Oil Change '07 Accord V6 EX-L

I'm due for an oil change that I thought I'd do myself. It's the first time
for me on this car-- though I've changed my own oil for many years and a
wide assortment of cars.

The owner's manual says a special tool is needed to remove the oil drain. I
haven't crawled underneath yet to take a look-- but what kind of tool are
they talking about?

Also, is there enough room for a pretty big guy to crawl underneath without
putting the car up on ramps -- or can you reach to get at the drain and
filter?

 

Even my old 91 Civic's manual says "special tools" are
needed for an oil change. Ha. Been doing it for years with
ordinary tools. No doubt the manual is referring to an oil
filter wrench and torque wrench (for putting the oil drain
bolt on without promoting stripping). Either take your new
OEM filter to WalMart and get a good fitting one; get "The
crusher" for removing the old filter; or punch a screwdriver
through the old one (very messy, and for those of us who are
fussy in our old age, undesirable).

I bear in mind that the owner's manual lists maintenance
that ordinary people supposedly can do. It is written not
for seasoned(?) home mechanics but truly laypeople.

Use a new washer on the drain bolt, of course.

I am little and I still prefer by far putting my 91 Civic on
ramps to do oil changes.

 

The oil drain plug is probably the usual 17mm hex.

I think they specify the use of the correct filter socket on account of the
absolute paucity of working space behind this engine, where the oil filter
lives. IOW, you simply can't get anything else in there, like belt or
strap-type filter wrenches.

Hondas these days have front ends that are incredibly low to the ground.

Without raising the car, I think you'll find it literally impossible to
even get a drain pan under the car, much less manage to loosen the drain
bolt. Plus the drain plug and the filter are at the /rear/ of the engine
block. Shove a mirror under the car from behind the right-front wheel to
see what I mean.

If you want to do this yourself, bite the bullet and do it properly. That
means a proper hydraulic jack that's low enough to get under the front
spoiler, a pair of jack stands, and the proper cup-type filter socket.
Ramps won't work; the front spoiler is too low for them.

The dealer's filter socket is a perfect fit, but costs about $40. You can
get aftermarket ones (such as FloTool #5), but they have a tendency to
slip.

 

Thanks. Ya' know, you talked me out of it!

I'll take it to the dealer where I can fight with him over just doing the
required B-1 service items instead of the Dr. Zogg's Sex Wax treatment
they're pushing.

 

Isn't that what the curb is for?

Changed many pans of oil that way. Of course, the drain plug was also
offset, for reasons that I don't fully understand.

Many of the "high end" makers are now recommending vacuum removal
through the dip stick tube or even a special tube (if you pop $300K
for an AMG 600, for instance). Or, if you go REALLY high end, you
drain the tank and wash it out before putting the 20 liters of fresh
oil in. By "you" I mean the $300/hr mechanic, since "you" don't work
on your Enzo.
--
- dillon I am not invalid

When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams come true.
Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which
will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no
matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.

 

IMPORTANT tool. People die because they figure a jack will be "good
enough".

--
- dillon I am not invalid

When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams come true.
Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which
will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no
matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.

 

Safety really ought to be mentioned more often here. Good
post.

 

Common sense, really. Or so you'd think...

I rather /like/ waking up in the morning in my own bed and walking outside
under my own steam, in order to admire my work of the previous day. So I'm
careful not to let 3000-pound cars fall on me.

 

Most of my automotive mishaps (so far, of no lasting
consequence, but I have been lucky) happen after a long day
and I get sloppy or rushed. I have to remind myself how much
more clear things are after a night's rest.

 

I've always used ramps when I didn't have access to a 'pit." When I
found my little Civic was too low to use the ramps (and that the oil
filter was in the back of the engine and slopped oil when removed) I
stopped doing my own oil changes. It's well worth the $25 labor for me
to have it done.

 

depending on the filter brand you use, let the vehicle stand for an hour
or so before changing. honda filters [in my opinion, this is a quality
problem with the non-return valve] let the oil quickly drain back and
empty. you can then remove and replace with no spillage. some other
brands hold the oil for much longer.

 

I like ramps, too, when they can be used. Cars like you Civic require
special (read: expensive and rare, like
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XSPG7G?smid=A1NAZUH8N6VLCS&tag=yahoo-auto-20&linkCode=asn)
ramps that can fit under the front and - of course - ramps are no use if the
wheel has to come off. But I tend to trust ramps more than I do jack stands.
I'm a klutz at times and bumping into a jackstand with my hip always gives
me a litte zing.

Mike

 

It's the Chinese weld quality that keeps me awake at night.

-Moo

 

In the mid 70s I had an A/FD burn down around me. In 2005 I wadded up
a Formula Atlantic. I appreciate safety very much. And using the
appropriate gear to do dangerous things safely.

Did I mention I'm a scuba instructor?
--
- dillon I am not invalid

When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams come true.
Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which
will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no
matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.