🔧 Civic - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

Changing the engine oil and oil filter keeps your engine lubricated and helps it last longer. On your Civic, you’ll drain the old oil, replace the filter, then refill with the correct amount of fresh oil.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-90 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 20-30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; oil can irritate skin/eyes.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ 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 (pair, rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter wrench (65-67mm cap type) (specialty)
• Drain pan (at least 6-quart capacity)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (5W-20) - Qty: 4 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Raise the front of the car with a floor jack and support it on jack stands.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (helps oil drain smoothly).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Set up and locate the drain plug

• Slide the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug (bottom of the engine).
• Use a shop rag to wipe dirt around the drain plug area.

Step 2: Drain the old engine oil

• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand and let the oil drain fully into the drain pan.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new one.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading (damaging the threads).
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench with 17mm socket: Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).
• Wipe any oil off the oil pan with a shop rag.

Step 4: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (65-67mm cap type) (specialty) with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the filter.
• Unscrew the filter by hand and let it drain into the pan.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket (seal) came off with the filter. If it’s stuck on the engine, peel it off with a shop rag.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Put a small dab of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Screw the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine surface.
• Tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn. If you use a torque wrench: Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Refill with new engine oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in about 3.7 quarts of 5W-20 oil.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 7: Start, check for leaks, and set the level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3-5 minutes for oil to settle.
• Check the dipstick, wipe it with a shop rag, reinsert, then check again.
• Add oil as needed to reach the full mark (typical total with filter is about 3.9 quarts). Use the funnel.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck for leaks after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (take to an oil recycling drop-off).
• Reset the Maintenance Minder (if equipped): turn ignition to ON, display oil life, press/hold the TRIP button ~10 seconds until it blinks, release, then press/hold ~5 seconds until it resets.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$180 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $60-$120 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.2 hours.

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🎯 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.