DIY Oil Change

[jimcjoy]

Hello,

Did the first oil change at 5512 miles on my Pilot . Did it all by myself and felt very proud after the job was done - no spills, no dirty floors.

Thanks to all the help from the various posts.

I used Pennzoil Platinum 5W20 and a new OEM filter. After driving for about a 100 miles, I feel the vehicle drives a lot smoother.

Next time, planning to use Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W20. Anybody used that before? Also, has anyone tried the Mobil 1 Extended Performance Oil Filters?

[rockman19762001]

I have used the Mobil 1 extended life oils.
Both the 7500 and 15000 mile versions, didnot go 7500 or 15000 between oil changes. I do 5000 (+or-) mile oil changes on the 03 Pilot. Have 80000 on it now with no problems what so ever. The oil change places charges the same for Mobil 5000, 7500 or 15000, so what ever goes in is whats on hand.

[Puppetmaster]

I just changed the oil on our 2006 Pilot (5920 miles and 5% life remaining on the maintence minder) for the first time too and wanted to chime in as well.

It was actually easier than most of the comments in other threads suggested. I used the following thread and it was a great help:

http://hondapilot.org/forums/showthr...ght=oil+change

I jacked the front end up slightly just to make more room to work with and turned the wheels to the right to access the filter. The filter is literally right there behind the wheel well and I didn't see the need to remove the front passanger side wheel. I didn't use an oil filter wrench to get it off, just some good gloves and a little bit of elbow grease did the trick. I did place a small funnel beneath the filter and loosened it bit by bit so that the oil wouldn't all spew out and I was able to get the filter out cleanly with minimal mess.

I used a 17mm socket for the drain plug and it came out fine too. The drain plug washer looked to be in good shape but I changed it anyway since all my filters came wth a new one.

Overall this was an easy DIY and the only thing I ran into was incorrectly assuming that the Pilot used 5W30 like my Nissan (of which I have 12 quarts of sitting around). I had to run out and get some 5W20, which the Costco here didn't carry, so I had to go to an autoparts store and spend a little more than I expected to ($7/quart compared to $4-$5 at Costco).

[BWPBeretta]

Always change the washer. It is an aluminum crush washer that seals. It is not suppose to be ruused.

Easy to change pilot. Used ramps the first time but then had trouble pouring oil in. Now I just turn wheel and remove plug from ground. I use a 5" high oil pan I bought at pep boys several years ago. I figure what I save allows me to change my oil more often.

[Pilot and S2]

I don't even have to jack up the pilot or use a filter wrench. I just cralw under there and I am not skinny.

[whizmo]

Originally posted by Pilot and S2
I don't even have to jack up the pilot or use a filter wrench. I just cralw under there and I am not skinny.

As I. I don't jack up the car nor even turn the wheel. Just lay on the dirty garage floor on a piece of cardboard. Once you know where the filter is, you just fish in there and get it done.

- Mark

[Nathan @ NBO]

Originally posted by BWPBeretta
Always change the washer. It is an aluminum crush washer that seals. It is not suppose to be ruused.

Easy to change pilot. Used ramps the first time but then had trouble pouring oil in. Now I just turn wheel and remove plug from ground. I use a 5" high oil pan I bought at pep boys several years ago. I figure what I save allows me to change my oil more often.

true, but re-using won't cause any problems. I've re-used honda drain bolts many many times without any leaking. But if you can I would recommend replacing it.