The Mazda3 is the same as the Ford Focus? I would have to shoot myself in the side of the head if that was true.

I would agree reading the crap bob dipstick is an acquired skill, and must be done in the perfect light (garage flourescent).

I went to an auto junkyard and bought an automatic transmission dipstick (blade type)from an 80s Ford that is about the right length. Length is the key. When the oil level is very hard to read on the crap bob dipstick (like right after a change when the oil is nearly clear), I stick my junkyard dipstick in, and put is beside the crap bob dipstick to see where the level is compared to where it should be (since the markings on my junkyard dipstick aren't correct for my M3).

 

yupp. they are very similar. i believe they are made on the same platform too.
and btw, the newer ford focus's have mazda engines in them.
or is it the oter way around?

 

I agree w/you as I have in the past on this subject, but the dipstick from those cars... is probably the same one!! [:'(]

 

i honestly dont know what u guys are complaning about.. i have no trouble readin the oil level in my car...

 

SPeeDy3 all I can say is WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? lol How the can you read that p.o.s.
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I can not agree more to you regarding the oil dip-stick. we should take the manual, and tell the tech to add just the specified amount. Crappest oil dip I've ever seen. It's FoMoCo thing.
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simple.. if the oil ends anywhere between min. and max. i assume its good to gooo!!!

 

thats the problem, I cant see any oil where min and max lines are. Just a load of oil at the bottum and .. I just cant read it. with 15000 mile the oil is still almost clear.... anyone want to back me on this one.
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My understanding (seriously) has always been the basic block and crankshaft of the 2.0 is the same in both vehicles, but that's where the sameness end. Mazda valves it differently, the ignition circuitry that runs the engine is different, etc.

Someone posted that you should just tell the tech how much oil to put in. I do that, and they have still overfilled it - your assumption is the tech will listen - not always the correct assumption. The guy who does the oil changes is generally low man on the totem pole. In many cases, not to be discriminatory, but you geta foreign person who is bothuneducated andnon english speaking. They get paid minimum wage or maybe a buck more, your not getting the sharpest person in that position.

 

well basically i found out something interesting. my friend has the same motor in his 97 escort ZX-2 as mine.. but ahh well. btw the dipstick is soo hard to read.. although i look at it and say yea its okay.. i dont know. what if one day it just siezes because i got it wrong.. but yea.. btw how did we get from smoe coming out from the exhaust to this?