Yesterday I had the first oil change in my new CX-9 at 1300 miles. I purchased an OEM filter and Mobile-1 and took it in to my local independent shop. I brought 5 quarts of oil and the shop service guy said his book says it takes 4.7 with a filter. I told him to add all 5 as the owners manual says it takes 5.1. When I got home I checked the oil level and it was about 1/2 quart low. I called the shop and asked them to check with the tech, they did and said the tech added all 5 quarts and checked it before he closed it up, he found it was about 1/2 way between add and full marks. I then added 14 oz and that brought it to the full mark on the dipstick.
This first oil change took 5.5 quarts of oil, not the 5.1 called for in the manual. (Note: when the car was brand new it was filled to the full mark on the dipstick.)
I would suggest that owners check the oil level after having their car serviced, this discrepancy may explain why some owners complain that after an oil change the low oil light comes on after a couple thousand miles but seems OK after that.

 

Not sure what you think 1/2 quart low is or how you determined it?

So once again let me explain about how to read a MAZDA dip stick. The dip stick has two lines if your oil level when the engine is at running temperature at the lower, at the top or anywhere in between that is the correct operating oil level.
I would suggest that you at least be at the middle point in the dipstick to save confusion and also not to over fill the sump.!!

 

When the car was new, less than 250 miles, it was factory filled (cold) to the top marker when sitting outside overnight. In November cold is below freezing.
I have faith in the engineers that designed, built, and determined the proper oil fill level of the Mazda engine. If you would send me a copy of the factory document that says to check the oil only 'when the engine is at running temperature' I will be happy to take it into consideration.

 

You join a forum ask a question and then don't like the answer you get from a member ?
Engine oil expands with heat. Ever wonder why when checking transmission fluid, you do it when the fluid is hot?

I outlined what the lines mean on the dip stick. Go read Mazda service information if you don't like my answer. Also where in the world did you ever get the information that your MAZDA came from MAZDA with the oil at the top line? You do realize that during dealer prep mot that perform that service think like you and so many other the top line means full.

I always enjoy when someone tosses the auto manufacture comment about ENGINEERS.... for what it s worth I am an Automotive engineer and also a professional and highly experiences engine builder and designer of many engine parts.

Next time on any forum you ask a question don't dismiss or disregard an answer from any member before you do a little research first on whom, is answering your question in the first place.

 

Sorry I offended you, that was not my intent.
But I didn't ask a question, I simply made a statement that on delivery my new Mazda's crankcase was filled to the full mark on the dipstick while cold. (as was every new car I have taken delivery of since my first new 1965 Mustang, all filled to the top marker on the dipstick on delivery).
Honestly I can find no OEM reference to your checking oil 'at running temperature' is the Mazda standard, and you have not provided one.

 

Hud,

Don't worry, you're good either hot or cold. Yes, motor oil - like everything else - expands when hot but not in amounts that wil express themselves in more than a few hairlines' difference on the dipstick. If at all.

Every motoring enthusiast and automotive engineer/mechanic/specialist/quasi-god I know makes no distinction between reading the stick hot or cold. As long as you're at the full line, the world is good. 😊

Maybe there are people out there who needlessly measure that stuff under a microscope and count molecules. Who knows. LOL.! Cheers!

-N-

 

Agree and Thanks.
Motor oil I always check cold before a trip, top off if 1/2 qt low, just an old habit that has kept me out of trouble.
ATF I check warm/hot per the owners manual.
Comparing an ATF levels to engine oil levels is not an apples to apples comparison, they are two totally different components.

 

If you read your owners manual, it will tell you to get the engine fully warmed up, park it on a flat surface, turn off engine, wait 5 minutes, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, dip it in, pull it out and read it.

 

In my shop we add 4.9 ltrs, which is 5.17777 quarts.

 

Found that section and it does say 'normal operating temperature', it also says, "If it is near or below MIN, add enough oil to bring the level to MAX."
My oil was changed 3 days and less than 100 miles ago. 5 quarts were added and the dipstick was half way between MIN and MAX while HOT. I added 14 oz to bring it to MAX mark while hot, 5.43 quarts total. I rounded the .07 quart (2.2 oz) up to an even 5.5 quarts.
This AM I checked the COLD (30 F) oil level and it is still at 'MAX' the same (+/- 1/8 inch) as it was when I topped it off HOT 3 days ago.
HOT or COLD does not make a meaningful difference in engine oil level.

Now it's possible my CX-9 has defective dipstick, I rather doubt it but I have read of it happening to other manufactures. Maybe on the 2023 turbo engines Mazda decided to increase the fill level because of the oil burning complaints from several years ago. Maybe some shops are not checking the oil level, as they should, after a change and sending customers out with oil below the MAX and if the car burns 1/2 quart in 1000 miles the poor owner thinks his car burned off a full quart that quickly.

Bottom line: Most of us realize that any advice we get from online forums is to be taken with a grain of salt. All I am saying is that my 2023 CX-9 requires just short of 5.5 quarts to bring it to the MAX line when doing an oil/filter change. The manual says 5.1 quarts but (on my vehicle) that leaves me almost 1/2 quart below the MAX.
It's good practice, and common sense, to check the oil level shortly after your car has been serviced and on a regular basis after that. Then add oil or not as you see fit.

Thanks for everyone's input, its been an interesting exchange.