oil filters no longer dealership monopoly

[tsunami]

just for those other DIYs out there that like to do their own oil change, i have found that napa and penzoil make filters for our cars now (cartridge style filter)

i have verified the napa one, (bought it over the weekend will be doin the change wed prob) and it is correct with both o-rings and cost 5.50 (3$ savings over the dealership)

i haven't verified the pennzoil one yet but thier website said it is avialable but don't have a price or anything...

just an FYI..

edit**8** for those who want part#'s napa=7302 and pennzoil=pz159

 

[TomH]

Ever since I converted over to the spin-on filter setup, I've not had a problem finding oil filters. Just about any auto parts store you go to carries the spin on filter.

 

[anarchistchiken]

The 3 has a different kind of filter that the usual spin on kind? More info is needed.

 

[JCell]

yes, the 3 has a cartrige filter, all it replaces is the actual filter, the cover is reused. unlike the protege's spin on

 

[anarchistchiken]

Weird. Any advantage to that?

 

[JCell]

nat that i can tell, IMO it's harder to change the oil than in my protege

 

[goldwing2000]

Weird. Any advantage to that?

According to the factory, it's a weight savings (maybe a few ounces) and an environmental benefit (less steel in the garbage?).

According to everybody else, it's a pain in the ass. I changed over to spin-on. (spin)

 

[JCell]

just for those other DIYs out there that like to do their own oil change, i have found that napa and penzoil make filters for our cars now (cartridge style filter)

i have verified the napa one, (bought it over the weekend will be doin the change wed prob) and it is correct with both o-rings and cost 5.50 (3$ savings over the dealership)

i haven't verified the pennzoil one yet but thier website said it is avialable but don't have a price or anything...

just an FYI..

also, Pennzoil will work as well, i'll get the oil filter number later and post it up

 

[tsunami]

yeah it is a pita... but i am not sure how much easier it would be for the spin on style, b/c imo the biggest pain is getting that damn aerodynamic shield out of the way... after that its not a big deal at all...

 

[TomH]

yeah it is a pita... but i am not sure how much easier it would be for the spin on style, b/c imo the biggest pain is getting that damn aerodynamic shield out of the way... after that its not a big deal at all...

That "shield" is currently sitting in one of our closets, and has been there for about 6 months now.

With no shield, and the spin-on setup, oil changes are a 10-15 minute job. Kudos to Mazda for at least putting the filter in an easily accessible spot on the engine!

 

[goldwing2000]

Kudos to Mazda for at least putting the filter in an easily accessible spot on the engine!

I second that!

 

[tsunami]

That "shield" is currently sitting in one of our closets, and has been there for about 6 months now.

With no shield, and the spin-on setup, oil changes are a 10-15 minute job. Kudos to Mazda for at least putting the filter in an easily accessible spot on the engine!

any drawbacks to have the sheild off... i was so tempted today to just toss it the shed or something...

 

[TomH]

any drawbacks to have the sheild off... i was so tempted today to just toss it the shed or something...

The only negative I can think of to not having the shield installed would be that the bottom of the engine and transmission would get dirtier. That's not a concern of mine as I power wash the engine compartments and undersides of my vehicles once a year.

This "shield" also doesn't offer much in the way of protection. Several owners in the colder climates have reported problems with them cracking and falling off. Most of the underside of the engine is pretty well protected without the flimsy piece of plastic. Next time you're under the car, take a look at the guard around the A/C pulley. I hate to think of the kind of damage a piece like that would take before it fails! (eek2)

 

[saskmazdaman11]

Yeah, my shield was destroyed and came off in the back after cruising through snow, and getting clogged with so much crap and ice that the car had to thaw and get washed in the shop for an 2 hours before they could change the oil this winter. It is flimsy and like all plastic hates the cold. I got my tire guy to wire it in to place when I got my tires replaced. I guess since it it useless, I can take it off maybe.

On the oil filter note, it is good to here that it will be come more widely available. I inquired about the parts for the spin on conversion, and the dealer got suspicious and started asking questions. They said that it would absolutlely void the warranty. I said he was full of it because they are all Mazda parts and the same setup is on the 2L Mazda 3. Then he gave me some cock and bull story about some guy who did something with his oil system and it destroyed his engine. I guess that was possible if you were an f*up and weren't careful. He did give me cold feet about the whole swap though. So I am still on the fence about the conversion.

 

[MightyMouse]

I prefer to use the cartridge style filter because when I change the oil, I can see exactly what is happening inside my motor (metal particles, excessive filter plugging etc etc) A lot easier than cutting the matal casing of a spin on filter open.

 

[gdkenoyer]

edit**8** for those who want part#'s napa=7302

ya dang dyslexic, it's actually 7203. ;^)

 

[tsunami]

lol s*** sorry man....

 

[scuzzy19]

My 04 3 has had a spin on when I got it does the 3 not come with a spin on from factory?

 

[gdkenoyer]

My 04 3 has had a spin on when I got it does the 3 not come with a spin on from factory?

We're starting to go in circles here as post #3 in this string asked the same thing.
The 2005 m3s (2.3l) came with a canister filter vs. the 'normal' spin on filter. The next model year (or `07, not sure) went to (back to?) the spin on.

Some new news...
Harley Davidson just came out with a refit kit that allows owners of big twins (the Touring line, like my Road Glide) to replace the spin-on oil filter mount with a canister setup. Cost: $269.

 

[scuzzy19]

Sorry for the confusion but I probably confused myself I think I got it now