Question about oil change

[BoostisLove]

Im wondering if the filter is the same on the 10 as it is on the 1st gens
this is what i saw when i looked it up in the oil filter book:

is this right? when i went underneath the car to look at the filter it looked like a conventional filter not something that would use whats in the picture.

 

[Hank3]

What you saw was correct. The 2010 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3s have the spin-on filters.

 

[DailyDriver]

.

 

[Dubcnea]

you don't have to remove the cover. the hole is big enough and positioned correctly to get to the filter. word or warning tho...spin it slow, let is drain out the side, spin more, repeat...else you'll end up splattering oil all over the inside of the cover.

no specialty tools needed. basic oil change with this one. same type of torque spec for the filter. snug is enough. only one oil plug. i've never seen a car with more than one?? i lift the car with a jack at the specified jack point on the driver's side. i don't jack both sides. that is enough for me to get under and do what i need. ramps would also work. it's pretty easy.

 

[Stavesacre21]

FWIW, I was told by my Mazda dealership that the filter is identical to the one they put on the Mazda 5. I know it's a spin-on after changing my oil, so it definately isn't the same as the 07-09.

The previous thread we had about this has the oil filter number that I bought. Also mentions the K&N filter number too.

 

[NathanR]

I haven't seen a set of ramps that will accomodate the low ride-height of the 2010 MS3. I even have a pair of "ramp extensions" and still no luck. I just jack mine up and throw the jackstands underneath. I'll have to make something better or add some short 2 x 4's to my current setup. It's so much quicker when you can just drive up on ramps.

 

[Hank3]

For my '08 MS3, I use a couple of 2 x 10s in front of the Rhino ramps. They work perfectly.

 

[Stavesacre21]

^
+1

I actually have 2x4's laid in front then 3 bricks leading to the ramps. Clears it perfectly.

 

[ddtprm]

yes, the spin on filter is what you need. there are no special tricks and the filter is very easy to get to. i changed my oil first at 1200 miles and switched to synthetic, and then at 3000 miles. ill do every 3000 from now on.

 

[BoostisLove]

Thank god they got rid of those stupid filters theyre such a waste

 

[Dubcnea]

while they weren't as easy...they were quite convenient with the non mess to drain the housing.

 

[Sean2010]

Ok, I just had my oil changed for the 2nd time, changed it myself ( I'm at almost 14,000kms.) I put in Lucas 5W20 Synthetic and got a mazda specific filter. I hope it doesn't tic as bad as it did when it nears the oil changing process again.

how long do you think I have now after switching to lucas synthetic before I have to change again? I hate waiting till 8000 kms, it's to long.

 

[Dubcnea]

most oils will have a specified mileage (or Km) on them. i will change mine every 4500-5000 miles...using Mobil 1. conventional is every 3k miles. do what makes you feel comfortable. i would not go every 3k miles though as then you're just wasting your money with synthetic. check the oil every so often after 3k miles and make a decision based on how it looks.

and that distance on the oil is for normal driving. not just highway, not just city. that is also a factor to consider. one 'race' down the street isn't going to cut 1000km off your oil.

and i got lazy this time and didn't convert it to Km. :x i fail.

 

[BSTD3]

DailyDriver:

What's the part number on the oil filter for the '10 Speed3?

TIA!

 

[DailyDriver]

.

 

[Sean2010]

most oils will have a specified mileage (or Km) on them. i will change mine every 4500-5000 miles...using Mobil 1. conventional is every 3k miles. do what makes you feel comfortable. i would not go every 3k miles though as then you're just wasting your money with synthetic. check the oil every so often after 3k miles and make a decision based on how it looks.

and that distance on the oil is for normal driving. not just highway, not just city. that is also a factor to consider. one 'race' down the street isn't going to cut 1000km off your oil.

and i got lazy this time and didn't convert it to Km. :x i fail.

thanks

 

[Fred]

Just changed my oil to synthetic at 4500 mi. Getting it on to top of ramps was interesting but two pieces of 6" wide redwood on a slight incline did the trick. Boards were about 3' in length. My neighbor guided me on and kept an eye on everything while I clutched it to the top. Seems like my clutch is much smoother now after I wore it in a bit getting to the top of the ramp. Definitely suggest a helper to guide you on to the ramp. Good luck if you want to change your own oil. Sure wish I had a hydraulic lift.

 

[Dubcnea]

or just use a jack and jack stand and slide under

 

[DailyDriver]

.

 

[jeebusm3]

I changed my oil today, used my ramps. I dunno what you guys are talking about with difficulty driving up ramps. I did it with my daughter sitting on my lap and didn't even flinch. I guess I'm an "ace" driver, lol.

The front splitters were a tad too low for my ramps so I drove up on a few folded towels first (I couldn't find anything else to drive on) and that was JUST enough to clear the ramp.