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Honda Pilot Engine Oil Change Guide
How to change the motor oil and filter on the VTEC 3.5L V6 engine in a 1st generation 2003 to 2008 Honda Pilot.

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2006 Pilot 3.5L V6 Engine
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Oil Filler Cap
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Twist Off Counterclockwise
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the first generation (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008) Honda Pilot SUV in changing the motor oil and replacing the filter on the VTEC 3.5 liter V6 engine.

Owners of other Honda or Acura vehicles such as the Accord, Civic, Crosstour, CR-V, CR-Z, Fit, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, ILX, TSX, TLX, TL, RLX, RDX, NSX and MDX may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement oil filters with their part numbers are as follows: Mobil 1 M1-110, Bosch 3323, Fram PH7317, Purolator PL14610, Pennzoil HPZ-37, Wix 51356, ACDelco PF2057, Mann-Filter ML 1008 and Pentius PLB7317.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 17mm socket, a 3/8" drive ratchet, a used oil catch basin, an automotive funnel and a Lisle 63600 oil filter wrench.



 
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Partially Remove Dipstick
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Slide Under Passenger Side
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Oil Pan & Drain Bolt
The first three steps are to warm up the engine for a few minutes, park the SUV on a level surface and turn off the ignition.

Warming up the engine will help suspend any contaminants within the old oil and also allow it to drain out more quickly.

Engage the emergency parking brake and place wheel chocks on both sides of the rear tires to prevent the car from moving.

Open the hood, twist off the oil filler cap in the counterclockwise direction and lift up the orange plastic dipstick handle an inch or two.

Removing the oil filler cap and partially removing the dipstick will help prevent a vacuum from forming and also allow the old oil to drain out more quickly.

Slide under the front passenger side of the engine bay with the 17mm socket, a 3/8" drive ratchet and a used oil catch container.

The silver metal oil pan is stamped with the label "Engine Oil". The drain bolt is situated at the rear of the pan with the bolt head facing towards the rear of the vehicle.

The oil filter is located near the front passenger wheel well.

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Old Oil Filter Location
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Used Oil Catch Container
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Loosen Oil Drain Bolt
Position the used oil catch basin to just below the drain bolt.

Loosen the drain bolt in the counterclockwise direction with the 17mm socket and the 3/8" drive ratchet.

Be careful when you remove the oil drain bolt. The old oil might still be hot enough to burn your skin depending on how long you warmed up the engine.

Spin out the oil drain bolt by hand.

Inspect the old washer or "gasket" on the oil drain bolt and replace it if necessary.

The compatible replacement washer part numbers are as follows: Honda 94109-14000 and Dorman 65292.

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Drain Out Old Oil
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Tighten Drain Bolt
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Slide Basin Under Filter
Allow the old oil to drain out for at least a few minutes or until the flow slows down to just an occasional drip.

Clean off the oil drain port with a rag or a paper towel.

Make sure that the old washer is not still stuck to the engine.

Spin in the oil drain bolt a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to help prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

Tighten the oil drain bolt with the 17mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet to just past hand tight or about 29 lb-ft of torque.

Slide the used oil catch basin to just below the old oil filter.

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Twist Off Counterclockwise
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Dip Finger In New Oil
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Lubricate Rubber O-Ring
Twist off the old oil filter in the counterclockwise direction.

If you have trouble loosening the old oil filter, use an oil filter wrench such as the Lisle 63600.

Allow the old oil to drain out from the filter receptacle for at least a minute or two.

Dip your pinky finger in to some new SAE 5W-20 oil and lubricate the rubber o-ring gasket on the new oil filter.

Lubricating the o-ring on the new filter will help it form a better seal, prevent oil leaks and also make it easier to remove during the next oil change.



 

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Twist On Clockwise
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Insert Automotive Funnel
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Pour In New Oil
Make sure the rubber o-ring from the old oil filter is not still attached to the engine.

Twist on the new oil filter in the clockwise direction to about 1/4 to 1/3 turn past hand tight.

Try to avoid over tightening the new oil filter to prevent from damaging the rubber o-ring which may lead to an oil leak.

Insert the automotive funnel in to the oil filler hole.

The Honda VTEC 3.5L V6 engine's oil capacity specification for an oil change with filter replacement is 4.5 U.S. quarts (or 4.3 Liters) of SAE 5W-20 oil.

It is much better to have slightly less oil than necessary in an engine than to overfill it.

Running an engine that has been overfilled with oil can lead to sluggish performance and possibly damage to seals, gaskets or other components.

I recommend at first only pouring in about 4 U.S. quarts of the engine's 4.5 U.S. quarts total capacity.

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Replace Oil Filler Cap
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Push Down Dipstick
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Check Dipstick Level
Temporarily replace the oil filler cap and push down the dipstick.

Start the engine and allow it to warm up for at least 5 minutes.

Then turn off the ignition and allow the new oil to drain down to the oil pan for at least 5 to 10 minutes.

Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean with a paper towel, fully re-insert it and pull it out again to check the oil level.

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Level At "Full" Line
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Replace Dipstick
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Oil Change Complete
If necessary, slowly pour in more oil and repeatedly check the level on the dipstick until it reaches just at or below the upper line on the dipstick which indicates the "Full" or "Maximum" oil level.

You might not need to pour in the entire 4.5 U.S. quarts of new oil to reach the "Max" line on the dipstick.

Replace the oil filler cap and tighten it in the clockwise direction. Re-insert the dipstick.

Be sure to record the oil change and filter replacement in your SUV's service records.

To reset the oil life display and the maintenance reminder, follow these steps: 1. Turn the ignition switch to the "On" position but do not start the engine. 2. Push the Select / Reset button until the engine oil life is displayed on the LCD screen. 3. Push and hold the Select / Reset button for at least 10 seconds. 4. The engine oil life and maintenance item code will blink. 5. Press and hold the Select / Reset button again for at least 5 seconds. The oil life should be reset to 100% and the maintenance minder icon should disappear.

For more, check out all of my 2003-2008 Honda Pilot DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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