Maybe I'll do my own oil change.

[freezin4]

Originally Posted by RedJellyBean

hi amalia
ok, this is how I do my oil change. no tools involved. no ramps. no getting dirty.
1) get this pump. they sell it at wal-mart too
Multi-Use Transfer Pump
2) get some 1/4" plastic tubing (i think that diameter is right) and stick it into the dipstick hole, and put the other end into the red suction hose on the pump, and wrap it with tape for a suction seal.
3) stick the red outlet hose into an empty (oil bottle, windshield washer fluid bottle, etc)
4) pump the oil out.
5) reach under the air ducts and unscrew the oil filter; replace it with a new one.

Done!

Step 6: Add 2.6 qts of new oil

[eq1]

Is the Insight supposed to be level to do a full drain, or with the front end lifted, as on ramps?

A couple more tips: remove the oil filler cap when draining, smear some clean oil on the oil filter's rubber gasket, as well as on the filter's threads...

[gjenn12]

Just did mine 45 minutes and done

[satchel]

I remove the under motor panels each time to be sure the fasteners remain removable. Leave them and they freeze up and you end up tearing up the panels and air nuts. This is guaranteed to happen if you leave it to any garage who will lose the special bolts and substitute whatever they have laying on their bench. Besides, you get a better look at things.
With the fumoto you just use a 3/8" (I think) hose and drain it in a plastic jug. I slip a shallow metal pan under the oil filter to avoid a mess.
I jack the car up each side and use jack stands, 6" clearance doesn't let me even begin to get under the car otherwise.
You really can't trust anyone else with your car. Once you have the fumoto installed you only need a 10mm to remove the panels. I use a little air ratchet and socket and some grease or anti seize when I replace the bolts. I like Mobil 1 0/20w and the Purolator PL14612 filter.

[eq1]

Originally Posted by eq1

Is the Insight supposed to be level to do a full drain, or with the front end lifted, as on ramps?...

To answer my own question, btw, the owner's manual says take it to a shop where they'll use a hydraulic lift - which implies that the oil should be drained with the car flat, not just with front ramps...

[eq1]

Mobil 1 seems to be widely extolled - 0w20 at walmart, 5 quart jug, goes for something like $25. The best deal I've seen, plus you have enough for 2 oil changes and don't have the waste of single-quart bottles. NAPA Gold oil filters were widely extolled by Miata owners (when I had a Miata), while Fram were panned. I stick with the NAPA golds, 1365 or 1356; 1365 is the stock for Insights, but the 1356 for the Miata fits -- it's a little longer so has more filter area, holds/filters more oil, so presumably would do a better job. Probably doesn't matter. You'd need a tad more oil for a single oil change if using the larger filter...

[Willie Williford]

'96 model?

Very rare!

Willie

[amalia]

Originally Posted by satchel

I remove the under motor panels each time to be sure the fasteners remain removable. Leave them and they freeze up and you end up tearing up the panels and air nuts. This is guaranteed to happen if you leave it to any garage who will lose the special bolts and substitute whatever they have laying on their bench. Besides, you get a better look at things.
With the fumoto you just use a 3/8" (I think) hose and drain it in a plastic jug. I slip a shallow metal pan under the oil filter to avoid a mess.
I jack the car up each side and use jack stands, 6" clearance doesn't let me even begin to get under the car otherwise.
You really can't trust anyone else with your car. Once you have the fumoto installed you only need a 10mm to remove the panels. I use a little air ratchet and socket and some grease or anti seize when I replace the bolts. I like Mobil 1 0/20w and the Purolator PL14612 filter.

Hey, thanks. Very helpful.

[amalia]

Ok, I got the fumoto oil drain plug 106n. Is that blue washer that comes with it the best one to use or is there a better one since this will be on indefinitely?

[aisbell]

Originally Posted by amalia

Ok, I got the fumoto oil drain plug 106n.

You can attach a section of plastic tubing to the nipple of the Fumoto valve to help guide the draining oil to a container.

Originally Posted by amalia

Is that blue washer that comes with it the best one to use or is there a better one since this will be on indefinitely?

Use the blue washer. However, the threaded length of the Fumoto is too short to engage enough oil pan threads to avoid potentially stripping the soft oil pan threads. The solution is to unbolt the small steel plate that is attached to the oil pan through which the drain plug is inserted. Then screw in the Fumoto with its blue washer which, with the plate removed, will seal directly against the magnesium oil pan thus allowing a few more Fumoto threads to engage those in the oil pan.