I had my wife to pick up a Mazda oil filter from the dealer. They sold her part # B6Y1 14 302 9A. My question is that it is a little shorter than the filter that came on the '8' from the factory. Is this the right filter?.....thanks

 

Looks like you got the right one:

 

wouldn't a bigger filter be better in most cases because of the larger filtering area? Wonder why they went with a smaller one?

 

Months ago the reasons were cited on this site -- I'll let you slog through the search results -- it was something along the lines of substandard manufacturing resulting in Mazda switching to a different provider. Although the new filter is slightly smaller it is apparently superior to the predecessor in some way(s).

FWIW I found that my new 2-size cap-style wrench (~$5 from trussville.com) AND my old "F"-size one (pep boys) BOTH fit this newer, smaller filter.

Cheers,
-jd.

 

I also recall seeing several threads discussing that the "new" oil filter was smaller than the OEM part.

 

No one responded why the small filter. I think because a large one isn't really needed so cost down. The rotary has only 4 main bearings and no blow by or dilution problems (that goes rotor chamber to chamber, not to oil pan) so actually runs real clean for a long time.

GM was working on the rotary engine log ago. (Vega) Was considering having the automatic trans and engine use the same oil system and a 50K change time.

SO don't worry about the small filter.

 

good points but wonder why Mazda recommends changing oil ever 5k while BMW says every 15k if the rotary is that easy on oil?

 

My BMW dealership told us the reason their engines are 15k oil changes is because they are hand built and have very good tolerance. Plus they have their own oil which is supposedly better than Mobil 1. Well I have free oil changes and maintenance till 100k miles so I will take their word for it.

 

umm... I think your bmw dealer might be giving you BS on the handbuilt part... unless you're talking about their M cars like mercedes's handbuilt AMG with the tech's signature on each engine

but hey my dealer's usuing a blue filter on mine, is that the older one you guys are referring to?