I did a search and didn't find anyone else having this problem. On my prior cars, the oil level was nice and visible, dark enough to see.

Maybe its because this is the first car I've ever owned that is new and the oil is extra clean, or maybe its the super thin oil, but I can hardly see where the line is! I checked it three times, and decided to add 1/2 quart just to be safe, as it looked to be about 1/3 down from full. The car had 650 miles at this time.

Has anybody else experienced difficulty with this?

I'm already learning that this car has idiosyncracies, in this case a dipstick located about 6 inches too far down to be easily reached. Funny on a car that consumes oil by design.

In other news, I have 250 miles to go and break-in is over! I will post pics once my lazy *** takes a few.

 

I just got back from a 2400 mile trip and I found this to be a big pain in the ***. At one point I think I checked the oil some 3-5 times before getting what I thought was an acurate read. This can be very annoying at night as well since there's no light under the hood also. Anyone having any good suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

After a while the oil will be as dark and easy to read as any other cars. You may want to try TRUST RE oil - tinted blue so it's easy to read even when new and clean.

There's no solution to the too far back, too low and too dark dip stick location. One can only rationlize it as the price to pay for the Front-Mid engine configuration to achieve the perfect 50-50 weight distribution, low polar moment of inertia and low cg. Enjoy the car!

-Ringer-

 

Turn the dipstick over. No, really. I dunno if all are like this (I have the later version with the dots) -- the reverse side has 'machine marks' -- a rough finish which allows oil to stick to it easier.

I just turn it over slowly to see where the oil level matches up to the dots.

 

taking a knife blade and scratching up the end of the dipstick helps a lot - easier to read with the finish scraped up a little bit

 

I also have to really examine the dipstick to see the oil, especially in less-than-superbright light (like in my garage). I've started taking a white paper napkin or paper towel with me, and laying the dipstick flat on the paper towel. The oil will soak into the towel and you can see it easier on that than on the stick.

 

do you have the new dipstick or the old one?

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...7-04-1438b.pdf

 

Yes, check the type of dipstick you have. Mine is much easier to read now that I have the new style. (I also have more miles on the car, so the "older oil is darker" idea may have some merit, too.)

 

How much does the new dip stick run? that looks like it could be a big help....

My (only) two complaints about the "8" are the flooding and and the oil situation. Since this is about the oil.... I don't know why Mazda, knowing this machine requires frequent oil checks didn't do any or all of the following:
1) Have an oil level gauge or oil low gauge when it's a half quart (instead of teh current whole quart) low
2) Put the stick somewhere more convenient than under the engine cover.
3) Put the oil fill somewhere more convenient than under the cover and in the center/back of the engine bay. I'm 5'11'', and it isn't dificult to reach for it, but someone a little shorter than me will have a heck of a time.
4) How about an oil resevoir? That holds an extra quart and drips it as needed ? Doesn't get wasted during an oil change only used when required?

 

Tell me about it.

The only 2 times in my life I've dropped an oil dipstick through the engine area on to the ground was the last time I checked the oil level on my Rex! Thank goodness I was in the garage and the floor was relatively clean.

Last week I drove to Indy and the oil light came on several times. It would go out after a minute or two. When I did pull over for gas and checked the oil, the oil was about 1/3rd of the way up the indented area on the dipstick. I put in about 8 ozs and the light didn't come on for several hundred more miles. Does this sound about right?

Hunter

 

Hunter? Is your car a 2004 model? Check to see if your car needs the oil pan recall for low level light. The idiot light (in car oil warning light) in the dash really shouldn't come on with 1/3. Double check your dipstick and know where the FULL level is and try to keep it there. Most people are seeing a few 1.5-2k before needing oil added not a few hundred. Unless of course, you're a lead foot like me and have to feed our
precious babies lube juice to keep her happy.

God Luck

 

the new stick is free under warraty.. just bitch about it. check out the other articles in finishline. Ask them to do that TSB and it comes with the dipstick. http://www.finishlineperformance.com...09-05-1450.pdf

 

This thread is kinda old, but it's what one member did to help with the difficulties of reading the dipstick. This is just in case you dont feel like going to your dealer...

 

I second those thoughts. Turning the dipstick over gives you a more accurate reading.

 

Thanks for the valuable advice everyone!

 

Try removing the dark coating on the dipstick with a little steel wool and see if that helps. Did that and it helps me see the oil.

 

I will. Thanks. Yes, it is an '04. I thought that was a bit odd. It's going back soon for an oil change anyways and to put my plates on. I'll ask then.

Hunter