Well I am on my second oil change for my 3 and it is a pain in the ass. One reason I do not trust oil change places to change my oil.

This is not a bitch but We have to remove 7 bolts and two plastic pins to get to the oil filter. Well when I work on my cars it is done on a beer factor. how many beers it takes to perform a job. Oil change on the Mazda 3 is a 3 beer job. Makes since Mazda 3 and 3 beers even steven when you do the math. 1 beer to take it apart and 1 beer while you drain the pan and filter. 1 more beer before you get it done while filling the crank with new oil.

3 Beer job but if I can make it a 4 beer job if I include it takes the time to drain my oil into a gallon jug and clean it all up and then call it done.

The wifes CRV was a 1 beer job so all in all I got both cars done in a 5 beer period of time including clean up of all the tools and old oil drained into gallon jugs.

Hahahaaa...funny you say beer. See my how-to:

http://www.coloradomazdaclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164

I have the dealer do them until the warranty is out. Then I do them myself.

I do my own. I don't want the stealership getting an eye on my engine bay while my warranty is active.

I don't own a 3, but I do my own unless I'm feeling lazy. It's a pain in the ass to get to the filter on my 4runner, and most other 4x4s are the same way. However, it's now having an electrical problem after having my oil changed at Grease Monkey today...don't know what those guys did but the brake lights stay on all the time now. Not like I can prove they did something though...shitty situation. Moral of the story, change your own oil! (Dealership shouldn't be a problem though)

Changing your own oil doesn't void a warranty.

My RX-7 is about the easiest car to change the oil on. The filter is right out in the open in the top of the motor. The only problem is the put it upside down so if I pull the filter too fast than oil goes everywhere.

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Right now, I lean toward the "don't" category, as I don't have space to do it.

I have never paid anyone to change the oil on any of the cars under my care in my 14.5 years of driving.

I hear that! I've always changed my own oil. I don't like anyone else touching my car unless I'm there with em and they have permission.

I actually change my own oil and I haven't had an issue. It is also the first car I have ever changed my own oil with so I guess I didn't know it could be any easier lol

i change all the oil self.

I change the oil from my Turbo all 5.000 km, and i use Liqui Moly Race Tec 10W - 60



All other cars i change the oil about 20.000 km.

i do my own oil change

MazdaTom wrote:I have never paid anyone to change the oil on any of the cars under my care in my 14.5 years of driving.

They never got mad at you for not paying them after the work was completed?

LOL Just messing with you.

I've always done my own oil changes too...along with engine rebuilds, suspension, brakes, fuel upgrades, turbo swaps, and anything else. The only thing I haven't done (other than rolling my fenders) is body work and paint, cause I suck at it haha, and I learned that while rolling the fenders haha.

I've been changing oil for 32 years. I enjoy the break on the Mazda5. It is a rediculous procedure. I think I'll modify the plastic protective cover when I decide to do it myself. I have enough fun with my brother-in-law's truck and my Spitfire.