[sm=ts.gif].....Do you need to buy oil filter cartridges MAZDAPart#L321-14-302-9U for your M3/M6 (2.3)[sm=smiley25.gif].....the best place iseBay, forget about the Dealer.I bought 8 brand new Mazda filters cartridgescomplete with "O" rings for $35.00, shipping included. Not bad compared to $8 each or maybe more at Mazda dealers....[sm=smiley20.gif]

 

What are thepros/cons(besidesd needinga special tool)to the cartridge style vs standard spin?

 

Standard spinfilters arefaster to replace, just unscrew the oldused filterwith a strap wrenchand screw the new one on...

In the other hand,the cartridge is basically the same but takes a little bitmore time....

First you have toloosen the oil filter drain plug with a 6.5mm Hex Key,then you have to loosen the filter cover with the special 76mm tool or socket wrench after that,remove the oil filter drain plug and drain the oil, once the oil is drainedremove the oil filter cover compleately and change the cartridge and the"O" rings on the filter housing and the drain plug.
Finally re-install everything making sure the cartridge cover and the cartridge cover drain plug are torque to specification to avoid leaks..

 

I always do my own oil changes in my Mazda3 (every 3K miles) which is very often because of my commute, but I'm getting tired of removing those 7 bolts and the 2 plastic pins holding the cowling in placeand then putting it back together over and over just to remove the oil filter element and change oil.
This might be a dumb question but....do I really need this cover/cowling under the car? I'm sure is OK to drive without it? I alsounderstand is to protect the engine from debrisbut after all, lots of cars don't have this covers under the engine and they seems to be running fine.

 

I got 5 filters and the filter wrench from Med Center Mazda (site Sponsor) for $25, and I bought over $100 dollars so Shipping was free.

 

Hey, what a coincidence! I have the same color Mazda3 and also the same color and style truck with the only difference that my truck is a black Dodge Ram 1500 Sport

 

Not sure about 2006, but my daughter's 2007 has the oil filter under the front of the engine. There is a big plastic shield that you have to remove to get at it. Also, there is a hole in the shield that looks like it should line up with the filter, but does not. You have to remove 8-10 screws to get the shield off.
Her car (2.3 liter Sport package) has a cartridge filter and you need to remove a "cover" to replace it. I would suggest getting the correct wrench for this cover from the dealer or an auto parts store because it is a bear to get off without it. I did it twice by clamping a hose clamp around it and gently tapping the clamp with a hammer, but I don't recommend that method. I just recently bought the wrench at the dealer.
I also have a 2007 Mazda3, but mine is the 2.0 liter Touring package. I am just about to do my first oil change and the filter is the old canister style.
I hope this helps. Good luck.

 

Do all you2.3 drivers remove the undershield whenyou change the filter? I'd be interested in hearing from someone who changes it without removing the undershield.

I've watched oil changes occur at a Mazda dealership, I have never seen the undershield removed - was it just a crazy quirk that I never saw changes being done on 2.3 engines?

 

I cut a 4" hole in the shield under the OF and I don't have to remove it any longer.