According to Mazda 3 Revolution, you can change the oil in all Mazda 3 models with 2.3 liter or 2.5 liter engines and Mazda 3 vehicles up to 2009, using 4.25 quarts of API service grade SL or SM motor oil. Check your owners manual for any Mazda 3 models newer than this because it may require SM oil rather than SL oil. Kwik-Fit reports that, for higher mileage cars, an oil change should be performed every 12 months.
Apply the handbrake. Put the car into first gear. Raise the car to access the undercarriage using a manual-operated jack. Insert safety stands beneath the raised car at each jacking point.
Access the engine by opening the hood (bonnet). You can open the hood manually by lifting a catch under the lip of the hood or by engaging the small lever or latch somewhere inside the vehicle, around the dashboard. Mazda 3 cars can have both, so check you particular car. Remove the plastic covering by lifting the two back corners.
Go underneath the car. Remove the 10 mm bolts that hold the plastic cowling in place, using the 10 mm socket. There are seven bolts located in the front and on each side at the back of the cowling.
Remove the two plastic pins that hold up the cowling, using the flat head screwdriver. Remove the cowling. Put the cowling aside to free up space.
Place the drain pan under the drain plug and remove the plug using the 17 mm socket. The oil will come out quickly at first. Wait until the oil stops dripping before removing the pan. Replace the plug.
Unscrew the oil filter drain plug using the 6 mm hex head socket. Use the 76 mm filter wrench to remove the oil filter cartridge and have the pan ready for any remaining free oil which will drip out. Replace the 2 O-rings and oil them for added lubrication. Clean the components with a dry cloth.
Put in the new oil filter. There is no right way up. Tighten it against the spring tension. Reinstall the filter housing drain plug using the torque wrench and 6 mm hex socket. Tighten to 10 n-m. This means Newton meters, which is a measure of force you apply to the filter via the torque wrench. Each torque wrench has a rating or force range written on it, or in the information pack that is bought with it. Refix the cowling.
Add 4.25 quarts of API service grade SL or SM motor oil to the engine. Check the oil level using the dipstick. Lower the car back to the ground and recheck the oil level.
