🔧 Accord - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct fresh oil. This keeps your engine lubricated, reduces wear, and helps the oil life monitor stay accurate.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and use jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 20-30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil/filter properly (parts stores usually accept it).
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (7-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench (64mm 14-flute cap) (specialty)
• Flat trim clip tool
• Shop rags

---

🔩 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 on level ground, shift to 1st gear, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and loosen the oil fill cap by hand (do not remove yet). This helps oil drain smoothly.
• Assumption: your Accord uses the common under-cover access panel and spin-on oil filter.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the front safely

• Place the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) at the front center jacking point and raise the front.
• Set the car onto jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) at the proper support points.
• Give the car a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Open the lower splash shield access (if equipped)

• Use a flat trim clip tool to pop out any plastic clips, and use a 17mm socket or 3/8" drive ratchet only if your cover uses bolts (some do).
• Fold the access door down to reach the drain plug and oil filter.
• Keep clips together so none go missing.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Position the drain pan (7-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then remove it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).

Step 4: Reinstall drain plug with a new crush washer

• Wipe the drain plug and oil pan sealing surface using shop rags.
• Install a new drain plug crush washer (this is a soft washer that seals when compressed).
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench with a 17mm socket: Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan (7-quart minimum) under the oil filter (oil will spill when the seal breaks).
• Use the oil filter wrench (64mm 14-flute cap) (specialty) with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the filter.
• Unscrew the filter by hand and keep it open-end up to reduce mess.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (it should). If it stuck to the engine, peel it off using shop rags.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Wipe the filter mounting surface with shop rags.
• Put a thin film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a gloved finger).
• Thread the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten 3/4 turn more by hand.
• If you must use the cap wrench, use it gently—do not over-tighten.

Step 7: Refill with fresh oil

• Lower the car off the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) so the car sits level.
• Remove the oil fill cap and insert a funnel.
• Pour in 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic (start with 4.0 quarts, then top up).
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, then set final oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3 minutes for oil to drain back.
• Check under the car for leaks at the drain plug and filter.
• Check the dipstick, then add oil as needed using the funnel (add small amounts). Don’t fill above the top mark.

Step 9: Reset the oil life monitor

• Cluster button method: Turn ignition to ON (engine off). Press the SEL/RESET button until Oil Life shows, then press-and-hold SEL/RESET until it blinks, then press-and-hold again to reset.
• Steering-wheel/i-MID method: Turn ignition to ON (engine off). Use the steering-wheel buttons to open Menu, find Vehicle Settings or Maintenance Reset, select Oil Life, then confirm reset.

---

✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick after your first short drive and top off if needed.
• Make sure the oil fill cap is tight and there are no drips under the engine.
• Put used oil into a sealed container and recycle it with the old filter.

---

💰 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 0.5-1.0 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.