txflash

This is the second time in a row the dealership has over filled my oil after an oil change. So i called them this morning to find out what is going on. They told me that mazda is telling them to over fill the oil due to some PCM problem and some carbon build up problem. Has anyone else heard of this going with their 8?

cbucalo

I haven't asked but will the next time I bring my car in for an oil change. I just had mine done and it was overfilled. I was thinking this might be a procedure to keep owner refill/top-off at a minimum. I could see never having to add oil if my oil usage stayed the same as it is now and I change my oil every 3000 miles.

txflash

ya, i have drove nearly 1500 miiles on this current oil change and it is still a touch over the full mark on the dipstick. my oil looks very dirty too...

tjbourgoyne

Ask the dealer if they received a letter stating to do this and request to see it. If they can't produce any documentation then it is not true. Show them your owner's manual and make them put the correct amount.

txflash

i even told them when i took it in for the oil change not to overfill the oil and they did it anyway.

tjbourgoyne

don't tell them, make them put the correct amount! Before they give your car back have the service writer show you it's not overfilled. If he/she says it is ok show them your manual.
The manual trumps their gift of gab.

valpac

iTrader: (2)

Just more evidence that dealers will say any ole **** to shirk responsibility for their stupidity. Never heard that. I'll bet if you call MazdaUSA they'll not back up that statement. Time for a new dealer.

tjbourgoyne

Just talked to a dealership mech. He said a 1/2 quart over fill will not hurt the engine. Personally, I go by the book. Dealers aren't going to take the time to check it 2 or 3X's and make sure it's right on the line. I change my own and it's tedious getting it right on the line.

stickman

Sound to me that even if Mazda did in fact advise to overfill (which I doubt), it would be to reduce the need to top it off periodically since some people seem to complain about having to do that. Beats me as to why since it a well-known part of the rotory experience.

MedicineMan

This is sounding like it happens everywhere. I was told by my Service Manager that they did it to prevent the owner from having to add oil between changes. I told him I check my oil and to not overfill it again. Next time I went in, I requested that they NOT overfill it and they didn't. So, there may be some validity to the "overfill story" but I doubt it would be in writing. I probably just need to start doing my own oil changes.

Revolver

I doubt this is right.

Best way to remove carbon buildup (so I'm told) is to redline the engine regularly. Of course, there are side benefits as well. I'm confident there's no carbon buildup in mine.

I'm betting your dealer is second-guessing owners of the 8 and predicting they don't check the oil. They may well be right that ignorant non-enthusiast owners are failing to check oil between services but it's still a bad practice. At the very least they should be checking with each owner.

timbo

This is not right. Overfilling the oil can damage your engine, especially in a car such as the 8, which has a relatively low volume sump. Drive the car carefully back to the dealer and ask them to adjust the level to the top fill mark only. If they argue, ask for a paper copy of any service bulleting from Mazda suggesting an overfill practice.

This is careless practice, coupled with poor customer service

tjbourgoyne

Stick to your guns, eventually they will comprehend that doing poor work equates to double work. If that doesn't work tell them you've reached an impasse and will have to contact Mazda. They get bonuses based on customer satistfaction.

timbo

Look, there's potential permanent engine damage that overfilling oil can lead to, so it's important to have their poor work noted on your service schedule. They need to be told!

Beodude123

I just change my oil myself... Saves me money, and the hassle of the above stories.

Do what everybody above said, ask for the paper that says they need to overfill, and if they can't produce it, make them get it back to where it should be.

Overfilling can be very bad for an engine. I don't know about rotaries, but in piston engines, if you have the oil too full, the crankshaft will whip it up, putting a lot of air in it. This will lessen its ability to cool the engine, and make it not be able to get into tight places. Obviously bad.

jaguargod

They have overfilled mine the last two times. This last time it took 2 months for the level to drop down to the full line. I have asked them to note the error in my service record. Next time I go in, I will verify that they have done it.

nerviss

I hate to say it but Grease Monkey might be an option since they would not know about the oil burning issue and would probably not over fill to compensate. Also would there be a dealer motivation to ruin engines by overfilling to get more work??

Jackallll

my dealer always overfills...next time i will request that they follow the recommended amounts.