engine oil should always be checked when warm. run the engine until it reaches operating temperature. then turn off the engine and let it sit for 5 minutes before checking the oil.
^^^^^^^
there are so many different responses to that question, some say when cold some say when warm. What is reason for checking when warm?
Cold: Heard is more acurate b/c the oil is seated in oil pan and not thinned out.
Warm/Hot: Not as acurate b/c the oil has been heated and moved around
this is according to the mazda service manual and owner's manual. you let it sit for 5 minutes to let it collect in the oil pan. its just a more consistent method because the oil's viscosity will be the same at that temperature whereas cold is dependent on the ambient temp.
its been a while but i have only replaced the PCV valve. i have a oil pressure switch ready to install. i have noticed something when inspecting my oil level: up to about 1000 miles the oil is at the FULL mark on the dipstick. after 1000 miles the oil is at the low mark. it appears that an entire quart vanishes about the time the car hits 1000. i could be going paranoid but is that something in my head or a symptom of something else going on?
are you only checking it at 1000 miles? its either a leak or you have bad rings or valve seals. no way 1qt just magically vanishes at 1000 miles. you need to check at 250/500/750/1000
i'm checking it every gas fill up (so around every 300+ miles). it remains full until the 3rd or 4th fill up. by the 4th fillup it will have done at least 1000 miles and thats when the oil is a quart low
well it could be a slow burn somewhere between the 3-4th fillup and im not noticing it until after the fact. still troubleshooting so any other thoughts are welcomed.
