kad

My uncle owns an auto shop... so I went over and put the car up on a lift.... man that filter was hard to get off. The worst of it I guess was because it was soo small and my uncle didn't have of those belt wrenches that small. Finally I used an adjustable wrench and got it off.

I couldn't get a hold of the mazda OEM filter... all the auto shop down the block had was FRAM... and they didn't even has the right size. Finally I had to get my uncle to order a filter... he said all he could get a hold on was a filter by TVI. *shrugs* I hope it isn't bad or anything.

Filled it up with Mobil 1 synthetic... which cost 18 bucks for a 4quart bottle. Dumped all 4 quarts in there... and it went right up to full. I'm not sure whether it's a matter of thought... but I feel the car is running smoother. I'm fairly sure even. Good Stuff.

I'm planning to keep it in for 4k. That seems safe enough.

And that's my story.

protetype

i changed my oil at 1500, and 3000. it's a good idea to do it twice on a brand new engine. you probably saw all that nice little metal floating around in your oil. but one question i have is... you put 4 quarts in? i know i only have the 1.6L and it only requires 2.9 quarts. i'm just curious about this, because overfilling isn't good. the manual says 4 quarts?

ex_MGB

My 2002 P5 calls for 3.7 quarts oil with filter change. 4 quarts probably won't hurt it, but I stick to the owners manual. Buy a dozen Mazda filters online from Mazda South. Take a filter to Walmart and buy an oil filter 3/8" drive adapter, it's like a huge socket, that fits the Mazda filter. This is not optional, you are out to lunch not spending three bucks on this. Tighten filter one and one sixth turns after filter gasket contacts engine mating surface. This is way more than hand tight.

The Mobil 1 was an excellent choice. Buy some Rhino ramps, an oil drain pan and a 5 gallon can and do it at home. Recycle the old oil.

protetype

ok.. sorry.. not 'floating'. but when i was emptrying my oil container, there were metal chips in there. i didnt realize i had to get technical on it.

ex_MGB

Some people that autocross put an extra 1/2 quart in above the specified 4 qts on Miatas. So, I don't think 4 qts vs. a recommended 3.7 qts will probably hurt, although, I'd check the level and drain some out to get it to the high mark if it was my car.

When overfilled, the piston lobes on the bottom of the crank will impact the oil in the pan and cause aeriation and foaming. The oil pump isn't designed to pump foam, just liquid. So, you get lousy lubrication. An extra .3 qts of oil in the oil pan probably only raises the level 1/8 inch at the most (could somebody measure the oil pan and run the numbers? )