Picking up a 2011 Civic DX-VP today!

[SLCraig]

In find the filter location is a bit annoying on the R18.
Not in a sense its accessible from the front which is great, but that it has an aluminum "shield" that makes it hard to get a good twist on the filter. I had a bit of a hard time getting the first filter off. Now that my filter is on there by hand I'm not worried about it anymore.

That is one cheap oil change. I just put Syntec in mine because I got it on sale, but NO WHERE near that cheap!

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
In find the filter location is a bit annoying on the R18.
Not in a sense its accessible from the front which is great, but that it has an aluminum "shield" that makes it hard to get a good twist on the filter. I had a bit of a hard time getting the first filter off. Now that my filter is on there by hand I'm not worried about it anymore.


That's why I've got a bunch of these in my tool box:

No matter how tight a filter is on there, one of these puppies will get it off quite easily!

 

[dwcopple]

I've got two of those too. Neither one was right.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
I've got two of those too. Neither one was right.


That was also my experience although I did try to get one of those that would work for me...
Patman, where do you buy yours that fit the Honda oil filters?

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig


That was also my experience although I did try to get one of those that would work for me...
Patman, where do you buy yours that fit the Honda oil filters?


Over the years I've grabbed those end cap wrenches from both Walmart and Canadian Tire. I believe they make about 9 or 10 different sizes and I've got about 5 of them, so they have fit everything so far for me. I've got a regular strap style filter wrench as a backup just in case, but haven't needed it yet.

 

[rationull]

It's the "F" size cap wrench:

http://www.amazon.com/OEM-25404-Filter-Wrench-67mm/dp/B000CMHKY0

There's also a more expensive one that College Hills Honda sells that might be "official" or something. Looks nicer but it's $20.

 

[dwcopple]

UPDATE: Over 10K on it now without a hiccup. Still averaging over 30MPG too. Checked the air filter and cabin filter out and they both look good for another 10K. This spring I'll replace the cabin one with the furnace filter trick.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
UPDATE: Over 10K on it now without a hiccup. Still averaging over 30MPG too. Checked the air filter and cabin filter out and they both look good for another 10K. This spring I'll replace the cabin one with the furnace filter trick.


Good stuff.
I have about 20K miles on mine now and the air filter and cabin filter are still original and IMO look pretty much fine. I'll probably go another 5K miles on my air filter and change it by then for good measure. I've had no issues with mine either, but I did get an alignment under warranty at the dealer, as it was a bit off from the factory. No issues otherwise though.

 

[dwcopple]

gonna hit 12K on this tank of fuel and no other service issues since the trunk lock cylinder thing. The one thing I've noticed though is that the brakes clunk on the first stop after sitting out in the cold for a while. Kind of annoying.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
gonna hit 12K on this tank of fuel and no other service issues since the trunk lock cylinder thing. The one thing I've noticed though is that the brakes clunk on the first stop after sitting out in the cold for a while. Kind of annoying.


Is it just a small click/clunk the very first time you apply the brakes going forward after starting the car or going in reverse? May be the ABS self test.

 

[dwcopple]

its the first forward stop that I notice it.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
its the first forward stop that I notice it.


If it's not a loud clunk then, more like a quiet clunk or a click, I'd bet on the ABS self test. It confounded me for a while on mine after I started noticing it, because I thought it was a noise that was happening in the exact same place in the parking lot at work. Turned out I just had very predictable driving habits when leaving that parking lot

 

[Hokiefyd]

The ABS self test should run the first time the vehicle achieves about 9 MPH after the engine is started.

If the clunk or click happens the first time you apply the brakes, and right AS you apply the brake pedal, and it also happens to be the first change in braking direction, it's probably simply the pads shifting in the caliper mounts. In theory, all brake pads will do this, but the exact fit of the pads in the mount will determine how loud the clunk is.

For instance, if you back into a parking spot and apply the brake hard enough as you back in, the pads will be "pushed" towards the top of the caliper mount (assuming a typical FWD setup where the caliper mounts forward of the knuckle). Then as you pull forward, your first application of the brake will "pull" the pads down to the bottom of the caliper mount. This is what causes the momentary noise.

 

[dwcopple]

Update: first oil change since dumping the factory fill is over 6500 miles and the OLM is at 20% life remaining. changed FF at 7K, will change this run at 7500 mi.

 

[SLCraig]

I have the brake click at first stop too, only when I've backed up out of the driveway though and come to the first stop. It sounds like the pad or pads are just shifting slightly, only happens at first stop without fail. Doesn't bother me at all honestly. Glad your car is still satisfying your needs dwcopple!

 

[jmsjags]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Update: first oil change since dumping the factory fill is over 6500 miles and the OLM is at 20% life remaining. changed FF at 7K, will change this run at 7500 mi.

what oil are you using and what kind of driving? if you don't mind me asking

 

[dwcopple]

oil was listed in first post. Citgo Semi-Syn 5w20. Purolator classic filter. I have a Pure One ready for the next OC.

Driving is mostly city as I am a traveling physical therapist assistant for the school system. I put on over 100 miles a week for work, all city drives, max distance of 7-8 miles one way. Maybe once a week we drive 60 miles round trip hgwy to my mother in law's to pick up our daughter or go to my brother in law's HS basketball game. Never had a tank less than 30 MPG. Best was 38 MPG on the tank we drove to Detroit Metro airport, left it a week, and drove home.

 

[jmsjags]

so your OLM is letting you go over 7k miles on a semi-synthetic with all city driving..interesting. does that mean that most people who average a more 50-50 mix of city/highway could go even longer? i've been doing oil changes with Quaker State Ultimate Durability at 7500 intervals. i could probably go a lot longer than that from the looks of it.