How to: Oil Change

[J4P RX]

Tools needed:
Jack - in boot toolkit
19m spanner (for FD)- in boot toolkit
Container for drained oil
New filter (Halfords will have some)
New oil
Rubber gloves (optional, but they help lots!)

All photos shown for an FD, but there more as a general illustration of what parts are the procedure will be similar on all models

Step 1.
Go and get the bits you need, when you get home the oil will be warm which is what you want it to be when you change the oil.

[J4P RX]

Step 2.
Jack the car up. Passenger side front is probably easiest as that will direct the sump plug towards the floor so the oil will come out better. It will need to be jacked up pretty high.

MAKE SURE YOU SUPPORT THE CAR WITH AN AXLE STAND PLEASE

[J4P RX]

Step 3.

Open the oil filler cap (I didnt do mine at this stage, and then paniced when I had no oil in and the cap wouldnt remove)

Put your oil catch can under the sump plug. Get the spanner, and undo the sump plug.

It will be tight, gloves give better leverage here  . Once its loosened the oil wont come out right away, you need to actually start taking it out before the oil will go everywhere. Remove the plug completly, dont lose the washer unless you have another! Oh yes, the oil might be hot so dont burn yourself.

[J4P RX]

Step 4.

Remove the old oil filter. Try to avoid cutting hands whilst doing this. It shouldnt be too tight, and with some pressure I find I can unscrew mine with the rubber glove. Its located on the passenger side towards the bulkhead for those not sure. Unforuntatly as it faces down, once its loosened oil will pour everywhere so do it quickly to make less mess.

[J4P RX]

Step 5.
Put on new filter. Before you screw it into place, get some of the new oil and wipe it around the seal of the new filter. Doing it up hand tight should be ok

Step 6.
Wait for the rest of the oil to come out the sump, though by now I recon you will have most of it.

Step 7.
Once the oil is drained, put the sump plug back into place. Remove you catching thing.

Step 8.
Lower car and remove the jack. Put the new oil into the engine now (carefully, dont spill it all like I do.  I think stealing a funnel from the kitchen will help).  Keep checking the level untill you have it full. Remember to screw the cap back on.

[J4P RX]

Thats it - oil change done. I have heard though thats its a good idea to warm the new oil at this stage and check the level again, making sure you have no leaks.

Also of note is this comment...

Its usually best to take out the plugs and crank the engine over on the starter motor until you start to see some oil pressure showing on the guage. Probably more true when using a filter thats upside down so you cant fill it with oil before you attach it.


This is here for guidance only and neither myself nor Mazda Rotary Club accept andy responsibility for anything which may go wrong

Cheers
Lee

PS - Dont drop the sump plug into the oil catchcer.  I did, and it was not fun fishing it out, plus I got covered in oil :rolleyes: :p

[venomturbine]

may a stupid question...
i read a lot articels about the engine oil

for me its a simple thing:
whats the best oil to give my FD a long live and how much is it?
thx for help

[the lemster]

I am currently using silkolene XTR 10-40 from OILMAN

though I was using halfords enhanced mineral oil 10-40

also depends whst use the car is getting used for... different applications require different oils... just like cooler or hotter spark plugs...

[Brett]

Just one other thing, purely on a safety note.  Avoid using the scissor jack for anything accept an emergency, they are prone to slipping/skidding and that can leave you very badly hurt or very dead.
 Get a trolley jack and some axel stands!
 (Not having a go Lee, just a general tip....goog god this tread was done on 2003!)

[Donato]

i have edited the post....

[J4P RX]

And I have a proper trolley jack these days  :rollin

Still need to use the scissor sometimes though to get it under the car in the first place  :p

[Brett]

That would have been too easy for me......

[Cally]

Its usually best to take out the plugs and crank the engine over on the starter motor until you start to see some oil pressure showing on the guage. Probably more true when using a filter thats upside down so you cant fill it with oil before you attach it.

Do you have to do this, as I would be unsure how to on an rx7 with it all being new to me and never having worked on one before.

[RAW]

never done it on mine and never had any problemos

[probedb]

never done it on mine and never had any problemos

Me neither on my one and only oil change so far. Started straight away no problem.