I can say that a 2012 Mazda 3 is (extremely surprisingly) the easiest (other than putting in on ramps so I can squeeze under it) vehicle I’ve ever changed oil on. They got the oil filter directly over top of the drain plug so you don’t even have to move yourself or the drain pan, it’s really quite beautiful. I’ll find out about a 2017 Mazda CX-5 here soon.
Discussion
This is a 2000 Honda Accord. Ramps for sure. The filter is just a bit of center of the plug so oil gets on the exhaust.
At least it’s not a 93 Ford Ranger with the 3.0 V6….filter was directly above the starter, you risked getting shocked just trying to reach the filter, and then you had to turn the filter almost all the way over to get it out, draining oil from the block and the filter itself all over the starter. Good times.
Funny one of my AMSOIL dealer buddies made fun of me because I don't change my own oil... So I set out to do a change in my f150 so I didn't need ramps... I started pulling out all my tools, rags and containers. Then I said what the heck...for $15 I can carry my oil to one of my accounts and let them do it... Was pretty cool they turned in a $1,000 while I was there. So I made money doing it! True story. Lol.
Yeah, oil change prices around here run like $60, meanwhile I can get 5qts and a filter for like $25, so I save the cash. I also don’t trust most of the lube places around here too much.
Hell, a dealership nearly ruined my mother in laws 2020 Kia cause they forgot the damn 710 cap, she blew oil out all the way home and didn’t realize until her husband smelled burning oil. They checked the garage and the garage was full of smoke lol
Dealerships can be sketch... I have to bring one quart less than required and tell them I will top up at home, otherwise they overfill every time. #AMSOIL hangs up in the engine longer and they normally don't let it drain completely (like for 30 minutes) and then put in the normal amount of oil. When I get home and let the engine cool it's overfilled. I guess most people don't care. One thing about DIY maintenance is you know exactly what is going on.