Engine Oil Change

[gone-ot]

...yes, the oil has to be pumped up and into the filter, so removing the filter (usually) only spills the oil contained within the filter itself, typically < 1 quart.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by redorchestra

can you change an oil filter without draining the oil? would it be a good idea to change the filter and top up the oil if you were going to go long intervals between changes?

It CAN be done but does it make any sense? The oil will need changing far sooner than the filter gets anywhere near plugging up.

[FXSTi]

I just noticed that the local Ford dealership puts a sticker on my windshield indicating that the next change is due inn 5000 miles when the spec for my car is 10,000 miles. Scam artists.

I wonder, would lots of eoc be considered heavy duty cycle usage or would it be considerable less since the motor runs so little?

[luvtheus]

AJ, not to keep plugging Amsoil, but they have an excellent oil analysis program which goes hand in hand with their 25,000 and 35,000 mile oil change intervals. Check out their website. redorchestra, you do not have to drain the oil to change the filter. Many people who run Amsoil for 25-35,000 miles will change their filters at half way through the oil change interval and top off the engine with the quantity of oil that their filters hold. If your oil filter is mounted vertically on the engine then it is always best to fill it with oil before installing it. That way your oil pressure will be almost immediate upon start up after the oil and filter change.

[A.J.]

Originally Posted by luvtheus

If your oil filter is mounted vertically on the engine then it is always best to fill it with oil before installing it.

I know My father always does it on his '03 Corolla.

However, it seems Mazda engineers weren't thinking about anything else other than zoom-zoom. The filter screws on horizontally on the back of the engine halfway down!!! You literally have to stick your entire arm up to the shoulder between the firewall and the engine to get to it

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by A.J.

I know My father always does it on his '03 Corolla.

However, it seems Mazda engineers weren't thinking about anything else other than zoom-zoom. The filter screws on horizontally on the back of the engine halfway down!!! You literally have to stick your entire arm up to the shoulder between the firewall and the engine to get to it

Hondas and Nissans are made that way too. I do my own oil changes and I won't buy any car that is designed that way, no matter how good a car it is.

Toyotas are easy. Open the hood, and the oil filter is right there, easily accessible.

[luvtheus]

I understand. I too have seen many cars where the manufacturer has built the car around the oil filter. I once saw a friend cut an access hole in his firewall to get to the oil filter instead of having to be a contortionist. It was quite effective and he made an aluminum cover to place back over the hole then laid the carpeting back down over it. You would never know it was there. That was way back in my high school days over 100 years ago.John.....

[GottaCruise]

AJ, with the quality of oil & filter you are using, I agree with SentraSE-R, you could extend that OCI by at least a factor of 3 or 4.

On my wife's '01 Sportage (2.0L), (second cousin to the motor in the Protege), with traveling a total of 3 miles round-trip to/from work daily, I would do an OCI every 18-24 months, as a matter of precautionary maintenance, using regular dino-based oil.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

Hondas and Nissans are made that way too. I do my own oil changes and I won't buy any car that is designed that way, no matter how good a car it is.

Toyotas are easy. Open the hood, and the oil filter is right there, easily accessible.

AFAIK, Honda's R series (base Civic) still spins backwards but their K series (CRV, Civic Si), the L-series (Jazz/Fit) and all of their modern V6's spin in the other direction and have the filter in the front. I'm not certain on the Insight.

[redpoint5]

I change my oil every year at about 11k miles. Just hit year 2 with my car, and a new Blackstone report should be on it's way soon.