I got my 6 its first oil change at a quick change type place. They charged me $25 to take off the skid plate to get to the oil filter and plug. That's on top of what I paid for the oil change. It couldn't have taken them more than 5 minutes total to unscrew the plate and put it back on. I have an '06. Anybody else experience a shop charging extra to take off this skid plate? I'm definitely going to another place for the next oil change.

 

hmm, i've never heard of such a thing. but i can see how that would be an inconvenience for them, especially at the 15 minute oil change stations. now i'm curious to go check out an 06 for that reason... i was unaware mazda started doing that.

 

My dealership does it in about 20 minutes and I only pay $28.00 total. I just feel more comfortable taking it to the dealership rather than one of those other places. I've had bad experiences there.

 

I agree, of course you can get an oil change quick and cheap but you'll have a better piece of mind doing it through the dealership. They use their own oil (Mazda) and who knows what type of oil they are putting in your ride when you take it somewhere else. I paid $10 for an oil change once but I felt better paying $30 knowing the change will be better. Never heard of a skid plate, I'm curious to know what that is. Personally i think they are just trying to get more money off you.

 

I cut two 6" holes in my skid plate...one to access the oil drain plug, the other to access the filter. No need to remove the plate to do an oil change anymore.

Also converted my filter to spin-on. No more messy cartridge filters.

Mark in MA

 

I've never been charged extra at the local Valvoline shop. That plastic "skid plate" is for proper aerodynamics under the car.

 

I pay about $20 for my oil changes at the dealership I go to.

 

I am a "DIY"er and go the K&N canister way with good oil... costs me $15 USD for total setup. ANd the labor fees are just me getting up to turn on the radio and loosen up a few screws followed by the reverse process of putting everything back together! haha

 

I used to do that when I worked as a Lube Tech at Car Dealerships but now Im lazy so I go get it done...

 

skid plate? i have an 04' 6s........................everything is easily accessable...........did they make that change on the new ones? didnt even know