Honda Civic DIYs and Civic Tech ChatHonda Civic DIYs and Civic Tech Chat - for the true gearheads! Bring your wrench, it's time for some Honda Civic DIY projects! Questions about problems with your car do NOT go here.
I have always gone to one of those quick lube places because I knew someone and he made sure everything was done right. This morning he calls me and tells me he quit for an office job, so that got me thinking should I just do my own oil changes from now on?
I was just wondering what everyone here does? And if your do your own which brand of oil and filters do you use?
DIY, It's pretty simple. I use mobile 1 0W20 and just a hint of the new synthetic lucas brand additive. Yes, Lucas finally makes a synthetic additive. I use the fram X2 filter and I change both the filter and oil every 3k. The manual says 5k but oil is cheap compared to the price of a new engine.
I have always done my own. I just wish Honda oil filters were located in a more favorable position like on some of the Toyota engines I have seen! The Mazda's 2.3 oil filter is very easy to get to.
I used to buy Honda filters - then I bought one that had "manufactured by Fram" printed on it. So , I just use the Fram Extra-Guard these days. Have been using Castrol GTX 5W-20 for the past few oil changes.
i either take it to a quick lube place i have been going for years or to the dealership...either one....but i am seriously thinking about doing my own...
royal purple is awesome if you can find it and afford it easily. my dad used that for a long time. and my ex-b/f used it in his s/c teg.
anyways, as far as my car. i have an 04 5spd sedan. i use a honda filter and castrol syntec blend. change it every 3k miles. i work at a car dealership so i can just get one of the techs to change it for free. costs me about $12 to do that. only get a small discount on the filter.
i'd recommend you changing your own oil at home. if you do it yourself, you know for sure that everything is back where and how it should be. you can take it to the dealership, but they are screwing you royaly on the price. about $30 at honda dealerships here. and everyone makes mistakes. trust me, i see everything since i work in the service department. if youre worried about your car. just do it yourself that way you can be sure everything is good. if youre in a hurry and never have time. ask around to see where local people get theirs changed so that you know what places are good and the ones that are not.
I take mine to the dealer, but only until my warranty is up. They know me pretty well, and do good work. I always check it. Once I hit 36k, I'll do it myself. Until then, they can't argue about any warranty issue, since THEY do ALL the regular maintenance. Just covering my butt.
You should DIY Everything if you have the time and common sense. Change your own oil so you know what is going in, that the drain plug goes back in correctly, what your old oil looked like, and inspect the bottom of your engine bay. You'll know it's done right, and you'll catch anything starting to go wrong.
You should DIY Everything if you have the time and common sense. Change your own oil so you know what is going in, that the drain plug goes back in correctly, what your old oil looked like, and inspect the bottom of your engine bay. You'll know it's done right, and you'll catch anything starting to go wrong.
Yuup! DIY may not the best thing for the not so handy folks... but if you can and able, DIY. While youre down there, you can do a quick check on your axle, check for dents on the oil pan, cat, tranny looks ok... etc
Oil Changes 
costs me about $12 to do that. only get a small discount on the filter. 
