Oil Change DIY

[sbigshot]

Car up on my Dad's modified ramps (the Civics are too low to drive on the ramps without the 2x6 extensions):

[SI_Smiley]

did my first oil change on my 07 SI...drain bolt was easy to loosen..it was the oil filter that gave me a hard time. what a surprise! i knew it was going to from reading the threads. i bought the "key" from walmart...plastic piece of crap in my opinion although it was the right size it kept slipping because there are too many angles on the oil filter. i turned the wheels all the way to the left and just got in there with my right hand where the axle is. i bought a special oil filter wrench where it has 3 hooks that expand and contract that attach to a ratchet. got a real nice grip from that and gave it a few tries and it popped loose. success!! bought it from pepboys if anyone wants to know. they also have it at sears too. did the freeze bag trick and it worked wonders. no spillage. i actually spilled some oil when taking the drain plug out...kinda splattered. stupid oil filter!! it was def on tight. i put in 5 quarts of mobil 1 5w-30..i know some ppl on here say 5-5.5 but the manual reads something like 4.8 so i went safe and kept 5. all in all it took almost the whole day! cuz i was running back and forth from the store for the right oil filter wrench but once it came off..it was cake. just had to wait for the oil to drain. GL to first timers on the oil change..it will take some time for sure. but success is inevitable

[candell]

Originally Posted by hobbydad

On the Si: It's almost impossible to get at the filter from underneath, here's what you do. Turn the wheels all the way right before jacking up the right corner. Inside the wheel well, twords the front, there's a small plastic panel held in place by two of the push-button plugs. Remove the two plugs, and gently pull back on the panel. You'll have the oil filter directly in front of you, with almost enough room to get two hands on it. This also gives you access to the k-member/block area where the spilled oil will be accumulating, making clean up easy as well. Should be a sinch from there. Remember, buy 6 qts. for the Si change, it should take an easy 5.5 to get you to the full mark.

+100!

2007 civic si coupe @ i spent about 40-50 minutes trying to get the filter off from behind the right wheel while having the steering wheel turned all the way to the left as others had described and it ended in frustration, so i grabbed my laptop and went outside and sat next to the car and found this post. took me like 5-10 minutes to get the filter off this way with enough clearance for an oil wrench. wish i would have found this post first as it would have saved me 40-50 minutes and a shitload of aggravation.

this method would have had me with an engine full of 5 quarts of mobil 1 EP 5w-30 ($24.95 - walmart) and mobile 1 EP filter m-110 ($10.99 - autozone) filter during my one hour lunch. from start to finish took me around 20-25 minutes doing it this way vs. the lost 40-50 minutes going from behind the right wheel.

note: called a mobil 1 lube express and they quoted me between $70-$80 for 4 quarts mobil 1 5w-30 oil change and from $90-$100 for 4 quarts mobil 1 5w-30 extended performance oil change. DIY cost $10.99 for the filter + $24.95 for 5 quarts of mobil 1 EP for a total of 25 minutes, a shower and less than $36.

thanks man!

[Harry]

I'm a little confused...after reading the first post it says to buy a washer for your drain bolt...when I did my first oil change I'm pretty sure I used a new washer for the filter and not the bolt...

[Yodums]

The washer that the dealer usually includes with the filter goes with the drain bolt, not the filter.

[Harry]

^Alright, thanks...I went brain dead for a few minutes.

[Harry]

Oh...almost forgot...how do we know what size to buy for the crush ring/washer thing?

[Yodums]

Just go to the parts dude at your dealership and ask for them. AFAIK, they're only one size from Honda.

[projek7]

Just did my first oil change tonight and all I have to say is... WHO EVER PUT THE OIL FILTER ON AT FACTORY, SCREW YOU A$$HOLE!!!!! I know it was going to be a pain reading all the posts but jeeeez, it took me forever to get that damn oil filter off on my Si.

[chrisfrofro]

ahh.. why i love working at a dealership

1. lifts
2. free oil
3. tools

oil change for the price of a filter

[RSXS3]

Is there any easy way to get the oil filter off of an SI. Last time I changed the oil, I had to take the front tire off to get to the filter. Also, are you cats finding that 4 quarts of oil tops off the engine?

[Zee]

I think taking the tire off on the SI is the only way. I had a very tough time on my CSX-S

I'll be buying one of these to see if it helps.

[Janizary]

Originally Posted by RSXS3

Is there any easy way to get the oil filter off of an SI. Last time I changed the oil, I had to take the front tire off to get to the filter. Also, are you cats finding that 4 quarts of oil tops off the engine?

Something wrong if you are only putting in 4QTs. With a filter change and a 20min drainage, 5QTs should put you exactly half-way between the dots on the dip-stick.

[Janizary]

What happened to the edit button?

My comment, above, refers to the Si. I have no idea on a R18.

[Janizary]

Also, as an FYI, my oil filter socket from my old 1992 CBr-600F2 fits the oil filter on the Si perfectly.

[SI_Smiley]

Originally Posted by Zee

I think taking the tire off on the SI is the only way. I had a very tough time on my CSX-S

I'll be buying one of these to see if it helps.

DO NOT USE THAT!!! i bought one of those from walmart and since the oil filter has a plastic lining....the key slips around the filter. basically it doesn't have a good grip. try buying the retracting claw looking thing. sorry not sure what its called but u attach a ratchet to it. works like a charm..with a little muscle.

[fishermoe14]

Originally Posted by SI_Smiley

DO NOT USE THAT!!! i bought one of those from walmart and since the oil filter has a plastic lining....the key slips around the filter. basically it doesn't have a good grip. try buying the retracting claw looking thing. sorry not sure what its called but u attach a ratchet to it. works like a charm..with a little muscle.

when i did my oil change that thing was a big help...

there is a way to get the filter out without having to take off your wheel... you pop your tool on the filter then scoot toward the back of the car a little bit more.... there is a bigger hole that you can actually see the filter throu... then snake your hands in there and unscrew the sum b!tch..

i can take pics if ya guys want... but not till tommorw afternoon....

[Zeuceone]

That's how do it^^^^^. Has anyone figured out how to keep the oil from spilling when you remove the filter?

[fishermoe14]

^^^ i think some people hold a bag underneath the filter before it starts leaking but after you can use just your hand?? idk thats the way in gonna do it next time..

[ruertar]

Originally Posted by fishermoe14

i can take pics if ya guys want... but not till tommorw afternoon....

Yes -- pics please.

I'd like to see how to do this.