to bring it to full.

Yeah, this is what I have done, but after a few days, level will be above the full mark. Both my cars are like 1/4" above full mark.

Going forward, Just using 5 quarts. I'll check it the following weekend and see what level is at.

 

[#18FAN]

Yeah, this is what I have done, but after a few days, level will be above the full mark. Both my cars are like 1/4" above full mark.

Going forward, Just using 5 quarts. I'll check it the following weekend and see what level is at.

What filter

 

[spasm3]

My oil level rises in winter, due to fuel dilution.
If you short trip it, that might be why.

 

[Urshurak776]

What filter

OEM in CX-5 and a Premium Guard in the Mazda 3.

I didn't notice any difference in capacity between the two.

 

[Urshurak776]

My oil level rises in winter, due to fuel dilution.
If you short trip it, that might be why.

No short tripping typically. Both my wife and I have 30+ Mile commute.

 

[buster]

I noticed the 2.5L took 5.25 qts to reach full.

 

[researcher]

Just changed the oil on my relative's 16 CX-5, took 5 qts, and was half way between min/max on the dipstick. I'll check again after 2 days of driving but in the past it doesn't rise much. I've had it on my Scion tC (Camry engine, 2AZ-FE) where you fill it to half and over the next day or so it's almost full! Oil is hiding out in there even though it drained for an hour!

I wonder if the same thing is happening here, I doubt full dilution is going to happen that quick in the Skyactiv engine. I bet extra oil is hiding in the galleys, the same way as the tC engine!

 

[Urshurak776]

Just changed the oil on my relative's 16 CX-5, took 5 qts, and was half way between min/max on the dipstick. I'll check again after 2 days of driving but in the past it doesn't rise much. I've had it on my Scion tC (Camry engine, 2AZ-FE) where you fill it to half and over the next day or so it's almost full! Oil is hiding out in there even though it drained for an hour!

I wonder if the same thing is happening here, I doubt full dilution is going to happen that quick in the Skyactiv engine. I bet extra oil is hiding in the galleys, the same way as the tC engine!

Agree. This is the most likely explanation.

Curious on what you find the level at in a few days.

 

[bobdoo]

It takes that long for the oil to drain back to the pan, from the head.

 

[D60]

It takes that long for the oil to drain back to the pan, from the head.

He covered that in Post #1 by saying he's still low overnight after the oil change.

 

[RedSpider]

I have three Skyactiv's in the family and getting an accurate oil level measurement has always been a challenge.

For an oil change, I let it drain until it stops...four, five, 10 minutes whatever. I fill the filter with whatever leftovers I have laying on the shelf, then I dump the entire 5 qt. Walmart jug of M1/QS/Valvoline whatever in and that almost always put it just a tiny bit over the upper line. Check it again 15 minutes later or tomorrow or next week and it may be 3-4 millimeters above the line, or 1 below it, or somewhere in between. Skyactivs run great and give great gas mileage and I'm a big fan, but the dipsticks are absolutely possessed by evil spirits.

I can check the oil in my Fiat, or the Toyota, or the Honda eighteen times and I will get eighteen consistent markings. The Skyactivs are all over the map. If its above the lower line, I pretty much drop the hood and move on.

 

[BrendanC]

while i’ve never owned a mazda my hondas are very similar. they call for 4.something and just get the entire 5 quarts. dump it in and run. you’re slightly over what the OEM spec’d it for no need to think about it. run your OCI, rinse and repeat.

 

[bobdoo]

He covered that in Post #1 by saying he's still low overnight after the oil change.

researcher said:

I've had it on my Scion tC (Camry engine, 2AZ-FE) where you fill it to half and over the next day or so it's almost full! Oil is hiding out in there even though it drained for an hour!