DailyDriver
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Wacky oil dipstick readings on 2010 MS3?
- Thread starter DailyDriver
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I can't comment on the first issue, but here's my take on the oil capacity:
The oil capacity of a COMPLETELY empty 2010 ms3 engine is 6 quarts. Even after draining your oil, I suspect that there is still a small amount of oil that sits in various nooks and crannies inside the engine which means that you can't get all 6 quarts of oil back out of the engine. I suspect that only 5.5 - 5.75 quarts of oil ever actually drain. Putting 6 quarts of oil back into the car will result in an overfill condition.
The oil capacity of a COMPLETELY empty 2010 ms3 engine is 6 quarts. Even after draining your oil, I suspect that there is still a small amount of oil that sits in various nooks and crannies inside the engine which means that you can't get all 6 quarts of oil back out of the engine. I suspect that only 5.5 - 5.75 quarts of oil ever actually drain. Putting 6 quarts of oil back into the car will result in an overfill condition.
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- 2010 Mazda5 GT
To get an accurate reading, you shouldn't gauge it from when you first pull out the dipstick. When you pull it out the first time, wipe it clean without even looking at it, and then stick it back in. Pull the dipstick out again and then get your reading. I'm assuming you're on a flat surface and you engine has cooled a bit? Some suggest checking your oil in the morning...and some say that after the engine is warm, let it cool for a while so all the oil settles back into the oil pan to get an accurate reading.
What NathanR said is spot on. You won't really ever be able to put in the maximum quart capacity because of the remainig oil that won't drain out. Previous gen MS3 folks have varied reports on how much oil they put back in during oil changes. The consensus seems to be a little bit under than what the owner's manual says.
What NathanR said is spot on. You won't really ever be able to put in the maximum quart capacity because of the remainig oil that won't drain out. Previous gen MS3 folks have varied reports on how much oil they put back in during oil changes. The consensus seems to be a little bit under than what the owner's manual says.
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coololddude
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Don't think with your dipstick!!
DailyDriver
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Good observation -- the dipsticks on the 2010 Mazda 3 2.5 is also a piece of garbage --hence the reason they went to a flat dipstick in 2011 on mazda3's !! Yes I work at a dealer and was so frustrated with the old cable dipstick I checked the 2011 and low and behold it has a regular flat dipstick with reader holes for top and bottom. So I did a test ...after what I was sure was an overfill by the master tech , since the 2010 dipstick was pathetic and even says FoMoCo on the back...ford motor co ..possibly why its garbage ....anyway I took a 2011 flat dipstick and got a spot on PERFECT read the first time right below the top hole . Amazing and a huge relief ---So whats happening is that big round cable and round end gauge drag on the sides as you pull it runining the accuracy to be able to read it correctly . So what I thought was an over fill was not ---Mazda took this into account -- I have a 2.5 non-turbo 2010 and he poured 5.5 US quarts with a filter and it calls for 5.3 US quarts ---well the residual in the cans that he used must have made the difference ..and its correct --try to the get the new 2011 dipstick--it actually works !!!!
Hey your boyfriend must be right !
