I just got my 2006 Mazda 3s Hatchback in the last month here.

I was intending on washing and waxing ... and cleaning it from inside to out this weekend. I got the wash and wax done...but not the inside ... not very dirty inside anyway.

But anywayz I figured I would change the oil ... because I haven't done that yet since I got it ... and I wanted to put synthetic in it.

Now I didn't realize how much of a pain in the *** it is to change the oil in new cars now a days. I spent 3 hours ... only to find out that I need a retarded special tool to get off the oil filter housing cap. WHY? ... why do they have to make things so difficult ... it is stupid.

Oh well I guess ... I ordered the 76mm oil filter wrench.

The one question that I do have is ... Mazda recommends that I put 5w 20 ... oil in the car. Is this necessary. I accidentally bought 5w30 ... because I didn't check this. Should I return the oil and get 5w20 or does it not matter?

I look forward to being apart of this community ... I intend on putting some picture of my car up once I get a chance to take some photos. My car is copper red mica ... I love the color.

 

welcome to the club!

 

5w-30 should be just fine.

The hardest part about doing the oil change on a 3 is that cover underneath. Once you figure out where the bolts are and how to pop it all apart, it's not too difficult at all.

Make sure you replace the drain plug gasket. And make sure you get the o-rings with the new filter.

When you tighten it back up with the wrench, it only needs to be snug, no need to reef on it.

 

Thanx for the advice.

Before I realized that I needed the special oil filter cap wrench. I took off the cover and everything. So that is fine I know how to take all that crap off now. I am gonna see if I can get the 5w20 ... I'm giving my 5w30 castrol syntec to my sister for her pontiac vibe.

But yea I got the cap wrench now.

For a oil filter I bought a purolator pureone. It came with 2 o rings. Is this all I need or do I need something else?

What does everyone think is the best synthetic oil to use in Mazda engines?

 

My Vote goes for Mobil 1 Full Synth if your are going for a full synth.

 

Yea for me it has always been castrol, mobile, or valvoline. I always put full synthetic in my cars.

So that is one vote for mobile.

I would change this thread to a poll. Can you do that on this forum?

 

Personally Mobil 1, Royal Purple, and Amsoil are the best. 5w-20 is ideal for your car because the variable valve timing is hydraulic and was designed around 5w-20. 5w-30 will work, but is not ideal.

 

Well, as a Mazda technician, I would personally recommend only using the Mazda filter. The smaller o-ring is for the drain on the filter cover, no need to really replace it if you don't drain it first, but if you do remove the drain screw, replace the o-ring. The large o-ring goes around the filter cover, I find that using a pick removes it easily. Make sure you lubricate the o-rings with oil before you re-install it to prevent the o-ring from getting torn or pinched.

There are two plastic fasteners holding the cover on underneath that can be a pain in the butt to remove/install. I usually just leave them out, the bolts do a good job of holding everything together, and it makes it easier to remove/install the next time around.

Lastly, when you are done, most likely there will be oil residue on the filter cover. I find that spraying some brake cleaner on it cleans it off like new.

 

Royal Purple --hydrocracked
Mobil1 --rumoured to be hydrocracked now, one of those 'it's suspiciously inexpensive' deals
Amsoil --good if you get the right stuff, they sell a 'synthetic' oil that is not a true/full synthetic, and they sell a 'full synthetic' oil that .. is.

Red Line Oil is awesome, but a bit pricey usually. Can get it from onlinemazdaparts.com http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...subcat1=101915

I thought they had a good deal on it at one point, dunno where that went. It was some nice price for a 12 bottle case of the stuff.

+1 for using only OEM Mazda filters.

 

Never heard of "hydrocracked" oil, please enlighten me.

 

It means they don't use a PAO base stock, they use hydroisomerized petroleum.

Info from amsoil about it

 

to remove the filter you don't need a wrench, just your old friend the screw driver... drive it across the filter (puncture it) make sure the tip of the screw driver is showing in the other side, then twist, and as pointed earlier, when installing the new MAZDA filter (yes MAZDA dont use another brand or you'll void the warranty) lubricate the top of it ( o-ring ) and install, dont overtight just hand-tight and do half turn after

 

The screwdriver trick works well, and is a decent way to "pre-drain" the filter prior to removing (less mess). I guess this is for you 2.0 guys. Also, you should be able to take it off by hand if you didnt over tighten it. Make it snug. The 2.3's I believe are all cartridge filter style.

 

I know at least the 04-05 was cartridge style, though there's a conversion kit available.