🔧 Civic - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This job replaces the old engine oil and oil filter so your Civic’s turbocharged engine stays properly lubricated and protected. You’ll drain the oil, replace the filter, install a new drain plug washer, refill with fresh oil, and reset the maintenance reminder.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Support the Civic with jack stands only. Never work under a vehicle held up by a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves to protect your eyes and skin from used oil.
• ⚠️ Keep used oil away from children, pets, drains, and soil. Recycle it at an oil collection center.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 17mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench, 65mm 14-flute (specialty)
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Trim clip remover (specialty)
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil, SAE 0W-20 full synthetic - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park the Civic on a level surface, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 🔎 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens a bolt to a precise tightness so you do not strip threads or leave it loose.
• 🔎 A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that gets compressed once and should be replaced every oil change.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and Secure the Front

• Use the floor jack at the front center jacking point to raise the front of the Civic.
• Place jack stands under the approved front side support points.
• Lower the Civic gently onto the jack stands and lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.
• Never trust the jack alone.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Engine Cover Access Panel

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a flat-head screwdriver and trim clip remover to remove the clips or fasteners from the lower splash shield access area.
• Move the access panel aside so you can reach the drain plug and oil filter.
• Keep the clips in a cup or tray so they do not get lost.

Step 3: Remove the Oil Filler Cap

• Open the hood and remove the engine oil filler cap by hand.
• Pull the dipstick up slightly by hand.
• This helps oil drain smoothly from the bottom of the engine.

Step 4: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Place the oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum directly under the engine oil drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Remove the drain plug by hand once loose, keeping your hand away from the oil stream.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Oil may shoot out at first.

Step 5: Replace the Drain Plug Washer

• Use your fingers or a flat-head screwdriver to remove the old crush washer from the drain plug.
• Install the new engine oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug by hand.
• Wipe the drain plug threads clean with shop towels.

Step 6: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels so leaks are easier to spot later.

Step 7: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the oil drain pan, 8-quart minimum under the oil filter.
• Use the oil filter wrench, 65mm 14-flute with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the filter by hand.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter.
• A stuck gasket can cause a major leak.

Step 8: Install the New Oil Filter

• Dip a gloved finger into fresh SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil.
• Lightly coat the new oil filter rubber gasket with oil.
• Thread the new engine oil filter on by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Use the oil filter wrench, 65mm 14-flute and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the filter.
• Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).
• If you do not have room for a torque wrench, tighten the filter by hand until snug, then about 3/4 turn more.

Step 9: Reinstall the Lower Engine Cover Access Panel

• Use the trim clip remover and your hands to reinstall the lower splash shield clips or fasteners.
• Use the flat-head screwdriver only if the clip design needs the center pin pressed back in.
• Make sure the panel sits flat and does not hang loose.

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to raise the Civic slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the Civic slowly onto level ground with the floor jack.

Step 11: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the oil filler opening.
• Pour in about 5 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.
• Wait 2 minutes, then check the dipstick by hand.
• Add oil slowly until the level is near the upper mark on the dipstick.
• Total refill is typically about 5.7 quarts with filter, but always finish by dipstick level.
• Do not overfill the engine.

Step 12: Start and Leak Check

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Look under the Civic with a flashlight if available, and check the drain plug and oil filter area for leaks.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3-5 minutes.
• Use the dipstick by hand to recheck oil level.
• Add more oil with the funnel if needed, keeping the level between the low and full marks.

Step 13: Reset the Maintenance Minder

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel controls to select the maintenance oil life display.
• Press and hold the ENTER button until the reset mode appears.
• Select the oil life item, then press and hold ENTER again to reset it to 100%.
• If equipped with a touchscreen path, use Home > Settings > Vehicle > Maintenance Info > Select Reset Items > Engine Oil > Reset.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Verify the engine oil level is correct after the engine has been off for 3-5 minutes.
• ✅ Check under the Civic again after your first short drive for any oil drips.
• ✅ Confirm the oil life display shows 100%.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and old filter at an approved oil collection location.
• ✅ Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$80 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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