Tedster

So I've looked everywhere for the stupid oil filter... do I have to jack up the car to look under the engine? Where the heck is it on the 2.0 Protege? Thanks.

KrayzieFox

Jack up the car and look behind the engine. Can't miss it ...

Tedster

Cool thanks. So is it easily accessible and room around it or is it a pain to get off? And whats a good oil filter for these cars? Should I get the Mazda brand?

Roddimus Prime

it's not "easily accessible" but you can do it yourself if you have the time and the car is cool.

I have nice long burns down my forearm from laying my arm against the exhaust.

eggynatey

Mazda's the best, but Wix are real close and much more available/cheap unless you live near a dealership.

the oil filter's easy to see and access once you're under the car. Like Krazy said, you can't miss it.

Here's another lil' tip.
Put a filter from a 2000 Mazda 626 w/ a V6 in. It's a little bigger and still fits perfectly.

Tedster

Cool thanks. So whats the advantage of a bigger filter?

Roddimus Prime

bigger filter lasts a little longer, holds a little more oil.... If you have 4.5qts of oil to last you 3000 miles before it starts to breakdown you could (theoretically) run the larger filter to hold an extra .5qt and the oil would get worked less.

It's the reason that porsches have 9qt oil pans.

p.s. As the manager of a NAPA store here if anyone wants WIX filters at cost let me know. Our NAPA brand filters are all WIX. This goes for any parts you may need. Just pm me.

Roddimus Prime

p.p.s. in my system the 626 and protege use the same filter. I'd only suggest the OEM 626 filter if you want a larger one. Also, the WIX units (or NAPA gold) all have anti-drain back valves and clog proof vents to prevent starvation under filter failure. No'one else does that I know of...not standard across their entire range anyway.

macdaddyslomo

you can reach it from above if you snake your hand around just right from the passenger side.....

macdaddyslomo

arrrgh I hate NAPA...everything's behind the effin' counter...I don't have a Matty at MY local NAPA, just a bunch of idiots like every other parts store, who don't know jack, and act like youre an idiot if you are trying to "rig" something up

Roddimus Prime

napa is a 99% commercial/industrial company but their parts are first class. I've been blown away with how much I've learned since I've been here. Most of these guys don't give a **** about performance or modifying but when they do need me I feel helpful.