Checking oil in a 2012 Mazdaspeed 3

[axel1]

Hi Guys,

When do you check the oil to determine if its ok. Is it

1. First thing in the morning (when the car has overnighted)
2. After a 5-10 minute run or idel

I ask because at first thing in the morning (when the car has overnighted) the oil reads just at the minimum mark. This kind scares me

However after a 5-10 minute run or idel the oil reads max.

Not sure.

My car has 2500kms on it and this is how i got it from the dealer.

Please assist

[fywdyl]

This may be stupid, but you're checking on level ground too right?

[stevenma188]

You are wiping the dipstick, putting it back in, then reading that level right?

[Booostin]

I read my oil in the morning after car has been sitting so the oil gets a chance to settle.

engine oil = cold

tranny fliud = warm

[Thrizzl3]

.

LOL!

OP are you seriously saying you don't know how to check the oil?

[axel1]

yep, level ground

[cwp_sedan]

LOL!

OP are you seriously saying you don't know how to check the oil?

Don't be a dick. Some people may not know but I think there is more to it in this case.

[BlueStreak]

- Park car on level ground.
- Let car sit for 10+ minutes. (After driving or over night. Doesn't matter)
- Pull out dipstick and wipe off oil marking. Don't bother reading the level.
- Re-insert dipstick, wait 3 seconds and pull out dipstick again.
- Read oil level.

[CelestSpeed3]

When the car is parked and cooled off sometimes there will be a small amount of pressure om the dipstick tube. This pressure will force the oil lower on the stick giving a false reading. Follow the instructions Bluestreak posted will give you a proper oil reading.

[Nova 3 GT]

- Park car on level ground.
- Let car sit for 10+ minutes. (After driving or over night. Doesn't matter)
- Pull out dipstick and wipe off oil marking. Don't bother reading the level.
- Re-insert dipstick, wait 3 seconds and pull out dipstick again.
- Read oil level.

I heard that the best time to check the oil is when you go fill up. Gas stations are always leveled and correct me if I'm wrong on this but checking the oil after the car has been overnighted might give you a false reading because the oil has time to run down from the valves and lifters and it might show up as slightly overfilled.

[Flagrum_3]

I heard that the best time to check the oil is when you go fill up. Gas stations are always leveled and correct me if I'm wrong on this but checking the oil after the car has been overnighted might give you a false reading because the oil has time to run down from the valves and lifters and it might show up as slightly overfilled.

That is completely false...It is always better to check the oil after the car has been sitting. The longer the better. Overnight is perfect. But make sure you are on LEVEL ground. Check it twice!!

_3

[PR3Y11]

yay red ranger

[Sean80]

At least he checks his oil. I'm sure many of us don't check it as often as we should.

[Flagrum_3]

At least he checks his oil. I'm sure many of us don't check it as often as we should.

Your probably right, but then how much better is it to check the oil regularly, if your not checking it correctly? ;-)

I would guess one problem is, it's not easy to remember to check your oil before you get going in the morning, so I would say the best time is when you go fill with gas. But wait till you've filled the car, maybe cleaned the windshield then check the level. This allows most of the oil to get down to the pan giving you a better reading. But as I stated before always check twice. It's also a good time to eyeball other things like belts etc; ...my 2c


_3

[axel1]

thanks guys, worried for nothing, u all were right, i wiped it and checked it twice, three times. All is ok

[captobvious75]

yay for healthy Pu!