🔧 Accord - Engine Oil & Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter and drain plug washer, then refill with fresh oil and reset the maintenance reminder. On your hybrid, this is for the gasoline engine only, but it’s done very similar to a normal Accord.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1–1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Hybrid safety: Make sure the car is fully OFF (no “READY” light) and keep the key at least a few meters away so the engine cannot start by itself.
• ⚠️ Always support the car with jack stands; never work under a vehicle held up only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn you. Let the engine cool 15–30 minutes after driving before starting.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves to protect your eyes and skin from hot oil and debris.
• ⚠️ Keep all tools and rags away from the cooling fan; it can start if the car is ON.
• ⚠️ Do not start the car until it is back on the ground with oil filled.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🧰 Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• 🧰 Jack stands (2-ton or higher, Qty: 2)
• 🧰 Wheel chocks
• 🧰 10mm socket
• 🧰 17mm socket
• 🧰 3/8" drive ratchet
• 🧰 3/8" drive torque wrench (7–80 ft-lbs range)
• 🧰 Oil filter wrench (64mm, 14-flute, cup-style) (specialty)
• 🧰 Flat trim clip removal tool
• 🧰 Drain pan (at least 8-liter capacity)
• 🧰 Funnel (medium size)
• 🧰 Shop rags or paper towels
• 🧰 Latex or nitrile gloves
• 🧰 Safety glasses
• 🧰 Small flashlight

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil (Honda-spec) - Qty: 5 quarts (4.7 liters)
• 🔩 Engine oil filter (spin-on, Accord hybrid 2.0L) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Engine oil drain plug crush washer (17mm Honda type) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Brake cleaner or parts cleaner spray - Qty: 1 can
• 🔩 Shop towels - Qty: 1 pack

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park the Accord on level ground, set the parking brake, and put the transmission in P.
• Turn the power OFF completely: press the Start/Stop button until everything is off and make sure the “READY” light is not on.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Let the engine cool for 15–30 minutes so the oil is warm but not dangerously hot.
• Gather all tools and parts so you don’t have to crawl out from under the car halfway through.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the Accord

• Use the floor jack at the front center jacking point (reinforced area behind the front bumper, on the subframe) to lift the front of the car.
• Place jack stands under the left and right front pinch welds (reinforced seam under the doors) and slowly lower the car onto the stands using the floor jack.
• Give the car a gentle shake; it should feel solid on the jack stands.
• Always keep some clearance to slide out quickly.

Step 2: Remove the lower engine cover access

• Slide the drain pan and your tools near the front of the car, then slide under carefully.
• Your Accord has a plastic lower cover. In front of the engine oil pan there is a small access panel.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove any small bolts holding the oil change access door.
• Use a flat trim clip removal tool to gently pop out any plastic clips, then swing down or remove the access panel to expose the oil pan and filter.

Step 3: Loosen the oil filler cap

• Come back up top and open the hood using the release inside the cabin, then the safety latch at the front of the hood.
• Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine cover.
• Loosen and remove the cap by hand and set it aside. This helps the oil drain faster.

Step 4: Drain the engine oil

• Go back under the car. Position the drain pan under the engine oil pan drain plug (bottom rear of the metal pan).
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to carefully loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Once loose, turn the plug out by hand, keeping pressure against it until you’re ready, then pull it away quickly and let the oil drain into the pan.
• Let the oil drain at least 5–10 minutes until it reduces to a slow drip.

Step 5: Replace the crush washer and reinstall drain plug

• Wipe the drain plug with a shop rag to clean it.
• Remove the old crush washer from the plug and install the new one, with the flat side against the bolt head if it is a one-side type.
• Wipe the area around the drain hole on the oil pan to ensure a clean sealing surface.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the plug to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
• Never overtighten; the pan threads can strip.

Step 6: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter (toward the front of the engine; it’s a small canister screwed on).
• Use the 64mm, 14-flute oil filter wrench and 3/8" ratchet to loosen the filter by turning it counterclockwise.
• Once loosened, spin it off by hand. More oil will come out, so keep the drain pan directly underneath.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket (seal) comes off with the filter. Check the engine’s filter mounting surface to confirm the gasket is not stuck there.

Step 7: Install the new oil filter

• Take the new oil filter out of the box.
• Using a bit of fresh engine oil, use your finger to lightly coat the rubber gasket on the new filter. This helps it seal and makes the next removal easier.
• Thread the new filter onto the engine by hand until the gasket just touches the mounting surface.
• Then tighten the filter another 3/4 turn by hand, or if using the oil filter wrench and torque wrench, torque it to 18 Nm (13 ft-lbs). Do not overtighten.

Step 8: Clean and refit the access panel

• Spray a little brake cleaner on a rag and wipe any spilled oil off the oil pan, drain plug, and around the filter area.
• Reinstall the lower access panel using the 10mm socket for bolts and the trim clip tool to gently push clips back in.
• Make sure the panel is fully secure and not hanging down.

Step 9: Lower the Accord back to the ground

• Use the floor jack to lift the front slightly and remove the jack stands.
• Carefully lower the car to the ground using the floor jack.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 10: Fill with fresh engine oil

• With the car level and the hood open, place the funnel into the oil filler opening.
• Pour in about 4.0 quarts (3.8 liters) of 0W-20 engine oil first.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.
• Pull out the dipstick, wipe it with a rag, reinsert fully, then remove it again and check the level. It should be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks, ideally near the middle at this stage.
• You will fine-tune the level after running the engine.

Step 11: Start the engine and check for leaks

• With your foot on the brake, press the Start/Stop button to start the Accord. Make sure it is in Park and safe.
• Let the engine run for 1–2 minutes so oil circulates and fills the new filter. On a hybrid, the engine may cycle on and off; that’s okay.
• Turn the car OFF again.
• Look under the car with a flashlight, checking around the drain plug and oil filter for any fresh oil drips.
• If you see leaks, shut everything down, let it cool, and gently snug the leaking joint using the appropriate socket or filter wrench.

Step 12: Final oil level check

• Wait about 5 minutes with the car OFF so the oil drains back into the pan.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert fully, then remove again to read the level.
• Top up a little at a time through the funnel until the oil level is close to, but not above, the “MAX” mark. Total capacity with filter is about 4.4 quarts (4.2 liters), so you may need a bit more than what you first poured.
• Reinstall the dipstick and oil filler cap securely.

Step 13: Reset the oil life / maintenance minder

• Sit in the driver’s seat and turn the car ON but do not start driving (press Start/Stop without pressing the brake so electronics come on).
• Use the controls on the steering wheel to bring up the instrument panel menu.
• Navigate: Home > Maintenance > Oil Life using the steering wheel buttons.
• Select Oil Life, then choose Reset and confirm. (Names may be slightly different, but look for “Maintenance” and “Oil Life”.)
• Confirm that the oil life now shows 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the ground under the Accord after your first short drive; look for any fresh oil spots.
• Recheck the oil level with the dipstick the next morning when the engine is cold; top off if needed.
• Make sure there are no warning lights on the dash after restarting.
• Dispose of the used oil and filter properly at a local recycling center or auto parts store; never pour oil on the ground or into drains.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90–$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35–$60 (parts only)

You Save: $55–$80 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7–1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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