🔧 Fit - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This job drains old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with fresh oil to protect your engine from wear. It’s one of the best maintenance items you can do yourself, as long as you work safely and keep everything clean.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
• 🛑 Engine oil can be very hot; let the car cool 15-30 minutes if needed.
• 🛑 Chock the rear wheels and set the parking brake.
• 🛑 Keep oil off the drive belts and exhaust; wipe spills immediately.
• 🛑 No battery disconnect is required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum, pair)
• Wheel chocks
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range)
• Oil filter wrench (65mm 14-flute)
• Drain pan (at least 6-quart)
• Funnel
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 4 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Fit on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and loosen/remove the oil filler cap (this helps oil drain smoothly).
• Raise the front with a floor jack and place it securely on jack stands at the front lift points.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain the old engine oil

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Place the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).

Step 2: Reinstall the drain plug with a new crush washer

• Wipe the drain plug and the oil pan sealing area with shop towels.
• Install a new drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Use a torque wrench with a 17mm socket and Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).

Step 3: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (the filter will spill oil when it comes off).
• Use the oil filter wrench (65mm 14-flute) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket (seal) came off with the old filter. If it stuck to the engine, peel it off by hand.
• Double-gasket = big oil leak.

Step 4: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of new oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine surface.
• Tighten the filter an additional 3/4 turn by hand after gasket contact.
• If using a torque method: use the torque wrench and oil filter wrench and Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Refill with new oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 3.5 quarts of 0W-20 first (your Fit is typically about 3.7 quarts with filter, but start slightly low).
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.

Step 6: Start, check for leaks, then set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and look underneath with a flashlight for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Wait 2-3 minutes, then check the dipstick, wipe, reinsert, and recheck.
• Add oil in small amounts (about 0.1-0.2 quart at a time) until the level is near the upper mark.

Step 7: Reset the Maintenance Minder (Oil Life)

• Use one of these methods (your Fit may have either):
• Method A (instrument cluster/MID): use the steering wheel buttons to go to Settings > Vehicle Settings > Maintenance Info, select Oil Life, then choose Reset.
• Method B (Display Audio screen): turn ignition ON, then on the screen select Home > Settings > Vehicle > Maintenance Info, choose Oil Life, then Reset.

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✅ After Repair

• 🔎 Recheck the dipstick level after a short 5-10 minute drive and top off if needed.
• 🔎 Confirm there are no drips under the drain plug or oil filter.
• 🧾 Record the mileage/date for your next service.
• ♻️ Pour old oil into a sealed container and take it (and the old filter) to an oil-recycling drop-off (most auto parts stores accept it).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$100 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.6-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.