Words: Chad Antonio
Photos: Tung T. Le
Model: Rona
We all know that every 3 months or 3000
miles, we have to change the oil in our precious investments.
No matter what vehicle, import car, sport compact, drag
car, drift slider, motorcycle, turbo, nitrous... the
steps involved are pretty much the same. Yes of course
there's some variation between different makes and models,
but we're here to help you with the basics.
In this Jade Motorsports tech feature,
Jade Girl Rona helps us out by doing the lube job on
Vinny's Widebody Integra GSR-Turbo. She took us through
the process step by step. In no time changing the oil,
she had this JDM machine ready to roam the streets of
Orlando once again.
STEP 1: Preparation
As with all tasks in life, its always better to prepare.
In the same matter when it comes to meeting girls, you
have to warm up to any lady before you get started if
you plan on getting anywhere. So, Rona suggested that
we run the car for a few minutes to heat up the oil
in the car since it has been sitting for some time.
When the oil is warm physics explains that oil is more
liquid. Thus, the oil flows out easier insuring that
almost all of it drains from the car. It's not a necessary
step, but she also enjoys the feel of the heat from
the oil on her skin. It's a good idea in this Integra
because of all the extra oil lines from the aftermarket
turbo setup.
STEP 2: Raising
The TEIN coilover suspension is needed for the widebody
Integra, it gives the car an aggressive stance but at
the same time it also sits the car really low to the
point where a floor jack could not fit underneath. Thus,
Rona quick to lend a hand, grabbed the Takata Low Down
Slopes and placed them in the front wheels. The extra
height was enough to get the floor jack in place to
make more room to get underneath the car. Just remember,
if you lift your car to the point where the wheels don't
touch the ground, please use proper safety equipment
such as jack stands to support the weight of the car.
STEP 3: Draining
Eager to lay down on her back, Rona slides underneath
the car unafraid of the monster which she is about to
lay her hands on. She moves in to find the oil pan and
she loosens up the drain bolt using a socket wrench.
She removes the bolt to drain the dirty black oil from
the  car.
Since she enjoys being under and while she was down
there, she reached out to the oil filter and unscrewed
it from the block using an oil filter wrench. Remember
when removing the oil filter that there is oil inside
there as well, so protect your eyes and face as some
of this oil may accidentally drip on you.
STEP 4: Oil Filter
As the oil drains from the car, Rona slides out from
underneath to prepare the oil filter. You can get oil
filters from any auto parts stores. You
could also go to your dealer as was done for this Integra.
 A
trip to the Honda/Acura dealership was all that was
needed to get the new OEM Honda oil filter used for
this oil change. Rona then
grabs a quart of Valvoline Synthetic 10W-30 Oil and
pours a small amount inside. It's just another good
idea to pre-fill the filter. She then takes her finger
and dips it into the synthetic oil. She runs her lubricated
finger around the oil filter gasket applying a thin
film. All lubed up and ready to go, the oil filter is
ready to be installed. She gets back underneath on her
back as she likes it, and cleans up the mating spot
where the oil filter will be placed. She screws the
oil filter on and replaces the drain bolt, torquing
the drain bolt down to factory specs.
STEP 5: Valvoline
Synthetic Oil
Out from under the car and now on top in command, Rona
shows the hole where she'll be adding the fluid the
motor craves and needs. She suggested to use Valvoline
Full Synthetic 10W-30 Oil in Vinny's turbo Integra because
it is formulated for high-performance vehicles. She
takes a funnel, and adds the amount of oil recommended
as indicated in the owner's manual. Quart by quart,
Rona gently pours the synthetic oil into the turbo motor
knowing that Vinny's GSR will quench it's thirst especially
in times when VTEC is in full gear... the times when
protection is needed with high thrusts of power, more
than any girl riding shotgun can handle.
STEP 6: Check
After screwing the oil cap back into place, Rona starts
up the car to let the synthetic oil cycle through the
motor and all the turbo lines. She shuts the car off,
and goes back to the motor to check the dipstick. The
oil level on the dipstick shows that there is enough
oil in the motor. Rona proves to us that changing oil
in a car is an easy job, and thus no one should have
an excuse to not doing so. Her job is done as Vinny's
Widebody Integra GSR Turbo is ready once again to cruise
the streets of Orlando.
Now what to do with the used oil? It's
a good idea to pour it back into the containers which
held the new oil. For one reason, you should always
recycle your used oil, most auto parts stores do this
for free. You can also check the oil to see if there
is any debris floating or in the collecting pan, which
there shouldn't be. Lastly, the amount of oil you put
in should roughly equal the amount that left the car.
Vinny and myself want to give Rona two thumbs up for
taking the time out of the day to do this. Special thanks
going out to Tung T. Le for the pictures, and Val for
her help with the model.
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