About to do first oil change

[lumper]

So, before I actually do the oil change, I wanted to get a little more familiar with what I would have to do to access the drain plug, and oil filter.
I see there are 6 or 8 screws or bolts to remove the plate that covers that section of the engine.
I haven't worked on any Hondas or Acura's before, so I am not yet familiar with the common things most other DIY owners would be.
It looked like half the screws were Philips or start heads and the others I couldn't tell, can anyone break it down, just what do I need to remove the fasteners holding the section of the under carriage up that covers the drain plug and filter?
I have everything I need and plan to do it Sunday.
I have small ramps, my jack, drain pan, oil, filter and crush washer ready to go.
Thanks for any info.

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[ZeroGSR]

4 Phillips heads and 4 flat head half turns. For the flathead, just half turn and it should fall out. It's relatively simple, BUT, you might want to have a hand impact tool ready for the Phillips heads as a precaution. My two rear ones were basically seized in place and needed an impact tool to remove. On the CivicXI forum it appears to be "common." Hopefully you don't have that issue. For what it's worth, once mine broke free, it wasn't an issue again.

 

[creaturemachine]

Also make sure you use the right size phillips, the fat #3. It sounds like some folks used too small of a bit and rounded out the screw heads.

 

[optronix]

Before you commit completely to changing the oil right now- how many miles does your car have on it? You just got this thing less than a month ago, right?

First of all, I'm not trying to coerce you one way or the other, but as far as forum topics go, this is a pretty popular one and I feel it's only fitting that I at least attempt to make you aware so you can research on your own.

I'm also aware that "doing your own research" could have you convinced that you actually need to sacrifice 1000 lizards and use their blood for the engine oil. The Internet is a scary place.

Anyway.

Just make sure you do some due diligence because there's been arguments that it's actually harmful to change the oil so soon. Manufacturer recommendation isn't until 7k miles, if I recall correctly? I see no harm in jumping the gun a little early, especially if you're hard on it with track events, etc.... just encouraging you to do a little research is all because at best changing so early is an unnecessary expense, at worst it could actually be harmful...

NOt to say I actually believe that, but it's been brought up before.

 

[bvanlieu]

Won't hurt it, but the factory fill isn't magic nor is it trashed. Changing it with what I am guessing is in the 1-2K mile range, is really a waste of $ and when you were getting your car, deal/cost/extras was certainly something discussed was it not?

I'm with you on not wanting to do 10K OCI on a high perf turbo 4 (though at least the sump is decent at 5.7qt, not 4), but I'm more in the 5-6K head space myself with a good 0w20. I just picked up some M1 EP on sale at wally world for a stash.

I do enjoy working on regular maintenance on my cars and oil changes feels like you are doing something good, so I am a tad ansy to do it, but will wait the a few more months.

Also, by waiting it out, I save some coin which helps offset the Ti knob I put in which I do really prefer over the stock .

Happy wrenching.

 

[SocalDE5]

Does anyone know If the oil life % is resetable in the menu? I have not explored that yet

 

[crepr12]

Hopefully OP you wont have a stray knut fall out when you remove the undertray...Nothing special about changing the oil in the Type S

 

[StingertimeNC]

Does anyone know If the oil life % is resetable in the menu? I have not explored that yet

Yes, you can do it yourself.

 

[ChromaPop]

Looking at your list of items you have for the job I have two words for you, Jack Stands.

 

[egxflash]

I see no harm in jumping the gun a little early, especially if you're hard on it with track events, etc.... just encouraging you to do a little research is all because at best changing so early is an unnecessary expense, at worst it could actually be harmful...

NOt to say I actually believe that, but it's been brought up before.

I said almost this exact same thing in another post OP made about this impending oil change and he laughed at me so I’m going to say your advice is, at best, going to fall in deaf ears.

 

[lumper]

I said almost this exact same thing in another post OP made about this impending oil change and he laughed at me so I’m going to say your advice is, at best, going to fall in deaf ears.

I didn't laugh at you, I said I thought it was hilarious that people think an oil change can be a bad thing, I have never heard of such a thing in my 55 years of car ownership.

I have always broken in my cars, trucks and even motorcycles the same way, I go 1k miles, then change the oil and filters, inspect everything and move on to a 5k interval cycle.
I appreciate your input, I just found it funny is all.
I didn't mean to come across as directed at you, sorry if that came out wrong.

I am at 1200 miles, I was going to do it today, but decided to wait until next weekend, so I can buy a new low-profile jack first, my jack is beat and missing half the handle, it would be difficult at best with my current jack, so I'll wait, and then I will likely have closer to 1500 miles when the time comes.
This is how I have broken in a dozen or more vehicles, all of my cars, trucks and bikes run hundreds of thousands of miles without issues, my current daily's have 248k and 178k miles on them and both run perfectly.

 

[lumper]

Before you commit completely to changing the oil right now- how many miles does your car have on it? You just got this thing less than a month ago, right?

First of all, I'm not trying to coerce you one way or the other, but as far as forum topics go, this is a pretty popular one and I feel it's only fitting that I at least attempt to make you aware so you can research on your own.

I'm also aware that "doing your own research" could have you convinced that you actually need to sacrifice 1000 lizards and use their blood for the engine oil. The Internet is a scary place.

Anyway.

Just make sure you do some due diligence because there's been arguments that it's actually harmful to change the oil so soon. Manufacturer recommendation isn't until 7k miles, if I recall correctly? I see no harm in jumping the gun a little early, especially if you're hard on it with track events, etc.... just encouraging you to do a little research is all because at best changing so early is an unnecessary expense, at worst it could actually be harmful...

NOt to say I actually believe that, but it's been brought up before.

You are the second person to say this, I find it confusing, how can an oil change be bad?
I am waiting until I can get a new jack next weekend, so probably around 1500 miles when I am able to do it.

 

[optronix]

You are the second person to say this, I find it confusing, how can an oil change be bad?
I am waiting until I can get a new jack next weekend, so probably around 1500 miles when I am able to do it.

Yeah so take it with a grain of salt- but some have claimed that Honda uses special oil additives from the factory to help with break in. I think there was another theory out there too but can't recall exactly what it was... in any case I don't think any of these conspiracy theories have been proven or disproven.

It's more just a waste of resources is my warning to you. I can't really fathom a reason it would be necessary this early on, but ultimately it's your decision. Do what you're comfortable with.

 

[egxflash]

I didn't laugh at you, I said I thought it was hilarious that people think an oil change can be a bad thing, I have never heard of such a thing in my 55 years of car ownership.

I have always broken in my cars, trucks and even motorcycles the same way, I go 1k miles, then change the oil and filters, inspect everything and move on to a 5k interval cycle.
I appreciate your input, I just found it funny is all.
I didn't mean to come across as directed at you, sorry if that came out wrong.

My remark was probably snarkier than it should've been.

Anyway, at best, it seems to be wasteful practice. The more this keeps getting brought up, the less I believe there's this special break-in oil that's in the initial fill. I made a decision though on the handful of oil analyses I've seen on here (and some for different cars) that shows there's no harm done to the engine taking it to a reasonable OCI.

That being said, I bought into the hype when I got my last vehicle and changed the oil out at 1k. I switched to Mobil 1 at the same time though and I've been with M1 for that vehicle since.

 

[lumper]

Yeah so take it with a grain of salt- but some have claimed that Honda uses special oil additives from the factory to help with break in. I think there was another theory out there too but can't recall exactly what it was... in any case I don't think any of these conspiracy theories have been proven or disproven.

It's more just a waste of resources is my warning to you. I can't really fathom a reason it would be necessary this early on, but ultimately, it's your decision. Do what you're comfortable with.

Now that I understand, yes, it is unnecessary and wasteful, no doubt.

But for me it is about peace of mind, as I said, I have done this with new Fords, Harleys, Nissans, etc..
I think this idea that it is detrimental is probably from a place of waste, and not wanting to waste money, oil or time.
But if it isn't hurting anything, it is my money, my time and my car, so I will do with it what I feel is best.
To me, an oil change after the break in has always been standard, you inspect the filters for metals, look at the oil coming out etc..
If others are comfortable waiting for 5k or 10k that is up to them.
I am not.
At the very worst-case scenario, I would wait for 5k, but I'm not doing that for break in.

I want the car to run as well as it can, for as long as it can, and maybe it is unnecessary, but to me, it is how I do it. I think new oil runs cooler smoother has its full viscosity, etc.

If they added some additives, they are going to be lost at the first oil change anyway, why do we believe that if we wait 4k more miles somehow that would be better?
I just don't buy it.

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