DIY oil change

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Apr 13, 2013
Messages
9,253
Location
FL, USA
Ok, like i said before im no mechanic, but i would like to start doing my own oil changes...wondering what supplies ill need...i want to get two ramps i found some plastic ones at oreily with a 8000 lbs limit for $40. What size oil filter wrench do i need? and do i need crush washers? where can i get those? just what all will i need to go my own oil changes. I have no supplies whatsoever
 
if your filter is an easy location to get to, i'd recommend using a pella pump instead of ramps and getting under the car.
 
Originally Posted By: gregk24
its not, i have no idea where it is i cant see it from anywhere


Look under the engine by the passenger side wheel. It's there. I use a hydraulic floor jack and jack stands on all of my cars. You will need a set of metric open/box end wrenches, oil filter wrench that fits a Honda filter (most are the same size on Hondas), drain pan, ratchet and short extension, jack and a jack stand.

You don't have to jack the tire off the ground. Just raise it about 6-8" so you can get under there.
 
If this is the Accord in your signature, the filter is on the back side of the engine sticking out horizontally, and you should be able to see it from the top side.
 
I use ramps and a jack stand. The filters are so small, I 've stopped using strap filter wrenches and switched to filter cap ones. Much easier and found at any auto store. Don't need to know the size -just get your filter at the store and then try the wrench cap on for size. Don't forget a funnel - keeps the new oil off your engine and makes pouring the old into your empty jug much neater.
 
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Ok, like i said before im no mechanic, but i would like to start doing my own oil changes...wondering what supplies ill need...i want to get two ramps i found some plastic ones at oreily with a 8000 lbs limit for $40. What size oil filter wrench do i need? and do i need crush washers? where can i get those? just what all will i need to go my own oil changes. I have no supplies whatsoever


2 big pieces of cardboard. some extra rags (anti-spill equipment)
choke the wheels for safety (AFTER you raised the front of the car)
take your time. chill. DO NOT DO ANYTHING UNDER STRESS!
don't get burn. change the oil cold for your learning curve.
DO NOT over-torque the oil plug and the oil filter.
make sure when you are under the car you know which one is OPEN and CLOSE (righty-tighty, lefty-losey)
DO NOT DRAIN THE TRANSMISSION OIL!!! it is the BIG plug in the area
make sure previous filter didn't live the old gasket behind.
oil the gasket of the new filter (a little quicker/better next time to take it off)
BEFORE you start the car, make sure the oil plug+new washer, oil filter and oil are in (IN THAT ORDER!)
take the chokes out before moving the car. parking brake also if you used it , too
listen for the car for a few minutes before moving. also check under the car before moving.
 
In addition to the above, you'll the the correct size wrench socket for the drainplug. Maybe someone who has a similar car can tell you what size it is.

As for crush washers, the dealer service dept will have them. You could probably also find them at a hardware store, alas, if you don't know the exact size you need, they won't be able to help you.
 
Honda used to have a drain plug with a 17mm hex on it, I'm not sure if that has changed though.
 
17mm wrench or 17mm socket + ratchet, either option should be around 12" long.
Crush Washers (eBay, otherwise it's a M14 *1.5 size)
64mm oil filter cup, metal, for OE Honda filters. Otherwise the generic black plastic ones that are 65mm should work.

If you're just doing oil changes, ramps and wheel chocks will suffice. However, if you plan to expand your DIY work into other items, then it is a good opportunity to invest in a quality floor jack and 4 jack stands.
 
Also, Honda uses a 14mm aluminum crush washer on the drain bolt. There's ongoing discussion as to whether they should be replaced or not.

I ALWAYS change mine with an oil change. They're so cheap to, why not?

Also, if you buy filters from the dealer/online dealer/Handa Accessories they will usually give you crush washers with them.

Honda Oil filters come in two flavors. The 15400-PLM-A01 and the 15400-PLM-A02.

A01 is made by Filtech and is generally considered to be the better of the two.

A02 is made by Honeywell (parent company of Fram) and people look down on them.

Honda considers them interchangeable and its really up to personal preference. I myself prefer the A01. Oil... pick your poison.
 
Last edited:
I prefer ramps if I cannot get under the vehicle without them. Many vehicles you can get the filter from up top. A strap or cap wrench are both fine and it somewhat depends upon what is around the filter to get in the way. Bare hands also work in some cases.

An opened up dog food bag works good to catch oil spills. You might even get a few licks from the dog looking for food.

I prefer a metal and rubber washer for the drain plug as I can reuse it. Oil-Tite makes some as do other companies. NAPA sells plain copper washers also.

Get an oil drain pan with some kind of screen top to catch the drain plug when you drop it because it was hotter than you thought. Fishing in a pan of hot oil for a drain plug is not fun.
 
I don't have an Accord, but I use two pieces of good 2x10 in place of ramps. That gives me just enough height to squeeze under most of the time (my cars anyway).

It sounds like this is your first oil change. Before you start, I would recommend you go through the motions of the change and make sure however you have the car positioned you can reach everything. This way you know where everything is and can reach the filter, as well as figure out how you'll be positioning the filter wrench if needed.

Nothing worse IMO than going to remove the filter by hand and realizing you're unable to hand loosen or that you don't have enough space for the filter wrench you got. Same goes for planning on removing the filter via the top of the car and realizing you can't actually get it out and get the new filter back on via the top.
 
Last edited:
I agree with the idea that you may not need ramps to change the oil on this car. I change the oil on an '05 Accord 2.4 and just drive the front wheels up on some stacks of newspaper or a couple of boards from the bargain bin.

The filter is on the back of the engine and it will spill oil on the front sub-frame and the passenger driveshaft. I always do the filter from the bottom but you can see it from the top also. I usually just slide under the car from behind the drivers front tire, and reach up with my right hand to reach the filter.

I know I should, but I have yet to replace the crush washer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom