changing my own oil

[biododge1]

As Arnold would say----You can do it!!

[ikhoudvanu199]

well after about 4 hours, a few issues, including a 45 minute trip to the nearest 24 hour walmart at 3am(i realized after i started i had no oil filter wrench)

my insights oil has been changed!

i put 3 full quarts in. in only bought 3...after i put the recommended(by the manual) 2.6 in, i checked the level and it was only about 1/3 of the way up in between the markers. so i added the rest, no its about 2/3...

so it is definitely more likely to be 3.4 quarts total

should i go out and buy that extra quart? or is leaving it 2/3 ok?

thanks for the help guys!

[satchel]

If you put 3 quarts in you've overfilled it.

[ikhoudvanu199]

oh? i sure hope not. i really looked low with just the 2.6 quarts in...

and i ran it for a few minutes, then checked the level right after...then let it sit for a few minutes, then checked it again...and repeated...

geez, changing my motorcycles oil was sooo much easier than this, haha

[biododge1]

did you use a honda filter? Is it possible that you have the wrong dipstick?

[Willie Williford]

Make sure the "dipstick" is fully depressed (bottomed) before extracting it. That could give you a false reading.

Willie

[Leeper]

Oil level should be checked when the engine is cold, only then the oil is resting in the oil pan... when it is warmer/hot much of the oil is at the head and other paces so you will not get a correct read

[gsfent]

Originally Posted by Leeper

Oil level should be checked when the engine is cold, only then the oil is resting in the oil pan... when it is warmer/hot much of the oil is at the head and other paces so you will not get a correct read

No, oil should be checked warm.

After the car has warmed up or been driven, park on level ground and shut off engine. Wait about a minute or two (owners manual is silent, it simply says "wait a few minutes"), and then measure. Most of the oil will be back in the pan. Cold oil usually will give a false high reading.

Simple to do when fueling. Typically, by the time you prepay, select your grade and put the nozzle in, you can check the oil.

There are some cars that have very specific procedures, this car does not seem to be one of them.

If the level is within the hatched marks, generally you are fine. The difference between high and low is generally 1 quart. Since the insight has such a small capacity, it may be less the Owners Manual is silent; but if unsure, add a 1/4-1/2 quart at a time and recheck.

Regards,
Jerry

[ikhoudvanu199]

i did not use a honda filter, but it was the same part according to auto zone

i checked it a couple times today, and everything seems ok

[biododge1]

In that case-I'd bet the filter is a bit larger then OEM. But thats ok-as long as the oil is not over the upper line on the stick. Just wondering, was it a fram or stp filter?