Oil Change DIY

[asndragonboii]

Originally Posted by Drew303

What exactly is that?

My guess is put that plastic bag over the filter so when you remove it, the bag will catch all the oil.

[Yodums]

Originally Posted by asndragonboii

My guess is put that plastic bag over the filter so when you remove it, the bag will catch all the oil.

Right on!

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by asndragonboii

My guess is put that plastic bag over the filter so when you remove it, the bag will catch all the oil.

You can use plastic grocery bags as well but in both cases you need to make sure it'll stay in place as the oil drops into it.

Does anyone have a good pic of the area? I want to see if I can chop up a milk jug like I did for my Passat.

[racerex]

Originally Posted by asndragonboii

My guess is put that plastic bag over the filter so when you remove it, the bag will catch all the oil.

Correct. Loosen the filter with an oil filter wrench and at the point where you can just turn it by hand, slide the plactic bag over the filter and slightly over the oil filter adaptor unit/oil cooler, then loosen the filter while you try to keep the bag in place over the filter and the cooler. The oil will then drain into the bag with the filter. Once you fully remove the filter it will drop into the bag along with all the oil. Just pinch the bag closed and slowly remove it......watch catching the bag on anything sharp......tear the bag and you'll get oil will get all over the place. This method works like a charm on my Si, V6 Accord, V8 Grand Cherokee and my PI Crown Vic.

[windsurf7]

Originally Posted by Camshaft2

I'm not using anymore of those crappy nylon crush washers. They are garbage. I'm sticking with the copper ones from now on.

Cam

DO NOT use the nylon washer they suck! Before I sold my truck I used one and it dripped. (the diesel holds 15 quarts!) Bought a new washer from the dealer, 5 bucks! Dropped the F'-n drain bolt in the pan while trying to do the quick swap! So learn from my mistake! Get the honda
washer. Honda parts guy gave me a handful. I use a torque wrench.

[Redleg06Si]

Originally Posted by quality_sound

You can use plastic grocery bags as well but in both cases you need to make sure it'll stay in place as the oil drops into it.

Does anyone have a good pic of the area? I want to see if I can chop up a milk jug like I did for my Passat.

Eh....no pic....but you would be hard pressed to get a milk jug in there, even if it was cut up. I tried to get a think tupperware in there and it didnt fit...not enough clearance between the axle and the filter

[kenfirch]

Okay, my first post here, and I just changed the oil in our 07 Civic EX last night with 2147 miles on the odometer. I just couldn't wait any longer regardless of the "break-in oil" Honda used. Went with Mobil 1 5W-20 and Mobil 1 filter. Just a few notes without repeating what's already been said:

• Ramps - Use 2 x 6 x 3' boards placed on ramps to provide transition halfway up the ramps.

• Oil Draining - Used my hand pump oil extracter from Griot's. Got this thing last Christmas from my son, and it didn't work in my 89 Toyota pickup or 96 Saleen Mustang, but works perfect for the Civic! Removed dipstick from hot motor, pushed tube down to bottom of oil sump, and pumped a dozen times. Took about 5 minutes to suck the oil out without removing the drain plug. Just to verify that it actually got all the oil, I removed the drain plug, and nothing else came out. Actually, I think the tube will settle the in a low spot near the drain plug and may have gotten more oil than by draining. And you don't have to worry about the crush washer, stripping the threads, mess, etc.

• Purchased an oil filter magnet. I've never used one before, but it kinda makes sense. Plus it's cheap, and can't hurt!

My 2 cents....Ken

[projekt1]

Originally Posted by kenfirch

Okay, Went with Mobil 1 5W-20 and Mobil 1 filter. Ken

x2

[shutter13]

changed the Si's engine oil today (last week was MTF)

and i thought the oil filter wasnt too bad.. i wouldnt call it convienent... but i had it unscrewed within a minute.. there is no need to take your wheel off! just get under the car and get your arm up there... be careful of the hot exhaust though - its very close

[macnred]

great advice everyone ,
i find this site very helpful when you have questions that need answers

[mdenning]

ok, what kind of oil filter wrench are you guys using?

ive tried 3 different types/sizes, and all are too big for the honda si filter. getting tired of running back and forth from the store. any idea? the last time, i bought the smallest one they had, still too big (barely).

[Jackson334]

Originally Posted by mdenning

ok, what kind of oil filter wrench are you guys using?

ive tried 3 different types/sizes, and all are too big for the honda si filter. getting tired of running back and forth from the store. any idea? the last time, i bought the smallest one they had, still too big (barely).

+1

what size? 65mm?

[AllShowNoGo]

man for those of you who kept saying the filter was a biznitch to get off, you guys weren't kidding! that filter was a pain in the f*ckin @$$ to get off! my kitchen gloves method did not work at all....even taking the plastic clips off didn't really help. the oil filter wrench is worthless on the Si's (if anybody wants it, you can expect to find it in my trash can literally). so i finally tried the screw driver/hammer method. it works wonders =)

not too happy about the oil on my driveway, but nothing that carberator (spelling?) cleaner can't get out.

[mike c]

I just changed mine tonight as well, the filter is a pain in the @$$ to get ahold of. The OEM honda one has a slightly rounded end on it that one of those wrenches won't stay on. Be prepared to get some large plier/vise grip things in there to just bend it all up to get some leverage, or drill the screwdriver into it and let the oil drain and twist it off that way.

Who is at Honda putting these damn things on, anyway? Have they ever thought about putting them on at the correct torque? They are so damn tight it's crazy!

Anyways, glad to be done with it.

[Jay4dnb]

i was told by the dealer that i should not do my first oil change until the little oil light comes on and oil life is at 0%, i was a little skeptical...I am at about 4500 miles and oil life is at 30%, should i be getting it changed now? Was the damn dealer wrong?

[racerex]

Originally Posted by Jay4dnb

i was told by the dealer that i should not do my first oil change until the little oil light comes on and oil life is at 0%, i was a little skeptical...I am at about 4500 miles and oil life is at 30%, should i be getting it changed now? Was the damn dealer wrong?

I took mine to 15% and then made the switch to M1 snythetic. I think 15% was at around 7,500 miles. IMO, after 7.5k miles, everything is broken in pretty good. After that, I change my oil every 4k - 4.5k miles. Over my first 7.5k miles, I burned about 3/4 quart.....over the next 4.5k miles, I burned about a 1/4 quart and from them on out, I'm not burning any. I currently have 20k miles on the clock and all is fine.

[SI_Smiley]

to those who use jack stands...do u jack the car at the front center beam and place the jack stands behind the front 2 tires?

my 07 si has 4500 miles and is at 30% oil life....thinking of swapping out the dyno to synthetic this weekend.

[drahgon]

you can place the jack under the front cross member and then lower the car onto your jackstands at the factory jack points. (along the rockers just behind the front wheels)

[racerex]

^ +1

Remember to fully engage your e-brake and block the rear tires.

[sbigshot]

Originally Posted by kenfirch

• Ramps - Use 2 x 6 x 3' boards placed on ramps to provide transition halfway up the ramps.

I use this method as well, worked great with my old EX and now with the Si.

(I drove a few nails halfway in the ends of my boards and slip them into the slots/gaps in the ramps to keep the boards in place)