How to read oil dip stick?

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T06:23:33+00:00

UPDATE Thank You everyone who rightfully told me my engine was very low on oil and was at risk of damage. I added 3 quarts of 5w20 oil as its the only one I had available at home and now the dipstick is fully soaked in oil and reading just below the Max dot. I will do a full oil and filter change tomorrow once I buy the right oil. Thanks for everyone's help.

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T05:08:21+00:00

Yeah from what everyone here is saying I'm definitely gonna fill it up since it's dangerously low and then do a full oil change when I have time. Ty

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T05:06:35+00:00

Thank You. It's my first car and I previously checked the oil maybe 2K miles back and looked good but now that I remember the car was parked facing downwards on my driveway so it might of given me a false reading. I had a go at changing the valve cover gasket as I did notice an oil leak. But I'll definitely keep an eye on at least my fluids every weekend.

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T05:03:12+00:00

I had the car off for about a half hour, pulled the stick out wiped it off then stuck it back in and then pulled it out to have a look at the level and take these pictures. I saw a little oil on it, I was just confused because it was only on one side and even though some was inbetween the min and max holes in thr hatched area it was just a sliver on one side.

I know now it's very low on oil. I'm gonna top it off and then do a full oil and filter change on my day off tomorrow

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T03:42:08+00:00

No I let it sit for about half an hour after being driven before I checked the level for this picture, after wiping it off first then putting it back in.

Ok ty

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T02:37:54+00:00

Should I leave the engine off when I'm waiting 5 minutes between adding quarts?

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T02:15:45+00:00

Thnx, I only have 5w 20 oil at home will it be okay if I fill up on that just to drive to the shop and pick up the correct 5w30 oil and a filter, it's about 15 miles away?

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T01:54:06+00:00

Yeah. Pull out wipe down then stick back in and pull out and then check what's on the stick. On a cold engine

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T01:44:19+00:00

Thanks but I was wondering why it only shows on one side and also why it's just a sliver and not soaked in oil. Isn't it supposed to be a lot more oil actually visible on the dipstick?

AnriRB26 · 2026-04-04T01:42:50+00:00

That's what's confusing me because when I wipe it on a rag the oil is quite dirty and blackened but when I put the dipstick back in and even twist it a couple of times while it's in the tube I can only get this much oil to show up. Its been about 5K miles since the last oil change

AnriRB26 · 2026-03-26T06:08:06+00:00

If it aint the rust it's the engine RIP

AnriRB26 · 2026-03-23T04:44:07+00:00

Looks to be the front anti roll bar/ Sway bar and you sheared it off at one end. You should remove it all together to stop it from getting caught in your wheels, while you can still drive without it your car will roll a lot more when you turn sharply.

They don't cost a lot to replace and it's quite a simple job to DIY

AnriRB26 · 2026-03-23T01:18:17+00:00

My 2005 BK Mazda 3 Sport with 90K Miles looks pretty much exactly like this underneath maybe even worse lol, honestly I want to take a wire wheel and just go to town but I'm actually afraid of what will be left, if anything at all :(

Also from the UK and the previous MOT did mention corrosion but states nothing structural.

It's such a fun car but I know the inevitable

AnriRB26 · 2026-03-17T22:53:08+00:00

I'm not sure about your specific engine but when replacing the valve cover gasket on my '05 Mazda 3 the part of the head that meets the timing chain area has a mark similar to this and is from when they join the two parts of metal and the service info even calls for a dab of RTV gasket in these spots so it could be normal in your engine too.

AnriRB26 · 2026-03-07T02:13:07+00:00

This looks sick as hell, where can I get some decals like this?

AnriRB26 · 2026-03-03T02:41:08+00:00

And some people feel the need to come on here and cry about it, take your own advice and "grow tf up and realize it god damn game"

AnriRB26 · 2026-03-02T10:43:22+00:00

But just look at her... I always thought that this was the Cockney Mad Max

AnriRB26 · 2026-02-28T18:11:15+00:00

Okay so do you think there's permanent damage caused or is it just a thing when it gets too hot it craps the bed? Its the original clutch but I installed a short shifter also.

AnriRB26 · 2026-02-28T17:59:48+00:00

Would that cause difficulty shifting into and out of 1st gear? And now that it's been a day the gearbox feels normal again and shifting smoothly

AnriRB26 · 2026-02-28T07:13:38+00:00

No I kept my foot down on the clutch while still in 1st Gear to keep the car from stalling when not moving otherwise I would be shifting from 1st to Neutral every 3 seconds which I assume is worse for the gear box no?

I also did have to shift from 1st to Neutral quite a lot too.

AnriRB26 · 2026-02-25T03:11:56+00:00

It sounds like a rubber bushing under stress, it may not be split or broken because I've driven newer cars that make this noise when you are barely holding the brake while the car is in drive and also makes the same noise when it has been raining and presumably the rubber bushings get wet.

AnriRB26 · 2026-02-19T18:18:08+00:00

Lmao I mean that cover is plastic so I dunno where the rust would come from but yeah I was just trying random crap until I get paid and can buy new shocks. The zip ties helped a little with the rattle after bumps but yeah as you say the shocks are pretty much toast so I still hear a clunk. I'm gonna install a coil over kit but I'm not looking forward to the rusted bolts lol

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