Hi Guys,

Couple of questions for my 2012 Mazda 3 2012 (60k miles):

1) The shield protecting the oil filter from stuff hitting it from the road has come off (I had a mishap where I think it may have been damaged and come off somehow). Is it worth replacing and if so where can I buy it from online?

2) I have not replaced any fluids other than oil so are the following good enough to replace and are the prices reasonable?

a) Transmission fluid: drain and fill for $90
b) Brake fluid: flush for $90
c) Power steering: not sure how much maybe $50

Thanks!

 

Are you referring to the pan under the engine? If so it isn't there to protect the oil filter, it's there to smooth air flow under the vehicle to improve fuel economy.

FWIW, I took the pan off my 2009 Mazda3 and I'll probably take it off of our 2016 as well.

 

Hey Shipo,

Yep I guess you would call it a pan. It's basically the piece of plastic that is missing in this google pic I found:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...n-onFilter.jpg

Any opinions on the fluids I should change?

Thanks

 

I'd leave the transmission and power steering fluid alone, definitely flush the brake fluid.