Do you change your own oil?
#1
Do you change your own oil?
If so, what do you use to raise the front end of the car? It's so low to the ground, I'm wondering if the standard style ramps you can buy at auto parts stores will work or if the front end will hit the ramp before the front wheels do? I've had similar issues with other cars before, one was a minivan of all things.
Also, since I haven't looked, how hard is the oil filter to get to?
Also, since I haven't looked, how hard is the oil filter to get to?
#3
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Oil filter is a piece of cake, as long as your hands aren't oversized
Open the hood, stand at the side next to the driver's side front wheel. The filter is rearward of the upper intake manifold against the firewall.
I just use a jack and a stand. Crank up one side, remove the plug, let it drain till it stops, drop that side, crank up the other side, let it drain till it stops, drop that side, crank up the other side again, wait if anything else drains out, replace the plug, drop it, start filling. Change the filter somewhere in the waiting.
Although I think I am going to buy the Pela Pump, since it should remove more oil than this method, with less chance of a mess, less of a hassle in cold weather, don't have to worry about hot oil, can (and should) change it immediately.
And I can use it to change my wife's Mazda5's oil, which is a pain since you have to remove the splash pan to get to the drain plug, so I let a shop do it.
Open the hood, stand at the side next to the driver's side front wheel. The filter is rearward of the upper intake manifold against the firewall.
I just use a jack and a stand. Crank up one side, remove the plug, let it drain till it stops, drop that side, crank up the other side, let it drain till it stops, drop that side, crank up the other side again, wait if anything else drains out, replace the plug, drop it, start filling. Change the filter somewhere in the waiting.
Although I think I am going to buy the Pela Pump, since it should remove more oil than this method, with less chance of a mess, less of a hassle in cold weather, don't have to worry about hot oil, can (and should) change it immediately.
And I can use it to change my wife's Mazda5's oil, which is a pain since you have to remove the splash pan to get to the drain plug, so I let a shop do it.
#7
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I use ramps, but I have 2 peices of 2x4 infront that I drive up on first before the ramp so that my lip doesnt touch.
Also the oil filter is kind of a pain if you have big hands like i do. But I am able to squeeze through and take it off. I find its easier to use a oil filter cap connect that to a 12" extension and use a rachet to do the first turns then take it off with your hand.
Also the oil filter is kind of a pain if you have big hands like i do. But I am able to squeeze through and take it off. I find its easier to use a oil filter cap connect that to a 12" extension and use a rachet to do the first turns then take it off with your hand.
#9
What mawd bug?
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Our dipstick doesn't have any "SHARP TURNS" does it?
I know I should know this, but I really don't pay a crapload of attention...
Hmm..
http://www.pelaproducts.com/description.htm
That pump looks amazing.. The PL-650... But if there's sharp turns in the dipstick shaft then what good is it? :P
I know I should know this, but I really don't pay a crapload of attention...
Hmm..
http://www.pelaproducts.com/description.htm
That pump looks amazing.. The PL-650... But if there's sharp turns in the dipstick shaft then what good is it? :P
#12
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2) when I do it I know it's done right
3) most dealers don't have touchless car washes so you inevitably end up with scratches on your vehicle
4) I enjoy working on my car
#15
"13B vs. Renesis" Discuss
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If you want "all" the oil out, you'll have to raise the car to get the oil to drain from the oil coolers (2 if MT)
So, when you don't raise the car, you're only draining about 2/3rds of the oil. . .
Also, if you overfill your oil, it'll blow back into your intake, gum up your throttle body and ruin your SSV causing massive problems.
I would change the oil yourself for those reasons.
So, when you don't raise the car, you're only draining about 2/3rds of the oil. . .
Also, if you overfill your oil, it'll blow back into your intake, gum up your throttle body and ruin your SSV causing massive problems.
I would change the oil yourself for those reasons.
#16
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1. Because they insist on using 5w20.
2. Because I wouldn't trust them to properly wash my car.
3. Because Autozone et al will freely take your used oil, and new oil & filter are allot less than $20-$30.
4. Because you're assured the job was done right.
5. Because there's a satisfaction in doing things well yourself.
ok, that's sufficient.
2. Because I wouldn't trust them to properly wash my car.
3. Because Autozone et al will freely take your used oil, and new oil & filter are allot less than $20-$30.
4. Because you're assured the job was done right.
5. Because there's a satisfaction in doing things well yourself.
ok, that's sufficient.
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My dealer will put in the oil I choose. Yes I did my own when I could. All of it what ever it needed and even things it did not need but I wanted to mod. Yes I modded in the seventies a lot of the same things we hear on here just lower tech then. Now that part of hands on is over but I can still enjoy the red line of the rotary and the feel of a good handling car.
Last edited by Old Rotor; 01-26-2010 at 12:59 PM.
#20
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I hear ya Old Rotor. There comes a point in life where you've 'been there done that' and your time is worth more than the relatively small bill for services. I was speaking more to the younger folks that have not as yet gained that experience.
I don't do my daughter's Mazda6 oil/filter changes any more tho' since you have to remove an undercover, reposition the drain pan fo sump and filter, and it's a canister type filter. Too much work.
nycgps - The Fumoto is fast enough for me. I just go do something else while it drains.
I don't do my daughter's Mazda6 oil/filter changes any more tho' since you have to remove an undercover, reposition the drain pan fo sump and filter, and it's a canister type filter. Too much work.
nycgps - The Fumoto is fast enough for me. I just go do something else while it drains.
#21
Draining does not remove all of the oil. OD has recently discovered that there is stil about 1 liter in the oil pan even after it stops dripping. That doesn't include anything that might still be in the oil coolers as well. The pump seems to be the best method. Or you can play musical car jacking until you get it all out.
#23
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https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/mazmarts-oil-pressure-bypass-install-some-surprising-findings-189899/
Note the picture of the dropped pan showing how much oil remains in just the pan after draining through the oil plug (~1-1.5 qts). Some have had increased the oil being removed by jacking up the drivers side to tilt the pan more towards the hole. Some mention using an oil pump, but it's not clear to me that you really know you've got it unless you measure how much comes out, because you might end up with the pump tube on top of one of the baffles. From the owners manual, of the 6.4 L in the system, you only get 3.5 L out during a normal oil change.
#24
What mawd bug?
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It creates a vacuum, and if anything it would be just as good as letting it drip by gravity..
Not going to get it all either way.. I avoid the dealership oil changes because I'm catless, so this would be the easiest approach for me. Mr. Lube oil changes + Mazda filter is $80, the pump is $84, and will last a long assed time.
#25
What mawd bug?
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Getting it all out is easier said than done. With the series I, you only drain about 55% of the old oil out, with the rest remaining. There's a discussion of this over in this thread:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=189899
Note the picture of the dropped pan showing how much oil remains in just the pan after draining through the oil plug (~1-1.5 qts). Some have had increased the oil being removed by jacking up the drivers side to tilt the pan more towards the hole. Some mention using an oil pump, but it's not clear to me that you really know you've got it unless you measure how much comes out, because you might end up with the pump tube on top of one of the baffles. From the owners manual, of the 6.4 L in the system, you only get 3.5 L out during a normal oil change.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=189899
Note the picture of the dropped pan showing how much oil remains in just the pan after draining through the oil plug (~1-1.5 qts). Some have had increased the oil being removed by jacking up the drivers side to tilt the pan more towards the hole. Some mention using an oil pump, but it's not clear to me that you really know you've got it unless you measure how much comes out, because you might end up with the pump tube on top of one of the baffles. From the owners manual, of the 6.4 L in the system, you only get 3.5 L out during a normal oil change.
The one I'm looking at has a transparent cylinder, with a level marker so you can measure volume..
Let's see how much oil I can pump out of this thing