did my first oil change (and what i learned in the process)

[mugendc4]

Did my first oil change today and adding 5.7qt went over the upper limit of the dip stick by a few mm. Was 5.7qts too much? It looks like that what the manual recommended

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[vexingv]

Did my first oil change today and adding 5.7qt went over the upper limit of the dip stick by a few mm. Was 5.7qts too much? It looks like that what the manual recommended

5.4 L or 5.7qt should be correct. Perhaps the oil hadn't fully drained (or is the car sitting on a slope preventing maximum drainage)?

Generally, when I've changed oil in the past (with this and other cars), the drain is one of my first steps to allow it plenty of time to do so. In the meantime, I'm pulling and then installing the oil filter, rotating tires, and inspecting the car. Also, having the engine/car run for a few minutes helps the oil flow and drain a bit faster.

 

[mugendc4]

5.4 L or 5.7qt should be correct. Perhaps the oil hadn't fully drained (or is the car sitting on a slope preventing maximum drainage)?

Generally, when I've changed oil in the past (with this and other cars), the drain is one of my first steps to allow it plenty of time to do so. In the meantime, I'm pulling and then installing the oil filter, rotating tires, and inspecting the car. Also, having the engine/car run for a few minutes helps the oil flow and drain a bit faster.

hm... I did warm the car up a bit and left it draining till like it was like just slow dripping. Reading around some put 5.5qt with the FK8/FL5, pretty much the same motor. I did install a fumoto valve, so I can drain a little if needed. Just lazy to put the car back up jacks and remove the shield lol. I had a syringe with a tube but apparently honda put in some safe mesh guard under the oil cap so that scratches that option out.

But realistically it's like 2-3mm over the upper limit and reading around said it should be fine but my paranoia just worries me.

 

[BillB128]

can you fit the syringe tube down the dipstick tube? you might be able to get the oil out that way.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I bet it will be fine. Just did my first oil change at home as well, and I put in 5 and 1/4 qts, then started checking. (this includes pre-fill on the filter) Ended up around 5.7 total, but my car was on a slight tilt back when up on jackstands, so maybe I just had a more complete drain?

 

[Underdog]

Did my first oil change as well. Took 5.5qts to show full on the dipstick, with the engine warmed up. I installed a Fumoto F106SX valve - there was tons of room to position it how I liked.

 

[mugendc4]

can you fit the syringe tube down the dipstick tube? you might be able to get the oil out that way.

Not sure why I didn't think of that lol...

I bet it will be fine. Just did my first oil change at home as well, and I put in 5 and 1/4 qts, then started checking. (this includes pre-fill on the filter) Ended up around 5.7 total, but my car was on a slight tilt back when up on jackstands, so maybe I just had a more complete drain?

I did suck probably .15-.2 qts out just to be safe. I'm sure it would have been fine either way.. Probably just too paranoid...

 

[bvanlieu]

unless you were very un-level, draining and 5.7 qt is fine and the last little drip drip really doesn't amount to more then a few ounces. No different then if you were at 5.7 and you pulled out .2, 5.5 is perfectly within the service limits

The car will run fine overfilled to 6 quarts...I did so for 1K after the dealer doofus put 6qt in the car as when I measured what came out of the car, it was at the 6qt level in my bucket. SMH.

 

[mugendc4]

unless you were very un-level, draining and 5.7 qt is fine and the last little drip drip really doesn't amount to more then a few ounces. No different then if you were at 5.7 and you pulled out .2, 5.5 is perfectly within the service limits

The car will run fine overfilled to 6 quarts...I did so for 1K after the dealer doofus put 6qt in the car as when I measured what came out of the car, it was at the 6qt level in my bucket. SMH.

Yeah, I'm just being paranoid . From what I gathered and reading around, most motors have a certain level of tolerance being over and it's only a problem when you put like 2qts+ when it starts to get slushy from that extra oil.

 

[Wolfman]

I’m doing my first oil change this Monday. Thoughts on replacing the transmission oil too? I understand the recommended is every 30k just seeing what everyone else is doing

 

[bvanlieu]

I’m doing my first oil change this Monday. Thoughts on replacing the transmission oil too? I understand the recommended is every 30k just seeing what everyone else is doing

Too early, just dumping good fluid. My conservative POV is every 3-4 years 30-50k as I drive the car but if its a low mile example I would do it at 5-6 years as additives do degrade over time. Gear boxes are sealed so its not a dirty environment.

 

[BillB128]

VEXINGV, Thanks for the write-up! It was helpful.

I did my initial oil change today at 1200mi. While doing an oil change is never rocket science, it's always nice to have a few pointers on what to expect.

I just lifted the front of the car, using the same Daytona low profile jack as you. Not having race ramps, I lifted the car from the right rear first which allowed me to place a jack stand on the right front lift point. I was then able to use the front center jack point to lift the car to the desired height, and yes, lifting higher made things easier. I also positioned my catch pan further back to handle the initial oil surge. As expected, removing the oil filter was the toughest part, but I was able to manage it with some grippy gloves and some swearing. As noted, there's not a lot of room to maneuver/get leverage. However, the changes going forward should be easy, now that new filter has been torqued appropriately. I did note that the drain bolt wasn't over-tightened, which was nice.

Overall, an easy job, just a few more steps than typical to get the car up in the air and then remove the belly pan. I think I might look into getting some race ramps

 

[StingertimeNC]

I built the wood ramps with 2x8's. 4 levels high, easy to drive up on, then you can use the center jack point easily. Drive up on ramps, then lift the rear from the rear jack point, place jack stands. then lift the front and place jack stands. much easier and seems more stable to have the whole car lifted.

 

[SilverRocket]

Coolest oil trick is the use of a vacuum. Only thing is you'll need a second person but take a shop vac or even something as simple as a dustbuster and just after braking the oil pan bolt loose, put the hose to the fill cap. You can now unbolt it with zero drip/mess. Once off, the person removes the suction and voila, a stream will emerge and nothing on your hands.

I'm fairly certain you can Jimmy rig something to do it singlehandedly but it takes 15 seconds if you get everything set up before asking for the favor.

My oil change is happening this weekend.

 

[SilverRocket]

So I did my oil change and rotated the tires.... one week later because life always throws curve balls.

Everything went super smoothly, the clips and bolts holding the shield are a breeze to work with (i.e. none of those stupid center push lock tabs that break when you so much as look at them funny).

Only thing, and I now believe the threads on this topic, is that the dip stick is impossible to read, at least to my eye. I must have pulled it out, wiped and checked about 10 times and I never seem to be able to know if it's good. I put in 5.4L per the manual and sometimes I get oil spots above the orange plastic, other times I get what looks to be closer to the minimum line.
Decided to let it sit over night and I'll check tomorrow but any tricks to know exactly?

My wife's Mazda 3 can be read by someone on the cusp of legal blindness, I wish it was that easy on the ITS.

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