Help a dip stick a dipstick
September 2, 2013 3:40 PM Subscribe
Through circumstances, I cannot find the right place to put the oil dipstick on a Japanese car (1995 Mazda MPV Efini). Help?
I know nothing about cars, and I cannot find the place to return this damn dipstick. There are no online manuals or guides that I can find. Here's the engine, with dipstick in front - so, where is thing supposed to go?
I know nothing about cars, and I cannot find the place to return this damn dipstick. There are no online manuals or guides that I can find. Here's the engine, with dipstick in front - so, where is thing supposed to go?
Best answer: ...and forward of that large block thingie with the air duct. You might need a flashlight to see it. If you're not sure if the tube you're looking at is right, clean the dipstick off with a paper towel, run it in there, then pull it out and check to see if there's oil on it.
posted by jquinby at 3:46 PM on September 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jquinby at 3:46 PM on September 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Found! It was actually on the right and low down (pic) - flashlight helped us to spot it. Thank you!
Follow-up question: the dipstick tells us that we are low on oil. How do we determine what type to put in?
posted by Paragon at 4:16 PM on September 2, 2013
Follow-up question: the dipstick tells us that we are low on oil. How do we determine what type to put in?
posted by Paragon at 4:16 PM on September 2, 2013
You see that big air duct in the front? It's probably under that, in front of the engine. Reference. Also make sure to let the engine cool down before checking oil.
posted by phaedon at 4:17 PM on September 2, 2013
posted by phaedon at 4:17 PM on September 2, 2013
Best answer: Aw, I was just coming in with a picture of your engine with dipstick installed! (So I'm linking it anyhow for the next person who can't find it.)
posted by mendel at 4:24 PM on September 2, 2013
posted by mendel at 4:24 PM on September 2, 2013
The owners manual will tell you what oil is recommended. 10W-40 is probably safe. If in doubt, run it by a jiffy lube (or similar) and have them do a full oil change, including the filter.
posted by jquinby at 4:32 PM on September 2, 2013
posted by jquinby at 4:32 PM on September 2, 2013
"and have them do a full oil change, including the filter."
But nothing else. They'll try to upsell you all sorts of fluid changes, belts, and hoses. Your transmission fluid is fine, your power steering fluid is fine, and there's not really a spot on your lung.
posted by dinger at 5:47 PM on September 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
But nothing else. They'll try to upsell you all sorts of fluid changes, belts, and hoses. Your transmission fluid is fine, your power steering fluid is fine, and there's not really a spot on your lung.
posted by dinger at 5:47 PM on September 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
How do we determine what type to put in?
Until 2001, Mazda specified 5w30 for the MPV engine. Beginning in 2001, they switched to a 5w20 specification.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:00 AM on September 3, 2013
Until 2001, Mazda specified 5w30 for the MPV engine. Beginning in 2001, they switched to a 5w20 specification.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:00 AM on September 3, 2013
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posted by jquinby at 3:45 PM on September 2, 2013