Oil Change Tip - "Prefilling Filter"

hip · 03-03-2004, 04:18 PM

If you perform your own oil changes and would like to reduce the wear on your engine without any additional costs, read on.

You already know the best favor you can do for your TSX (or any vehicle) is to change oil regularly. Interestingly, Acura doesn't recommend changing the filter at each oil change, instead, they recommend every other oil change? I don't see it that way, as you leave behind some contaminated oil if you don't change the filter.

Since most engine damage occurs during initial startup when little or no oil immediately circulates, the sooner oil flows the less grinding and wear. While synthetic oils improve protection by reducing friction and coating parts longer, anytime oil is not freely circulating wear increases.

With that in mind, I have been performing this little "trick" for years and have found it to reduce the time an engine runs dry without lubricant during those first few critical seconds after an oil change.

During a "regular" oil and filter change you drain the oil, remove the filter, replace the drain plug and washer and install a new filter. Next time try "prefilling" your oil filter first. Divert some oil you normally pour directly into the engine to your new oil filter.

By "prefilling" your oil filter, you reduce the amount of time the upper cylinders receive oil by almost a second, possibly more! I know this to be true as I have verified the difference on each of my cars and friends' cars.

Here's the procedure:

"Prefill" a new oil filter to the top with fresh oil.

Wait a minute or two for the element to soak all the oil in. Repeat this procedure about 2 more times. With each succeeding fill the oil will take a little longer to soak in as the filter becomes increasingly saturated. I usually multitask during this time by draining the old oil from the car.

Lubricate the filter's O-Ring. As you're topping off the filter, "touch" the oil with your finger tip or a "Q-Tip" and lightly run it around the rubber filter gasket to lubricate it.

Don't overfill the filter! By about the 3rd refill, oil will no longer soak into the media, when this occurs only half fill the filter. Since the filter mounts horizontally, you have only a few seconds to position the filter horizontally and spin it on until the rubber gasket seats and not leak oil out. Imagine how much more "fun" this would be if the filter were completely fill?!

IMPORTANT: Do not overfill the crankcase by adding additional oil for the filter! For example; the TSX uses ~4.5 qts of oil with a new filter. Depending on the filter, as much as .5 or 1/2 quart of oil may be consumed by the filter. In this case, after prefilling the filter, you need only add the remaining 4 quarts of oil to the engine.

Congratulations, go have a beer and watch the game. You've gone a long way toward increasing the life of your TSX with just a little extra effort and best of all... No extra money!

If you don't believe this works, try this test. Next time you change your oil the old way, restart the car and watch the oil pressure light. Count the number of seconds the light stays on from the moment you start the car till the time it goes out. In most new cars it will light for about 2-3 seconds, in older cars or with higher mileages, about 3-4 seconds. Document the time and next oil change try the "prefilling" method. See if the oil pressure light doesn't go out sooner by ~1 second or more? Multiply that over the lfe of the engine and you definitely will make a difference.

SAZABI · 03-03-2004, 05:39 PM

great post.
This is what I have been doing since my last accord.

However, Accord can take more oil in filter because it doesn't fit horizontally. It goes in vertically...

This is the thing I don't like on the TSX, and it is harder to take the filter out compared to Accord V6.

hip · 03-03-2004, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SAZABI
great post.
This is what I have been doing since my last accord.

However, Accord can take more oil in filter because it doesn't fit horizontally. It goes in vertically...

This is the thing I don't like on the TSX, and it is harder to take the filter out compared to Accord V6.

You're right it sucks, but for me this is not out of the ordinary.
Both my '89 and '93 Accords (4 cyl) have horizontal mounted filters. My previous '99 Ody (V6) had a vertical mounted filter.

Actaully what really makes it "challenging" on the TSX is crawling way back under the engine, finding and opening the underbody air deflector's small "porthole" or access panel to the oil filter.

To add insult to injury, there are suspension members in the way. When you unscrew the filter, oil leaks onto one of the rods and gets carried over somewhere else and things get messy. Sort of surprised that it's as difficult as it is?

SAZABI · 03-03-2004, 07:08 PM

yeah... I enjoy doing oil change on accord, but not TSX.

btw, next time you can just try turning the steering wheel all the way to right (passenger side), then you should be able to access the filter without taking the wheel off from the side.

That's the way I did it.

hip · 03-03-2004, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SAZABI
yeah... I enjoy doing oil change on accord, but not TSX.

btw, next time you can just try turning the steering wheel all the way to right (passenger side), then you should be able to access the filter without taking the wheel off from the side.

That's the way I did it.

Already do, good TIP!

godofwine · 11-03-2004, 05:30 AM

So quick question... are you guys raising the car up on(or with) anything to perform the oil change? Is it possible to slide in from the right side behind the passenger front wheel or do you need to come in from the front underneath the engine?

Thanks.

godofwine · 11-03-2004, 05:34 AM

Oh yeah, what's this panel you're talking about? I was under my car while it was up on the lift at the dealer and could pretty much see the oil filter fine. But then again i was looking up from quite an angle back near the converter.

godofwine · 11-03-2004, 05:49 AM

OK nevermind, the panel is to access the oil drain plug. But I still want to about getting at the filter so somebody give me a shout!

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...icle_id=117652

Seen this video? Pretty good!

geebra · 07-28-2009, 09:30 PM

do you guys have a tutorial on how to change oil and filter on a tsx? as i have never changed oil on any car b4.............or should i just not try at all?

sortudo7 · 07-28-2009, 09:40 PM

Try search. There is a DIY section with all the info. It's pretty straight forward.

Oil Change: Oil Change Procedure - TSXClub.com Forums

geebra · 07-28-2009, 11:12 PM

ya but i was hoping that there were pictures as well..........

hip · 07-28-2009, 11:51 PM

See if this helps... it's not Honda specific but should give you what you need.
How to Change the Oil in Your Car - wikiHow

Most important things to remember is don't over tighten anything.

If the outside temp (ambient) is warm enough (should be if it's over 90 degrees F), you shouldn't need a wrench to tighten the oil filter. Just snug it up by hand as tight as you can and the gasket should seat especially after engine heats up. If you got good hand strength (r u manly enuf?) you will feel the filter bottom out (won't turn any further).

Removing it usually requires a wrench due to the gasket heating up and sticking to the metal. Just remember as tight as you install it, it usually ends up 2x as tough taking it off.

When you tighten the oil drain plug - always (I mean always) change the crush washer (don't cheap out now). These are designed for one (1) time use only. I use a 3/8' drive socket and slowly tighten it I feel the washer crush or "give." By that I mean you can actually feel the aluminum washer "crunch down" and slightly flatten out. It's hard to explain but you will definitely feel it when you tighten it. Just crank down slow on it and you will know when it happens.

Don't over-tighten - this is the most common mistake and it can cost you. If you strip the oil pan, let's just say it can get very expensive, you won't be happy and you'll blame all of us for telling you how easy it was.

If you are unsure, better to tighten too little, run the engine for a few minutes and watch for drips at or near the drain plug. If you see or feel oil on the bolt, tighten another 1/4 turn. Remember, you will only need to do this if you used a new washer and didn't feel it crush.

It's not as scary as it all sounds but you need to know what to expect and look out for. So good luck, make us proud and get greasy

tsx 2 nv · 07-29-2009, 02:38 PM

couldnt this work with just 2 refills, so you dont get oil all over the place??

hip · 07-29-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsx 2 nv

couldnt this work with just 2 refills, so you dont get oil all over the place??

But if you can get the filter about 1/2 fill where you can visibly see the oil, it's manageable to install it without leaking - if you're quick.

In the end, do whatever you're comfortable with... as amount you add is better than nothing...

Another useful TIP:
After much experimentation, I found the yellow offset funnel made by Prestone for Anti-Freeze is just about perfect for the TSX (and other Hondas too). The tube end of the funnel fits perfectly into the oil opening of the engine and keeps the funnel standing (rigidly) upright. This works really well when you empty the plastic oil bottle and allows you to leave it upside down unattended (without holding it) to drain every drop out.

If you do go this route, mark the funnel with a "Sharpie" and keep it strictly for oil changes (they're cheap enough). You don't want to contaminate the cooling system (or other fluids) with any oil residue by reusing it for anything other than oil changes.

SaYjAiBaO · 07-30-2009, 12:46 AM

Oil doesn't completely drain from the engine when you do an oil change. There is still a
film of oil on the internals. So in the short amount of time it takes for the oil pressure to build up, it's not really doing much damage at all. This trick is mainly for cars and trucks with huge oil filters that holds a litre or more because it literally takes like 5 seconds for pressure to build. By prefilling the filter with oil, you are exposing the engine to unfiltered oil. So if there are any inpurities in the oil, it will go straight to the engine.