2002 Mazda Protege

1. Raise and support vehicle
2. Remove passenger side splash shield.
3. Remove O2 sensor connector. (Front sensor, sensor can stay in the manifold, just unplug the connector)
4. Remove front exhaust pipe from exhaust manifold.
5. Remove oil pan bolts.

***If I may ask, what is wrong with the drain plug? Is it stripped, or just being plain tight son of a gun?***

plug STUCK! Couldn't even move with a pipe wrench! Starting to round-over so quit trying. Going to change oil by suction tool in dip-stick tube.

You have two options. 1. Spray PB Blaster around the neck of the plug. Wait a few minutes for the catalyst to loosen around the thread.

2. If you have a small torch, you may heat up the bolt to about 200 degrees F. Then you will need to use a Vise Grip (bigger is better for easy grip and more torque), lock it tightly around the bolt and remove (pull instead of push). Make sure that you put the strength and torque parallel to perpendicular to the plug bolt. You will need to replace the plug.