🔧 Civic - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct oil. This keeps your Civic’s 2.0L engine lubricated and helps prevent wear and sludge.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🛑 Support the car with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🛑 Let the engine cool 10-15 minutes so the oil isn’t scalding hot.
• 🛑 Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately.
• 🛑 Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 7-quart)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• 17mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3/8" torque wrench (10-80 ft-lb range)
• Oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute (specialty)
• Flat trim clip tool (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Civic on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off and wait 10-15 minutes.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap (this helps it drain faster).
• Lay cardboard under the engine for drips.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the car

• Use wheel chocks at the rear wheels.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the car at the front center jack point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair) under the left and right front pinch welds, then lower onto the stands.
• Give the car a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable.

Step 2: Access the drain plug and oil filter

• Slide the drain pan (at least 7-quart) under the oil pan area.
• If your Civic has an under cover access panel: remove the fasteners using a 10mm socket and flat trim clip tool (specialty).
• A trim clip tool pops plastic clips without breaking them.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Use safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to loosen the oil drain bolt (turn counterclockwise).
• Finish unthreading by hand and quickly pull the bolt away so oil drains into the drain pan.
• Let it drain until it slows to an occasional drip (typically 5-10 minutes).

Step 4: Replace the drain plug crush washer and reinstall the drain bolt

• Remove the old washer and install the new drain plug crush washer.
• A crush washer is a soft metal ring that seals.
• Thread the drain bolt in by hand first (to avoid cross-threading).
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" torque wrench (10-80 ft-lb range) to tighten the drain bolt: Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use the oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute (specialty) with a 3/8" ratchet to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket didn’t stick to the engine.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Wipe the filter mounting surface with shop rags.
• Put a thin film of new oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a finger).
• Thread the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts, then tighten.
• If using a torque wrench: use the oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute (specialty) and 3/8" torque wrench: Torque to 16 Nm (12 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the under cover access panel (if removed)

• Reinstall clips using the flat trim clip tool (specialty).
• Reinstall bolts using the 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.

Step 8: Refill engine oil

• Lower the car off the stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic), starting with about 4.0 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap.
• Start the engine for 30-60 seconds, then shut it off and wait 3-5 minutes.
• Check the dipstick and top off as needed (typical total with filter is about 4.4 quarts).

Step 9: Check for leaks

• With the engine off, look underneath for any drip from the drain bolt or oil filter.
• Wipe everything clean with shop rags, then re-check after a short drive.

---

✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Reset the oil life (Maintenance Minder) on your Civic: Home > Settings > Vehicle > Maintenance Info > Oil Life > Reset.
• 🧪 Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil recycling drop-off (most parts stores take it).
• 🧪 Re-check the dipstick the next morning and top off if needed.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 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.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.