mnkyboy

I just did my first oil change on my P5, and took some pics. I usually use my metal ramps that ive had for years, but the P5 is a low clearance vehicle. Protetype recommend some ramp extenders, but were not compatible with my existing ramps. GNO recommend some Rhino Ramps, so I went to the local Wally World (Walmart) and picked some up for $24.99 (SEE PICS BELOW). These work GREAT! Thanks GNO! I also attached a pic of the location of the oil filter. It’s in an unusual place for an oil filter, IMO.

Hope this helps some people...

GNO

You're welcome!

Sir Nuke

MNKYBOY I would like to make a request......not only for you...but for EVERYONE that posts images to their posts.....how about making the images a TAD smaller? like keeping their width to about 600 pixels? that way those in the world that aren't running their monitors at max resolution can see them without scrolling back and forth.....

other than that...thanks for the info.....good stuff. my first oil changes are coming up on both of my P-5's pretty quick.

mnkyboy

I understand, would 640x480 be the best? My camera is a 2.3 megapixel camera, and I usally shrink the pics down to 800x600. My screen resolution is set at 1024x768 at home, and 1280x1024 at work, so 800x600 looks like I good size on my monitors. I know that alot of people use 800x600, so from now on when I post pics on the board, they will be 640x480.

Sir Nuke

that is great.....much better......thank you.....

orangealpha

Ahem, getting back to the oil change. I recently changed my oil as well and used the the rhino ramps which worked great as stated (thanks again GNO). When i first looked at the oil filter i thought i was going to have a hard time takin it off but it came off very easy. Btw this was the first time i ever changed my OWN oil so, if a wallet tuner like me can do it anyone can.

GNO

Welp, since this thread is here to help those w/o oil change experience, I guess I'll mention that you'll need a 19mm wrench or socket for the drain plug.

dewey

I have changed oil on my P5 a couple of times, and I figured
out that the dipstick reads low while it's up on the ramps.
This has caused me to overfill the engine with oil.

So now, I put 3 quarts in, then back it off the ramps and
add enough more oil so that the dipstick reads halfway.

dewey

what's that other filter-lookin' thing (about 2 inches to the left
of the oil filter in the picture)?

Mine says "mitsubishi" on it.

mnkyboy

Why dont your put the full 3.7 L of oil in the engine as the manual states? That way you dont have to keep looking at the dipstick to see if you have enough?

Also, what other filter looking thing?

mazdaspeedwest

Here are a few more tips,

1. open the oil fill cap before removing the drain plug, it will flow out much faster.

2. when removing the filter, jack the back ofthe car WAY up, this will minimize the oil spillage from the filter.

3. dip your finger in new oil and run it along the new filters seal.

4. ALWAYS HAND TIGHTEN. I have never needed a oil filter wrench, finger tight until snug, then 1/4 turn.

mnkyboy

Is it better to take the filter off before or after draining? I tried taking the filter off before, but a little oil dripped down, so I tightend it back a little. When I took it off after draining, it was fine. The reason I tried to take the filter off first was because I read somewhere that the oil flows out better if the filter was off. Maybe that works on some cars, but not on mine.

carguycw

I think you're looking at the end of the starter motor.

dewey

Sure, I could put the full 3.7L of oil into the engine and
then not worry about reading the dipstick, but then I'd
have to remember that it takes 3.7L. Not only do I
have to remember how much my car takes, I'd also have
to remember how much oil my wife's car takes. And
remembering *two* numbers is just too much for me!

Another good tip: when you pull the old oil filter off,
make sure its gasket is still in place. They can get stuck
on the engine and interfere with the new one. (I learned
this trick from a TV show.)

And the other "filter lookin' thing" I'm referring to is to
the left of the oil filter. It is about the size of a beer can.
It's black with a brass-colored end sticking out, which
has screws in it.

In the picture, it's directly to the left of the oil filter. It
is partially obscured by...I think that's the exhaust. And it
is just above the axel.

GNO

Get two funnels. Label each one with the vehicle and amount of oil needed. No memory required, just an extra funnel and labeling skills.