🔧 Accord - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with fresh oil to protect your engine from wear and sludge. Doing it on schedule helps your Accord run smoother and last longer.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands, not just a jack.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot; let the engine cool 15-30 minutes if needed.
• ⚠️ Keep the parking brake set and use wheel chocks on the rear wheels.
• ⚠️ Avoid spilling oil on the exhaust; it can smoke and smell.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this job.

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🔧 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 (at least 6-quart)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Ratchet
• 17mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter wrench (65mm 14-flute cap type)
• Flathead screwdriver

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, 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 (top of engine). Pull the dipstick up slightly to vent the crankcase.
• Lift the front of the car with a floor jack and support it on jack stands. (Jack stands are the metal supports that hold the car safely while you work.)

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Slide the drain pan under the engine area.
• If a small under-cover blocks access, remove its bolts with a 10mm socket and release any clips with a flathead screwdriver.

Step 2: Drain the old engine oil

• Locate the oil drain bolt on the bottom of the oil pan.
• Use a 17mm socket and ratchet to loosen the drain bolt, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain into the drain pan for 5-10 minutes.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain bolt and install the new one. (A crush washer is a soft metal washer that seals when tightened.)

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain bolt

• Thread the drain bolt in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench with a 17mm socket to tighten the drain bolt: Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).

Step 4: 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 cap type) to loosen the oil filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Wipe the filter mounting surface with shop towels.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (it should not be stuck to the engine).

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a little oil from the new bottle).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• If you prefer torque spec, use a torque wrench with the oil filter wrench: Torque to 16 Nm (12 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reinstall the under-cover using a 10mm socket for bolts and a flathead screwdriver for clips.

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil filler opening.
• Pour in about 4.4 quarts of 5W-20 engine oil.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap and fully seat the dipstick.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, and set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3-5 minutes for oil to drain back.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop towels, reinsert, then check the level.
• Add oil in small amounts (a little at a time) using the funnel until the level is near the top mark (do not overfill).
• Look underneath for leaks around the drain bolt and oil filter.

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✅ After Repair

• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil recycling drop-off (most parts stores accept it).
• Reset the Maintenance Minder oil life:
  • Turn ignition to ON (II) without starting.
  • Press the SELECT/RESET button until oil life shows.
  • Press and hold SELECT/RESET about 10 seconds until it blinks.
  • Release, then press and hold again about 5 seconds to reset to 100%.
• Recheck the dipstick level the next day after a normal drive. Tiny top-offs are normal.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $30-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $60-$100 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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