Checking the oil level.
 

I think you cannot lift the oilstick unless you remove the engine plastic cover.

Is this true? Is it easy to remove the cover?

It's easy. It lifts from the front, then pull it forward. When putting it back you'll see to projections on the top of the firewall (or are they indentations?)...guide the back of the cover to those connections, then push gently on the front of the cover and it'll pop back into place. 5 seconds either way once you figure it out.

after you remove the cover is it easy to check the oil?

please somebody verify this...

As you probably don't have to do this for a couple of thousand miles why worry now. Also, does your manual not tell you? If you have the car and not the manual talk to your dealer, if you don't have the car then why even ask.:confused:

Or are you the dealer? :D :D

rael

Piece of cake. The only tool you need is a rag or paper towel. Check it when cold and parked on level ground.

1. Pull the cover.
2. Remove the dipstick (Yellow Handle)
3. Wipe dipstick clean
4. Re-insert dipstick completely. (you may have to rotate the dipstick a bit; just go by feel and don't bend it)
5. Pull dipstick out again and look at oil level. (should be between the two lines.)
6. Replace dipstick.
7. Replace cover.

If it takes more than 45 seconds, you're slacking off.

Dave

So very much like any other car then. :)

rael

I have been able to check the oil without removing the cover. You need to squeeze around a few hoses but it's not too difficult. It will probably be more difficult if you have giant meaty hands. :cool:

What do you mean?

I want to buy a car that I can maintain myself. It’s got to be easy to do certain tasks. And for the rotary engine I will have to check the oil every weekend mind you.

You guys shouldn't have to deal with the plastic cover. Get it out of there. That was the first I did to mine, even before I signed the paperwork. It's now a decoration piece in the garage.

So the engine cover is purely asthetic and can be removed permanently? Do they recommend against this at all, or is it purely the option of the driver?

My guess is that it should be left on. I'm thinking that I heard or read somewhere that it was designed to divert airflow from the fans/front air intakes to all of the proper places under the hood to help disperse heat.

Does anybody know for sure if there is any validity to this? Does seem like kind of a pain in the ass to have to remove that cover just to check the oil though....

I've always heard that it was not a good idea to remove those plastic covers underneath the engine bay on some cars because it helped direct airflow.

I check oil with the cover on, and in fact it never occured to me to pull the cover off. But I agree that with meaty hands it could be challenging. Need to do in a well-lit area as getting the dipstick back in is a long reach. In a dimly-lit area you won't see what you're aiming for. It is kinda awkward but not particularly so. If this is a pre-buy inquiry, don't worry your pretty little head about it. You'll make it work. Take care you don't rub your belt buckle on your fender as you reach over or you'll be hating life after scratching your beautiful paint job.

BTW, after showing off the car many times, that cover is one of the highlights of the tour. It is so clean and unexpected that people freak when they see it. Don't know if it affects cooling airflow or not, but I just think it's cool.

According to the Technical Highlights CD (the primer for Mazda technicians), the cover DOES direct air over the ECU and battery to keep them cool. I know I certainly do not want to screw with the cooling on MY ECU.

The battery cover does divert air from below over the battery. The PCM has a "cool air ducting" system that has an intake duct right below the bumper. But as far as I can tell, the big cover over the engine has no similar function. By my guess, the engine cover keeps the engine's heat away from the hood. I'm going test this by running with the cover on and with it off and then checking the hood's temperature.