oil change

[uncletime]

if anyone has changed their oil on their MS3 themselves can you let me in on the secret to getting the cap for the oil filter off? i tried for a half hr with no luck... i would think it would be hand tight but not really... any help or suggestions would be appreciated

[Rotus8]

if anyone has changed their oil on their MS3 themselves can you let me in on the secret to getting the cap for the oil filter off? i tried for a half hr with no luck... i would think it would be hand tight but not really... any help or suggestions would be appreciated
There is a special wrench. It looks like a metal cup with a square drive for a socket ratchet.

[uncletime]

can i get that at autozone/ any local auto parts store? you know what kinda price they run?

[Rotus8]

can i get that at autozone/ any local auto parts store? you know what kinda price they run?
Best to get it from a Mazda dealer to be sure it fits correctly. There is a vendor on one of the forums that had a deal for 10 filters @ a few $ each, plus a free wrench. Search around and you will probably find it.

Also a tip: There is a plug at the bottom of the filter holder that takes a metric allen wrench. If you open that first and drain the oil out of the filter, it is a lot less messy when you take the filter itself out.

[SharkDiver]

I just use large channel locks.Its a better idea to get the wrench from mazda.

[Sorax]

I used a strap-wrench. I did open up the drain plug before loosening the cap. Maybe that made the difference?

[uncletime]

thanks for the tips guys... i did drain it out first but still not luck by hand...

[Jesse MS3GT]

I used a strap wrench as well. Worked great.

Does anyone else hate having to remove those damn clip/screws and 8 bolts just to take the splash guard off? LOL