After a long search, I finally decided on, and found an '03 Civic Lx 5 speed. I love it, it has 43,000 on the clock and had one previous owner, who was an old lady. The car has been broken in very properly and I feel as if I can safely and smartly switch to synthetic oil. My question is, what oil filter should I use? And do I drain the conventional and just pour in the synthetic and replace the filter? Would a napa filter do? Thank you for your time.

 

Congratulations on the purchase. Any name brand filter will do, I have heard a few horror stories about Fram filters but thats about it. Yes you just drain the conventional oil and pour in the synthetic. You will also need a new crush washer.

 

I have been useing the pure 0ne filters from purolater, I like them I use them on everything I own, including my Zo6.

 

I just use conventional, but I use Castrol 10W-30 with a STP filters, because it will fit my wrenches the best with least headache.

 

I'm using a K&N oil filter. It cost like 9 bucks but I figured I'd try it once, I mean, it is K&N. It works great.

 

I heard horror stories about Fram filters. I have used them for over 30 years and never had a problem with them. My current civic has 300,000 miles on it but I have a headgasket problem that is totally unrelated to the Fram filter.

 

Yea, it's by no means common for an oil filter to destroy an engine, unless installed improperly. But the 3 stories I read abouton H-T wererelated to Fram's filters. Bad luck I suppose.