Oil and cabin filter avalibuilty

I normally do the cabin-filter, and the air-filter (ICE) myself, and get both from the local Autoparts store (~$15 each) and leave the dealer to change the oil and oil-filter as part of the 5k mile service.

 

I understand the oil filter is per gen 3; dealerships are sure to have them.

 

anything on line?

 

You could just order 3rd gen filter. I do order a lot of stuff online, but can't see the point for items like this, readily available locally.

 

If you're used to changing oil on a Gen 1 or Gen 2, Gen 3 is going to make you cuss.

First vehicle I've owned that needs to be raised to change the wretched oil. Having a garage floor with a pit would be ideal.

-Chap

 

My 81 civic, you just popped the hood and reached in from above to unscrew it. No fun.

 

My '88 Mazda you could change the filter from above, as long as the last person who put it on was you, observing proper torque. It was on the side of the engine right against the firewall, in a place where you could look at it or touch it, but not at the same time. Get a tool on it? Sure....

For the first oil change I did myself, since the last person to tighten it wasn't me, I found there was just enough room there to drive a screwdriver through it to use as a handle. Definite feeling of relief when that worked.

-Chap

 

The first time I loosened the oil filter, it'd been torqued at factory, likely to spec (18 ft/lb). It took moderate effort to break it loose. I continue to use that value, never any drama.

One thing that's funny: there's a lot of mention of the little retaining clip on the side of the filter housing, that it's a big issue, you need 3 hands to get the housing off. I haven't found it does a thing, forget it's even there. It certainly does nothing when you're unscrewing the housing.

I'd suspect it was concession to lawyers, due to the bare filter in the plastic housing, the O-ring on the housing, or whatever.

 

Same on my '81 Mazda, plus you also could easily remove the drain plug by reaching down from above. No crawling underneath required, and no chance of hot oil running down your arm.