It was time to change the oil - 5,000 miles. Was doing OK, until I attempted to remove the oil filter the Honda dealership put on - a gorilla must have done it. Just going to have to wait another 3-4K and get an oil wrench the next time. By then it will have 10-12K on that filter. I use Mobil One 0-20W. To not change the oil filter is sort of like showering and not having a complete change of clothes.
I've mentioned a book no longer in print Drive it Forever, but it just goes into incredible detail of how important it is.... Vicosity deterioriates over time Purges dirt the air filter failed to get. Under engine pressures, water does mix with oil - not good. Purges acid.
Hi Chuck: ___I feel your pain. Although the Accord (12,500 mile interval) and the sold Insight (7,500 mile interval) receive their changes from the local Honda dealership (< $10.00 with my own oil and filter ), the Ranger gets the manual treatment. Whenever I have come across a stuck filter that my filter wrenchs could not pull in the past, out comes 2 screwdrivers, I punch them through the canister, and then spin it off the very messy way. If you cannot get it off using that method, you will be calling in a tow truck given the oil is gone and there is no way to hold a new fill in even if you wanted it too ___Good Luck ___Wayne
I used the stabbed screwdriver just once, because like you said - it has to be towed to a mechanic if it fails.
