Oil change, undercover removal, jack-up
 

First oil change on my new 2015 Civic 8000 miles and 10% life, lots of 550 mile trips since Oct 2015.

The Honda tire jack (lower in photo) seems unsafe, see photo of a jack with a slot (upper in photo) to fit the car lifting edge behind front tires.

I had to jack the car about 13 in above floor to get underneath and remove/replace undercover plugs (see photo w/ 7 plugs , 2 screws), and be able to take photos. See photo of car jacked up on both sides with hydraulic-lifts (2) and scissor-jacks (2). I am used to changing oil on Subarus and Range Rovers which require no lifting. Civics are many times more difficult to service oil than a Subaru Baja 2003 (rest in peace).

There are many similar undercover plugs in the undercarriage, but only 7 plugs and 2 screws (10MM) hold the undercover. See photo of cover with screw/plug taped markings. Subaru has an only a sliding cover with 3 plugs on the front.

The oil filter is recessed in the oil pan, hard to get hands to twist off, had to but the oil filter socket. At first it would slip when trying to remove, later got stuck on the filter. Just twisted by hand until tight and used wrench for a 1/8 turn.

I used the same washer ($0.4 at Honda dealer, but gave it for free, says many Service shops over tighten this plug and crush the washer) on the oil pan drain plug (17MM). See photo of wrench on plug with undercover ON. May tighten plug some, if need be. The plug should be snug.

There are two holes on the undercover for monitoring leaks from the oil filter and drain plug. See photo with hole labels. Poke your finger around oil filter, should be w/o any oil, if not remove undercover and reinstall the oil filter. Same for the plug.

Used 4qts from the 5qt Mobil 1 ($27), Mobil oil filter ($10), filter wrench ($5).

When installing the undercover start with the two screws, then the 7 plugs. The undercover slides under another front plaitic cover. Very auckward, takes time to get it right, easy if the car is 6ft off the floor.

Enjoy

Re: Oil change, undercover removal, jack-up
 

Next time, just remove the 4 Philips screws from the aluminum panel, it is made to slide right out of the covers and you can access the filter and drainplug quick and easy.


The washer is designed to crush. It's really soft aluminum. If you don't get a little bit of crush on it, it may seep. Torque spec is 29 ft-lb and that WILL crush the washer enough to make it seal.

If the washer gets reused and crushed a few times, it can become a problem.



HTH

Re: Oil change, undercover removal, jack-up
 

Yes, the 4 screws holding the undercover metal panel would have been easier way to get to the oil filter/drain plug, however these screws were factory tight on a flimsy panel and the Phillip's heads were starting to get damaged. Best if Honda replaces in Gen 11th these screws with equivalent hex head bolts, then that would be the best.

Re: Oil change, undercover removal, jack-up
 

Oooo, if you don't use a good #3 on them they sure can round out.

Hex head bolts would make too much sense for these people. :nono:

I think Honda must have hired a bunch of jobless former Big3 engineers for the splash panel team.
The 2016 Civic (10th generation) now has a couple screws and about a half dozen quarter-turn fasteners holding the aluminum section on.:_doh: