I've had my '10 R3 for nearly 5 months now and have been checking the oil pretty regularly. I haven't been killing it from stoplight to stoplight - in fact, most of the 2,800 miles that are one it (not much I know) are back and forth to work on interstate roads. I was thinking of calling this week to set up the first oil change... then this morning on the way in to work, lots of *beeeeep beeeeep beeeeep* sounds and I saw the low oil light on the dash. WTF. I was going about 65mph.

I continued on my way to work - nowhere to stop at that moment. About 15 mins went by and I looked down and no more light. Huh.

I drove to the Mazda dealer where I bought it and was able to get it right in for an oil service/change etc. The tech ran it thru the system and no faults were tripped and he said the oil level was really not low at all. Not low enough to cause the light to come on anyway. Damn gremlins.

So what's the general consensus on that light? Does it come on prematurely? Or is it designed to come on when you shouldn't drive it anymore without oil... ?

 

When... IF mine comes on, I pull over immediately and top off with the quart I keep in the trunk. But mine is an '04.

 

So, what was your oil level when you checked it? Was it low?

If the level was fine then did they check the connection to the sensor?
If the connection is fine then did they pull the pan and check the sensor?

If I were you I would not let this go...

 

When I checked it last (about 2 weeks - but one fill-up ago), and it was while the engine was cold, it was between 1/4 and 1/2.

I don't know what they checked this morning - but if the light comes on again, especially now since it's new and full, you better believe I'll be going back to have them investigate it.

The technician only said he ran it through the diagnostics on the computer and nothing was tripped/flagged/whatever.

 

I found when its half a quart low if you brake hard the light will come one.

 

Simple fix don't run it low. You know Mazda can void your warranty if engine blown from low oil level it stores that code.

 

[quote=omgitspeeb;3697664]When I checked it last (about 2 weeks - but one fill-up ago), and it was while the engine was cold, it was between 1/4 and 1/2.

If it was between 1/4 and 1/2, does that not tell you its LOW, I have a S1 and even when its registering full on the dipstick the light will come on every now and then, dont forget its an "idiot" light, thats why we have a dipstick.

 

I was going to say the rule of the light notification is they tell you when its too late for you...or they tell you when nothings wrong at all...if mazdas figured out how to get the sensor to go off early to save the engine god bless them...if not Id suspect a faulty sensor or just position of the oil around the sensor (IE: Going uphill or Downhill)

I've seen Analog Gas gauges fluxate from hills don't see why a sensor wouldn't either.

 

When would this light come on? In a piston engine the oil light comes on with like just one HALF--one QT left! Too late.

Alos I've found that the level will be the same whether u check it cold or hot.

 

Oil needs to be checked EVERY OTHER FILLUP! You didnt do that if you were between 1/4-1/2...THATS LOW!

 

yeah - I should have added some then but didn't have any. I'll keep better tabs on it.

thanks everybody

 

Also remember that the dipstick marks from Full to Low is about two quarts of oil. So if your only reading 1/4 then that's about 1.5qts low in the oil pan. I've got an 09 and add approximately 1/2 qt every 1000 miles. So if you got 2,800 miles and haven't had to add oil then that's about right, 1.5qts low.

 

*beeeeep beeeeep beeeeep* sounds

means you were red lining it!

ZOOM ZOOM

 

Well derr, When COLD it is meant to be 1/4 of an inch Below the F, that is FULL mark, between a 1/4 and 1/2 is TOO Low, so naturally at high RPM your Oil LEVEL light will come on.

 

I Strongly suggest you check your Oil more Regularly, did you READ your Owners Manual??, rotaries are meant to use OIL...it is not a Fault...

DON'T get into the habit of ONLY adding OIL when the Light Comes on, and DON'T overfill it either...

Buy some Oil and Keep it in your House..

And do a lot more reading here..