I finally did my 3000 mile oil change over the weekend. Notice I said 'oil' only? I messed around with the stupid fliter for about 30 minutes before calling it quits. Tried using a filter wrench, a jar opener, my hand, etc -- I never could get enough leverage while positioned in the tight space between the concrete and the bottom of the TSX. To make matters worse, the end of the Honda OEM filter is almost completely round, giving the filter wrench very little to grab.

I absolutely HATE the spot they placed the oil filter. I few years ago, a roomate of mine was crushed when his prelude's jack gave out. Fortunately, he was only hospitalized. Since then, I've always had reservations about going under my car -- even with jackstands in place. When accessing the filter, one must crawl ALL THE WAY under until your head is almost under the catalytic converter.

Oh well -- it's pretty much in the same spot as my old Integra. I just wish they could have placed it in a more accessible location like my wife's Pilot. On the Pilot's design, a jack isn't needed nor do you have to lie down to remove it. I only have to bend to one knew and wala -- its removed.

My next oil change will be Mobil 1 and WILL include the filter.

 

do yourself a favor and pick up a honda filter wrench....
http://www.handaccessories.com/tsx.html
never had a problem removing it after buying this, the hard part is not having the oil spill out.

 

Did you use an OEM filter wrench? Those are relatively cheap and work very well!!

 

Does anyone not use jackstands? I leave the car w/ the jack in place also, but I'd suggest ramps for greatest security, assuming they're well-made.

 

I take the jack out because I can't get the oil pan in a good place without moving it.

 

Jack the car up using the bottom center jack point, and place jack stands under the two side supporting points behind the front wheels.

The original filter is kind of tight but it will come off. I had to use a channel lock to remove the original filter. After that, it only requires hand tight when installing the new one, and you will never have problems again removing it.

 

I use the filter cap and it works great. I give it an 1/8th of a turn after hand tight. The manual shows something about this, but I found that after the fact.

 

Sounds like the original filter is very tight from the factory. I use jackstands, and I'm pretty wary too when I go under the car for oil change. Now I only go under the car if I remove the drain plug. To remove the oil filter, I remove the passenger side front wheel off and access it from the side...I feel much safer that way!

 

Here is a related oil change thread .

 

Just do it at the dealer!

 

I had my first oil change done at the dealership. After that I've done my own. Found the filter to be hand tight and I was able to remove it with just my hand. Yea, the location really sucks. I put my car on a lift so I can get to everything from underneath and standing. Removing the oil filter without a mess is the real challenge. I tried the bottom half of a 2-liter soda bottle and that helped but still messy. I take take my front right tire off to get to the filter easier. It helps. I installed the Frame SD2 oil valve during my last change. So I've yet to use it to drain the oil. But it fits nicely.

 

my tip to drip free oil filter removal:
1) loosen oil filter
2) wrap oil filter with a plastic bag
3) let filter drop in bag while holding bag in place to catch drips. Don't drop the bag though


or check that oil change thread above

 

I would go to the dealer for the first few oil changes just for warranty security.

But to answer your question....Since you couldn't change the oil filter, you might as well have just not changed anything. You're just running clean oil through a dirty filter.

If all else fails when trying to remove an oil filter.....Take a big ass screw driver and hammer it straight through the center of the filter till it pokes out the other side, then grab both sides of the screw driver and twist it loose! Always worked for me at last resort, or if I didn't have a filter wrench.

 

Nice tip! Do you have a certain bag you recommend?? Will hot oil filter melt through regular plastic bags?

Thanks

 

all oil filters coming off the assembly line will be a bitch to change the first time. i went thru the dealer, and told them to specifically handtighten.

then you can do it yourself later on.

 

Using the center jack point isn't possible due to my combination of jack and my OEM front lip. The lever to control the height would end up hitting the front lip.

 

I have a 3 ton craftsman floor jack and its a tight squeeze, but if I roll the jack in at a slight angle I am able to slowly jackup up the car to a point where i have more room to move the jack handle. but i agree with the oem lip its a slight pain.

 

What kind of jack do you have and how low is your car? I also have the OEM body kit and the car is lowered 2". My low profile, high lift jack from Costco slides right under the car without any problems. Any lower might not be possible.

 

Don't remind me about the pointlessness of changing oil and NOT the filter.
Stock height and some POS pepboys jack. I'm pretty sure a longer, more expensive jack would fit since the lever arm sticks out further.

Before you guys bash -- at least I'm not using the stock jack.

 

Even a grocery bag will do, but a sturdy, clear bag with a straight opening (not the traditional "t-shirt" grocery bag) is ideal so you can see the contents. if you can't find clear, a white one is also. Also make sure there are no holes in the bag before you proceed

 

i also bought a funnel with an attached hose and put the funnel right under the filter and just let it pour into the oil pan...it works pretty well

 

Anyone use one of these?
http://www.fumotovalve.com/

I'm curious if I should get one of these or get one of those oil extractors on griots garage. Also - these look interesting.
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/yhst-140...oheoilfi1.html

 

Ditto same issue, but I wrapped my 3-ton Craftman jack handle (lower half) with foam from the Lowe's plumbing section, let it hit the car all you want no harm.

 

Thanks..........I think some good clear industrial strength bags sould work just fine.

 

This is not a bad idea either..........thanks

 

I bought the same one and it kicks a$$!

Just like my buddy "Bruce Smai Lee"------>