🔧 Accord - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

On your Accord, an oil change means draining the old engine oil, replacing the oil filter, and refilling with the correct oil. Fresh oil protects the engine from wear and helps it run cooler and cleaner.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.75-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and chock the rear wheels.
• ⚠️ Never get under a car supported only by a jack—use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot; let the engine cool 10–20 minutes if needed.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and the exhaust to avoid smoke/odor.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (pair, rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 6-quart)
• Funnel
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10–60 ft-lb range)
• Oil filter wrench (65mm 14-flute)
• Flat trim clip tool
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park 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. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap and dipstick (this helps it drain smoothly).
• If your Accord has a lower splash shield, you may need to remove a few clips to access the drain plug and filter.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the front of the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands and gently shake the car to confirm it’s stable.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a flat trim clip tool to pop out the plastic clips and lower the shield enough to reach the drain plug and oil filter.
• A trim clip tool is a small pry tool made for plastic fasteners without breaking them.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Position the drain pan under the oil pan drain bolt.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain bolt.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (typically 5–10 minutes).

Step 4: Reinstall the drain bolt with a new crush washer

• Wipe the drain bolt and oil pan sealing surface using shop towels.
• Install a new crush washer on the drain bolt (this helps prevent leaks).
• Thread the drain bolt in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench with a 17mm socket: Torque to 39 N·m (29 ft-lb).

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (65mm 14-flute) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket didn’t stick to the engine (a stuck gasket can cause a bad leak).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a thin film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a gloved finger).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the base, then tighten.
• If using a torque wrench and filter wrench: Torque to 12 N·m (9 ft-lb).

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield and reinstall clips using the flat trim clip tool.

Step 8: Refill with fresh oil

• Lower the car safely off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Place a funnel in the oil fill hole and add about 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap.

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, and verify the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3 minutes, then check the dipstick.
• Add small amounts as needed to reach the full mark. Don’t overfill.
• Look underneath for leaks at the drain bolt and filter.

Step 10: Reset the oil life (Maintenance Minder)

• Turn ignition to ON (engine off).
• Use the steering wheel buttons to display the oil life / Maintenance Minder screen.
• Press and hold SEL/RESET until the oil life starts blinking, then release.
• Press and hold SEL/RESET again until it resets to 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck for leaks after your first short drive.
• Recheck oil level once the engine is fully warm, then shut off and wait 3 minutes.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (most parts stores/shops accept used oil).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$200 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $85-$130 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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