i just checked the oil level, its low

i have a quart of 10W-40 around, would that be good to use? i dont know what oil is currently in there, would it be bad to mix two different kinds?

 

how low? if its low to the point where you absolutly need oil, than use it temporarily and get an oil change soon to know whats in there and so you have the same consistancy throughout your oil.

 

its at like the L mark, my last oil change was 1025 miles ago...

 

Did you do your own oil change or have someone else do it. I usually keep track about what I put in all my cars and all the work I have done to them.

 

i just found the jiffy lube receipt, it says 10W30. so should i just go to the sto' and buy some mo'? sorry for the noobness, but i am in fact, a noob.

 

the right thing to do is to go out and buy the right oil

 

i just changed my oil yesterday. put castrol 20w50 in it using a bosch premium filter (anyone use this filter)? but yeah go get some oil of the right weight. and i really enjoy changing the oil. its great where the filter is located

 

right. thank you for the help. would it be bad to drive it to the store and back for the oil?

 

i would try to go and get oil in a separate car. But keep in mind if its at the L mark that is the minimum required amount of oil to run safely. you could drive it to the store and buy oil and fill it up there.

 

hey since we're talking about oil changes: a guy at work used to have 2 1st gen 7's and he said when he changed his oil he always took a nail and hammer and poked a small hole in the top of the filter to let the oil drain out..is this a good idea??? has anyone else done this??

 

Yeah, that is an old school thing that was started by old RX-3 owners.

I always poke the top of the filter with a screw driver just enough to let it drain, (with the hole not big enough that it screws up the filter inside).

The only thing I would be worried about would be if the nail went in too far and dragged metal into the filter. That is why I just pop a tiny hole in with a screw driver and hammer.

 

I just unscrew mine one turn then leave it for 5 mins and it drains out. but hole idea is cool.

as for oil it really doesn't matter mixing.... you'll just end up with 10-32W or something instead of 10-30 LOL....

 

Oils can be mixed. So, throw that 10w40 in.
It is not bad to mix oils.
Proper oil level is very important.
10w40 won't affect the 10w30 too much.

 

When I changed mine I did nothing to the filter. I screwed it right off and there was absolutely no extra oil in it. Since the screw hole on the filter faces down back into the housing, oil drains back down into it after the car is turned off. Therefore you would not have poke a hole to 'relieve the pressure and let the oil drain back down' right?

 

did you just run your car b4 u looked at your filter or was your car sitting for a little while? you drive your car into your garage to do an oil change. Then poking a hole on top of the filter will allow the oil to draing faster resulting in a cleaner filter change

 

were you using a Mazda filter or something aftermarket

If the filter does not have an anti-drainback valve (which I would not recommend) then you can just unscrew them and no oil will come out.

 

Mark,
Yeah, I used a Mazda filter. So that's why I didn't have to 'stab' it?

 

I have found that to be tha case when the filter was overdue for change, monre than average dirt in it.

By the way, I hate to be critical, but how do you accumulate 409 posts and have no clue as to the proper oil for your car?