Lrpba300

Ok. Here is my pics of an EASY DIY oil change. It was simple!

I took the pic this way so you can see the filter & the printing on the oil pan for the oil drain bolt area!

Lrpba300

Ok, lets get started. Here is the oil & filter I used.

Ignore the other junk on the work bench!

Lrpba300

Just drianed the oil & put in the new filter. Circled them to help with the visuals!

Didn't show the dirty oil draining into the pan. I think you all get the general idea!

Lrpba300

OK! Lets put some new liquid gold back into this baby!

I took off the turbo cooler cover to help show the oil filling area. You can also clean out the grid on top. (BE VERY CAFEFUL! THE FINS BEND VERY EASILY!!)

Lrpba300

Here is the little helper I use to take off the oil filter & put on the new one. (It's a little big for the OEM filter, but worked ok on the Mobile 1 filter)

It is a 3/8" drive, 65mm-68mm size filter driver.

Lrpba300

Don't forget to reset the OIL % in the MID of the dash. The book tells you how to do it.

Push the button under the shift area, keep toggle it through till you get to the OIL life %. Push & hold for about 10-12 sec. It will show the service A1(?)..then just push & hold again for 10-12 sec. & it will reset to 100%. Your done. EASY!
Well, I think it is. I hope this helps someone decide to do the oil change by themself's. If you have the tools, & are mechanically inclined at all, you can do this!

one4gatr

Lrpba300... outstanding thread... looking to do my 1st this weekend as wifey is freaking because life indicator is going backwards or something. A couple of ??? for you though... were you able to get under the R without jacking it up/ramps? Also I know its in the manual but how much oil did you put back in? Did you go 4 qts run it... add more later etc...also on the turbo cooler would you recommend air compressor or water hose to clean. I appreciate your write up and it will prove very useful.

Lrpba300

Glad you like it. I was hoping it could help somebody someday!
To answer your questions....

1. I got under the X fairly easy. I didn't jack it up at all. You could a little if you need to. No ramps needed.
2. I used the 5 Qts. Mobil 1 bottle. Poured it all in & ck'd it several times. About just right!
3. I would use compressor air unless it is cooled way down. DON'T put water on a HOT turbo housing!!! You could crack it!

PreciousBusterbird

This is very, very helpful, thank you very much.

I have a question - could I vacuum the turbo housing (using duster brush)? I don't have an air compressor.

Thanks again!

Lrpba300

Thank you!
I would think it would be ok to duster bruch it, but just make sure you let it cool down for some time b4 doing so!

one4gatr

Last question I swear Lrpba300...

Is there a "crush" washer on the oil drain plug?

Thanks

sasair

Yes there is. They sell them online HERE . But you should be able to get it at any honda or acura dealer.

one4gatr

Thanks... I will stop by my dealer tonight and pickup a few. Any idea on how many lbs of torque on the plug?

sasair

29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)

Lrpba300

...I let Sasair answer all my technical questions!

mav238

Yeah, I followed your instructions and it was really quite easy, except it was a little messy changing out the oil filter. But it was generally straightforward.
Brand new MObil 1 oil inside my RDX, yes!

Lrpba300

COOL! I'm glad it helped. Nothing like the feeling of a new filter, new Mobil1 oil & a reset of the oil life guage! It runs so much better after that, doesn't it? (Just a feeling huh!)

one4gatr

Thanks to everyone who responded. This is a VERY VERY easy job. I have always been one not to call the dealers service department "stealers" BUT... in this case $90 for the oil change... are you kidding me! With these detailed instructions it took me literally no more than 20 minues. In fact you can reach the oil filter and drain plug without being completely under the vehicle. This is one case where I can say the dealer is ripping us off. Here is my total:

M1 Oil - $25
M1 Filter (the first service doesnt even call for a replacement filter) - $10
Crush Washer - $2

My total $37

IF...IF the dealer replaces the filter on the 1st go around that means my dealer is charging me $57 in labor for 20 minutes (I doubt given their facilities it takes no more than 5 minutes). My guess is their actual cost to do this change is probably around $20 (including filter) so... $70 in labor... what a freaking joke.

Anyway back O/T... Piece of cake... thanks for the detailed information!

pmaggan

I just picked up a jug of Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart and noticed that the Truck & SUV formulation does not have the Honda/Acura HTO-06 certification listed on it. The "regular" Mobil 1 5W-30 does have it listed.

Wal-Mart also had a nice Valvoline oil filter tool which specifically lists compatibility with the Mobil 1 M1-110 filter.

Lrpba300

huummm....I'll have 2 check that out! I thought that it said it was Honda HTO-06 spec'ed? I'll also look for the Valvoline oil filter tool, b/c mine was just a little big for the honda OEM filter, but was ok on the Mobil 1 filter. Thanks pmaggan

pmaggan

How "tight" should the filter be screwed on? I've heard that you should hand tighten, then use the filter wrench to go another 1/8 - 1/4 turn?

Lrpba300

I usually give it a little "snug up". Probably about an 1/8 turn after seated down snug. Don't crank up on it to much!

pmaggan

Thanks to Lrpba300 and others, I just completed my first RDX oil change at 4,777 miles with 30% showing on the Oil life indicator. Got a 900 mile trip coming up next weekend, so I changed a little early. Other than being a little messy, it was a piece of cake. This was my first time ever changing a screw-on type filter and I have a feeling I slightly overtightened the filter. (Visions of an oil filter flying off danced in my head) Guess I'll find out next time I change the oil. The Valvoline filter tool worked like a charm to remove the old Honda filter and install the new Mobil 1 filter.

I pulled the RDX up on a set of four Rhino Ramps that I had to make the job a little easier.


My last three cars were BMWs and I really do miss the BMW oil filter location. BMWs have a little canister located in the engine bay which houses the oil filter. All you have to do is remove the canister top, yank out the old filter, drop in a new one, and screw on the canister top. No mess whatsoever. Draining the oil is the same as the RDX, of course.

Lrpba300

COOL!! I'm glad ya got it done. I still don't think it's near as difficult as some vehicles I've had to change oil in, but maybe a little "messier" than some. I will continue to change my own oil on the RDX b/c it's so easy & I don't like others doing such a simple job for so much money! Congrats again!

mau108

you guys obviosly haven't changed the oil on a 1st gen CRV or a 5th gen honda prelude, that is pain and mess!

Can't wait to do the oil change on the new rdx

Lrpba300

Maybe not, but I've changed oil onall kinds of cars. Yhe worst was my Wife's old Suzuki Grand Vitara. OMG!! That was the worst! I still have a 2" plus long scare on my left arm from having to work around the oil dip-stick tube & the steering column .The oil filter was under the side of the engine & oil ran all over the frame & dripped for days. Thank god we got rid of that car!!

mau108

Anyone using Amsoil ASL 5w30 oil in their RDX? I heard Mobil is what the RDX comes factory filled but im not completely won over by Mobil oil after reading about how they are using Group III base.

I am currently using Amsoil ASL 5w30 synthetic in my honda prelude and get a very good deal when buying bulk so was wondering if its a good idea to use in the RDX as well?

Also what filter is recommended? Will a Honda S2000 filter work on the RDX ? (S2000 filter is made in japan toyo roki filters, i use it on the prelude but I heard from some honda guys the s2k filters do not work well on the k series motors as they leak, was wondering if its the same with the rdx ?)

DogPatch

looks like this post has been stale for quite a while. i'm looking to change the oil on my rdx, since i'm a bit overdue. for those with the tech package rdx, can you post a quick 'how to' on resetting the maintenance minder through the MID?

thanks!

DogPatch

well, nevermind. i found my answer!

Lrpba300

I've never been a big fan of Amsoil, but that's just me. Mobil1 has been ran in NASCAR & other racing forums for a long time. I still feel for the price & avail. of the M!, it's still very good.

russianDude

what size wrench do I need for a drain bolt?

Lrpba300

I think it was 17mm socket. I'll check that later to be sure.

LokiRN

Thanks Lrpba300 for the oil change post.

I'm just finishing the oil change but had to check post re crush gasket. I bought the Mobil 1 oil and M1-110 filter while running errands.( PIA- some stores carried the oil but not the filters) No info at stores re gasket so I picked up 2 generic assortments--fiber ones and some rubber ones --copper was also available. OOPS, thats what I get for rushing and not checking . I found the aluminum gasket in the bottom of the waste oil. Well, I'll re-use it this time and order a 6 pack from the earlier link for next time...

Very easy access from front. No need for ramps. 17mm oil plug.

7mo/4550miles. 150 miles past due.

LokiRN

Lrpba300

Your welcome! It is an easy oil change, isn't it? I'm getting close to my 2nd change & it's fun knowing how easy it is to do! Thanks for confirming that the size of the oil plug is a 17mm socket. I checked it last night just to be sure!

russianDude

Cool, so you did it without ramps or jacking up your car? Did you use a torque wrench for an oil drain plug? Thats actually a concern I had, all the standard torque wrenches are like 11-12 inches long, would it give you enough room (without jacking the car) to operate a torque wrench?
The manual also says to torque wrench an oil filter, but I don't think this is really necessary.

LokiRN

Don't have a torque wrench anymore, just used a wrench. Yesterday I drove by to try my buddys dial type torque wrench- approx 8 inches long. No ramps. Torqued an additional 6lbs on the drain plug.

russianDude

where do you get 8in torque wrench, the smallest I've seen in Sears or other hardware store is like 11-12 inch long.

mau108

was wondering, if the mobil 1 synthetic truck and suv the only bottle to be certified hto-06 standards ?

I checked a few bottles at Partsource and Canadian tire, none of the mobil 1 bottles say it meets hto-06 standard.

russianDude

no, I saw regular Mobil 1 to have HTO-6 certification. Even if there is no certification on Mobil 1, it could be just an older batch which did not have the label... once they got the certification, they did not even change the formula, just started putting the certification.....

mau108

how many litres of oil do you fill on an oil change with the rdx? (prefer the exact value from the service manual :P so I guess that leaves only sasir )