Gonna do my first oil change!

[dirty hippie]

Whew, did it! Job was easy as expected, but took longer because I tend to take my time and since this was my first Insight oil change, I was cautious and took things slower than usual. Also I made a big mess! Couldn't find my drain pan so I scurried around looking for some sizeable buckets, bowls, whatever. I didn't think too much on the trajectory of the out pouring oil and placed the Tupperware-like container a bit off. And then when it came to remove the filter, I didn't anticipate much oil to come out. Actually a lot spilled out, but good thing I was ready (thanks to the tips here) and had a plastic bag that caught most of the oil. The generic filter that was was on there was fairly long compared to the short SuperTech filter I put in, so maybe that had something to do with all that spillage.

Overall, all went well. I was pleased that the drain plug was not gorilla tight and was easy to loosen. The filter was snug but I was able to loosen it with my hand. Installing a new filter was just as easy. Again, tightened by hand. I was really nervous about installing the Fumoto plug because of all the warnings I've reading about this precious magnesium pan, so that really put a lot of pressure on me to do it right. I first screwed it by hand. Felt some resistance, Stopped. Got nervous. Unscrewed it and tried again. When I felt resistance again, I figured it was time to use the 17mm wrench. Once I got it all the way in and snugged tight, I turned the wrench ever so slightly and slowly until it could not turn anymore.

I might have put in a bit more than 2.6 qts, but defintely under 3 qts. I was using an old Honda 1-qt bottle to measure, as I was using oil from a 5-qt jug. Checked oil, it was a tad above the 2nd hole. I then reset the MAINT LIGHT per Honda manual and drove the car about 12 miles in city and freeway. Checked for leaks at plug and filter. Dry! Checked oil level again after about 30 min. It was right at the 2nd hole.

I'm so glad that I asked questions before I did this job. I drove first to heat up the car (says it in the manual too, duh!), and I also removed the black metal plate. That thing is pretty thick and would prevent the Fumoto plug, which has fewer threads than the stock, from going all the way into the pan.

Anyway, I was wondering what you guys did to the hole that the bolt for the black plate screws into? In hindsight, I wished I'd put the bolt back in just to plug it up. I ended up putting a strip of electrical tape over it. What is the blue washer made of that came with the Fumoto plug? I used it instead of a Honda aluminum washer. Would it make any difference if one decided to use an AL washer with the Fumoto?

Silly question, but it's been a long time since I really jacked up a car. When I was jacking up the Insight, I heard creaks that sorta freaked me out at first. Sounded like maybe I was twisting the frame or something. Maybe it was the rear brakes. I dunno. Is the creaking and groaning normal when jacking up the Insight?

Anyhow, here's a pic of my wood ramps.

[DE19720]

How the heck do you guys get enough room under the car to take that panel off? I put the car on rhino ramps and I cannot even get under the car. My eyes are like 3 inches from the underside of the car. There is simply no room to see what you are doing.

[Willie Williford]

Most people use Rhino ramps and no one has complained.
If you enter underneath the vehicle via between the ramps it isn't that crowded.
You can also gain a little if you don't use a "creeper".
Are you a rather "robust" person?
HTh
Willie

[highwater]

Originally Posted by dirty hippie

Is the creaking and groaning normal when jacking up the Insight?

Yes, in my experience.
But it's not the vehicle.

Randall

[bigjim56]

My first oil change is close also, I plan on using drive on ramps. There's a "downgrade" right in front of my garage that if the ramps are positioned right, the Insight will be sitting level when on the ramps...be sure it's level for oil draining, and drain when hot...the hotter the better!

Going from Dino to synthetic also...

Copy and pasted from other thread.

bigjim56

[AbCaRed00]

I got a set of those extended length plastic ramps for about forty buck and they work great for my mesomorph frame. Great for lots of stuff in the area. Next thing you may comfortably attempt is a transmission fluid change [or check out the rear mount] as needby]which along with a long funnel you can make yourself or buy is also made easy with the ramps too. A lot easier for some jobs than a jack and stands. For a wheel chock one of those wood blocks or a concrete block would do.
btw: Safety cones a nice addition.
Here's the engine lubrication reference from the manual.
For any fresh spills kitty litter ground into the spill with the boots can help sweep it up and lift it; and rags vs. plastic works better to absorb the drops from the filter that miss the cut up milk jug.
If when draining the oil you don't see any shiny bits in the stream that's good.
If the used oil eventually finds it's way to a recycling depot all the better and excellent job.

Now you have the Fumoto drain valve all you need is to attach a plastic hose to the nipple to drain to an appropriate container and only worry about catching drips from the filter. The entire job can be done relatively easy without lifting the car now via accessing the filter from the top after removing part of the air intake.
____________________________
[p.s. like the turkey/utility aluminum roast pan idea as an underpan; maybe light in terms of burst strength, but would smooth out the air which will help for all the freeway stuff where you're at.
fwiw: I used a disposable aluminum turkey roast pan as a shroud around my catalytic converter to duct warm air for a higher IAT. Works great for cheap with some taped up duct hose.]