7200miles and a few minor issues
 

Well I crawled under my 3 yesturday to do another oil change and I found a few things that kinda disturbed me first off was some oil on the cv axle, i dont know if it splashed from else where or is coming out from the axle itself see pic below...it wasn't but a mere few drops of oil...i will be keeping an eye on this...btw my 3 hatch is a 2006 and only 3mos old so its under warranty...i prefer to keep the stealerships hands off of her...
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...derthe3001.jpg

The other thing was when I was removing the oil filter I noticed the threads inside the housing were chewed up from the get go, I believe this was true on the first oil change and I just hadn't take a good look at it, wonder if this will hurt anything??? Should I have the dealership replace the oil filter mount or just leave it??? the pic is borrowed but show the threads that i am talking about. anyone else experience this?

http://www.supercar-engineering.com/...n/DSC00164.jpg

I'd double check to make sure that leaked oil isn't coming from one of your motor mounts. One of our members here in NC had that happen to his, and it was replaced under warranty.

As for the threads I don't really know. If it's not sealing correctly then I would definitely take it back. If it's working fine I would probably just leave it and not have to deal with the dealer having my car.

it seals fine, it was just unusual to find threads messed up like that...yeah i ll keep a check on the oil...

found more oil yesturday oil change...help anyone

filter threads
 

I find it easy to cross thread the plastic filter cap for some reason. I had to touch up my plastic threads a bit with a file when I fist buggered them. OK now.

i am not having any issues with the filter housing anymore

Sounds like your axle seal is seeping, I have never seen this problem as of yet. I would tell the "dealership" that it's seeping, and ask kindly for them to inspect it. If it is, they should replace it under warranty.

As for the filter housing, the only problems that I have seen are cracked housings due to people using channel locks instead of the proper filter removal tool to remove them. If it's not leaking I would not suspect any problem..

Remember, if you are doing your own oil changes that your car takes 5w-20. If you live in REALLY hot conditions, I would recommend 5w-30.

Oil Leaks
 

About your Mazda3 ... and the drops of oil ... not sure if this may be the source, but about a year ago my 3 (2004 S) had a leaky oil pressure switch. All the oil drained out, had to have the engine replaced ... the dealership blamed an oil change place (yes, sadly I took it to one on the fly) ... they footed the bill (about $8,000) ... and I took the car home. 2 weeks later, all the oil drained out again. I caught the rapid level drop because I was checking the levels daily. They said it was the oil pressure switch ... replaced it under warranty. You never know.

i am pretty sure its not motor oil...b/c i check it and its always full....and the oil is red...but i have a manual transmission and the transmission is opposite end from where i am finding oil...i think its something to do with the CV axle...but its not enough to puddle or leave a trail from where its coming from...