Gen III Oil change @1400 miles

"I noticed that the oil filter mount had a metal tang that almost touches the outside of the oil filter housing. I'm guessing that helps to keep it from unscrewing . . . ??"

Do you pull the Tang out? Does it get in the way or do you just leave it there?

Also... it was about 34 degrees today when I did the oil change and sure enough I cracked the plastic hinge on that panel that covers the underside of the engine. I wasn't expecting that. Does anyone have a good solution for this? Mine is not completly broken off yet. I imagine I could rivet something ( a piece of rubber...) to that area. I'm not too happy about it. The vehicle only has 20k miles on it.

Thanks!

 

Hey Hey,

The Dark color doesn't point to an issue ... normal oil / additive break down. I would use Mobile 1 as the oil of choice - it's all about the performance and breakdown of the oil ... Mobile 1 is by far one of the best in class oils ... I use it ... change oil about 6,000 to 7,000 depending on my driving (twice a year). I always by the best filter I can purchase ... so far no real options here - I use Totoya's filter.

22,000 miles on mine and still loving it - Mr. Bill

 

I changed mine (DIY) at approx. 1000 miles because:

1) it makes me feel better.
2) all my motorcycles have recommended it (either @ 600 or 1,000)
3) the oil was nearly a year old even though I purchased the car new 3 months earlier.

As always, YMMV.

 

I think your panel is covered by the 3 yr/36K warranty.
That tab is there to check the filter from unscrewing. When you remove the filter, take a screw driver small ) and lift it to clear the first turn of the removeal. It does not get in the way after you past the first turn/
good luck

 

I had the new body style (2010) Honda Fit for a short while. The owner's manual said it was filled with a special oil from the factory and said to be certain NOT to change the oil earlier than the on-board computer tells you to (10k miles give or take). of course, i didn't go nearly that long, but twas interesting...

 

The "Tang" has to be held out of the way, (small screwdriver), for the first pass, won't interfere after that. There is another thread on the forum here about just this subject: The cover door breaking at the plastic "hinge-point". There are several remedies for this, the simplist probably being "zip-ties". Drill some holes in door and panel and put a couple of zip-ties through and secure. There are other ideas as well, most of which would probably work just fine.This was not one of Toyota's "better ideas"! Weight/air flow, or not!