The Mazda Miata MX-5 is a small sports car with a high performance engine. Every time the oil is changed the oil filter must be changed as well. The oil filter could be located on either side of the oil pan, depending on the model year. On older models around 1998 and earlier, the oil filter will be on the passenger's side and on newer models around 1999 on, the oil filter will be on the driver's side. In any case, after the oil has been drained from the oil pan, the oil filter will twist off of the engine with the help of an oil filter removal tool.
Lift the front end of the Miata MX-5 using the jack. Get under the engine and locate the oil pan drain plug on the oil pan and the oil filter on the side of the oil pan.
Slide the oil drain pan under the oil pan's drain plug and remove the drain plug using the ratchet set. Allow the oil to drain completely from the oil pan. Replace the drain plug.
Remove the oil filter using the oil filter removal tool. Connect the oil filter removal tool to the oil filter and twist in a counter clockwise motion. Pull the oil filter off of the engine.
Pour new engine oil into the new oil filter and rubber some of the new engine oil around the rubber seal on the top of the new oil filter.
Twist the new oil filter into the engine as tightly as you can twist with your hand, but don't tighten it with the wrench.
