HR-V and an oil change

[BarCodeBlack]

Hi all,

After purchasing my HR-V VTEC a few months ago with only 17,000 km on the clock, I'm considering doing an oilchange for piece of mind. I understand the car had just been given the 15,000km service, but I cannot be confident of the workmanship that was done. An example of this is when I checked the airfilter and couldn't believe how filthy that thing was, so I have now purchased and replaced it myself.

Not meaning to sound all weird and gooey but, I love this car and wish to have it for aslong as possible even if it means doing a lot of the servicing myself. Wish I had a service manual for it in English.

So, on to my question. If I am planning on doing an oil change, which oil would you guys recommend, and how much would I need? Please note that I live in northern Spain so I am needing something suitable for the summer climate soon to be expected. Also, I've tried to have a quick look at whether I need any special tool for removal of the sump-plug, but it would appear just an ordinary spanner should do the trick. Am I right in that?

[mrtn]

see your private message inbox, english manual link there.

[BarCodeBlack]

Many thanks for the quick response. I will be downloading that when I return home tonight.

[mrtn]

also note that general service data you find also in our FAQ: http://www.hondasuv.com/main2/viewtopic.php?t=785

[hondacbr]

You can use Mobil 1 0w30 if you drive fast or Mobil 1 0w40 or Castrol SLX

[HRV-BEN-UK]

Mine has Mobil 1 5w-30 in it. As for the filter, it also gets very dirty so just keep an eye on it. Piece of cake to change the oil, takes about 1 hour to do with most of that time taken to jack the car up and wait for the oil to drain out!

[Garn Cook]

Its so easy to change the oil, however, that oil filter is another problem.... You need to get an adaptor that fits over the filter and has the usual (3/8 inch) socket square in it. Still, not much room to manipulate filter out without spilling remaining oil ... I suppose this is all in that manual, that I ain't got! ~ Regards ...Garn (Oz)

[PatrickDorrian]

I got mine off by hand .. just stuck my hand down the back of the engine and unscrewed it, be aware that when you do this there is a largish hole at the back of the engine that seems to collect the oil that runs out, i had to mop mine out with paper towels after the change was done, other than that it's a piece of cake to do. Adaptors are a pain in the ass because there really isn't that much room down there.

[Anonymous]

Patrick, you may get that filter off a few times in the life of the car, however, if it is tight you will definitely need that adaptor. This adaptor isn't the usual "run of the mill", it fits neatly over the filter, hardly adding to the overall length of it, but it is still a tight manoeuvre. Also, I found in replacing the filter I couldn't get a feel for the tightness of the filter to be confident that it was fully secure without being overtight. ~ Regards

[PatrickDorrian]

YOu don't have a mate with hands like a brown bear then:) He did say it was tight, and when i went back into check how well he'd got the new one on with the tool i have, i couldn't get any more turn on the threads without using proper effort, tight enough i think. I know one thing for sure, there is no way i'm paying honda uks day light robbery charges for them to do it.

[PatrickDorrian]

YOu don't have a mate with hands like a brown bear then:) He did say it was tight, and when i went back into check how well he'd got the new one on with the tool i have, i couldn't get any more turn on the threads without using proper effort, tight enough i think. I know one thing for sure, there is no way i'm paying honda uks day light robbery charges for them to do it.

[HRV-BEN-UK]

If that fails stick a screw driver through the filter. I bet if comes off then!

[PatrickDorrian]

I honestly don't think there's enough room up there for that Ben, you either have to use the proper honda tool or you have to use honda, or in my case i was lucky enough that whoever had fitted it previously hadn't overtightned it

[HRV-BEN-UK]

I have to addmitted I didn't have a problem when I removed it last time but that is the last resort if all else fails.

I that reminds I need to change the oil very soon!

[hondacbr]

use a chain to remove the oil filter. It's better than any other tool

[hattus]

You actually change your oil?

I must try that one day (never had a car that actually interested me enough to open the hood lol)

[mrtn]

guess you've never had a V8-engined car... :)

[PatrickDorrian]

If you change the oil regularly your engine will probably outlast the bodywork on the car ..... modern engines it seems do a lot of self diagnostic and emissions adjusting, all a garage will do is fix something when there's a problem, as long as you change the oil and filters your car will most likely never need to see a mechanic. I'm certainly not paying £50 an hour for a monkey to do what i'm quite happy to do myself. Worked out over 4 years ( the time i pay for the car) £400 a year is £1600 over that 4 years, on the basis i have little or no warranty left and that a full service history might make the car worth £1000 more at sale point there seems little point spending £1600 on keeping the logbook up to date with a main dealer.

[HRV-BEN-UK]

Rule number one is always to change the oil every 6 months, well that's what my father used to tell me and I've never had an issue with any car I've owned. Best advice out there IMHO.

[Dyrokoll]

An oil must be changed every 8-10 thousands km, depending from the oil and the way of driving> it is a fact!

[HRV-BEN-UK]

Disagree, it should be changed at the service intervals or sooner (i.e. 6months), you could travel 8-10K in 4 years and thats not good so timings are the best.

[Dyrokoll]

Well, you could travel 10 000km easily in a month or two, then what??

[mrtn]

then change the oil :D

[Dyrokoll]

Bingo! I would also not recomend anyone to wait another 4 months:-)