Oil Changes

[JustinGray]

First oil change ( that i am gonna do myself, no the first since i got it, but that would have to be some kinda record)... Manual says you need a special honda tool, its just a strap wrench right?


Anyones thoughts on Synthetic vs Organic Oils..... i can decide, cause im cheap but i love my car!! So torn!!

Thanks for the help

[Corey872]

I routinely change my own oil...don't know what "special tool" the manual recommends. I just use a plain old wrench to loosen the drain plug and a wal-mart special strap wrench to loosen the filter. The filter is a little pesky because it is up behind a piece of aluminum...maybe some other type of wrench would reach it better?

As far as synth vs dino oil...you are treading pretty close to religon there. I'm fairly sure you will get many arguments for both sides. I have run several (non honda) cars to 160,000 mi plus on nothing more than regular dino oil changes. They still weren't burning any oil when I sold them. But, I run Mobil 1 in my Insight and B16 powered CRX. I figure engines are relatively expensive and oil is relatively cheap. Plus the CRX engine rev's to 4K RPM at 75 MPH so it is putting quite a few strokes on the cylinder per mile. The insight, by contrast, is spinning at quite a lower rate.

In the end I would say run what ever quality oil you feel comfortable with and can afford.

[boogetyboogety]

Mobil 1 all the way.

30 year user. Hundreds of vehicles (a fleet manager in another life). Never a failure. Torn-down engines looked new after 100,000+ miles. I mean, every time...

Like Corey872 said, I'm treading pretty close to religion. Superstition, even. But I have to go with my experience. Miraculous stuff. If Gilligan and the Skipper had had Mobil 1 on that stoopid island, they probably would have been able to save themselves a lot sooner ...

[b1shmu63]

Go with synthetic. It is not worth messing around with cheap dino oil. Synthetic saves on gas too so there really is no significant cost to use it. Starts better in the cold too.

[bretthans]

I think the special tool allows the filter to be removed and installed more easily without removing the aluminum undertray.

I always remove the aluminum undertray and the plastic panels all as one piece. The 2 plastic rivets come out if you (carefully) pry the center loose (not all the way out). The center part is what causes the rivet to expand and be secure. This way the filter is within easy reach and I have no puddles of oil on the undertray. Also, I can shake any sand and debris off of the panels.

I'm sure the rivets will wear out at some point from repeated insertion/removal, but I haven't seen it yet after a half dozen changes.

I would guess you're very likely to find that the dealer or quick lube place overtightened it (like they seem to do with everything), so you will probably need a strap wrench. I never need it since I tighten the filter by hand. It should only be at most about 3/4 turn past seated; any tighter risks damaging the gasket on the filter and causing a leak.

[cakley]

pela 6000, plastic bag, mobil 1 oil, 2000 model civic supertech filter from walmart.

Never even jack the car up. Just use the pela 6000 to remove the oil, put the plasic bag on the bottom area around the oil filter and remove the filter, put larger civic oil filter on, install oil.

If you do your own oil changes and have strong grip then you don't even need the strap wrench.

[Resist]

The only thing that makes synthetic oil better than dino oil is its tolerance for heat. Synthetic gets dirty in the same amount of time dino does. Others here have posted improved gas mileage when using synthetic oil. I'm still using dino so I can't comment on that.

Hi JustinGray:

___Might I suggest you purchase your own oil (of whatever type) and filter (of whatever type) and bring them into your Honda dealer for the change. If they strip that oil drain bolt from the Insight’s magnesium pan, it’s there few hundred bucks down the drain, not yours … Besides, I bring in 3 Qt’s of Mobil1 Synthetic 0W-20 and a Walmart purchased SuperTech filter (< $14.00) into my local Honda dealership and $9.36 later including the crush washer, my oil is changed and I didn’t remove a single aero cover, place her up on ramps, have to dispose of any oil or filter, and it registers in my Insight’s Honda dealership maintenance records. I hope your local Honda dealership offers as great a deal as that as well!

___In regards to Mobil1 0W-20 synthetic, the only reason I use it is because it has the lowest Kinematic viscosity of any 0W-20 or higher viscosity oil you can purchase. You receive the many protective features of full blown synthetic (lowered viscosity breakdown over time) and the increase in fuel economy (however slight it truly is) with its use. In terms of longevity, any good 5W-30 Dino based oil changed at the recommended intervals or before will give your ICE a longer life then the pack will ever see in all reality.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:1gj3avfm]Waynegerdes@earthlink.net[/email:1gj3avfm]

[Resist]

I am amazed at how many of you don't change your own oil. It's so freaking easy in this little car. I get mine done in less time it takes a dealership to do it. With the money I save, I treat my sweetie to dinner and a movie.

[JustinGray]

Just thought since i asked, i would share my decision and my findings.

After a long and careful thought process i have settled on doing my own oil change with Mobil 1 0 w 20 synthetic.

I can not bring myself to trust the monkeys at the local quick lube center. And i have seen the morons that Pep boys highers do some real damage.
The dealership around her was like 20 bucks. So i am going to do it. Wont take long anyway.

I choose mobil 1 for two main reasons. I was able to get it a little cheaper on sale, and i love my car to much to not give it the best. Even though i will change the oil every 3000 miles and synthetic isnt really necessary for such a small, low HP engine... its nice to have the low kinematic viscosity and piece of mind