Ford Focus Mk 2 1.8 Mazda engine - Oil Level on dipstick

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Sat 30 Sep 2017 13:42
Ford Focus Mk 2 1.8 Mazda engine - Oil Level on dipstick - Peter D

I recently purchase this car and find it odd then if I pull the dip stick soon after stopping the oil level appears rather low. However If I clean the dip stick and insert it when I pull it out the level is fine. Does your 1.8 do this. Regards Peter

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Sun 1 Oct 2017 09:59
Ford Focus Mk 2 1.8 Mazda engine - Oil Level on dipstick - John F

I think all engines do this. During the time it takes you to clean the dipstick, re-insert, and pull out, the oil which has been sloshing round the top parts of the engine will have had time to drain back into the sump. That's why some handbooks, especially older ones, tell you to leave it a few minutes before checking.

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Sun 1 Oct 2017 10:50
Ford Focus Mk 2 1.8 Mazda engine - Oil Level on dipstick - craig-pd130

+1 to what John F said above. Manufacturers' instructions on exactly when to measure the oil level vary (when cold / 2 to 5 minutes after stopping with a warm engine etc etc) but as long as you:

- measure it on level ground

- wipe the dipstick clean before re-inserting and checking the level

- ensure the oil level is always at least above halfway between the two marks

- check regularly (and especially before long drives)

you won't go wrong.

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Sun 1 Oct 2017 15:40
Ford Focus Mk 2 1.8 Mazda engine - Oil Level on dipstick - Ian D
Most dipsticks have an O ring at the top which seals at the top of the dipstick tube, this O ring seal needs to be broken (i.e. by removing the dipstick and putting it back in) to allow the oil to move and give an accurate reading on the dipstick

Edited by Ian D on 01/10/2017 at 15:44

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Mon 2 Oct 2017 09:49
Ford Focus Mk 2 1.8 Mazda engine - Oil Level on dipstick - John F

- ensure the oil level is always at least above halfway between the two marks

Engines like to be hot - most wear occurs when they are cold, so the quicker the oil heats up the better. So from now until May I try to keep the level at or just above the minimum mark. I think manufacturers err on the generous side for oil capacity knowing that many drivers are careless about checking. When due for an oil change I wait until it's at or just below the minimum.

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Mon 2 Oct 2017 10:00
Ford Focus Mk 2 1.8 Mazda engine - Oil Level on dipstick - gordonbennet

I'm completely the opposite to JohnF, oil kept up close to the full mark (warning here for owners of cars with known poor DPF regens!! seek further information) and changed regularly, lots of nice clean oil running through the engines veins for me.

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