oil change=PITA

[specvspeedfreak]

bare with me, this was my first oil change on the MS3
Man, why does mazda have to put a splash guard with 5 bolts and 2 annoying ass clips! and that filter... searching for a 6mm allen wrench from a big box of loose ones at the hobby shop was frustrating... then you waste more time swaping o-rings.. and after your done putting everything back you cant even check for leaks ... Mazda you need to make this easier!.. it took me 1hr to do an oil change! lol

[Kain]

I agree that it's not the most convenient oil change, but it's hardly a PITA. Not Mazda's fault you can't keep your tools organized. :) There is the spin-on conversion, too, y'know. And some people cut a notch in the splash guard to access the filter.

[BlackCherry06]

First off..it's not mandatory that you remove the drain plug. I've yet to remove mine. I just remove the entire canister as if it were a normal spin-on filter. One less torque spec and o-ring to worry about.

And....check for leaks before you put the shield back on.

[FrequentFlyer]

What makes me laugh is that they bothered to put a hole in the splash shield which appears to me as an attempt to allow you to drop the filter without having to take the shield off, but the damn thing doesn't line up with the filter. Go figure. I'd really like to go with the non-cannister filter mod myself, but don't want to risk voiding the warranty right now.

[specvspeedfreak]

i guess your right about it being a PITA.. but it still isn't convenient... im planning on getting the spin soon actually, especially after this.. and I will cut a notch so i dont have to take off those bolts.
...and i was at the hobby shop ..not my tools

[MTuning]

half of the splash guard can be kept off to access that area and still retain the cover under the grill.

[dan1101]

Changed the oil on a Nissan Versa last week, it had a splash guard with like 5 bolts along the front and two weird plastic fasteners on each side, I broke one of the suckers. It took me an extra 20 minutes dealing with the splash guard.

[Sport6]

First off..it's not mandatory that you remove the drain plug. I've yet to remove mine. I just remove the entire canister as if it were a normal spin-on filter. One less torque spec and o-ring to worry about.

And....check for leaks before you put the shield back on.

anyone else do this?

[oaklandopen]

anyone else do this?

which part, check for leaks or not use the allen wrench plug?


always check for leaks before putting everything back together, it's just good procedure

and the allen wrench plug makes it easier. if you loosen that first, when you unscrew the main cap it all pours out the smaller hole instead of around the sides of the bigger cap. and it's not like there's much of a torque spec for it, just tighten it snuggly with an average length allen wrench and you can't really screw it up

i think the main thing to realize is just be happy this isn't like a VW, or you'd be removing 3 different types of fasteners, and fender well panels along with the windage tray

[Rotus8]

I changed the oil in my mother's scooby, and that is a real pain compared to the speed. At least the Mazda filter is right at the front of the engine. The Subaru flat four has the fliter up in a hole in the exhaust manifold. It is possible to unscrew it if you have the right wrench, but my wrench only unscrews, not tightens so you have to tighten by hand, but you can't get your hand in there, plus it's hot if you warmed it up a bit like you should before draining. And when removing, it is impossible to get the filter out without making a major mess because you can't reach the filter except directly below it.

[slo4now]

half of the splash guard can be kept off to access that area and still retain the cover under the grill.







Thats what i did.

[slo4now]

anyone else do this?






Not me but i dont see it being a problem doing it every other oil change.

[zim]

the only PITA are the plastic clips, which aren't even needed as far as I can tell. even if they break you can just buy new ones.

I still screw the cover back on though. everything else is pretty straight forward.

[08cosmic3]

I plan on doing the spin on conversion after the waranty expires and will also cut out an opening in the splash guard so as not to have to remove it. Someone on here cut out a section and turned it into a trap door, I may do this.

[wheresthericego]

I love the old iron blocks with real oil filters that screw on

[MikeHTally]

I love the old iron blocks with real oil filters that screw on
That's what the spin-on conversion allows. The belly pan is a hassle, but it isn't too bad. A cordless screwdriver helps a bunch.

[Rotus8]

A cartrige filter like the MS3 has is much more environmentally friendly than a metal spin-on cannister. You can drain it completely and there is less material that ends up in the land fill. Also, you can inspect the filter for metal bits without cutting the can open.

[Retrobmx63]

What makes me laugh is that they bothered to put a hole in the splash shield which appears to me as an attempt to allow you to drop the filter without having to take the shield off, but the damn thing doesn't line up with the filter. Go figure. I'd really like to go with the non-cannister filter mod myself, but don't want to risk voiding the warranty right now.

I believe the reason the hole does not line up, is this part is shared with the regular 3. And on that application, the filter lines up no problem. I could be completely wrong though...

[wheresthericego]

A cartrige filter like the MS3 has is much more environmentally friendly than a metal spin-on cannister. You can drain it completely and there is less material that ends up in the land fill. Also, you can inspect the filter for metal bits without cutting the can open.

Well I don't give a flip about the environment. Thats why I drive a catless 93 323 that spits a cloud of fuel when I shift. F the EPA

[Wehrmacht]

^ a fine model of a human you are... :) No frets I dig the e36's as well.

[Young Roids]

The oil change gets pretty simple after you have done it a few times

[Rotus8]

Well I don't give a flip about the environment. Thats why I drive a catless 93 323 that spits a cloud of fuel when I shift. F the EPA
Your children with hate you for this, assuming you are allowed to have any. (evil)

[hilmar2k]

I changed the oil in my mother's scooby, and that is a real pain compared to the speed. At least the Mazda filter is right at the front of the engine. The Subaru flat four has the fliter up in a hole in the exhaust manifold. It is possible to unscrew it if you have the right wrench, but my wrench only unscrews, not tightens so you have to tighten by hand, but you can't get your hand in there, plus it's hot if you warmed it up a bit like you should before draining. And when removing, it is impossible to get the filter out without making a major mess because you can't reach the filter except directly below it.

What kind of crazy oil filter wrench do you have that only loosens?

[wheresthericego]

Your children with hate you for this, assuming you are allowed to have any. (evil)

People like me don't procreate. Thats possibly the best thing for the environment less human interaction, waste, consumption and whatever else mankind does to ruin the earth and its natural resources. But thats not my reason. Children suck and i'd rather not deal with them. So you're children will hate me :P

[Rotus8]

What kind of crazy oil filter wrench do you have that only loosens?
It automatically adjusts to the size of the filter when turned counter clockwise. Technically, you are not supposed to use a wrench to tighten them anyway - read the box, it says "hand tighten only". Anyway, I getting a new wrench before I tackle that car again.

[Jasnall]

A cartrige filter like the MS3 has is much more environmentally friendly than a metal spin-on cannister. You can drain it completely and there is less material that ends up in the land fill. Also, you can inspect the filter for metal bits without cutting the can open.


+1 Cartrige filter perform better then spin ons too.

[Nliiitend1]

My gripe has more to do with the condition of the screws/u nut clips that hold on the lower shroud after taking them off and putting them back on so many times. One of mine is stuck on there now because the nut has come loose and just spins now. Another one broke. I need to order a bunch of new ones so that I have them around in case they break each time I change the oil...

[Hank3]

I changed the oil in my mother's scooby, and that is a real pain compared to the speed. At least the Mazda filter is right at the front of the engine. The Subaru flat four has the fliter up in a hole in the exhaust manifold. It is possible to unscrew it if you have the right wrench, but my wrench only unscrews, not tightens so you have to tighten by hand, but you can't get your hand in there, plus it's hot if you warmed it up a bit like you should before draining. And when removing, it is impossible to get the filter out without making a major mess because you can't reach the filter except directly below it.

Which Subaru was this? I had an '02 WRX prior the Speed3 and the oil change was SUPER simple - especially with a Fumoto valve. As far as the Speed3 goes, I haven't attempted it yet, but there definitely seems to be more posts about it taking longer and it being inconvenient from what I've read. Not really looking forward to it.

[BlackCherry06]

The most inconvenient part of it is the shield..and it adds 2 minutes to the process. It's a much easier vehicle to change the oil in than my Nissan Frontier. I don't know where some carmakers dream up their oil filter placement, but with the MS3 / MS6, its all right there in front of your face.

[dan1101]

Best plan is to buy from a dealer that gives you 3 years of free oil changes. :D

[Hank3]

I had my dealer do the first oil change last week (had a free one for them breaking my imported air freshner from Japan when I brought it in for an alignment), but you can't trust them all the time as there always seems to be something missing or messed up when you check behind their work. At least that's my experience - my car's condition has never been returned to me the way I brought it in (no matter if it's been my two Nissans, Subaru, or my curren Speed3).

[DaleNixon]

The cover's not so bad to take off compared to the 8th generation Civic. Imagine all those bolts being flimsy plastic popper pieces that are damn near impossible to remove without breaking.

Also +1 on the dealer doing wtf things during oil changes. I got my Protege5 back with the bass turned all the way up, an oily handprint on the white door, and a nice huge ding in the door. These were 3 separate occasions... I don't know why I went back. The last straw was when they dented the hell out of one of my wheels. I made them get it repainted it was so bad.

I'm doing all my MS3 maintenance myself. I know those guys are pressed for time and don't always take the best care of your car.

[F430TECH]

Cut a half moon notch with a dremel...problem solved...

[Sport6]

I had my dealer do the first oil change last week (fhad a free one for them breaking my imported air freshner from Japan when I brought it in for an alignment)

Not to knock it but why'd you import an air freshener? Did it smell like hello kitty or something?

[Hank3]

It's a Giga one that's imported from Japan. You can't get them locally here so the dealer had to pay it back somehow. The dealer didn't want to go through the trouble of buying one off eBay or on the net so they gave me an oil change.

[Kain]

Not to knock it but why'd you import an air freshener? Did it smell like hello kitty or something?

I lawl'd. I think he got the special "used panties" scent instead.

[ChrisK]

Well I don't give a flip about the environment. Thats why I drive a catless 93 323 that spits a cloud of fuel when I shift. F the EPA

I agree F the EPA. I have 4 vehicles and none of them have cats!

[rmgedon69]

Best plan is to buy from a dealer that gives you 3 years of free oil changes. :D

not exactly the best dan. i do have 3 years of free oil change from the dealer and i only used it 3 times. Y ? because everytime i went for an oil change my cel comes on. and this happened after driving maybe 10 miles or so (the same day the dealer changed the oil). the last time i told them about the cel, i had to leave the car in the shop and ended up with nothing. cel was off but no explanation as to what is wrong and why the fuck it went on. my guess is they just clear the codes. after that, i just buy my oil and filter and do it myself. never once the cel came on. true story.

[dan1101]

Luckily my dealer seems to have it together, so far. If there were fucking anything up I'd stop with the free oil changes.

The dealer I go to (Whitten Brothers Mazda, south of Richmond, VA) has a sort of valet service to take your car when you pull into the service area, and they bring it back afterwards. I don't think these guys are the mechanics, so no oily fingerprints.

[Kain]

I like the trap door idea for the filter. That and a Fumoto valve would mean never having to take off the splash guard again.

[MikeHTally]

Best plan is to buy from a dealer that gives you 3 years of free oil changes. :D

And they're worth what they cost. Rest assured, they ain't "free".

[Bonafide_Spd3]

where did yall get all the parts to change the oil at? autozone? And what kind of oil filter was it. The how to section didn't give me these answers. I don't feel like going to the dealership for the oil filter either. They are idiots

[08cosmic3]

http://www.mazdaparts.org/genuine-mazda-oilfilter.html

I bought this package deal. It comes with the proper wrench which is very important whem removing the PLASTIC canister. It seems like a better deal than it is because shipping is high. It's still a much better deal than buying them one at a time from an auto parts store or the dealership. Also I purchased 5 drain plug washers from them as well. I replace the drain washer everytime, some owners don't.

I will never let any dealership work on my car unless it is warranty work. I care more about my car than anyone else and with all the how-to's and advise on the forums I can teach myself to do alot of my own work.

[Nliiitend1]

There is also a Motorcraft oil filter cartridge that is made for our engine. You can look it up in the big filter reference catalogs at the auto parts store. I usually buy my oil at a "big-box" store or an auto parts store, whichever is cheaper for 5W30 Penzoil Platinum at the time I'm buying. I replace the crush washer every time as well. I just bought a handful from the parts counter at a Mazda dealer...