Could someone please tell me what kind of reading I should get from my oil pressure gauge?
It seems to sit on max for about the first ten minutes after start up. Is this normal?
If not is it causing damage?
I know that if you put your foot down pressure is going to increase but is there some kind of release valve or safety system to stop excessive pressure?
If it doesn't matter what the gauge reads why have one? (11/99)
Same as mine, as long as it drops to around 2kg (Eunos) when Idle (and warm!) don't worry! The time to worry is when the oil pressure drops to ZERO..... you then stop quick! And call a very very nice man... (AA) (11/99)
Max is a bit high - mine goes to a bit over 3/4 then drops to about 2/3 at 3000 rpm+ when hot. But MX5 gauges are pretty approximate, and different ones vary. (11/99)
On the oil pressure gauge, after start-up, the needle seems to stay just right of middle all the time, whether im ticking over, or doing 4000 revs. I used to have an older 1991 1.6 and the oil pressure on that one used to be on the lower mark at idle speed but shoot up to the higher mark when it was revved higher. Is my new 1.8 OK or is there a problem?? (1/00)
I'm afraid you've now got an 'idiot' gauge, Chris. It's like a light - on or off - ie one position on the gauge. Cost cutting measure from 94 ish. It can be replaced - there's stuff on miata.net about how to do it, but it's quite involved. (1/00)
A switch!!!!!! - that's terrible - why did they leave the gauge there - they could have put a clock in its place. Do you know ifs its possible to replace the switch with a sensor so the gauge works correctly?? (1/00)

I've got a problem with either my 'idiot' oil gauge also. When I start the car on most of the time the oil gauge does not move for at least 10-30 seconds AFTER the car has started - if it's only been off for a few minutes then it seems to work fine. Does this indicate a sticking gauge, faulty sensor or a problem with oil draining out the system and taking 10-30 seconds to circulate?

I just flushed / changed the oil at the weekend and changed over from the thin Mobile 1 to some thicker oil from Unipart and it is still doing it. I thought the thicker oil might help. I reckon it's either time for a trip to the Mazda garage or has anyone got any suggestions on how to easily test the system? I'm actually considering changing over to an early gauge / sensor as I would like to see what pressure I have rather than just an off/on indicator. (1/00)