Everyone:

Well, having conducted a search and unable to find even a working response to my question, I decided to brave the waters and make an initial post and question.

I am the proud owner of an 04 MT (check signature) and went to check the oil after driving home from work and was a bit confused after pulling out the dipstick and checking the oil.

Now, this isnt the first time that I've ever checked the oil via dipstick - but it was one of the first times I checked it in my RX-8.

The stick was impossible to read the first time, with no real clear indication as to where the oil was in relation to the fill line.

The second time, it LOOKED like the oil was low, so I put some in to cover my trip in this morning.

Now, being a rotary newbie and a new Mazda owner, are there any tips/tricks/etc to the oil issue?

 

Sounds like you just need to learn how to read the dipstick, just like I had to learn.

The engine needs to be driven (until it reaches operating temp from the temp gauge inside) first and then shut down. Then wait 5 to 10 minutes for the engine to cool down and the oil to collect.

Take the dipstick out and wipe it off completely. Then insert it back in, turn around a few times to even things out, and pull it out again for checking. On the side with the 2 horizontal marks, look for ANY indicaction of an oil layer. Even if you don't see a nice "droplet" or "evagination" of oil, there still may be a thin layer of oil. Where the oil line stops is where there is ABSOLUTELY NO oil, not even a thin layer.

This is how I do my oil.

 

You can wait untill morning and pull out the dipstick, wipe it off and reinsert it, pull it out and check to make sure the oil line is between the 2 notched lines on the dipstick, I would say closer to the top line is better as having consistent low oil levels will reduce your gas mileage as well as not lubricating your engine and seals!

 

It is hard to see the oil line. I use a flashlight to both put the stick back in and to check the oil. I remember once or twice when the car was newer, and the oil was cleaner, I would look at where I thought the line and verify it with a clean paper towel.

 

Since the oil is very thin (5w20), and probably still reasonably clean, it can be hard to see. After pulling, wiping, inserting, and pulling again, hold the dipstick horizontally and rotate/twist it to try to catch some reflected light on the flat surface with the high/low marks. With the reflected light, you should easily be able to see the level of the oil on the stick.

 

You do have to turn it so the light catches. I also find that the level is more visible on the side of the dipstick that doesn't have the markings. Just have to flip back and forth to see how it lines up. I might cut marks on the back but maybe that would destroy it's magical properties

 

Thanks guys; it must be the weight of the oil that has me kinda confused as to what to look for. I have an extra quart of oil and funnel in my trunk (as per another Tech Garage's recommendation), but was getting stumped by this new fangled oil.

Thanks for everyones tips!