How do you remove the oil filter on a 2003 Protege? I had some difficulty locating it - being used to rear wheel drive cars - but I did find it. I can barely reach in (from below) and get my hands on it much less put a oil filter wrench on it. The wrench I have goes on the end of the filter and then you use a socket set to turn it. Being a horizontal filter I guess you don't put any oil in the new one before installing the same?
Thanks.
Marty

 

Honestly the easiest way to remove the filter is to do it by hand. If you have a stubby 3/8" ratchet you can get a "claw" adapter that will absolutely remove anything you can put on there.

It takes some work getting used ot that filter but it is very doable once you get the feel for it.

p.s. Only use a OEM or WIX (napa gold) filter as a replacement. Also, priming an oil filter is never a bad thing.

 

You can get to it more easily from underneath. A couple of Rhino ramps makes the job a cakewalk.

 

I just reach it from below and use a band type filter wrench. Pretty simple.

 

Hand tight = hand loose. I had to drive a phillips screwdriver through the original/factory one to get it off %$@!

After that - no problem. No leaks. no &^%$#!

 

I can get to it from the top on my MSP, have to go underneath for my ES though... never had problems getting it off since i hand tighten.

 

A Craftsman rubber strap wrench works great for me. Once you get it to turn a tiny bit, you can grab it by hand if it's not too greasy.

 

Another tip:

Put a filter (WIX or Mazda OEM are my favorite) from a 2000 Mazda 626 with a V6 in. It's a little bigger than the stock one, fits fine and hold a little more oil that the our Protege filter. You'll be able to fit 4 full quarts in, plus bigger filter = more filtering element = better filtering!

 

Is there a U-Tube site that shows you where the oil filter is.
schaep55

 

If you're laying on your back with your toes aiming straight out the front, the oil filter is on the right side of the engine, closer to the firewall than the bumper.