Doing the Oil Change by myself

[codecraig]

For the last year I have taken my CX-7 to the dealer for oil changes, as it was free under the Dealership for Life program they had. Well, that dealer has gotten rid of its Mazda franchise, thus leaving me with no more free oil changes.

So I am going to do it myself for the first time. Any tips or things I need to know or have before doing it? I heard there is a skid plate to remove. How about the oil filter, is it easy to get off? I thought I heard that you needed some tool/adapter to remove it.

Thanks in advance.

One more thing....any oil recommendations? mobile 1, etc?

 

[BlackCherry06]

You need a cup style filter socket - 76mm with 14 flutes. DO NOT use any type of pliers to remove the filter cartridge, and don't overtighten it as you will likely crack it cause a leak.

The drain plug on a Mazdaspeed 6 is 17mm so since you have the same engine, this likely applies to you as well.

I highly recommend a full synthetic oil for this engine. Mobil 1 or Penzoil Platinum, at whichever viscosity your owner's manual recommends. Some of these engines are spec'd for 5W-30 and some 5W-20, so read up on it.

 

[wongster]

dang.. i remember there was a posting where the guy posted ever detail of how to change the oil. I found it, but for some reason he edited and removed all the details...

 

[codecraig]

Anyone know what viscosity oil the CX-7 takes (i think it's 5w30) and how much oil it needs (i think it's 6 quarts).

i'm not near by CX-7 right now to look at the owner's manual...hence why I am asking.

Thanks!

 

[wongster]

from the dealer they told me they use 5w30 semi synthetic, and its about 5-6 quarts...

 

[mx5gary]

Anyone know what viscosity oil the CX-7 takes (i think it's 5w30) and how much oil it needs (i think it's 6 quarts).

i'm not near by CX-7 right now to look at the owner's manual...hence why I am asking.

Thanks!

You may wish to register your CX with mazda that way your never without your manual while on the internet.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayOwnersHome.action?isChildAction=false

 

[Mazda Lover]

This is definitely one area I am extremely disappointed on the Mazda. It is a royal PITA to change the oil on this thing.

First, you have to get the little compartment door open for the drain plug. Then you have to put all that back together.

Next remove no less than 5 bolts for the stupid plastic bottom shroud, like it would do anything if someone was silly enough to do any off roading with a CX-7!

Somehow finagle the shroud down and out of the way enough to get access to the oil filter.

Remove the stupid little drain valve from the filter canister and then replace it once it's done dripping oil (this is purely option, keep reading).

Somehow get the freakin' canister off (rubber "Fram tough guard" type material on the outside would've been nice). (I should say, from the factory, they're always a little tighter than they should be, not just a Mazda thing). Let all the oil that didn't drain out spill all over you and the silly plastic shroud. Oh, and there isn't a good way to pre-oil the filter before putting it on.

Replace filter and all the freakin' little o-rings.

Put the stupid canister back on tight enough (which becomes difficult once you and the canister is coated with oil).

Go up top, fill with oil. Oh, and don't spill any anywhere or you'll be smelling oil for the next week.

Go back down check for leaks.

Start the car, check for leaks.

Go back under the car and put the shroud back on (which means find all those stupid bolts that were kicked but you thought you put in one place).

And lastly, pray that everything is tight because there's no freakin' way you'll go under and check after driving around as it requires the removal of those bolts and shroud, etc.

There are your steps. Have fun. And make sure you have all afternoon to do it as it takes an enormous amount of time, compared to any other car I've ever done. The SO was laughing and said "you should've just went to a quicky place". Not a bad idea.

The Grand Prix I have, gotta love V-8's, I don't even need to put on ramps. The drain plug and filter are "right there" in front, easy reach. Oh, and it uses a real filter that you can fill to the top with pre oil as it mounts straight up. Simple. Easy. Done.

 

[erhayes]

Why mess with the little compartment door? Take off the shroud and do it all.

 

[Zoom49]

This is definitely one area I am extremely disappointed on the Mazda. It is a royal PITA to change the oil on this thing.
.

There is a kit from Mazda to convert canister style filter over to a spin on Mazda standard filter. I can post link if anyone is interested. I believe it runs about $85 for parts. You would still have to remove belly pan each time.

 

[erhayes]

There is a kit from Mazda to convert canister style filter over to a spin on Mazda standard filter. I can post link if anyone is interested. I believe it runs about $85 for parts. You would still have to remove belly pan each time.

Yes; Post link to the spin on conversion. Ed

 

[Zoom49]

Yes; Post link to the spin on conversion. Ed

Here is a good pictorial with link to kit for less than $50.00
http://www.mazda6tech.com/articles/how-to/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=1
Zoom Zoom(yes)

 

[erhayes]

Thank you much Zoom49. Ed

 

[Killer]

for the life of me I cant understand why peeps still change their own oil.

Oh well...to each their own.

 

[crashkelly]

for the life of me I cant understand why peeps still change their own oil.

Oh well...to each their own.

to save money

 

[Mazda_Tech]

if you convert to spin on oil filter you will void your warranty.

 

[CX-7owner]

All that oil? I'd rather not let myself do it.

 

[Zoom49]

if you convert to spin on oil filter you will void your warranty.

It would be sad if Mazda would do this for using genuine Mazda parts.
I just posted the link per Ed's request. I dont mind the cartridge style filter myself. It is more messy but there is less for the landfill and I understand that
it filters better also. Just a big pain to remove the bottom pan.

 

[Killer]

to save money

if you have a 30 k SUV and need to save money by changing your own oil you should have bought something less expensive. And how much is the savings? MAYBE like 5 dollars? No THANKS.

 

[vbbuilt01]

if you have a 30 k SUV and need to save money by changing your own oil you should have bought something less expensive. And how much is the savings? MAYBE like 5 dollars? No THANKS.

Ditto here! I don't have the time nor inclination to change oil. It's messy, time consuming and you have to find a place to dispose of it.

I go to Mazda, sit in the lounge, watch TV and sip coffee. No muss, no fuss, in, out, done. I guess if you like being a grease monkey, there'd be a certain appeal to oil changes and working under the hood. Not me! (mj)

Vince.

 

[Mazda Lover]

if you have a 30 k SUV and need to save money by changing your own oil you should have bought something less expensive. And how much is the savings? MAYBE like 5 dollars? No THANKS.

If you put in cheap oil, it doesn't make much sense (at $20, how could it) but if you're using anything slightly better than the lowest grade dino oil, it makes sense. The charges for these usually start at $35 for some silly blend to well over $50 for full synthetic. Even then, you don't have much of choice, it's what the oil place chooses to put in. Besides, it's a way to bond with your car, give it the TLC it needs, and make sure it's done correctly.

Personally, I like to do work on my cars. I've done just about everything there is to do on one. I like to wrench as it's much different from my day job. But then again, I also like to mtn bike (and road) but I can't imagine many people being as enthused as I am when they come back dirty and bloody. Not everyone is a metro sexual now-a-days despite what you read in the magazines.

I just don't know why Mazda felt it necessary to hide everything behind a useless relatively thin piece of plastic. This will do nothing for impact resistance (as a skid plate) and I can't imagine trying to do any offroading, serious or not, in a CX-7.

Disposal is easy in MI. Take it to a place that sells or changes oil. They have to take it! Easy. Done.