Quick oil filter change quesion
 

Is it possible to just change the oil filter on my 02 P5? I changed to amsoil synthetic 3000 miles ago, and I reckon the oil's good for at least 3000 more.

If I unscrew the filter before draining, I'm not going to get a gallon of the stuff down my arm am I?

you didn't change the oil filter the same time u changed the oil? not very good for the engine, cuz the new oil goes through the old filter with dirt n debris from the old oil and into the engine.. not a very big deal to many but i just feel that u gotta maintain ur engine n take care of it properly, that means changing the oil and filter when needed. I've changed both every 4-5000 clicks and fortunately, havent had any engine problems w/ my 2000 protege @ 60,000 clicks (knocking on wood!)

as for unscrewing the filter before draining, you will not get a gallon of oil down ur arm, but u will get some, which is normal..

KC

I think he is saying that he did a oil and filter before and now does not want to chnage oil yet and just wants to change the filter. I know that from empty a little oil comes out. I know guys who during half life with expensive synthetic oil chnage only the filter but they do not own mazdas :)

Yes you will.

No you will not. You'll get just the oil from around the filter, the oil in the filter is retained by the anti-drainback valve. After you change just the filter you'll probably need to add less than 1/2 quart of oil.

I don't know if it's worth doing, but it can't be any worse than not changing it. If you use the filter from the 2.5 liter V6 626 the filter is longer so it ought to have a little more capacity to retain dirt...it's also easier to grab when installing and removing.

Yeah - 3000 miles ago I changed both filter (mobil 1 synth) and oil (amsoil 10w30)

I never change the oil without changing the filter, but changing the filter and not changing the oil seems like a good way to extend the drain interval, especially with this oil, which is supposedly good for 10K miles.
To be honest, changing oil every 3K miles (especially synth) on an engine as understressed as this is just wasteful (IMO)

I was just fearful of oil in the sump coming out the filter hole - but I guess as the sump is below the filter, that can't really happen...

If you get OEM filter, mazda actually says every 7000 miles anyway

Just use the V-6 filter - it should meet the longer interval because of the increased filter capacity. To test it (after 7K miles or so) just feel it after the car has run a short period. If it is 'cool' (not very warm) - it is bypassing.

The only way you'll get a bunch of oil coming out is if you turn the car on. The filter is located after the pump, so if the engine's not running, the oils not trying to flow through the filter. I did have a friend do that on his truck though. Forgot the filter was off and started his truck to position it better on the lift. Man, what a mess
:rofl:

I have only changed filter while draining the oil, but I was impressed by how very little if any oil drains when removing the filter on this engine, at least compared to others (probably bc they had larger filters). They way it hangs, I just tilt it up quick after it comes off, hardly any mess.
I say what the hey, put the oil pan underneath, get your eyes out of the way and give 'er a shot. The worst that will happen is you have to add more oil and use a little more Gojo to wash your arm, its just motoroil. Then let us know what you find out.

ps. don't you love how the filter is half as big but costs twice as much

I took out the filter before drain plug and like above mentioned, it doesn't spill much oil. I do wear goggles to protect my eyes whenever I am under my car. I don't believe it is really necessary to change the filter at this stage, if you aren't changing the oil. By the way, every 3000-mile oil change is also a hype by lube companies and dealerships. The OEM engineers say you can change it every 6000 - 7000 miles (depending on model)s, then it's true. Many research and experiments done by tribologists prove this. Of course, it's up to you if you want to do it. ; )

I certainly didn't change my old car's oil every 3000 miles, even having lived through the worst traffice of LA and San Francisco, and the car didn't lose power or fuel economy at 135,000 miles. It was even a small 4 cylinder engine. Technology has come so far nowadays.

so its bad to change oil and oil filter in one sitting?

how, again?

Just a matter of preferrence I guess. I change it every time, hell I'm already lying under the car anyway.

Ok from oil class 101!
Synthetic is great stuff when used like and chaged like regular oil. All major brands say to change oil around 3k miles. This is about the time the oil starts to break down. If you wait longer then you just hurt the motor. Now yes synthetic is good for 6-7k but you still have to change it out. Now I do my own oil/filter. Cost 8-9 bucks and I do it every 3k. I do not know how much Aims oil is but I do now that Moble is twice as much as Castrol. So you spend 16-20 bucks every 6-7k. You would end up spending the same amount and you would get the same protection.

Now if you really want to get the most out of your oil and motor use the synthetic and change it every 3-4k miles. This will keep the oil from breaking down and protect the motor better. Just my .02c! Mine and the reps from Penzoil and Castrol.

For clarification, I always change filter whenever changing oil. I do not believe I said otherwise.

Of course every major oil company recommends 3k oil change. Who makes money that way? Automakers? Honda Civic manual recommends over 6k change (I don't remember the number, but this was about 6 years ago), with regular oil -- not even synthetic oil. Even some dealers do the same.

I have seen so many engines running just fine after 150k miles without using synthetic, whether imports or domestic brands. So why put extra money in? My brother and I have owned few cars: Accord, Civic, Prelude (yup, I used to buy few Honda's), Mercedes E-class, Lexus ES300, Golf, Protege 5, 200SX, etc. For none of them I used synthetic. All of them were driven to over 100k. No problem on any of their engines. So why synthetic again? Maybe it will make some difference if you are driving it for 300k miles. But then I don't keep my cars that long.