oil change
 

In the mazda hand book under oil changes it gives instruction on how to change your oil but then says you need a special tool to change your oil filter. Is this true or just bullsh*t. I have never even changed my own oil so I really have no clue. :confused:

bullshit
 

The wrench won't work if you use a filter that's not from mazda. I've tried filters for different filters and usually they don't fit all the others. Just get a good band wrench and tell mazda to bite ween!

you can get by without
 

I change the oil on my Mazda ('02 P5) and my
wife's ('93 Protege DX), and I do it without any
special tools.

Getting the filter off my P5 the first time was
really hard. It was on there tight. I put some
duct tape around it for better grip, and
eventually I was able to unscrew it. Now, I
just tighten it by hand, and it seems to stay
on OK. It's a lot easier to remove now.

I also found that the bolt plugging my oil pan
was in there pretty good the first time, too. It
took a lot of torque to unscrew it at first, but
now that I have control over how tight it gets
put back on, it's a lot easier.

IMHO it's a good idea to get one of these tools, especially if you've never done this before. There is VERY little room to work around the sides of the filter in a G3, making it very hard to get the filter off with a regular band-style filter wrench or your hands. With the socket, a 3/8" ratchet and a 1.5" long extension, it's a snap.

BTW you don't have to get the tool at the dealer; I got mine at Pep Boys. Just buy a new Mazda filter, then take it to the parts store and test-fit the filter wrenches until you find the right one (there are 10-12 different sizes). BTW the wrench that fits the Mazda filter probably won't fit any aftermarket filters, but you don't want to use any of those anyway, they are lower quality.

Also, I am not a believer in only hand-tightening my oil filters. I have had too many of them work loose that way. I hand tighten, then turn the filter another 1/8-1/4 turn with a wrench. Make sure you soak the gasket surface on the new filter with clean oil before you do this.

All IMHO of course :)

I use a Puralator PURE ONE filter in my cars and when I bought the filter for the PURE ONE I bought the wrench for it. Of course it didn't fit the mazda filter which was on so tight it was ridiculous. I have never had a problem turning a filter off with my hands (have done about 10 first oil changes in new cars and never had a problem). I had to punch a screw driver through it and twist it off. Of-course its tight in there so I had to loosen it and then punch another hole....all the while being careful not to hit the threaded part. Then I put a nail in the hole and twisted it off. It was a damn mess and I was so pissed at mazda then. Get the wrench....makes it so much easier IMO.

Sand Paper. That is what I use. Before Fram started putting sure grip on the number filter that I use, I just used sand paper to get a good grip and screw it off. Very handy.

I wear vinyl gloves as well which provide awesome grip. These are like the gloves doctors wear and cost about $3.00 for a box of 50 gloves.

I am getting ready to do my first oil change on my P5. I usally use my ramps to do oil changes, but I tried the ramps on my P5 last weekend, and they wont work. The P5 is to low.

What is the best way to get under the car to change the oil? I was thinking about buying a floor jack, and using (2) stands in the front.

Any suggestions? I want to do my oil soon... :dunno:

I had to buy the extenders for my ramps. Get 'em at KMart or WalMart. Haven't changed my oil since I lowered it though.....hope I don't have any problems.

Pick up a pair of Rhino Ramps. When I got my Rhino's I threw out my old ramps and the extensions.

Where did you get your Rhino Ramps? HOw much? :)

?
 

Why are the Rnino's any different...shorter? Longer?

Rhino ramps are longer and lower than "regular" ramps. Their design makes it easy to drive low cars up them. I used mine for the first time last night... worked great. WAY better than steel ramps. I think Wal-mart in the US sells them, I got mine at a local auto-parts store for $50 CDN.

Unrelated question... when you guys change your oil do you replace the drain plug gasket? It is steel on the Protege and does not seem to "crush in" like regular gaskets.

Yep, I saw them in a Wal-Mart ad a few weeks ago - $29.99.

I don't change that metal gasket, although it's good practice to change is occasionally.

where can you get this drain plug gasket?