I am surprised no one has pointed this out but doesn't it look like the stick is wrong and also the oil level that trips the light is way way too high?
That’s because most people believe the marks on the dipstick are correct, but the specs listed by Mazda are wrong. Firstly, Mazda put in about 5.6 quarts of oil from factory for the 2.5T, evidenced by many 2.5T owners who checked the oil level when their car is brand new, and found the oil level is a tad above the Max hole. Secondly, the “approximate” fluid quantities listed in the manual are inconsistent and inaccurate at best. Oil change amount for diffrtent engines all are about 0.4 ~ 0.5 quart less from the Max hole, but the gear oil amount (0.45 quart) for front transfer case is correct. Then the gear oil for rear differential is way off, 0.37 quart specified, but you really need about 0.75 quart.
If the correct amount is added (5.1 qt) and it gets you mid point between the holes, and we get a warning when it hits the bottom hole? So it trips a warning at 4.6 qts?
As explained about, Mazda specified 5.1 quarts for oil change can only make your oil level to a tad above the mid point. It’s only an “approximate” amount, not the “correct” amount if you consider the oil change amount should be enough to reach the Max mark.
This engine could run on 2 quarts. Maybe less. But not long term. So you just need enuf oil so the oil pump pickup won't suck air.
I can attest this as I had a bad experience with leaky drain plug after a free oil change by a Toyota dealer, and I only found the oil about 2.5 quarts low out of 4.5 quarts total capacity after the 400-mile road trip on my 2018 Toyota Yaris iA which is a Mazda2 in disguise. The engine seems to be fine afterwards without oil consumptions. And the low oil pressure light had never lit either under such low oil level with about 2 quarts of oil in the crankcase.
Old school mechanic would add 5.1 qts w/filter, then run it till you see oil pressure (I did say old school), let it sit while checking for leaks. Then scratch a new FULL LINE on the stick where the 5.1 gets it to, and make a ADD line also. Same distance as the holes. I wouldn't add more then 5.1 qts. Your just running the risk of the crank journals splashing in the oil which will put air in the oil which is almost as bad as coolant in the oil.
Oil splashing can only be a problem if the engine is severely overfilled. As I mentioned above, Mazda put in more than specified 5.1 quarts of oil in factory for the 2.5T.
That alarm is poorly designed if it trips any higher then 3.5ish. 4.1qt to 5.1qt is an enormous amount of oil for a 4 cylinder even with a turbo. Some engines will actually find their 'happy spot" for oil quantity. In the airplane world there is a famous Pratt&Whitney engine you never service any higher then 2 qts low or it will cover the side of the airplane with the oil it doesn't want.
Yes, 4.1 to 5.1 quarts is an enormous amount of oil for a 4 cylinder even with a turbo. Others mostly use a quart less.
I think the stick is wrong and the alarm trips too high if it trips at the lower hole. I think if a qt is going out the exhaust every 1000 miles the catalytic converter wouldn't make it 15,000 miles.
No, the dipstick is fine.
On my first oil change, it's 5.1 qts syn, Mazda filter and I only check it in the morning on dead level ground. FWIW
Yes, I also check the oil level the first thing in the morning.