2003 Honda Element Oil Change

[Dodd1023]

Hey, thank you for taking your time and making this video.... Now, I got the basic idea, and matter of fact, I'm going out to do my 1st oil change.

[tcphll]

Man, you have the chocks on the wrong side. Makes it hard to take the rest of the video seriously.

[ajchien]

@tcphll yeah, during this oil change, there were chocks on both front and back of both rear wheels and a brick behind the front wheels. Video doesn't show this fully. I now chock both sides of all 4 wheels.

[honda27crv]

Have u had any trouble with ur hondas? I just bought a 2011 Honda crv, I was curious if u always use synthetic or just regular. And what should the dealership recommend!

[ajchien]

@honda27crv No car will be trouble free. I use 5w20 regular. Sometimes synthetic is on sale for cheaper than regular. The dealership should recommend what is in your owners manual. The oil for your 2011 is likely a different recommendation than my 2003.

[amburke96]

Just a thought you may want to put the wheel blocks behind the rear wheel next time.

[counkev]

Here's a tip ajchien. To keep oil from spilling all over your car when you remove the oil filter start the engine two times and then rev it once. It works for me. And do you know why they are changing the oil filters from being placed at the top of the car back at the bottom ?

[bbbmw]

@jeka100 you are scary my dear..

[Taxminia0311]

HEllooooooooooooo, prior to removing the oilpan bolt you must take our the oil dip stick...which i hope you did...it help the oil to flow much faster and easier...also lubricate the oil filter gasket it improves the seal, preventing any leak

and you are suppose to remove the oil cap and dip stick prior to removing the oil pan bold, then you remove the oil filter.

[Taxminia0311]

HEllooooooooooooo, prior to removing the oilpan bolt you must take our the oil dip stick...which i hope you did...it help the oil to flow much faster and easier...also lubricate the oil filter gasket it improves the seal, preventing any leak

[Taxminia0311]

HEllooooooooooooo, prior to removing the oilpan bolt you must take our the oil dip stick...which i hope you did...it help the oil to flow much faster and easier.

[mickblock]

@Taxminia0311 HEllooooooooooo!!!!

[jeka100]

good info except that synthetic oil shortens the life of the engine (yes yes I know what media has told you)

The bed stuff does not solve within the syntetic oil making its way to various places inside the engine unlike natural oil that "ingest:" all the bad stuff carrying it to the filter when it gets filtered out. In europe people know this only here the show must go on despite the obvious facts

[matt4270]

Looks like a nice, easy, old school oil change on these, not like on a lot of the newer cars with special oils, cartridge filters, no access clearance, etc. I might have too get me one of these Elements!

[danielc365]

DO i need to replace the washer on the drain bolt im changing the oil for the first time on a 2002 honda odyssey can i use the same washer

[ajchien]

I think most people would recommend using a new crush washer at each oil change. They are made for a one time use as it is supposed to crush and help seal leaks. I use a new one each time.

However, there are many folks that have re-used the washer numerous times and have "never had a problem".

The cheapest Ive found is from H & A accessories for $0.19. The most expensive Ive bought has been from autozone where I had to get one for $1 once.

[danielc365]

Ok i tried to loosen the drain bolt with a ratchet and on my last oil change i had a service place do it and i tried to loosen the bolt its on so tight that i think i started to strip the bolt not sure though its a 16mm bolt and my brother always does his and he never puts the bolt on so tight how can i get it off

[ajchien]

It is a 17mm bolt. I use a 6-point socket, it helps prevent stripping the head of the bolt. (Alternatively for really stubborn bolts I would resort to a "Grip-Tite super socket" which can be found at sears. )

If the bolt was put on with the right amount of torque (about 33 ft-lbs), I can get it loose with an 8 inch length ratchet. If it's put on much too tight, I think you need to resort to using a longer handle ratchet or breaker bar. i.e. invest in a 15 or 18 inch handle.

[danielc365]

sounds confusing umm do i have to tighten it to 33ft-lbs the way my brother does it he puts it just enough the bolt i guess its ok if its not at the right torque right? i mean you wont get a leak will you

[ajchien]

Honda specifies 33 ft-lbs of torque for the CRV in their manuals. You'll have to look up what your Odyssey is specified. I use a torque wrench to get the proper torque, that is because Im pretty compulsive about numbers.

I am sure many people gain enough experience to tighten to what "feels right".

Theoretically, if you tighen WAY TOO TIGHT, you might strip the threads on the bolt or the oil pan. If you are WAY TOO LOOSE, I presume the bolt could come loose.

[ajchien]

In the above post, Honda recommends 33 ft lbs for both the CRV and Element.

[fishfrompluto]

@danielc365 you will have to use a new crush washer. Thats why its called a crush washer, it crushes when tightened and seals oil in. it should not cost you more than a dollar,. if on ebay u can buy lik 10 for 2-3$. good luck

[jborozzi]

thankyou so much! i have an 05 element. i am a 25 yr old female , and i just cant get anyone to help me with car stuff. and im sick of paying triple at places for simple stuff like this. you kept this simple not like expertvillage and others. you rock! make more vids!

[ajchien]

i have both an 03 CRV and an 03 Element. The basic maintenance on these two cars is virtually identical. yo ucan check out the CRV videos to give you more confidence if that helps. It is always toughest to do it the first time. Mostly because the person that did the previous oil change may have put the bolt on way too tight or screwed the filter on too tight. Thats why I have that 15 inch breaker bar and filter cap wrench - it's nice to know you have the extra mechanical leverage just in case.

[Audioquest56]

Good video. You might want to remove the engine filler cap before removing the drain bolt to aid in draining the engine. Honda mounted that oil filter in the worst possible location...

[zjjeepman1993]

what did you think of that valvoline synpower?

[ajchien]

Got it on sale for $3.99/qt. Then it came with a $15 valvoline rebate, and an additional $10 store rebate. So... the oil was basically free. :) Can't beat that. Anyway, the oil has been in for about 4k miles so far, and everything is fine.

[Darex18]

why you have so many tools for this? you really could have just used a 17m wrench and thats it. Filter can spin off by hand aslong u dont crank it on. You dont need to torque the drain plug. just get it on snug.

[ajchien]

lol. sure you don't need all those tools. but i have them, so I use them. :)

[1dickweed1992]

good video. and im glad to see you use such high quality products such as valvoline and purolator.