Alright, here in NC it was under freezing (still is) for the past few days, and I've noticed something funny with my "Oil Pressure Gauge" (in quotes because how well it works is up to question). I dont have any oil leaks, but when the engine/car is REALLY cold, the gauge says No or Very Low oil pressure, then it eventually begins returning to normal. (especially after the car is warm and I re-start it).


Now my question is... since the forum is really rather in question as to how well this gauge works... Is my oil pressure gauge working? where is the "oil pressure" measured for the gauge, and is the fact that the oil is just thick 'cause its really cold the source of this weird behavior?

(I've already checked for oil leaks, etc etc)

 

what weight of oil are u using? When living in the north I have started mine in below zero temps and never had any problems.....

 

probably just the cold messing with the sensor..

the oil pressure gauge is a DUMMY gauge.. basically it rest at the far left when the car is off and then sweeps to the right, 2 ticks after center if the oil pressure is OK and the car is on.

there is no other position that gauge will show.

 

I'm using 5w-20 right now (dont want to start that debate though)


and I know its a dummy gauge, I'm just saying that mine (in the past 2 days) has sat in the full off position (0 pressure), about 3 clicks above the L, and then back to the 12:30-1 normal place, its moved between all three of these (from 0 to just above L to normal) while the car was on and running, over time (not just right away)

I'm guessing its the cold messing or the oil pressure is measured somewhere AFTER the coolers, and with thick-ish cold oil it was just spazzing, my dad has seen this with his airplane and really cold weather before too.

 

yeha but 5w20 is pretty thin and should not b giving any problems with not flowing and somehow not getting pressure the oil filter is on tight? and u said u check for any type of leak right?

 

And I'll take a picture the next time it happens (if the car cools off today)

yeah, i know its thin too - yes, filter is tight, drain plug is tight, oil level is okay (checked all 3 first thing, no leaks either, rubbed all over the filter)

 

yeah a pic or video clip would help that's odd since it's just a dummy gauge that's basically good pressure or no pressure

 

Ok, so I promised pictures of this odd Oil Pressure Gauge phenomenon when it happened again, and it has! This time it was not as cold overnight, lows around freezing at the coldest, and I had driven the car the day before as well. The gauge stayed in this place until I got to work and re-started the car, then it returned to "normal."

The first 2 pictures are on my commute to work, after the engine was warmed up, Oil Pressure gauge sitting higher than in the "off" position but not at the normal place!




This picture is on the highway a few miles later, while moving...



And finally, after I got to work and re-started the car, the gauge returns to the normal position...



So i dunno whats goin on, but this thing is definitely acting weird sometimes...

 

even in -40C I get pretty good pressure =)

 

That is very odd, but I think it's fair to say it is a problem with the gauge itself, not the oil system or even the sensor. Because it is a "dummy gauge", meaning it only registers either on or off and nothing in between, this can't be some problem with the sensor or the oil itself.

The needle is probably just sticking from the cold. Unusual and not great, but not too serious.

 

Bring to dealer let them fix it.

 

Mazda really screwed up by giving us a dummy oil pressure gauge.

If it was for cost savings, which is the only reason I can think of, saving $17 a car or whatever they saved - wow. That's just lame.

 

definitely a problem with the gauge cluster itself.. as someone else mentioned it's probably sticking due to the cold.

no issue at all unless it stayed in the OFF position at all times.