How do you replace the headlight bulb for low beam on a 2002 Mazda Protege 5?

If you still have your owners manual it shows you how to change the bulb if not you disconnect the 3 pronged plug from the back of the light and there is a metal spring that releases the bulb. Once you have disconnected those you simply take out the old bulb and put in a new one repositioning the metal spring which holds the bulb in place and reconnecting the 3 pronged plug. Voila let there be light!

Just replaced passenger side low beam bulb. 12 minutes. saved $75.

Remove one bolt holding steering fluid bottle and lift out of the way as much as you can. Take out the stopper for the windshield fluid and put aside. Get as much room as you can. Pull off the white two-wire base. It is probably stuck so fool with it until it comes off. It just fits into a two-prong black base. No strange stuff. Take off rubber shield entirely. It just fits around the black base and slides off easily. Look down at the bulb to see the black base held in with a metal cage clip. The right side has a rounded wire latch with the round side pointing down. That releases the cage. Use screwdriver, long-nose pliers, or fingers to push the round wire clip slightly toward the front of the car and down slightly. It is barely holding the cage. Move the cage out of the way. Pull out the bulb assembly and remove the bulb from the black base. Put the bulb/base assembly back into the headlight. Swing the cage back over the black base. Reattach the cage by hooking the rounded clip back under the little metal lip you took it off from. Stretch the rubber hole in the shield slightly and push over the black base and around the opening. Reinstall white wire base. Replace fluid bottle and bolt. Replace windshield funnel top. Finished! I'd advise using bulb prong lubricant to keep it from sticking in the future.