First Oil Change on 2009 Element

[Black Smoke Trail]

I read the owners manual and the it states the if the maintenance minder shows a 1A that the oil ONLY needs to be changed and the tires rotated.

Am I understanding this correctly????? We have about 7,000 miles of the car and the maintenance minder shows the oil change at 10%. I have the oil filters and oil and everything to complete the service.

Is there a specific reason for NOT replacing the oil filter, or am I not understanding the owners manual correctly? Thanks in advance.

[wrenchingaround]

owners manual states the if the maintenance minder shows a 1A that the oil ONLY needs to be changed and the tires rotated.



Is there a specific reason for NOT replacing the oil filter, or am I not understanding the owners manual correctly? Thanks in advance.

I'd change the filter every oil change ;).
I think this is done to make the cost of maintenance look cheaper to the consumer, they think this is a selling feature. :roll:

[06whtcrv]

I'd change the filter every oil change ;).
I think this is done to make the cost of maintenance look cheaper to the consumer, they think this is a selling feature. :roll:
x2 - chg the filter every time. there is no penalty (other than $) for doing more than required.

[Black Smoke Trail]

While we are on this subject, does anyone have any how to photo's, tips, or other helpful comments on doing this oil change?

[wrenchingaround]

While we are on this subject, does anyone have any how to photo's, tips, or other helpful comments on doing this oil change?

Here's a YouTube video for 2003, basically the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O44espDsMEY

[Black Smoke Trail]

Here's a YouTube video for 2003, basically the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O44espDsMEY

Hey thanks wrenchingaround! I am doing this oil change with my 17 year old daughter so she can learn how to maintain the car and do most of the normal maintenance. The video was great help.

[Black Smoke Trail]

Well, got-r-done. My daughter got a good tutorial on how to change the engine oil and filter as well as an orientation under the hood.

The magnetic catch pan that I ordered from Honda worked pretty good at catching most of the oil from the oil filter. The oil filter was pretty easy to get too. I drove the vehicle up on ramps to make it easier to get up under.

I replaced the filter with an OEM Honda filter and 5 quarts of Mobil 5W-20.

The job was a LOT easier than replacing the 3 gallon of oil and filter on the Cummins. :mrgreen:

Many thanks for the replies and the video was a big help especially for my daughter.

[Bob Kaub]

I'd change the filter every oil change ;).
I think this is done to make the cost of maintenance look cheaper to the consumer, they think this is a selling feature. :roll:

FWIW:
The filter for the S2000 fits my 2009 Element just fine as there is plenty of room.
However, this bigger filter will NOT fit our 2008 CR-V engine.
Well, actually it would fit if there was enough room around the engine, but there's not on the CR-V.
Thanks