oil change Honda's way ?

[Zolton]

Originally Posted by Ridge

Well, yes and no on that issue. Honda filters either come with the Honeywell label (A02)or the Filtech label (A01). Honeywell Honda filters are made by Fram with card board end caps (considered crap by many). The Honda/Filtechs (A01) are top notch Wix filters I believe. I have yet to find a Honda filter that wasn't a Honeywell in my area. Napa Gold brand are top notch Wix, so I buy those. If you can get a Honda/Filtech filter, just buy the whole case. I think all new Hondas come from the factory with a Honda/Filtech. Both my Fit and Ridgeline did anyway.

Is that correct? Is Honda using re-badged Fram filters? I just bought 6 Honda filters and sure enough the part number is A02

Sh!t.

[mugen1]

Originally Posted by Mike K

For those of us willing to do our own oil changes, how does the ridgeline compare to other vehicles for the "do it yourselfers"? Is the drain plug located in a spot where you can get a drain pan under easily? Can you get to the filter and get it off without spilling oil on the frame or garage floor? How about resetting the MM? I've got an 07 which is nearing its first service. I plan on having the dealer do this initial service (the first one is free at my dealer) but after that I would normally do my own oil changes. Any thoughts?

I highly recommend the Fumoto Oil Drain, if you are going to do the oil changes yourself. You can get them here, apparently.

Owners Club Store - Fumoto Oil Drain Valves for Honda Ridgeline

If they are out of stock and you want it ASAP, you can get them here.....

FUMOTO ENGINEERING

If you are not in a hurry, buy them from the hondaclubstore as the proceeds help offset the cost of running the forums.

[jimmychoi]

Originally Posted by mugen1

I highly recommend the Fumoto Oil Drain, if you are going to do the oil changes yourself. You can get them here, apparently.

Owners Club Store - Fumoto Oil Drain Valves for Honda Ridgeline

If they are out of stock and you want it ASAP, you can get them here.....

FUMOTO ENGINEERING

If you are not in a hurry, buy them from the hondaclubstore as the proceeds help offset the cost of running the forums.

I think they are still sold out....I will eventually get one, but since my first oil change is free, I haven't bothered purchasing yet....from what everyone on the ROC states, these are great...

[chuck401]

Originally Posted by jimmychoi

....from what everyone on the ROC states, these are great...

Way better than sliced bread, almost but not quit hardly as good as SEX.

[wrenrj1]

Originally Posted by Mike K

For those of us willing to do our own oil changes, how does the ridgeline compare to other vehicles for the "do it yourselfers"? Is the drain plug located in a spot where you can get a drain pan under easily? Can you get to the filter and get it off without spilling oil on the frame or garage floor? How about resetting the MM? I've got an 07 which is nearing its first service. I plan on having the dealer do this initial service (the first one is free at my dealer) but after that I would normally do my own oil changes. Any thoughts?

Sorry I haven't read all the posts on this thread but wanted to respond. There are some things that it's worth paying an extra few $ to just get it done. My time is worth something, Oil/filter disposal should be considered in the cost, as well as the gas to take used oil somewhere for disposal as well. I like to believe the Honda dealership disposes of these materials in an environmentally friendly way.

I pay about $29 bucks for the process when the MM will reach 15-20% (as it will be my 2nd oil change). It's worth it to me to have the records etc. on file as well.

Just my .02

Edited to add, I did read all the threads...

[mugen1]

There was a time I had the oil change done by others. Then I thought, why do that when I can do it myself? Not only to save a bit of money, but to know it was done right. I take my sweet time and actually enjoy doing it. While I'm at it, I check the condition of the other parts such as the suspension and check any damage to the undercarriage. Time is money, I understand that, but it feels good to know that I did it myself. Tinkering with the car and hanging out in the garage. I mean that's what guys do. Even if I won the lottery and had all the money I could ever want, I'd be doing my own oil changes. It's like gardening. You can hire people to mow the lawn and take care of the plants. Just the way I am..........

[Sheep]

There is an article regarding a bunch of oils, and it put them to the test. The best budget Oil was Valvoline Synthetic. It was also one of the cheaper oils. It placed forth, above it was 2 Royal Purple oils and a Penrite.

http://www.animegame.com/cars/Oil%20Tests.pdf

As far as Filters, there was a Cross Section of a Honda OEM filter against a Fram on Honda-tech (A site you should all read) and the Honda filter looked better in every way. I can't describe it in detail as I'm not an oil filter technician, but it seemed obvious which was better. Not to mention, an OEM filter plus the drain bolt washer is under 10 bucks. Come on, it's not going to screw up, ever. Don't you people love your Ridgelines?

Sheep

[arteegee]

Originally Posted by Sheep

As far as Filters, there was a Cross Section of a Honda OEM filter against a Fram on Honda-tech (A site you should all read) and the Honda filter looked better in every way.

Ironic they should compare those 2.

[Sheep]

Originally Posted by arteegee

Ironic they should compare those 2.

One of my hobbies is stereo's (Home Theater mostly) and if there is anything that I've taken from it that can help in other aspects of my life, is relevance. There may be an oil filter out there that can filter elephants out of your oil, or last for 8 years. Who cares. How long do you NEED it to last? 5000Kms. Will all the extra filtering capabilities make a huge difference? Probably not. You're just going to throw away (recycle actually) the filter anyway, why bother with something that isn't going to make a relevant difference. Like an Intake for your truck. Sure it sounds cool and looks nice under the hood, but it isn't going to improve anything useful (might even lose some torque if it's really short).

The Honda OEM filter is cheap, won't spin off, and probably has a better guarantee then Aftermarket filters. That there is reason alone to use it.

Sheep

[MrAC1980]

I can't agree more, the filter gets changed or should get changed during every oil change, that is every 3500-5000 miles? I've used the Fram filters in my past vehicles without any problems and I've run them over 200K miles. Now I get free oil changes with the purchase of the truck from the dealer so I use the Honda filters, but still have no issues using the Fram ones. A thought to those who also get free oil changes... My dealer lets me walk in, writes me a service ticket and I go to the parts counter and get the free Honda filter and washer. Than I do my own oil change using Synthetic with the Honda free oil filter. They've also offered to do the oil change for free using my own oil. But still I choose to do my own for reasons others have stated.